Gladiators add scoring punch with Jacobs and Witala

DULUTH, Ga. – The Atlanta Gladiators announced they have signed forwards Colin Jacobs and Chase Witala 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.

Jacobs, 24, was on pace for a career year last season with the Gladiators as he registered 10 points (4g-6a) in 12 games before a shoulder injury ended his season. The fourth-year pro spent the previous three seasons with the Elmira Jackals where in 123 career games, he notched 47 points (21g-26a). Drafted by the Buffalo Sabres in the 4th Round (107th overall) of the 2011 NHL Entry Draft, Jacobs has spent time in each of the first four seasons with the AHL's Rochester Americans. Jacobs has tallied seven points (1g-6a) in 46 career AHL games.

Witala, 22, joins the Gladiators coming off a contract with the AHL’s Toronto Marlies last season. The Price George, British Colubia native spent the 2016-17 campaign with the Orlando Solar Bears where he notched 19 points (7g-12a) in 46 games. Witala collected two assists in three AHL games for Toronto at the end of the 2015-16 season. Prior to commencing his pro career, Witala recorded 239 points (120g-119a) in 302 games in the Western Hockey League over five seasons for his hometown Prince George Cougars. The 120 goals scored by Witala as a Cougar stands as the most all-time in franchise history. He set career highs with 40 goals and 79 points in 71 games in his final WHL season, while serving as the team’s alternate captain.