Atkinson, Jacobs Join Gladiators from San Antonio

The Atlanta Gladiators announced Thursday that defenseman Josh Atkinson has been assigned by San Antonio of the AHL while forward Colin Jacobs has been released from his try-out, also with the Rampage, and will report to Atlanta.

Atkinson, 24, returns to the Gladiators after a standout rookie season in Atlanta. The St. Albert, AB native notched 40 assists and 50 points in 66 games for the Gladiators during the 2016-17 campaign. The four-year product of the University of Alaska-Fairbanks’ 50 points ranked third overall on the Gladiators while his 40 helpers led the team and ranked seventh overall among ECHL defensemen. Atkinson appeared in two preseason games for the San Antonio Rampage of the AHL during their training camp last month and notched a goal in his first contest. The 6-foot, 196-pound defender signed a two-way deal earlier this off-season with the Rampage. Since the Gladiators retained his signing rights over the summer, he remains property of the club and when assigned to the ECHL, like today, will come to Atlanta.

Jacobs, 24, was on pace for a career year last season with the Gladiators as he registered 10 points (4-6-10) in 12 games before a shoulder injury ended his season. The fourth-year pro spent the previous three years with the ECHL's Elmira Jackals. In 123 career games with the Jackals, the Coppell, TX native notched 47 total points (21-26-47). Drafted by the Buffalo Sabres in the 4th Round (107th overall) in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft, the 6-foot-1, 200-pound forward has spent time in each of the first four seasons with the AHL's Rochester Americans. Jacobs has tallied seven points (1-6-7) in 46 career AHL games. Jacobs also skated in two preseason games for the San Antonio Rampage before his release.

Both players are en route to Atlanta and will be added to the Gladiators training camp roster in the coming days.

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.

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