Recently, the Atlanta Gladiators have welcomed a new name to their roster – Marcinkevics. The Atlanta Gladiators have made a splash by adding not one, but two new talents to their roster: Dominiks Marcinkevics and Patriks Marcinkevics.
In a twist that sounds straight out of a sports movie, Patriks brought his brother Dominiks along when he was signing his contract with the team. During the Jacksonville game broadcast, it was revealed that after a chat with Dominiks, Coach Derek Nesbitt decided to offer him a contract as well. Now, both brothers are taking the ice together in Atlanta’s blue and gold, adding an exciting new chapter to their story and to that of the Atlanta Gladiators.
Dominiks Marcinkevics (Forward) – #96
Dominiks Marcinkevics, a 5’9″, 161-pound left-shot forward, is distinguished by his remarkable speed, enabling him to evade defenders and create scoring opportunities. His offensive skills are highlighted by a strong ability to score and assist, reflected in his consistent point production across multiple leagues. His agility and quickness contribute to his versatility as a forward, allowing him to thrive in critical situations.
Dominiks has played for multiple teams in the ECHL, including the Reading Royals and the Adirondack Thunder. In the 2023-24 season, he appeared in two games for the Royals. While with the Adirondack Thunder, he played 13 games, contributing two goals and three assists. He began the season with the Reading Royals but was released on October 23rd.
Dominiks has had a few significant stints in the SPHL with the Roanoke Rail Yard Dawgs. In the 2023-24 season, he played 42 games, scoring 17 goals and adding 20 assists for a total of 37 points, along with 65 penalty minutes. He also played in six playoff games, recording two goals and four assists. During the 2022-23 season, he played in 53 games, recording 10 goals and 22 assists, along with participating in five playoff matches. Dominiks maintained his winning streak by playing a crucial role in his team’s championship win.
In 2022-23, Dominiks also briefly played for Dinamo Riga in Latvia, appearing in two games and scoring one goal. This experience added an international dimension to his career, showcasing his ability to compete at different levels of professional hockey.
In the 2021-22 season, he played for the Maine Nordiques in the NAHL, where he appeared in 11 games, scoring four goals and adding two assists. His time in the NAHL helped him develop his skills and gain valuable experience in a competitive junior league.
Dominiks had an impressive season with the Jersey Hitmen in the NCDC during 2021-22. He played 34 games, scoring 31 goals and providing 40 assists for a total of 71 points. In the playoffs, he continued his strong performance with seven goals and 10 assists in seven games. Dominiks played a pivotal role in leading the Jersey Hitmen to victory in the NCDC championship. The Jersey Hitmen also claimed the Founders Cup, recognizing them as the regular season champions.
Outside of the Founders Cup, Dominiks Marcinkevics has had a decorated hockey career with several notable achievements. In the 2016-2017 season, he was part of the championship-winning team in the Latvia U18 league, showcasing his early talent. During the 2018-2019 season, he excelled in the EHL, earning a spot on the EHL (NE) First All-Star Team, leading the league in goals with 34, and being named EHL Rookie of the Year.
Dominiks Marcinkevics has played two games for the Atlanta Gladiators in the ECHL so far, but he hasn’t recorded any points yet. Despite not getting on the scoresheet yet, his scoring and skating abilities are sure to be valuable assets to the team.
Patriks Marcinkevics (Forward) – #26
Patriks has had notable performances of his own in the SPHL with teams like the Macon Mayhem, Roanoke Rail Yard Dawgs, and Quad City Storm. In the 2024-25 season, the 5′ 9″, 160 lbs, left-shooting forward played five games for the Macon Mayhem, scoring a goal and four assists, and also played three games for the Roanoke Rail Yard Dawgs, recording an assist. His most productive SPHL season was with the Quad City Storm in 2023-24, where he scored seven goals and 17 assists in 20 games, and added an assist in three playoff games. He later appeared in six games for the Utah Grizzlies, recording three assists.
Patriks has also competed in the NCAA, playing for Michigan Tech and Long Island University. In the 2023-24 season, he played five games for Michigan Tech, scoring one goal and one assist. During the 2022-23 season with Long Island University, he had an impressive run, scoring six goals and 21 assists in 24 games. His NCAA experience showcases his development and ability to perform at a high level in collegiate hockey.
In the NCDC, Patriks had a standout season with the Jersey Hitmen in 2021-22. He played 49 games, scoring 34 goals and providing 62 assists for a total of 96 points. He continued his strong performance in the playoffs, with eight goals and seven assists in seven games. Patriks excelled in creating scoring opportunities for his teammates, as evidenced by his high assist numbers.
Patriks had a brief stint in the NAHL with the Minnesota Wilderness in the 2020-21 season, playing six games. Although he did not score any points, this experience added to his development as a player. In the EHL, he played for the New England Wolves in the 2020-21 season, scoring 11 goals and five assists in six games. He also contributed two goals in two playoff games.
Like his brother, Patriks Marcinkevics has had a remarkable ice hockey career, highlighted by several significant achievements. He was also part of the Latvia U18 Championship team in 2016-2017 and won a U18 WJC (D1A) Gold Medal in 2017-2018. His talent continued to shine as he was named to the EHL (North) Second All-Star Team in 2020-2021. In the 2021-2022 season, Patriks excelled in the NCDC, becoming the NCDC Champion, winning the NCDC Founders Cup, and leading the league with the most assists (62) and most points (96), earning him the title of NCDC Most Valuable Player.
Patriks Marcinkevics has been making a notable impact since joining the Atlanta Gladiators. He has played in two games so far, recording two assists.
Twin Power on Ice
Though Dominiks and Patriks Marcinkevics share a unique twin dynamic that has significantly influenced their hockey careers, their bond extends beyond just playing the sport. They often push each other to improve, fostering a friendly rivalry that drives their performance. Their narrative transcends their twin bond, highlighting their individual talents, which have guided them through the challenges of a professional sports career.
One interesting aspect is how they often end up playing for the same teams, which has allowed them to develop a strong on-ice chemistry. For instance, both brothers also played for the Roanoke Rail Yard Dawgs in the SPHL. After hearing the story about how they joined the roster for Atlanta, there’s hope that some of that same kismet will happen for the Gladiators once these two players get settled in ATL.
