The Atlanta Gladiators have announced the signing Zach Yoder and Adam Samuelsson to contracts for the 2023-2024 Season.
Zach Yoder of Woodstock, GA, and local favorite will enter his third season with the Atlanta Gladiators. Yoder has played a total of 125 games since joining the team. Yoder has since demonstrated that he is a multi-faceted player for the Gladiators. During that time, Yoder has put up 19 points (3g-16a) playing both as a defenseman and forward. Last season he played in 65 games with 3 goals and 6 assists. Head Coach Derek Nesbitt stated in the team’s press release that “[Yoder] loves playing in his home city and is really wanting to bring his game to the next level and do what is needed to help the team win.”
Adam Samuelsson of White Plains, New York played two seasons in Sweden before beginning his ECHL career Tulsa Oilers last year. The defenseman had recorded three points (0g-3a) in his 21 games with Tulsa before being traded to the Fort Wayne Komets. He was then traded to the Newfoundland Growlers, recording one assist and a +10 rating after playing 40 games with the team.
Samuelsson has strong family ties to the game of hockey. His father, Ulf, is a two-time Stanley Cup winner for the Pittsburgh Penguins in 1991 and 1992. Derek Nesbitt commented “[Samuelsson] comes from a pure hockey family and loves the game. His character references are through the roof as a team first person, and he has some bite to his game and a strong work ethic which I’m excited to add to our back end. He will be a great addition to our group, both on and off the ice.”
Zach Yoder and Adam Samuelsson – along with teammates Dylan Carabia, Ryan Cranford, Brayden Crowder, Evan Dougherty, Tyler Harmon, Anthony Firriolo, Mitch Fossier, Jackson Pierson, Cody Sylvester, and Mitch Walinski – will kick off the 2023-24 season for the Atlanta Gladiators at Gas South Arena on October 21, 2023, at 7 PM.
