On Tuesday, June 2nd, the Atlanta Gladiators, along with the rest of the ECHL, confirmed their 2020 protected list. The list contains players whos rights will be retained by the Gladiators heading into the offseason.
Atlanta has listed a total of 15 players, eight forwards, six defensemen, and one goaltender. The ECHL has mandated that all future consideration trades must be completed by 3:00 PM ET on June 12th, and teams are to submit their season-ending rosters by 3:00 PM ET on June 15th.
There is still time for Atlanta Gladiators Head Coach and Director of Hockey Operations Jeff Pyle to finalize his season-ending roster, but the retained list gives a clear indication that he intends to keep the established core of hard-working, two-way skaters.
The Atlanta Gladiators protected list is as follows:
FORWARDS (8): Luke Nogard, Nick Bligh, Derek Nesbitt, Eric Neiley, Avery Peterson, Anthony Collins, Logan Nelson, and Nolan LaPorte.
DEFENSEMEN (6): Greg Campbell, Zachary Malatesta, Josh Thrower, Chris Forney, Robbie Hall, and Kyle Chatham.
GOALTENDERS (1): Sean Bonar.
FORWARDS
The list of retained forwards should not contain any surprises for Glads’ fans. The senior core of Nick Bligh, Avery Peterson and Gladiators legend Derek Nesbitt, who’s been present for a number of seasons, have all been retained, as well as the team’s top point scorer last season, Eric Neiley.
Neiley had a stellar 2019-20 campaign, tallying 55 points (24g, 31a) in 59 games for the Glads. After successful stints in Europe, there is interest from Gyergyoi HK of the Erste Liga, but if he decides to play in the ECHL next year, the Gladiators have the rights to his services.
It’s hard to imagine the Gladiators without team captain, Derek Nesbitt. The veteran forward has over 500 ECHL games under his belt and showed no signs of slowing down last season, contributing 46 points (15g, 31a) in 60 games. Nezzy continues to lead by example and will be a key player for Atlanta next season.
ECHL veteran Nick Bligh only featured in 30 games for the Glads in the 2019-20 campaign, managing just 15 points (8g, 7a). Bligh has been a prolific scorer in the past, and if he can stay healthy next season, he has every chance of being one of Atlanta’s most productive forwards.
DEFENSEMEN
The Gladiators only retained six defensemen this year, Zach Malatesta, Chris Forney, and Josh Thrower are among those due to return for the 2020-21 campaign. With the likes of Joel Messner now contracted to the Boston Bruins organization, there will be opportunities for some of the younger blue-liners to step up next season.
Glads Zach Malatesta will return for a fourth season in Atlanta. The 23-year-old was one of the most productive d-men last season, with 34 points (14g, 20a) in 60 games. Malatesta has consistently improved each year in Atlanta and will be one of the first names on Coach Pyle’s opening night roster in October.
GOALTENDERS
Sean Bonar was the only shot-stopper retained by Atlanta, but with a number of goaltenders in the Bruins organization, the Gladiators will probably get reinforcements from their senior affiliate. Bones saw significantly less ice time last year, but did make an appearance for the Providence Bruins of the AHL. The 29-year-old has the talent, and will be hoping to re-establish himself as the Gladiators’ main man between the pipes next season.