Duluth, GA – The Atlanta Gladiators have signed free agent forward Eric Neiley, who will play in his third season with the club. Eric Neiley, 27, the Warminster Township, PA native, rejoins the Gladiators after a two-year hiatus, last playing for the Glads during the 2016-17 season.
We are lucky to get Eric Neiley back, he was a free agent, loved it here in Atlanta and reach out to us during the winter. He is a big piece of our puzzle.”, said Gladiators Head Coach Jeff Pyle.
Eric played his college hockey for four years at Dartmouth, totaling 35 goals and 49 assists, tallying 84 points in 129 games. As a Junior he was named to the All-Ivy League Second Team, while as a Senior he was named to both the ECAC All-Star Team and the All-Ivy League First Team.
After his time at Dartmouth, he played at the highest level of minor league hockey in the AHL, for the Providence Bruins during 2014-15 season and rejoined them again for the beginning of the 2015-16 campaign. That same season he also joined the Gladiators for the first time. The following year during the 2016-17, he returned to Atlanta scoring 27 goals, (tied for first on the team) and adding 20 assists for 47 points (fourth on the team) in 61 games.
Neiley returned to the ECHL the following year for the 2017-18 season, but this time with the Adirondack Thunder. Eric would finish the season however in London playing in the Elite Ice Hockey League, which included a playoff appearance for the Sheffield Steelers. He returned to playing on the highest level of hockey in England for the EIHL for 2018-19 season, but this time for the Milton Keynes Lightning. He would finish the season by going back to the Steelers, who battled in the playoffs once again.
“Eric is a big addition to our locker room, a hardnosed two-way player that can play in any situation and a great person who fits the mold of what we built last year. My plan was to make us bigger, tougher and harder to play against and as the summer”, added Coach Pyle.
Neiley, returns for his second stint with the Gladiators. In parts of two seasons with Atlanta he totaled 35 goals and 32 assists, scoring 67 points in 108 games.
“I’m excited to be back with the Glads! After speaking with Coach Pyle when this opportunity arose, it was an easy decision to make. Can’t wait for the season to start!”, said Neiley.
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