ECHL: Atlanta Gladiators Make Three Roster Moves

Taylor Trebotte/InsideTheRink

The Atlanta Gladiators have made several recent roster changes in the last week. The Gladiators have added two new players to their roster, Jay Powell as a defenseman and Dylan Vander Esch as a forward, both of whom have been signed to standard player contracts. In addition, the Atlanta Gladiators had announced that Micah Miller, one of their forwards, had been recalled by the Tucson Roadrunners of the American Hockey League. Miller had a great run with the Gladiators, posting nine points (7G, 2A) in 13 games. The Nashville Predators have also re-assigned defenseman Jack Matier to the Milwaukee Admirals.  During his time as a Gladiator, Matier played in 13 games and successfully scored three goals, in addition to providing two assists, resulting in a total of five points.

Newly added Jay Powell (D) made his professional debut during the 2021-22 season, playing two games with the Rapid City Rush. The Nashville, Tennessee native began the current season with the Pensacola Ice Flyers of the SPHL, where he amassed six points (2G, 4A). Following his stint in Pensacola, the 6’7″ defenseman has had two ECHL experiences, first with the Kansas City Mavericks and then later with the Orlando Solar Bears.

Dylan Vander Esch most recently played as a forward for the Florida Everblades in the ECHL during the 2021-22 season. In 50 games with the Everblades, he accumulated 32 points (15G, 17A) and played in 18 games during Florida’s Kelly Cup playoff run. Before beginning his professional career, Vander Esch amassed a total of 101 points (62G, 39A) with the Potsdam Bears of the SUNYAC.

The Atlanta Gladiators will have a few days off before they face the Greenville Swamp Rabbits, whom they will play again on Friday, December 1st, at Bon Secours Wellness Arena, with the game starting at 7:05 PM. The Gladiators’ next home game is on Saturday, December 2nd, as they return to their home rink to take on the Savannah Ghost Pirates, with a puck drop of 7 PM.


Discover more from Inside The Rink

Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.

Karen Zehner

Inside The Rink ECHL Manager | Senior Editor | Credentialed Beat Writer covering the ECHL Atlanta Gladiators. Diving into the world of slap shots, penalty kills, and the game we love. [@RunwithK] on socials.

Leave a Reply

ECHL: Ross Armour Signs with Nottingham Panthers

Earlier today, the Nottingham Panthers announced they have agreed to terms with forward Ross Armour, previously of the Savannah Ghost Pirates. Armour, a native of British Columbia, has spent the past two seasons in the ECHL with the Ghost Pirates, where he established himself as a dynamic offensive presence. The 26-year-old turned pro during the […]

Read More

ECHL: Steelheads Connor MacEachern Joins Mora IK

The Idaho Steelheads have had a relatively quiet offseason since missing the 2025 Kelly Cup Playoffs. They finished the season with a 37-35 record and 14th overall in the league standings. Since their final game on April 12, the organization has been focused on evaluating its roster and rebuilding a path back into Cup contention. […]

Read More

ECHL: Connor Russell Heads Overseas After Steady Run with the Icemen

Jacksonville Icemen blueliner Connor Russell is headed across the pond for the 2025-26 season, signing with the Coventry Blaze (EIHL). Known for his physical edge and shot-blocking presence, Russell now takes his game to the UK after logging nearly 200 games of professional hockey in North America. Reliable Presence on the Blue Line Russell appeared […]

Read More