Veteran Nesbitt returns to Gladiators

DULUTH, Ga. – The Atlanta Gladiators announced that veteran forward Derek Nesbitt has agreed to terms with the organization for the 2017-18 season.

The Gladiators are the ECHL affiliate of the National Hockey League's Boston Bruins and the American Hockey League's Providence Bruins.

Nesbitt, 35, had a record setting year last season with the Gladiators. Within 24 hours in January, the Seaforth, Ontario native had scored his 600th professional point on Jan. 20 and set a new record for most goals as a Gladiator with his 91st career tally with the team on Jan. 21. The forward continued to hit milestones throughout the season as he notched his 100th goal as a Gladiator against South Carolina on March 25.

After returning to the organization at the start of the 2015-16 season, Nesbitt has appeared in all 72 games the past two seasons in Atlanta. He scored 52 points (27g-25a) in 2016-17, leading the team in points and tied for first in goals. Over the course of his career, Nesbitt has appeared in 372 AHL contests, racking up 225 points (104g-121a), and 355 ECHL games with 354 points (141g-213a).