Duluth, GA - The Atlanta Gladiators, proud ECHL affiliate of the National Hockey League’s Nashville Predators and the American Hockey League’s Milwaukee Admirals, announced on Thursday via the Gladiators’ YouTube channel that the team has agreed to terms with defenseman Stephen Calisti for the 2026-27 season.

Calisti signs in Atlanta after spending the 2025-26 season at Brock University, where he scored 6 goals and 12 assists for 18 points in 28 games. His 18 points led all Brock University defensemen and were the second most among the team’s skaters. Calisti also set new collegiate career highs in goals and points in his fifth season of eligibility.

The 27-year old defenseman returns to the ECHL for the first time since the 2024-25 season, having spent time with the Adirondack Thunder (1g in 4 games) and the Toledo Walleye (1g in 11 games). That same season, Calisti appeared in 2 games with the Elite Ice Hockey League’s Guildford Flames.

A native of Etobicoke, ON, Calisti attended Ontario Tech University from 2020 to 2024 and amassed 9 goals and 25 assists for 34 points in 65 games over the span of three seasons with the Ridgebacks. Prior to his commitment to Ontario Tech University, the 6’0”, 195-pound blue liner spent two seasons in the Ontario Junior Hockey League with the Toronto Jr. Canadiens, scoring 16 goals and 67 assists for 83 points in 107 games. Stephen is the older brother of Robert Calisti, who played with the Gladiators in the 2023-24 season.

“Stephen is coming off a standout season in USports where he was one of the top defensemen in the OUA. He played big minutes and contributed in all situations,” said Gladiators’ Head Coach & Director of Hockey Operations, Matt Ginn. “Stephen moves the puck well and has a big shot from the point that he does a great job of getting through. He reads the game and picks his spots when to jump and complement the rush,” he continued. “We’re looking forward to bringing Stephen to Atlanta.”

Stephen Calisti joins Max Neill, Connor Caponi, Kyle Pow, Anthony Cipollone, Joey Cipollone, Jack Blake, and Ryan Conroy as players who have signed with the Gladiators for the 2026-27 season. 

The Gladiators are announcing player signings LIVE on the Atlanta Gladiators YouTube channel! Subscribe for exclusive content and stay up to date with the latest signings as the 2026-27 roster takes shape with live announcements on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 6:00 PM EST. 

The season begins on October 17^th at Gas South Arena when the Gladiators host the Norfolk Admirals! Single game tickets are available HERE, or secure your seats with a season ticket package by calling our sales hotline at 770-497-5100! 

Follow the Gladiators on Instagram, Facebook, X, TikTok, and YouTube to stay up to date with all the latest news and events during the offseason.