Formerly known as the Gwinnett Gladiators, the Atlanta Gladiators are a professional, minor league ice hockey team in the South Division of the ECHL Eastern Conference, based at Infinite Energy Arena in Gwinnett. Along with the name change in 2015 came new hope, an expanded sense of community, a new head coach and the return of fan-favorite Captain Nezzy!
Coach Brandt, Head Coach and General Manager of Hockey Operations for Atlanta Gladiators, spent most of his six-year professional playing career in a Gwinnett/ Atlanta uniform. He shared his thoughts on the current state of the team and why he is glad to be a Gladiator!
Atlanta Gladiators Head Coach
Andy Brandt
Hockey in the Southeast:
Of course it’s more popular in the North and in Canada, said Coach Brandt, a Wisconsin native and former Badger. But, Brandt now considers Gwinnett his home turf and is excited that his first head coaching opportunity is with a team he knows personally well!
The Challenges of playing ECHL hockey:
In hindsight you are only two steps away from playing in the NHL (National Hockey League) but when you are in the ECHL it seems like such a long journey to get there. As a farm team to their NHL affiliate, The Boston Bruins and their AHL (American Hockey League) affiliate, The Providence Bruins, men from The Atlanta Gladiators can be traded up or down at the snap of a finger. It can be hard on coaches and players alike, because if Providence sends them a guy then a hard cut has to be made. “At the same time, we have an affiliation for a reason and that is to develop their players,” said Brandt.
Coaching vs. Playing:
Brandt’s pro career spanned six seasons where, as a Gladiator, he played in a team-record of 357 games, scoring 192 points (76 goals and 116 assists) and served as both assistant captain and team captain from 2007-2013. But as a coach the workload increases exponentially…there is a lot that goes into making sure the team is prepared and as a player you just don’t realize it. As a player you have to get ready to play, but the coaches also have to make sure all the logistics are in place: travel accommodations, bus schedule, meals, hotels, flights, pre-game videos, post-game videos and analysis, and all the while recruiting and watching players for the upcoming season. Brandt recalls his days playing as a Glad and is in awe of the coaches before him who did the job alone. He also expressed much gratitude for the help he has from Assistant Coach Mike Flanagan, Video Coach Roman Marakhovski and the entire coaching staff.
His Coaching Inspiration:
Brandt knew that after college he wanted to eventually coach. His biggest inspiration was his University of Wisconsin Assistant Coach, Troy Ward, who taught him how to walk that fine line of being a friend to the players at the right time, but holding them accountable and being hard on them when needed. “The biggest thing as a coach is letting your players know that your doors are always open. You have to respect and have a relationship with your players while keeping it professional,” he said.
Fights during the game:
Fist fighting in ice hockey is a tradition of the sport, but Brandt says there is a rhyme or reason for it. Sometimes they are battling against each other but sometimes they might be doing it to gain momentum in the game. “I’ll never send someone out to fight, but I won’t stop a good fight either,” he said. The best fight he has witnessed as a coach went down in early 2015 on Gladiator’s ice with his own player, Dyson Stevenson fighting Greenville Road Warriors, Emerson Clark.
The facial hair:
Take a look at the Gladiators in the month of November and you might notice a bit more moustache-action than any other time of year. You can thank Coach Brandt for that! Among the many ways that Brandt gives back to the community, one of his favorites is “Movember” where he encouraged the team to raise awareness for prostate cancer by growing epic moustaches. According to the global “Movember Foundation” the movement has provided men with a platform where “for 30 days your moustache turns you into a walking, talking billboard for men’s health.”
The competition:
Our biggest competitors are the Florida Everglades – they are always at the top of their division. “It’s a good and well-respected rivalry and we always have competitive games with them.”
Advice for young athletes:
“Have fun playing the game and don’t worry about someone who is better than you because the more you enjoy it the more you’ll end up wanting to work at it.”
Exclusive Q+A
Atlanta Gladiators Assistant Captain
Tyler Murovich AKA: MURV
Age: 26 Position: F
Hometown:Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Years Playing Professional Hockey: 6
Q: How did you get started playing hockey?
