ECHL: Former Gladiators Goalie Drew DeRidder Signs With Manchester Storm

The Manchester Storm have signed goaltender Drew DeRidder for the 2025-26 season, bringing the 25-year-old Michigan native overseas after two seasons in the ECHL.

Time in the ECHL

DeRidder spent the 2024-25 season with the Atlanta Gladiators, sharing the crease in a tandem with Ethan Haider. He appeared in 37 games, posting a 3.02 goals-against average, a .904 save percentage, and three shutouts. While the Gladiators faced an uphill battle in the standings, DeRidder delivered consistent performances, making key saves to keep his team in games and proving to be a steady complement to Haider.

The previous season, DeRidder suited up for the Iowa Heartlanders in 25 games, recording a 3.05 GAA and a .905 save percentage. He also earned a call-up to the AHL’s Rochester Americans and spent brief stints with the Cincinnati Cyclones and Kalamazoo Wings earlier in his pro career.

NCAA Career

Before turning pro, DeRidder played five seasons in the NCAA, splitting his college career between Michigan State University and the University of North Dakota. At Michigan State, he logged 70 appearances from 2018 to 2022, including a strong 2020-21 season where he posted a .923 save percentage over 24 games.

In his graduate year at North Dakota (2022-23), DeRidder appeared in 30 games and recorded a 2.53 GAA, a .899 save percentage, and four shutouts, helping the Fighting Hawks to a winning record.

Early Career and International Play

Before turning pro, DeRidder starred at Michigan State and North Dakota, recording four shutouts in his final NCAA season.

On the international stage, he represented Team USA at the 2018 IIHF U18 World Championship, earning a silver medal while posting a 1.94 GAA and a .920 save percentage in four games. That same season with the USNTDP Juniors in the USHL, he went a perfect 15-0-0 with a 2.55 GAA, a .903 save percentage, and one shutout.

Heading to Manchester

Now, the 5’11”, 179-pound netminder will take his game to the EIHL, joining a Manchester Storm team looking to climb the standings. Known for his quick reflexes, calm demeanor under pressure, and ability to make timely saves, DeRidder will aim to be a stabilizing force in the crease for Manchester in 2025-26.