Danford and Llewellyn re-sign with Gladiators

DULUTH, Ga. – The Atlanta Gladiators announced that they have re-signed defenseman Ben Danford and forward Darby Llewellyn to contracts for the 2018-19 season.

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

Danford, 29, had his best season in professional hockey during the 2017-18 season with Atlanta, notching 34 points (10g-24a) in 52 games. The Stillwater, Minnesota native led all Gladiators' defensemen in goals, assists and points. He ranked in the top five in the ECHL in scoring by defensemen before an injury ended his regular season with just over 20 games remaining. Danford appeared in three of the four playoff games for the Gladiatorss after returning from injured reserve, and registered two points (1g-1a).

The fifth-year pro scored 20 points (6g-14a) and had a +21 rating in 51 games during the 2016-17 season with the Orlando Solar Bears, following two seasons in Europe after his collegiate career. Danford skated in three games for the Manchester Monarchs of the American Hockey League at the end of his senior season with Canisius College. The four-year standout with the Golden Griffins posted 84 points (10g-74a) in 158 career NCAA games.

Llewellyn, 22, ended his rookie season second on the Gladiators in goals with 17, and sixth on the team in points with 30, in 66 games played last year. The Ann Arbor, Michigan native led Atlanta in shorthanded goals with three, and topped all team rookies in goals and plus/minus (+4). The second-year pro amassed one assist in four playoff games for the Gladiators.

Prior to the start of his pro career, he appeared in 301 Ontario Hockey League games and put up 171 points (95g-76a) for the Kitchener Rangers. Llewellyn was named alternate captain of the Rangers during his final two seasons from 2015-17.