A: Growing up in Pittsburgh during the early 90’s was a big influence on me because The Penguins won the Stanley Cup in 1991 and 1992. When I was in elementary school, my family’s business opened in Pittsburgh: the Ice Castle Arena. It is still the family business and where I work on my game and train young hockey players in the off-season. I love being around the rink and there is no place that I would rather spend the majority of my time.
Q: Biggest accomplishment in the sport?
A: I am lucky to have made a ton of great memories through the sport of hockey. My biggest accomplishment is probably playing in 390 professional games (including playoffs) so far. I am extremely lucky to be able to play this game and even luckier to play it professionally.
Q: What is your ultimate goal?
A: My ultimate achievement would be to play in the NHL…the goal of just about any hockey player. Obviously at our level now (in the ECHL), the goal is to get to the AHL and establish myself there first. Earning a call up to AHL is always exciting and that feeling drives you to want to do it again.
Q: As assistant captain how do you keep your team focused and motivated?
A: I just try to do the right things everyday and hopefully lead by example. I think having 
a letter on your jersey just adds an extra level of accountability and responsibility. I try my best to pass on things that I’ve learned from previous experiences to the new or younger guys.
Q: What is your diet like?
A: I definitely enjoy eating healthy. I usually try to get the freshest ingredients when possible such as local and/or organic produce. It’s also important for me to take in a lot of calories during the season since we are constantly skating or training. Most people can’t believe how much food that I have to eat in a day to maintain my weight!
Q: How do you relax off the ice?
A: Usually a nice dinner out. With a busy schedule during the season, it’s a great way to unwind. I also love music and love to dance. I am the team DJ in the Glads locker room and I take that responsibility very seriously!
Q: Best advice that you’ve received as a hockey player?
A: Some advice that always stuck with me about my game was from my dad, who coached me growing up. He just always reminded me to play my game and stick to details of my game that allow me to have success.
Q: Biggest challenges as a professional athlete?
A: The biggest challenge for any athlete is probably consistency, in my opinion. It’s easy to play well when you’re feeling great, but what if you don’t feel so good? The best way to face it is just to rely on having good ice habits, a love for the game, good work ethic and keep working hard as always!
Exclusive Q+A
Atlanta Gladiators Captain
Derek Nesbitt AKA: Nezzy
Age: 33 Position: RW
Hometown: Seaforth, Ontario, Canada
Years Playing Professional Hockey: 11
Q: How long have you been playing hockey?
A: Since I was 4 years old. I don’t ever remember not playing hockey. It’s just something that has always been a part of my life and that alone is probably what drove me to want to continue doing it for so long.
Q: What is your biggest accomplishment in the sport?
A: Winning a Kelly Cup Championship with the Idaho Steelheads in 2007
Q: Your ultimate goal?
A: To play in the NHL. I’ve played in NHL pre-season games but now at 33 years old it probably isn’t a realistic goal for me, I’d love nothing more than to help bring a championship here to Atlanta.
Q: Biggest challenge as team captain?
A: It’s that you are representing more than just yourself. My actions directly represent the team and the whole organization as well. I just try to take the lessons I’ve learned over my career and lead by my actions more than words. I’ve always believed that actions speak louder than words. I try to be as professional as possible, at all times, on or off the ice. Playing professionally is a full time job and I want to express that to our younger guys.
Q: What do you do off the ice for fun?
A: After being on the road I especially love just relaxing and watching TV with my wife, Whitney, and our dogs at home in Flowery Branch.
Q: What do you focus on in training?
A: At my age now my training has changed a lot in the past five years. Now I concentrate more on body recovery and making sure I’m healthy. I work a lot on speed and flexibility. I’ve been able to keep my strength so it’s more about body maintenance for me now.
Q: Hockey is known as an aggressive sport. Have you had any serious injuries?
A: I’ve torn my MCL in the same knee twice, which kept me out of the game for 7 weeks both times. And I shattered my nose from a slap shot, which took me out for about a month. Both times I just had to work hard with the trainer and doctors to concentrate on getting back on the ice by our target dates.
Q: What do you want your legacy to be?
A: One thing I’ve said is that I’d love to be considered a true pro. Being referred to as a true professional is such an honor and I hope to have earned that tag someday.
