ECHL Atlanta Gladiators

Gladiators Trade Lyon to Ontario for Two Defensemen

January 29, 2014 - ECHL (ECHL)
Atlanta Gladiators News Release


DULUTH, Ga. - The Gwinnett Gladiators traded forward Brett Lyon to the Ontario Reign on Wednesday, in exchange for defensemen Art Bidlevskii and Eric Springer.

"By adding Art and Eric, along with the recent addition of Matt Clune, we feel like we have dramatically upgraded our defensive core in the last week or so," said Gladiators Team President Steve Chapman. "Springer's reputation is that of being a shut-down defenseman and he has that left shot that we've been needing from the blue line. Bidlevskii should add solid play as well as some overall toughness. It quickly raises the level of competition on our blue line; now we'll see how guys respond. It's really put up or shut up time. We think the character will rise to the top as it always does."

Bidlevskii, 22, had a goal and four assists in 26 games for Ontario this season, including 42 penalty minutes and a plus-five rating. The Kelowna, British Columbia native split last season between the South Carolina Stingrays and Bakersfield Condors after wrapping up a five year junior career in the Western Hockey League. Bidlevskii also has 10 games of American Hockey League experience under his belt, picking up an assist to go with 30 penalty minutes and a plus-five rating for the Bridgeport Sound Tigers during the 2010-11 season.

Springer, 25, was playing in his second pro season with Ontario. The former Wisconsin Badger had one goal and eight assists for the Reign this season, and was a plus-two in 32 games. The Wrightstown, WI native spent four years at Wisconsin from 2008-2012, where he played in 84 total games and was named to the NCAA (WCHA) All-Academic Team twice.

Lyon, 23, had a goal, 11 assists, and 68 penalty minutes in 20 games as a Gladiator. The Reign will be the sixth team he has played for this season.

The Gladiators are members of the ECHL, the nation's premier "AA" hockey league and are affiliated with the Phoenix 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.

Check out the Atlanta Gladiators Statistics



ECHL Stories from January 29, 2014


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central