ECHL: Atlanta Gladiators Add Rookie Forward Ethan Scardina

The Atlanta Gladiators are continuing to shape their 2025–26 roster with the addition of Ethan Scardina, a 24-year-old center from South Surrey, British Columbia.

Scardina arrives after five seasons at Bowling Green State University, where he wore the captain’s “C” in his graduate year. He finished his NCAA career with 58 points (30G, 28A) in 143 games.

When asked about the move, Scardina made it clear the coaching staff sold him on Atlanta:

“I just really enjoyed what the coaches were talking about and saying about the team and organization.They kind of just really intrigued me and they’re really excited, and I want to be in a good environment and kind of a winning environment. So that was definitely it” (Atlanta Gladiators, 2025b).

Coach Ginn on the Signing

Gladiators Head Coach and Director of Hockey Operations Matt Ginn said the organization is adding a player who can contribute in every area of the game.

“Ethan is a versatile player that can play in all situations. He is a proven leader that has been a captain at each level he has played. Ethan is a big body that plays a heavy game and has a good scoring touch around the net. He thrives in the gritty areas of the ice and we’re very excited to bring him aboard this season” (Atlanta Gladiators, 2025a).

NCAA Career with Bowling Green

At Bowling Green, Scardina not only provided scoring but also emerged as one of the team’s most dependable leaders. His strongest season came in 2022–23, when he scored 11 goals and added five assists for 16 points in 31 games. That year, he tied for third on the team in goals, ranked second with six power-play tallies, and chipped in a game-winner against RPI. He also posted three multi-point games and won 215 faceoffs, the third-highest total on the roster.

Scardina wore the “C” in 2024–25, finishing his graduate season with seven goals and nine assists for 16 points in 35 games. Across his five years at Bowling Green, he totaled 58 points (30g–28a) in 143 NCAA appearances. Off the ice, he was a three-time CCHA All-Academic honoree, a CCHA Scholar-Athlete in 2021–22, and Bowling Green’s Rookie of the Year in 2020–21.

Reflecting on those experiences, he said:

“I love being a captain and being a leader. I think a leader should show or lead by example. I’m not really, I would say, a talkative leader. I speak up when I have to speak up, but at the right times and the right places… When to be a captain and when to be a friend” (Atlanta Gladiators, 2025b).

Junior Roots in the BCHL

Before Bowling Green, Scardina carved out a strong junior career in the BCHL with the Vernon Vipers, Cowichan Valley Capitals, and Nanaimo Clippers. He captained Nanaimo in 2019–20 and finished with 129 points (62g–67a) in 153 games. That leadership carried forward into every stop since.

What He Brings to Atlanta

At 6’1” and 192 pounds, Scardina is built for the physical grind of the South Division. He describes himself as, “a 200-foot player. I like to play both ends of the ice, defense, offense. I’m big, I’m heavy… just a two-way kind of player that likes to chip in at both ends” (Atlanta Gladiators, 2025b).

Scardina also talked about his hockey role models, and when asked what he admired most about Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby, he didn’t hesitate:

“He does everything so well. I think it’s more just like him getting better every year at such an old age for hockey… He is still putting up insane numbers at 38 and still an unbelievable captain. And that’s probably one of the things actually, is just how good of a captain he is and good of a person he is, and he’s never changed throughout the years” (Atlanta Gladiators, 2025b).

For a Gladiators team looking to rebound after a tough season in the South Division, Scardina’s size, two-way reliability, and captain’s mindset fit exactly what Atlanta is trying to build. His respect for leadership and drive to model those qualities give the team a rookie with maturity beyond his years.

Atlanta fans won’t have to wait too much longer to see Ethan Scardina in action. Opening Night is Saturday, October 18, when the Gladiators debut against the Utah Grizzlies at 7:10 PM EDT at Gas South Arena.

SOURCES:

Atlanta Gladiators. (2025a, September 2). Atlanta signs forward Ethan Scardina. [Press Release]

Atlanta Gladiators. (2025b, September 2). Player Signing Show: Ethan Scardina [Video]. YouTube.

Bowling Green State University Athletics. (n.d.). Ethan Scardina – Men’s ice hockey. Retrieved September 2, 2025.