Glads Ink Stejskal, Register

Defensemen Joe Stejskal and Matt Register have agreed to terms for the 2015-2016 season, the Gladiators announced Wednesday. Stejskal (pronounced STAY-skull), 27, returns to the Gladiators where he started last season before he was dealt to the Toledo Walleye on March 9, 2015. The Grand Rapids, Minnesota native appeared in 16 games for the Walleye at the end of the regular season where he notched four points, before helping Toledo reach the Eastern Conference Finals with two goals and an assist in 15 playoff matches. As the Gladiators Alternate Captain last season, the defenseman produced 22 points in 48 games played before being traded. Stejskal also competed in seven games in the AHL for the Iowa Wild during the 2014-15 campaign. Its a great feeling to have a leader like Joe, who stabilized our defensive core last season, back in the locker room, said Gladiators Head Coach Andy Brandt. He possesses the rare ability to not only accomplish the elements of the game that those in attendance take notice of, but also to think of and address the little things that are often overlooked. For that reason, Joe is an elite player in this league. Any role he is put in, offensively or defensively, he will excel at. The 6-foot-3, 207-pound blue liner brings nine career points in 100 games of AHL experience with the Hamilton Bulldogs and Iowa Wild. In addition to his time in the AHL, Stejskal has skated in 155 ECHL games with the Wheeling Nailers, Florida Everblades, Toledo Walleye, and Atlanta Gladiators (formally Gwinnett) notching a total of eight goals and 41 assists in those contests. Before commencing his professional hockey career, Stejskal completed a four year stint with the NCAAs Dartmouth College. In 126 career games played for the Big Green from 2007-2011, Stejskal engineered 32 points and served as the teams Alternate Captain for his senior season.Atlanta is an excellent organization and Im appreciative of the chance to return to a club that has given me such great opportunities, said Stejskal. My goal is to focus on improving the details of my game, which in turn adds up over the season and helps me contribute to the bigger overall picture of full team success this season. Register, 26, had his rights acquired by the Gladiators earlier this summer (along with forward Todd Fiddler) to complete the trade deadline deal that sent Gary Nunn to the Ontario Reign. The Calgary, Alberta native spent three seasons with the Reign in which he registered 32 goals and 75 assists in 144 games played in Southern California. During his tenure in Ontario, Register was named to the All-ECHL First Team in 2014 and 2015 along with being awarded the ECHL Defenseman of the Year honors in 2014. The defender scored 18 points in 19 playoff games last season, second only to current Gladiators teammate Gary Nunn as the Reign made a run to the Western Conference Finals. Look at Matts pro hockey resume and it speaks for itself, said Brandt. Register can put up big time numbers and is going to be a huge part of this team offensively. Pair that with his defensive contributions, and youll find he brings a high level all-around game to Atlanta. Register has spent some time in the AHL as he skated in six games for the Chicago Wolves last season, posting four assists. The 6-foot-2, 205-pound d-man began his professional career in the Central Hockey League back in 2011-12. Register tallied three goals and 17 assists in 73 games played in the CHL for Allen, Tulsa, and Arizona from 2011-2013. Prior to turning pro, Register appeared in 166 games played for the AJHLs Bonnyville Pontiacs manufacturing 92 points. Today is a big day for the team as now we have rounded out and solidified our defensive core, added Brandt. Register brings the offensive prowess and Stejskal supplies the rock-solid defense giving us an unbelievable 1-2 punch on the blue-line. The Atlanta Gladiators are set to drop the puck on their 13th season at The Arena at Infinite Energy Center in October 2015. For ticket information, visit the official team website at www.atlantagladiators.com or call the main office line at 770-497-5100.The Gladiators are members of the ECHL, the nations premier AA hockey league. All home games are played at the 11,355-seat Arena at Infinite Energy Center, located just off I-85 on Sugarloaf Parkway in Duluth where parking is always free. The Gladiators have established an unrivaled commitment to excellence, maintaining a distinctive reputation for affordable and family-friendly sports entertainment and consistently ranked as one of the top Things To Do in the Atlanta area and across the North Georgia region.For all the latest team news, contests, and more visit AtlantaGladiators.com, or like the Gladiators on Facebook (www.facebook.com/AtlantaGladiators), follow the team on Twitter (www.twitter.com/ATLGladiators), Instagram (www.instagram.com/atlgladiators) or Snapchat (www.snapchat.com) at gladshockey . -###-