On Monday August 31st, the Atlanta Gladiators announced a pair of transactions, signing forward Tommy Besinger and defensemen Greg Campbell. The two parties agreed to terms on standard player contracts for the upcoming season.
Greg Campbell
Greg Campbell is returning to the Gladiators after joining the team via trade back in February. He was acquired from the Allen Americans which sent Cody Corbett the other way in exchange.
The 25-year-old defensemen, originally a native of Oakville, Ontario, played with the Gladiators in 14 games before the season was halted due to COVID-19. Prior to turning pro in 2019, Campbell spent four years skating with the Union College Dutchmen in the NCAA. During his tenure in collegiate, Campbell recorded eight goals along with 35 assists for 43 points. He did so in 136 games.
Campbell made his pro debut in 2019-20 with the Florida Everblades. He only played in two games for Florida before being dealt to the Allen Americans. During his 21 games there, Campbell scored a single goal along with four assists for a total of five points.
In a statement on the Gladiators website from head coach Jeff Pyle on Monday afternoon, he said of Campbell making his return, “Greg was a big part of our winning streak at the end of last season. He is a good, young defenseman that makes great decisions. He is calm with the puck and has excellent vision. He stepped in and played well at both ends of the ice.”
Tommy Besinger
Tommy Besinger is a 26-year-old forward, originally a native of Boston, Massachusetts. In 2015-16, Besinger skated in 12 games for the Army Academy in Division I hockey. He did so before enrolling at Endicott College in Beverly, MA.
During his tenure with the Gulls, Besinger scored 33 goals along with 71 assists for 104 points. He amassed these totals through 71 games played. Besinger saw a brief stint in the SPHL with the Evansville Thunderbolts. Doing so in 2018-19, Besinger recorded two goals along with one assist, having played in four games.
Last season, he took his talents overseas where the forward competed in France’s Synerglace Ligue Magnus. He suited up for the Scorpions de Mulhouse. Tommy would skate in 32 games, scoring 20 goals along with 15 assists.
In a statement on the Gladiators website, Jeff Pyle highlighted Besinger’s abilities, referring to him as a “hard-working, two-way player that can score. As well, Pyle also noted that the right-handed shooter “would be a good fit for our system.”
Campbell was a great addition when he signed on last season to join Atlanta’s defensive core. With that being an asset and Besinger’s reputation as an impressive goal scorer, these two signings seem incredible as they now join a solid-looking Gladiators roster. They do so for the upcoming season which is set to commence on the fourth of December.