The Atlanta Gladiators have officially signed defenseman Brenden Datema to an ECHL contract, as announced on Tuesday.
Datema joins the Gladiators following a productive season at Canisius College, where he recorded nine points (1 goal, 8 assists) across 35 games. During the 2022-23 season at Canisius, Datema participated in 30 games, contributing ten points (1 goal, 9 assists) and earning a spot on the AHA All-Academic Team. Notably, he provided two assists during a pivotal 5-4 overtime victory against Army.
Before his time with the Golden Griffins, Datema played three seasons at Michigan Tech (2019-22). Datema earned a two-time WCHA All-Academic Team selection while with the Huskies. In 35 games with the team, he earned four points (1g, 3a).
During the 2018-19 season with the Amarillo Bulls, he established himself as the top-scoring defenseman in the NAHL, amassing an impressive 60 points (21 goals, 39 assists) in just 58 games. He contributed five points (2 goals, 3 assists) in 13 playoff appearances. His exceptional performance outshone all other NAHL defensemen, setting a record for the most points by a defenseman in the league since the 1988-89 season and ranking as the second-highest total in NAHL history.
He was honored as the 2018 NAHL Defenseman of the Year following a remarkable offensive performance after recording 21 goals and 39 assists in 58 games for the Bulls. Additionally, the defenseman helped to guide the team to the Robertson Cup semifinals and received several accolades, including selection for the All-NAHL First Team, All-South Division Team, South Division Defenseman of the Year, and multiple recognitions as the NAHL’s Defenseman of the Month (September and March).
The team has made additional roster adjustments, with Defenseman Luke Prokop transitioning from the Nashville Predators to the Milwaukee Admirals and Griffin Luce being recalled from loan to bolster the Admirals’ lineup. Prokop’s performance this season with Atlanta, comprising 49 games and yielding 25 points (4 goals, 21 assists). Additionally, he had previously participated in three games for the Admirals. Griffin Luce is poised to make his AHL debut this season, having accumulated 12 points (3 goals, 9 assists) over 59 games with the Gladiators.
Forward Carson Gicewicz was loaned back to Atlanta from the Milwaukee Admirals. During his tenure with Atlanta, Gicewicz has amassed 18 points (6 goals, 12 assists) across 29 games, with three power-play goals. During his seven-game run this season with the Milwaukee Admirals, the forward contributed two points, including one goal and one assist.
The Atlanta Gladiators will be playing against the Savannah Ghost Pirates at 7:30 PM on Wednesday, March 13th, at Enmarket Arena.
