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ECHL Atlanta Gladiators

Vigilante Returns to Gwinnett

June 26, 2007 - ECHL (ECHL)
Atlanta Gladiators News Release


The Gwinnett Gladiators announced today that they have signed forward Mike Vigilante for the 2007-08 season. Vigilante becomes the first player signed by the Gladiators for the upcoming season.

"I'm excited about coming back to the Gladiators," said Vigilante. "Gwinnett is one of the best organizations in the league and Jeff makes coming to work everyday enjoyable."

Vigilante returns to Gwinnett for his fourth season with the Gladiators and his sixth professional season. He had a career year with the Gladiators last year posting 65 points off of 25 goals and 40 assists while appearing in all 72 regular season games. His 40 assists last season was also a career best for the left winger.

The Dearborn, Michigan native began his professional career under current Gladiators head coach Jeff Pyle while with the Mobile Mysticks during the 2001-02 season. Vigilante then split time with the Jackson Bandits and the Pensacola Ice Pilots during the 2002-03 season.

Vigilante rejoined Pyle and the Gladiators for the beginning of Gwinnett's inaugural 2003-04 season before being called up to the Portland Pirates of the American Hockey League in November of that season. In the AHL, Vigilante posted 17 points in 59 games with the Pirates.

The 6-foot-1, 195-pound, Vigilante notched a career best 30 goals during his second season with the Gladiators in 2004-05. He returned to college to complete his studies during the 2005-06 season before rejoining Gwinnett for a career year last season.

Opening Day in the ECHL for the 20th Anniversary Season will be Oct. 18 when the Johnstown Chiefs host the Wheeling Nailers at Cambria County War Memorial in a rematch of Game 7 from the first-ever ECHL Finals.

Celebrating its 20th Anniversary as the Premier 'AA' Hockey League in 2007-08, the ECHL began in 1988-89 with five teams in three states and has grown to be a coast-to-coast league that will have 25 teams in 17 states and British Columbia in 2007-08. The 25 teams includes the Mississippi (Biloxi) Sea Wolves, who return after missing two seasons in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, and the expansion Elmira (N.Y.) Jackals.

The ECHL will play 900 games beginning Oct. 18 and concluding Apr. 5. The conference and division alignments and the format for the 2008 Kelly Cup Playoffs will be determined and approved at a later date by the ECHL Board of Governors.

The Gwinnett Gladiators open their fifth season as a proud member of the ECHL in October of 2007 - 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 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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