The Atlanta Gladiators have reinforced their blue line with the signing of 27-year-old defenseman Brendan Less for the 2025-26 season. Less arrives in Atlanta after being acquired from the Adirondack Thunder in a summer trade that sent Easton Armstrong and Nick Wong the other way. The move brings the Gladiators a dependable right-shot defender coming off a career-best season.
Career-High Season in Adirondack
Less became a fixture for the Thunder last year, skating in 51 games and producing one goal and 19 assists for 20 points with a +11 rating—all career highs. His steady play also earned him a call-up to the AHL’s Syracuse Crunch. Looking back on the season, he admitted it was both rewarding and challenging:
“We didn’t win a lot, so it’s hard to be happy about maybe what I did individually, given that we didn’t win, and that’s the main goal. But I felt like even as a player, but also just as a person, I improved a lot and I learned a lot of things” (Less, 2025).
The year before, Less contributed 13 points in 44 games with Adirondack and logged 16 playoff appearances during their postseason run. Across four ECHL seasons with Worcester, Iowa, and Adirondack, he has totaled three goals and 35 assists for 38 points in 123 regular-season games (Atlanta Gladiators, 2025).
NCAA Roots and Development
Before turning professional, Less played four seasons at Dartmouth College before transferring to Quinnipiac University for a fifth year. Across his NCAA career, he appeared in 125 games, recording 6 goals and 30 assists (Atlanta Gladiators, 2025). He credited the unusual path—caused by the Ivy League’s COVID-19 shutdown—with broadening his experience: “If COVID didn’t happen, I probably wouldn’t have had that fifth year to go somewhere else… it was definitely a blessing in disguise to be able to get that experience” (Less, 2025).
His final season at Quinnipiac, where he tallied 20 points in 39 games, set him up to move seamlessly into the pro game.
Trade Reaction and Locker Room Fit
For Less, hearing he was dealt to Atlanta brought mixed emotions. “Early July comes around, and I got a text from the Adirondack assistant coach saying that the trade with Atlanta was going to go through. My initial reaction was one, a sense of relief… but two, it was very exciting” (Less, 2025).
That excitement only grew when he realized how many familiar faces were waiting for him. The Gladiators’ roster includes several of his former teammates from Adirondack and even college.
“Anytime you walk into a locker room where you have some familiarity with the guys, that always helps calm the nerves a little bit” (Less, 2025).
Coaches’ Perspective
Gladiators Head Coach Matt Ginn praised the signing, calling Less “a very steady two-way defenseman that will be relied upon to play big minutes for us”. Ginn stated:
“When it became known that Brendan was available, we jumped at the opportunity right away to improve our backend. He is a great skater and puck mover that uses his feet to his advantage when defending. We have only heard great things about Brendan as a person and teammate, and are excited to add him to our group” (Atlanta Gladiators, 2025).
Less described his own game in similar terms: “I play a steady two-way game. I try to use my feet and my stick and my anticipation to break up plays and create offense as much as I can” (Less, 2025). He also relishes being matched against top competition: “Shutting down top lines is always fun. I like having that responsibility, having to go out there and face their best” (Less, 2025).
Asked what makes him hard to play against, he emphasized the fundamentals: “Being in good position defensively and having good gaps… you want to take away time and space as much as you can” (Less, 2025).
Five Things to Know About Brendan Less
Comfort food favorite – He didn’t hesitate when asked about his go-to meal: chicken parmesan, a dish he’s enjoyed since childhood thanks to his Italian mom’s cooking (Less, 2025).
Leadership stride – Less said he grew as a leader last year in Adirondack, stepping up as one of the older players in the locker room (Less, 2025).
Excited for fans – Meeting Atlanta’s fanbase and community is something he’s eager for: “I’ve heard a lot of really good things about Atlanta… the sooner I can get down there, the better” (Less, 2025).
Special matchup circled – Facing Adirondack this February is already on his calendar: “Whenever you can play against people [you know], that’s always exciting and usually you want to win those games more than others” (Less, 2025).
Nicknamed “Lesser” – His teammates stuck him with the classic hockey nickname: “Most people call me Lesser. Not too creative, but that’s what stuck” (Less, 2025).
SOURCE:
Atlanta Gladiators. (2025, September 9). Atlanta Gladiators sign defenseman Brendan Less [Press release].
Less, B. (2025, September 9). Brendan Less Player Signing Show [YouTube livestream]. Atlanta Gladiators.
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