Firriolo, Pierson join Gladiators

DULUTH, Ga. - The Atlanta Gladiators announced today that the club has signed defenseman Anthony Firriolo and forward Jackson Pierson for the 2023-24 season.

Firriolo joins the Gladiators following a brief stint with the Jacksonville Icemen last season, where he picked up on assist in five games. The 25-year-old produced 75 points (22g-53a) across 123 games with Army West Point, serving as captain his senior season. Firriolo led all Army defenders in scoring his junior and senior seasons, while also being named to the Atlantic Hockey Association All-Second Team both years.

Pierson, 23, also joins the Gladiators following a quick stint in the ECHL, skating in six games with the Fort Wayne Komets this past season. In college, Pierson played four seasons with the University of New Hampshire, recording 88 points (31g-57a) in 115 games. In 2020-21, Pierson led the Wildcats in scoring, piling up 25 points (9g-16a) and was named a Second Team Hockey East All-Star. The next year, which would be his final as a Wildcat, he was named alternate captain, totaled a career high in goals (12) and won the Len Ceglarski Individual Sportsmanship Award for the Hockey East Association. Following his senior season, the Zionsville, Indiana, native joined the University of Notre Dame as a graduate transfer. In 31 games as a member of the Irish, Pierson put up nine points (1g-8a).