Duluth, GA – The Atlanta Gladiators, in conjunction with the ECHL, have announced their protected players list from the 2025-26 season. The list features 27 players, consisting of 18 forwards, 8 defensemen, and 1 goaltender. The full list can be found below sorted by position group.
Forwards (18): Ryley Appelt, Louis Boudon, Brett Bulmer, Mickey Burns, Joey Cipollone, Carson Denomie, Adam Eisele, Max Grondin, Kirklan Irey, Mike McNamee, Peter Morgan, Eric Neiley, Ryan Nolan, Jack O'Brien, Jackson Pierson, Cody Sylvester, Isak Walther, Alex Young
Defensemen (8): Dylan Carabia, Ryan Conroy, Cam Gaudette, Andrew Jarvis, Brendan Less, Evan Orr, Nolan Orzeck, Derek Topatigh
Goaltender (1): Drew DeRidder
Teams are allowed to protect as many players as they wish provided the players protected meet the guidelines as defined in the Collective Bargaining Agreement between the ECHL and the Professional Hockey Players’ Association which state that teams shall retain the rights to each player that:
1. Signed an SPC in 2025-26 with the Member, and has not been traded or released, OR
2. Signed an SPC in 2025-26, and was recalled to the NHL/AHL or IIHF team, and has not been traded or released, OR
3. Had received a Qualifying Offer last summer for the current Season, DID NOT sign an SPC, and has not been traded or released, OR
4. Has been suspended by the Member or League, and has not been traded or released, OR
5. Signed an SPC on or after the first day of the 2025-26 Regular Season, then subsequently signed an NHL/AHL contract, and has not been traded or released, OR
6. Has executed the ECHL Retirement Form, and has not been traded or released.
Protected lists may exceed 20 players.
The ECHL also announced that teams must complete all Future Consideration trades by 3 p.m. ET on June 20 and that teams must submit their Season-Ending Roster by 3 p.m. ET on June 22.
Season-ending rosters may include up to 20 players and cannot include any players who did not sign an ECHL contract in 2025-26.
Adirondack Thunder
Allen Americans
Atlanta Gladiators
Bloomington Bison
Cincinnati Cyclones
Florida Everblades
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Indy Fuel
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Wheeling Nailers
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