On Thursday September 3rd, the Atlanta Gladiators announced the re-signings of defensemen Josh Thrower and forward Nick Bligh. The two parties agreed to terms on standard player contracts for the upcoming season. The two now mark a full-roster for the Atlanta Gladiators.
Josh Thrower, 24-years-old, is a right-handed defensemen from Squamish, British Columbia. Thrower had a long run in the WHL where he played in a total of 309 games. He did so for Moose Jaw Warriors, Tri-City Americans, Vancouver Giants and Calgary Hitmen.
From 2012-2017, he scored 11 goals along with 62 assists. During his time in major junior, Thrower also won a pair of medals, both bronze and silver, as well as a championship.
Josh Thrower made his pro debut with the Allen Americans in 2017-18. While with the organization, Thrower scored a single goal along with 11 assists for a total of 12 points. He did so in 106 games.
Thrower is a big, shutdown defensemen that adds a high level of toughness to the hockey club’s defence. In his first season of pro in Atlanta, Thrower recorded two goals along with two assists for a total of four points. He amassed these totals in 38 games played.
Gladiators head coach Jeff Pyle described Josh Thrower as a “hard-nosed defensive player. Pyle also mentioned that Thrower “is a presence on the ice and gives our guys an opportunity to execute their game. The other players love him and were happy to see him progress the way he did.”
In a statement on the Gladiators website, Thrower noted that “we have a great group of guys coming back this year and we have added a few players that can help us make a big push. I am excited to get back after it.”
Nick Bligh 27-years-old, is a right-handed centreman from Boston, Massachusetts. Bligh played collegiate hockey at Dartmouth College in Hanover, New Hampshire. During his four-year tenure, Bligh played in 96 games, scoring 19 goals along with 23 assists. This made for 42 points from 2012-2016.
Bligh made his pro debut in the ECHL in 2016-17. He spent his rookie season with the South Carolina Stingrays. Since his professional debut, Bligh has played for six different teams, including the South Carolina Stingrays, Adirondack Thunder, Wichita Thunder, Quad City Mallards, Worcester Railers and Indy Fuel. He did all of this before landing with the Gladiators in 2018-19.
Nick Bligh had a personal high season in 2018-19, racking up 22 goals along with 22 assists for 44 points. He did so in 51 games played. Last season was mired with injuries for Bligh, but regardless of that, the righty still amassed 15 points. He did so, recording eight goals along with seven assists in 30 games played.
Head coach Jeff Pyle mentioned that Nick Bligh “ran into a few injuries last year and having him back healthy is a big plus for us.” Pyle also praised Bligh as “one of the best goal scorers that I have ever had. He will be a big part of our success going forward.”
With Thursday’s signings of Thrower and Bligh, the roster for 2019-20 is now at capacity as puck drop approaches on the fourth of December. The Gladiators have a great mixture of returning players and new faces as well. Josh Thrower brings the grit to a lineup that’s already deep when it comes to defence.
Their defensive core currently consists of Robbie Hall, Malcolm Hayes and Zach Yoder alongside Greg Campbell, Chris Forney and Bryce Reddick. Another new face for Atlanta is Grant Frederic.
Nick Bligh has the offensive abilities to boost an already dynamic roster. This includes returning forwards Luke Nogard, Avery Peterson, Anthony Collins, Logan Nelson, Nolan LaPorte and captain Derek Nesbitt. They join newly signed forwards such as Jack Suter, Cody Sylvester, Tommy Besinger and the highly decorated Michael Pelech.
This lineup, along with Sean Bonar, a returning goaltender, between the pipes, could prove be a real force when the team hits the ice for 2020-21. Stay tuned in early December when the ECHL season is scheduled to begin.