ECHL: Mickey Burns Re-Signs with Atlanta Gladiators

The Atlanta Gladiators added another piece to their 2025–26 lineup on Thursday night, confirming during a live YouTube stream that forward Mickey Burns will return for a second season in Atlanta.

Early Impressions in Atlanta

Burns, 25, got his first taste of pro hockey late last season, suiting up in 13 games and chipping in three points. His first professional goal came on March 29 against Greenville—a milestone that gave Gladiators fans an early glimpse of his energy-driven game. At 5-foot-9, 170 pounds, he leans on speed, grit, and persistence to make his impact.

From the NCAA to the ECHL

Before turning pro, Burns carved out a steady college career. He opened at Vermont before transferring to Mercyhurst, where he became a regular offensive contributor. Across four seasons with the Lakers, he posted 30 goals and 39 assists for 69 points in 126 games, experience that helped shape the competitive edge he showed in his ECHL debut.

Turning Effort into Impact

Head Coach and Director of Hockey Operations Matt Ginn expressed optimism that Burns’ first taste of pro hockey was only the beginning.

“Mickey plays with great energy and an in-your-face style. He was a bit snake bitten when he joined our team coming out of school, but it wasn’t from a lack of chances or effort. We expect Mickey to play with that same energy he brought last season and to take on a bigger role with the team this season. We’re looking forward to bringing Mickey back and seeing him take that next step” (Atlanta Gladiators, 2025b).

Burns echoed that confidence when describing his own approach. When asked whether he saw himself more as a scorer, playmaker, or energy guy, Burns leaned toward the first — but emphasized that his focus stretches across the full sheet.

“Yeah, I’d like to be all three of ’em, but I don’t know. I think I’m more of a playmaker. I mean I firmly believe I can do all three and I think it’s important to try and do all three. But yeah, when I think of a playmaker, I just think of someone who kind of goes out there and makes it happen. It doesn’t necessarily have to be someone who’s just racking up assists or setting guys up back door. You can make plays in the defensive zone, you can make plays in the neutral zone, and I’m a guy who kind of prides myself on 200 feet of the ice, playing everywhere.” (Atlanta Gladiators, 2025a).

Burns on Team Goose

Off the ice, Burns brings more than just energy to Atlanta — he brings a commitment to community. He’s a member of Team Goose, a charitable foundation supporting families affected by ALS, inspired by the loss of a close friend’s father to the disease.

“Yeah, so I’m a member of a charitable organization called Team Goose, which is a charity for ALS and for those of you who don’t know Lou Gehrig’s Disease, ALS, it’s a pretty crippling disease. One of my really good friends from home who I grew up playing with unfortunately lost his father to the disease some years back. And the hockey community being as tight knit and as supportive as it is, especially in the New Jersey area, a couple families kind of put their hands in together and kickstarted Team Goose just to help the family out. And they had done so much for us and other families that we wanted to return that favor, and Team Goose was birthed. Here we are so many years later, and it’s kind of turned into something that we definitely didn’t plan to.” (Atlanta Gladiators, 2025a).

After Mickey explained the origins of Team Goose and how it grew from helping a friend’s family into a full foundation, he shifted to how the group now impacts families directly through unique experiences:

“It was just a support system to have and now it’s turned into a legit foundation where we can fortunately now go out. Obviously we always want to raise money for finding a cause and stuff like that, but what Team Goose does is we provide these patients and families with unique experiences. This summer I went to a Zac Brown Band concert in New Hampshire where we had two ALS patients and their families tag along. We took care of everything, planned the whole day out, and they actually got to do a meet and greet with the entire Zac Brown Band. They even got to listen to an unreleased song, which we didn’t even know was happening. That was pretty cool.” (Atlanta Gladiators, 2025a).

Burns added that Team Goose has partnered with NHL teams and will be expanding that work this season. He revealed that during Atlanta’s second game of the year, the foundation will be hosting two ALS-affected families.

“That’s really cool for me to kind of see two different entities in my life come together — when I’m at home in New Jersey and working for a foundation we feel so strongly about, and now being able to intertwine that into my playing career. I haven’t been in Atlanta very long, only 13 games, but the support from the staff, the boosters, and the fans to make this night happen for us — it’s very special. It makes you feel a little special, and I’m excited to see where we can propel this going forward.” (Atlanta Gladiators, 2025a).

For the Gladiators, Burns’ involvement with Team Goose also echoes the community-first focus the team emphasized at State of the Glads.

What Burns Brings to the Gladiators

Burns’ return gives Atlanta another forward who can pressure opponents, battle in tough areas, and chip in offensively. With his first professional experience under his belt and a full season ahead, he has the chance to evolve from a late-season depth addition into a consistent presence in the lineup.

Burns echoed that sentiment himself, noting that his game revolves around speed and puck movement. “I see myself as someone who can use my speed and grit to push the pace and make plays,” he said. “I want to be a guy who can create chances and be hard to play against every night.” (Atlanta Gladiators, 2025a).

Burns’ return gives Atlanta another forward who can pressure opponents, battle in tough areas, and chip in offensively. With his first professional experience under his belt and a full season ahead, he has the chance to grow from a late-season depth piece into the kind of consistent playmaker Ginn believes he can become.

Burns echoed that sentiment himself, noting that his game revolves around speed and puck movement. “I see myself as someone who can use my speed and grit to push the pace and make plays,” he said. “I want to be a guy who can create chances and be hard to play against every night.” (Atlanta Gladiators, 2025a).

Opening Night is October 18 at Gas South Arena, where Burns and the Gladiators will look to carry the “One Battle” mindset onto the ice.

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