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ECHL Atlanta Gladiators

Stepp, Bennefield Return to Gwinnett

October 3, 2006 - ECHL (ECHL)
Atlanta Gladiators News Release


The Gwinnett Gladiators announced today that they have agreed to terms with forwards Blue Bennefield and Joel Stepp for the 2006-07 season.

Bennefield returns to Gwinnett after playing for the Gladiators during the team's inaugural 2003-04 season. He finished his only season with the Gladiators appearing in all 72 games while posting 20 goals and 18 assists for 38 points. He finished with a team high 222 penalty minutes.

The Calgary, Alberta native helped the Gladiators capture the 2003 Central Division Championship by defeating the Louisiana IceGators in four games. He finished the 2003 Kelly Cup Playoffs with 3 goals and 2 assists for 5 points in 12 post season games.

Last season, Bennefield split time between the Lowell Lock Monsters of the American Hockey League and the Adirondack Frostbite of the United Hockey League. He appeared in 12 AHL games with Lowell where he collected 2 goals and 2 assists for 4 points and 35 penalty minutes. He had a team high 273 penalty minutes in 53 games with Adirondack.

Stepp returns to the Gladiators after helping Gwinnett capture the 2006 American Conference Championship. He appeared in 9 playoff games last year where he posted 4 goals, including a hat trick against the Florida Everblades in the Division Finals, and 5 assists for 9 points.

The Estevan, Saskatchewan joined the Gladiators on March 1 after being acquired by the Atlanta Thrashers from the Anaheim Mighty Ducks in exchange for Jani Hurme and assigned to Gwinnett. Stepp posted 3 goals and 12 assists in 16 regular season games with the Gladiators. He split time between the Augusta Lynx and the Portland Pirates before being acquired by Atlanta.

The 6-foot, 210 pound centerman was selected by the Anaheim Mighty Ducks in the 3rd round, #69 overall in the 2001 NHL Entry Draft. Stepp spent his first two professional seasons with the Cincinnati Mighty Ducks of the American Hockey League.

Prior to turning professional, Stepp helped the Red Deer Rebels of the Western Hockey League capture the Junior Hockey Memorial Cup Championship during the 2000-01 season. He posted 9 points in 22 post season games with the Rebels en route to the Memorial Cup.

The Gwinnett Gladiators open their fourth season as a proud member of the ECHL on October 20, 2006 - season tickets are on sale now. In addition, the Gladiators offer several unique multi-game ticket packages as well as discounted group rates, suite rentals, and birthday parties. For more information call 770-497-5100 or log on to gwinnettgladiators.com.

The Gladiators are the AA affiliate of the Atlanta Thrashers and play all home games on the Your Best Rate Financial Home Ice at the spectacular 11,355-seat Arena at Gwinnett Center, located just off I-85 on Sugarloaf Parkway in Duluth, where parking is always free.

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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.

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