Atlanta Gladiators fans were probably thrilled to learn that Zach Yoder will return for his fourth year, as revealed in the latest player signing announcement. The announcement also included the addition of forward Easton Armstrong, who has signed a contract for the 2024-25 season.
Zach Yoder, who hails from Woodstock, GA, showcases his versatility by playing both as a defenseman and forward, adding value to the team. During a portion of the 2023-24 season, Zach Yoder held the role of Alternate Captain and recorded 10 points, comprising three goals and seven assists in 63 games. Reviewing his stats over the past three seasons, Yoder has accumulated a total of six goals, 23 assists, resulting in 29 points overall in his 188 games as a Gladiator.
Before joining the Gladiators, he competed in the SPHL for the Huntsville Havoc during the 2020-2021 season, securing an assist. Yoder spent a season at the Air Force Academy, participating in 29 games and earning nine points after nothing one goal and eight assists. Later, he played for three seasons at Ferris State University, contributing 21 points after scoring five goals and contributing 16 assists.
This past summer Yoder, and teammate Dylan Carabia, both took part in the Australian International Ice Hockey Cup and Yoder put up some great stats while with Team USA. He scored two goals and contributed 10 assists in the tournament, accumulating a total of 12 points, ranking third overall. Yoder had closely followed Team USA teammates Jay Croop (Columbus River Dragons/FPHL) and Sam Dabrowski (Knoxville Ice Bears/SPHL), who both finished the competition with 14 points each.
Eastern Armstrong, is set to make his professional debut in October with Atlanta. This follows his participation in 210 games in the Western Hockey League, representing teams like the Regina Pats, Winnipeg Ice, Wenatchee Wild, and most recently, the Saskatoon Blades. The forward had a standout season last year, tallying a total of 47 points, after putting up 28 goals and notching 19 assists in 58 Saskatoon games, ending with a +21 rating. During the playoffs, he showcased his offensive abilities once more by scoring 14 points (6 goals and 8 assists) in 11 games, highlighting the valuable skillset Armstrong will bring to the Gladiators lineup.
Zach Yoder and Easton Armstrong will be taking to the ice with the Gladiators in the 2024-25 season, adding to the roster that includes Josh Boyer, Brenden Datema, Dylan Carabia, Ryan Cranford, Eric Neiley, Michael Marchesan, Jackson Pierson, Tyler Drevitch, Blake Murray, Derek Topatigh, Andrew Jarvis, P.J. Fletcher, Carson Denomie, Mitch Walinski, and Drew DeRidder.
The 2024-25 season for the Atlanta Gladiators will begin on Saturday, October 19th at Gas South Arena, facing off against the Indy Fuel.
