ECHL: 2025-26 Qualifying Offers | Atlanta Gladiators

As part of the ECHL’s offseason process, the Gladiators have officially extended qualifying offers to three players from their 2024–25 roster.

• Forward: Jackson Pierson
• Defenseman: Derek Topatigh
• Goaltender: Drew DeRidder

What’s a Qualifying Offer—and Why Does It Matter?

A qualifying offer allows an ECHL team to retain negotiating rights to a player from its season-ending roster. It doesn’t guarantee a player is coming back, but it does give the team the first shot at re-signing them.

Here’s how it works:

• Teams can extend offers to up to eight players, with no more than four veterans (260+ pro games before the 2025–26 season).
• Players who signed before July 7 didn’t need a qualifying offer.
• Players on qualifying offers can’t be traded.
• If a player isn’t signed by August 8, they become an unrestricted free agent.

Who Got Offers?

Derek Topatigh – Defenseman

A consistent presence on the blue line, Derek Topatigh posted 11 goals and 34 assists (45 points) over 71 games in 2024–25 while wearing an “A.” It was his highest-scoring season with the Gladiators, adding to a total of 123 points over 203 career games in Atlanta. Topatigh also spent a year overseas with Sterzing/Vipiteno in the AlpsHL before returning to Atlanta.

Drew DeRidder – Goaltender

Drew DeRidder made 37 appearances last season, finishing with a .904 save percentage, 3.02 GAA, and three shutouts. His 10-19-7 record doesn’t completely reflect how often he kept Atlanta in tight games. DeRidder previously played for the Iowa Heartlanders, the University of North Dakota, and Michigan State.

Jackson Pierson – Forward

While Jackson Pierson did receive a qualifying offer, he has signed a contract with Ice Dragons Herford in Germany’s third-tier league (Germany3) for the 2025–26 season. Because of the qualifying offer, the Gladiators retain his ECHL rights, but he is not expected to return this season.

Bottom Line

With qualifying offers extended to Derek Topatigh and Drew DeRidder, the Gladiators are keeping key options on the table as they build toward 2025–26. Jackson Pierson’s move overseas opens a new chapter for him, but Atlanta still holds his ECHL rights if he returns. It’s a small but meaningful step as the Glads continue shaping their offseason plan.

All eyes will be on the Gladiators as the team approaches the next key offseason deadline.

SOURCE:
Atlanta Gladiators. (2025, July 7). Atlanta Gladiators extend qualifying offers to three players.