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Veteran Nesbitt rejoins Gladiators

Veteran Nesbitt rejoins Gladiators

Thursday, July 19th

DULUTH, Ga. – The Atlanta Gladiators announced that the team has agreed to terms with forward Derek Nesbitt 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.

Nesbitt returns to the Gladiators for his fourth straight season in Atlanta and seventh overall. The Seaforth, Ontario native has recorded 277 points (115g-162a) in 323 games played with the team. All-time in Gladiators history, he ranks first in goals, third in assists, second in points and second in games played. The team’s captain from the past three seasons has notched 15 points (8g07a) in 20 career playoff games with the Gladiators.

Nesbitt ranked third in goals (15) and points (37) in 71 games played for Atlanta last year and led the team in power play goals with five. The veteran finished the 2017-18 regular season with 12 points (5g-7a) in his last 14 games helping the team reach the playoffs for the first time in four seasons. He went on to add two goals in four playoff games.

The 36-year-old helped the Gladiators to the Kelly Cup Finals in his rookie season in 2005-06. After he registered 69 points (26g-43a) in 71 regular-season games, Nesbitt earned 13 points (6g-7a) in 17 playoff contests en route to an American Conference championship and the team’s only Kelly Cup Final appearance. Nesbitt went on to win the Kelly cup the next season with the Idaho Steelheads.

The 14-year pro has accumulated 658 points (274g-384a) in 851 professional games in the AHL, ECHL and Austrian League. Nesbitt compiled 225 points (104g-121a) in 372 AHL games for Rockford, San Antonio, Oklahoma City, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, Chicago, Manitoba and Peoria. In 426 ECHL games for Atlanta, Toledo and Idaho, Nesbitt has engineered 391 points (156g-235a).