Atlanta Gladiators names hockey veteran Derek Nesbitt as head coach

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June 6th, 2023

Gladiators legend Derek Nesbitt will be the sixth head coach in the team’s 21-season history. Nesbitt holds the franchise records in games played (512), goals (166), and points (424). Nesbitt retired from playing after the 2021-22 season but stayed with the team last season, serving as Assistant Coach. (Matthew Pearson/WABE)

This season means new things for Atlanta’s minor league hockey team, the Gladiators.

Derek Nesbitt, the beloved 5-year captain of the team, will now lead as head coach. The Gladiators will also join into new affiliate partnerships with the American Hockey League’s Milwaukee Admirals and the National Hockey League’s Nashville Predators, meaning players from the minor league team can funnel into those major league teams. 

Alex Campbell, Atlanta Gladiators head coach Derek Nesbitt, Nashville Predators’ assistant general manager Brian Poile and the Gladiators’ director of hockey operations, Jeff Pyle hold up the jersey of the three partnered hockey teams during a photo opp at a press conference on June 6, 2023. (Matthew Pearson/WABE)

Gladiators veteran Derek Nesbitt will be the sixth head coach in the team’s 21-season history. Nesbitt holds the franchise records in games played (512), goals (166), and points (424). Nesbitt retired from playing after the 2021-22 season but stayed with the team last season, serving as assistant coach. 

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