ECHL Atlanta Gladiators

Durno & Slonina Return to Gwinnett

August 18, 2004 - ECHL (ECHL)
Atlanta Gladiators News Release


The Gwinnett Gladiators announced today that they have agreed to terms with forwards Chris Durno and Steve Slonina for the 2004-2005 season.

Durno and Slonina joined with Kris Goodjohn, who re-signed with Gwinnett on June 29th, to form the Gladiators top scoring line in the 2004 Kelly Cup Playoffs where the trio totaled 28 points in 13 playoff games helping Gwinnett capture the Central Division Championship.

"Goodie, Slo, and Durns worked great together down the stretch for us last year," said Gladiators head coach Jeff Pyle. "They were our best line during the playoffs scoring some big goals."

Durno ranked fifth on the Gladiators last season in scoring with 46 points off of 20 goals and 26 assists. The Scarborough, Ontario native ranked third with a +24 plus/minus rating with Gwinnett.

"We had an excellent season last year," said Chris Durno, "although it was a little disappointing losing in the Conference Finals against Idaho. It looks like a lot of guys are coming back and there is no reason to think we won't have a strong team and make another run this season."

Durno tallied the overtime, game winning goal for the Gladiators in Game #1 of the ECHL Central Division Semi-Finals against the Mississippi Sea Wolves. Durno finished the post-season with 7 goals and 5 assists for 12 points.

Slonina, one of six 20 goal scorers last season for the Gladiators also chipped in 17 assists for 37 points, ranking 8th in points in Gwinnett's inaugural campaign. Slonina also appeared in 2 American Hockey League Games with the Lowell Lock Monsters during the 2002-03 season, following his final year at the University of Massachusetts at Lowell.

"It was a great situation last year," said Steve Slonina "It was the right fit for me. Jeff (Pyle) was great last year and we had a successful season and went pretty far in the playoffs. There are a lot of guys coming back and I think we'll do better this year."

Slonina posted a game winning goal and the team's only shorthanded goal during the 2004 Kelly Cup Playoffs. The Abington, Massachusetts native posted a goal and 3 assists during the Gladiators Central Division Championship run.

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