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 Atlanta Gladiators

Leading Goal Scorer Walker Returns to Gwinnett

August 9, 2014 - ECHL (ECHL)
Atlanta Gladiators News Release


DULUTH, Ga. - A season after leading the Gwinnett Gladiators in lighting the lamp, forward Brenden Walker has re-signed with the team for the 2014-15 season, the Gladiators announced on Saturday.

Walker, who turned 22 on June 26th, also scored 22 goals for Gwinnett last season, and added 14 assists to total 36 points - good for sixth on the squad. He book-ended the Gladiators season by scoring the team's first goal of the year in an October 18th loss to Greenville, and scoring the team's final goal on April 12th, a game where he notched the Gladiators' lone hat trick of the year.

The native of St. Anne, Manitoba had his rookie season effectively split in half when he had to fly home in mid-December because of a death in his close-knit family. Walker returned to the team nearly three weeks later, the day after Christmas, and quickly returned to form. Down the stretch, the forward scored a goal in seven of the team's last 11 contests, totaling 10 goals and four assists over that period.

"We are very excited to have Brenden back with us this season. He is an exceptional talent and a quality individual," said Gladiators President Steve Chapman. "There were some learning phases that Walks made his way through last season. He also had to deal with some personal loss in his family. That's a lot on a young pro.

"But, as the season progressed and he adjusted and overcame, we think he really began to show what he is capable of doing. He can be one of the best players on the ice every night when he makes that commitment. We think that this could be a break-out year for him."

Walker started his professional career as a part of the Arizona (then-Phoenix) Coyotes Training Camp in September 2013, before receiving a prospect assignment to the Gladiators in early October. Prior last season, he flourished for four years in Canada's Western Hockey League, scoring 93 goals and 135 assists over 269 games.

Walker joins a burgeoning group of forwards already under contract in Duluth, along with Marshall Everson (EVE-er-son), Randy Cameron, and Casey Pierro-Zabotel. The team has also signed defensemen Daniel Spivak (SPEE-vack) and Joe Stejskal (STAY-skull), and goaltender Mark Guggenberger (GOOG-in-berger).

With the team's 11th season in the books, the Gladiators are set to return for their 2014-15 campaign at the Arena at Gwinnett Center with the team's Home Opener set for October 24th at 7:35 p.m. against the Wheeling Nailers. For tickets and schedule information, visit the official team website at www.gwinnettgladiators.com or call the main office line at 770-497-5100.

The Gladiators are members of the ECHL, the nation's premier "AA" hockey league and are affiliated with the Arizona Coyotes of the NHL. All home games are played at the 11,355-seat Arena at Gwinnett Center, located just off I-85 on Sugarloaf Parkway in Duluth.


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