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 Wednesday via the team’s YouTube channel that the team has signed forward Josh Winquist for the 2026-27 season.

Josh Winquist joins the Gladiators following a season in the EIHL with the Fife Flyers in which he scored 11 goals and 16 assists for 27 points in 41 games as one of the team’s alternate captains. His 27 points were tied for the 2^nd most among Flyers skaters last season. The veteran forward returns to the ECHL for the first time since the 2022-23 season where he scored 12 goals and 26 assists for 38 points in 33 games with the Fort Wayne Komets; before playing the next three seasons in Europe. 

Winquist, 33, brings proven experience and leadership to the lineup, having amassed 78 goals, and 156 assists for 234 points in 227 career ECHL games with the Bakersfield Condors (ECHL), Orlando Solar Bears, Utah Grizzlies, Toledo Walleye, Wheeling Nailers, Reading Royals, Allen Americans, and Fort Wayne Komets. The 5’11”, 170-pound forward made his ECHL debut in 2014 with Bakersfield and since then, has averaged over a point-per-game in the ECHL.

In addition to his success at the ECHL level, Winquist has consistently produced at the AHL level, scoring 31 goals and 50 assists for 81 points in 140 games through parts of six seasons with the Oklahoma City Barons, Bakersfield Condors (AHL), Bridgeport Sound Tigers, Toronto Marlies, and Rockford IceHogs from 2014-2020.

Prior to his professional debut, Winquist played five seasons in the WHL with the Everett Silvertips, logging 101 goals and 115 assists for 216 points (5^th most points in franchise history) in 301 games. As one of the team’s alternate captains in his final season in 2013-14, Winquist recorded the 2^nd most goals and points by a Silvertips skater in a single season with 47 goals and 93 points in 67 games.

Gladiators’ Head Coach & Director of Hockey Operations, Matt Ginn, praised Winquist for his consistent offensive production and leadership, saying, “Josh is a high end, dynamic offensive forward. He has lots of experience across many high-level leagues and has produced everywhere he’s been. He sees the ice very well and has tremendous poise to make plays.” 

He continued to say, “Josh is hungry to come in and make an impact both on and off the ice. His experience and leadership will be very important for our group. We’re excited to bring in a player of Josh’s caliber to the Glads.” 

Ginn also announced that Winquist will be a player-assistant coach for the 2026-27 season.

Josh Winquist joins Max Neill, Connor Caponi, Kyle Pow, Anthony Cipollone, Joey Cipollone, Jack Blake, Stephen Calisti, Ryan Nolan, Kirklan Irey, Mickey Burns, Ethan Strang, Corson Hopwo, Andrew Jarvis, 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, Wednesdays, and Thursdays at 6:00 PM Eastern. 

The Gladiators home opener is set for October 17^th at Gas South Arena at 7:10 PM! Single game tickets are available HERE, or secure your seats with a season ticket package by calling our sales hotline at 770-497-5100! 

Maroon is back, shop the Gladiators’ new look HERE! Replica jerseys, apparel, collectibles and more are available for purchase, get yours now while supplies last! 

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