Nesbitt Agrees to Terms with Gladiators for 17-18

The Atlanta Gladiators announced Thursday that veteran forward Derek Nesbitt has agreed to terms with the organization for the 2017-2018 season.Nesbitt, 35, had a record setting year last season with the Gladiators. Within 24 hours in January, the Seaforth, Ontario native had scored his 600th professional point on January 20th and set a new record for most goals as a Gladiator with his 91st tally on January 21st. The forward would continue to hit milestones throughout the season as he notched his 100th goal as a Glad against South Carolina on March 25th.“Last year was bittersweet for me as a player,” said Nesbitt. “It’s an honor to have your achievements be acknowledged, but if it doesn’t occur alongside winning, it unfortunately doesn’t mean as much.“I’d rather be the guy that helps the team make a playoff run than the guy that racks up accolades.”After returning to the organization at the start of the 2015-2016 season, Nesbitt has appeared in all 72 games the past two seasons in Atlanta. The 6-foot, 195-pound forward scored 27 goals and 25 assists for 52 total points in 16-17, leading the team in points and tied for first in goals scored. Over the course of his career, Nesbitt has appeared in 372 AHL-level contests, racking up 104 goals and 121 assists for 225 total points, and 355 ECHL-level games with 354 points earned.“Having Nezzy’s leadership and experience is extremely valuable in our league,” said Gladiators Head Coach Andy Brandt. “He brings a higher level of knowledge and poise to our locker room than what most teams can offer.

“Derek is absolutely committed to the Gladiators organization and wants nothing more than to bring a Kelly Cup Championship to Atlanta.”The Atlanta Gladiators 15th anniversary season kicks off at the Infinite Energy Arena on Friday, October 20th against the Florida Everblades at 7:35 PM. For ticket package 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 nation’s premier "AA" hockey league. All home games are played at the 11,355-seat Infinite Energy Arena, 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". -###-