ECHL: Atlanta Gladiators Sign Veteran Forward Mike McNamee

The Atlanta Gladiators added a unique storyline to their roster Wednesday night, signing veteran forward Mike McNamee for the 2025–26 season. McNamee, 32, has not played professionally since 2021 with the Greenville Swamp Rabbits, but he spent the past four years coaching at his alma mater, Carleton University, while pursuing a successful music career with his band, Boston Levi. Now, he’s ready to lace up the skates again.

Return to Playing Professional Hockey

For McNamee, the decision to return was about one thing—missing the game.

“I think honestly, just missing it,” McNamee said during the team’s YouTube signing show. “I spent the better part of the last four years coaching and obviously very, very lucky to just stay around the game. I did play senior hockey around home and I feel like I have some gas left in the tank. So yeah, really, really excited to be honest” (McNamee, 2025).

A Journey Through the Game

McNamee’s hockey journey has stretched across North America and Europe. After finishing at Carleton, he signed an AHL deal with the Syracuse Crunch, then moved overseas for stints in Germany, Denmark, and Wales. He returned to North America in 2020–21 with Greenville, scoring four points in 10 games before announcing his retirement.

He also spoke fondly of his time overseas. “Honestly, it was great. It’s an amazing experience,” McNamee said. “You meet a lot of different people you probably would never meet otherwise… there’s a lot of passion around the world for the sport, which was amazing to experience” (McNamee, 2025).

Music and Hockey

McNamee didn’t just step away from hockey—he built an entirely new career in music. His band, Boston Levi, released several tracks and played live shows while McNamee continued to coach. He credits both hockey and music with teaching him about teamwork.

“Once you’re on stage or once you’re on the ice, you just got to trust the person beside you that they’re going to do their job,” he explained. “There are a lot of similarities. It’s a lot of trust in each other” (McNamee, 2025).

What This Means for Atlanta

For Atlanta, adding Mike McNamee is about more than depth. It’s about bringing in a seasoned playmaker who has seen the game at every level and is still hungry to prove he belongs. His ability to create offense, combined with the leadership skills he honed both as a coach and a musician, gives the Gladiators a steady veteran presence in the locker room. Head Coach Matt Ginn has emphasized the need for versatile players who can think the game, and McNamee certainly fits that mold.

Fans should also see this as a signal of Atlanta’s intent for the 2025–26 season. The Gladiators aren’t just filling roster spots; they’re adding players with experience, character, and a desire to win. McNamee’s return to the pro ranks is as much about unfinished business as it is about opportunity, and Atlanta will benefit from that edge.

Five Things to Know About Mike McNamee

1. German Soccer-Style Atmosphere – McNamee said his favorite memory from playing overseas was the fan culture in Germany, where crowds chanted and jumped for the full 60 minutes like soccer supporters.
2. Cardiff Championship Cut Short – While with the Cardiff Devils, McNamee and his teammates were on the verge of clinching a championship before the season abruptly ended due to COVID. He still calls that team one of the best groups he’s ever played with.
3. Adapting His Offense Abroad – When asked how he adjusted his offensive game across different leagues, McNamee explained that teams overseas “bring you in for a reason,” and his focus was always to play his game—smart, simple, and creative with the puck.
4. Wearing No. 27 – McNamee will don No. 27 for Atlanta this season, a number he wore at Carleton University and early in his European career. He received permission from defenseman Dylan Carabia, joking during the signing show that he might owe Carabia “something nice” in return.
5. Playoff Experience Across Levels – McNamee has logged postseason games in nearly every league he’s played in, from USports at Carleton to playoff runs in Denmark, Germany, and the EIHL, giving him valuable high-pressure experience to bring to Atlanta.

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