The Atlanta Gladiators have announced the return of defenseman Anthony Firriolo for the 2025–26 ECHL season. Firriolo, 27, is coming off his strongest professional campaign and will once again provide stability and mobility to Atlanta’s back end.
Career Year in 2024–25
Firriolo became a reliable piece of the Gladiators’ defensive corps last season, appearing in 49 games and recording 19 points (4G, 15A) with a +7 rating. His totals more than doubled his previous ECHL bests, and he added consistency on special teams while logging tough minutes against top competition.
It was a year of movement for the New Jersey native, who also skated with Indy (9 GP, 1G), Iowa (21 GP, 2G, 8A), Tulsa (7 GP, 1G, 3A), and Toledo (2 GP) before finishing the year with Atlanta. In total, he appeared in 88 ECHL games across five teams, posting 10 goals, 26 assists, and 36 points, along with 50 penalty minutes.
Looking back, Firriolo reflected on what stood out most about his time in Atlanta:
“I really enjoyed it, enjoyed the guys, enjoyed the culture, the rink, everything about it, the fans. It was a tremendous experience… overall just super excited to get back with the guys, come in this year to a hot start, hopefully have a good training camp and then just leading the city into the beginning of the season with a couple wins” (Atlanta Gladiators, 2025a).
Pro Lessons and South Division Battles
Since turning pro out of Army in 2023, Firriolo has suited up for multiple ECHL clubs, but he says the South Division is where the competition is fiercest:
“The South division is one of the better divisions in the league… every game, every night’s a battle. Your first-place team and whoever’s in last… can just completely change by the end of it. It’s really tight knit… it’s a hard-fought night every night” (Atlanta Gladiators, 2025a).
Across 88 ECHL games in 2024–25, Firriolo collected 10 goals, 26 assists, and 36 points, showing both durability and adaptability.
From Army to Atlanta
Before turning pro, Firriolo starred at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, where he captained the Black Knights his senior season. He put up a career-high 29 points in 2022–23, closing out his NCAA career with 75 points in 123 games.
Reflecting on his time at Army, Firriolo noted:
“It’s hard to turn a place down like that… just overall the experience there, it’s a lot of ups and downs. Time management was a huge thing, just being able to balance hockey, military, academics… and just obviously the whole aspect of giving back to your country was pretty unreal” (Atlanta Gladiators, 2025a).
What He Brings to the Gladiators
Known for his skating, offensive instincts, and leadership, Firriolo plans to expand his game further this season:
“I think my game, I bring a lot of offense while still obviously focusing on the defensive component… being able to jump in the rush, be a kind of fourth forward, create offense and create opportunities for us to score goals… essentially this year just looking to kind of do the same thing obviously, but elevate my game a little bit” (Atlanta Gladiators, 2025a).
Off the ice, Firriolo is also committed to community engagement in Atlanta.
“One of the big things I wanted to do this year was set aside four tickets for every home game to give veterans an experience… bring ’em back into a game that they once loved or bring ’em into an experience that they’ve never experienced before” (Atlanta Gladiators, 2025a).
Coach’s Perspective
Gladiators Director of Hockey Operations and Head Coach Matt Ginn praised Firriolo’s impact last season:
“Anthony came to us through trade last season and made a good first impression. He is a dynamic skater and puck mover on the backend. Anthony is at his best when he is assertive and moves pucks quickly. We expect him to continue to contribute offensively and take another step defending. We’re excited to bring Anthony back this season” (Atlanta Gladiators, 2025b).
Looking Ahead
Firriolo’s return strengthens a Gladiators blue line already adding grit and versatility for the 2025–26 campaign. With his mix of offense, leadership, and defensive responsibility, he’ll be a cornerstone as Atlanta pushes for a playoff berth in a loaded South Division.
SOURCES:
Atlanta Gladiators. (2025a, August 27). Gladiators Player Signing Show – Anthony Firriolo [Video]. YouTube.
Atlanta Gladiators. (2025b, August 28). Firriolo Signing [Press release].
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