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ECHL Atlanta Gladiators

Gwinnett Picks up Two Forwards

March 26, 2014 - ECHL (ECHL)
Atlanta Gladiators News Release


DULUTH, Ga. - The Gwinnett Gladiators, ECHL affiliate of the Phoenix Coyotes, announced the signings of forwards Chris Culligan and Josh Derko on Wednesday. In addition, forward Dan Radke was released.

Culligan, 25, recently played three games for the AHL's Texas Stars on an Amateur Tryout contract after playing for four seasons with the University of New Brunswick at Fredericton, where he totaled 54 goals and 117 assists in 133 games to go along with his +98 rating.

Prior to his time with the Varsity Reds, Culligan spent five years with the Cape Breton Screaming Eagles of the QMJHL, racking up 87 goals and 284 assists in 317 games. He served as the team's captain in 2008-09, his final year with the team, while Gladiators captain Joey Haddad served as his alternate captain. The two forwards grew up in the coastal community of Sydney, Nova Scotia.

Derko, 20, joins the Gladiators after spending the last five seasons in the Western Hockey League, splitting his time between the Swift Current Broncos and the Lethbridge Hurricanes. The Sherwood Park, Alberta native had 13 goals and 15 assists during his three-and-a-half years with Swift Current.

After being traded to Lethbridge after the 2012-13 trading deadline, Derko not only compiled 16 goals and nine assists over a season-and-a-half, but he also picked up the captain's "C" in his last full season with the Hurricanes in 2013-14. He also participated in the San Jose Sharks rookie camp in September 2013.

Radke, 22, made his pro debut with the Gladiators out of Lake Superior State last Sunday in Toledo. The Orinda, CA native was held without a point.

The Gladiators will take on the South Carolina Stingrays this Saturday night for Star Wars Night, $5 Fan Gear Frenzy (Beach Towels), and CURE Childhood Cancer Night, presented by Baseball Hall of Famer, former Gwinnett Gladiator, and Atlanta Braves legend Tom Glavine. To purchase tickets, please visit 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 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.

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