Ryan Nolan Re-Signs With Atlanta Gladiators, Brings Physical Presence Back for 2026-27

DULUTH, Ga. — The Atlanta Gladiators are bringing back a familiar face as they continue building their roster for the 2026-27 ECHL season.

The Gladiators announced Tuesday that forward Ryan Nolan has re-signed with the club, giving Atlanta a physical, two-way forward who emerged as an important contributor during his first season with the organization.

Nolan, 28, returns after producing career-best numbers at the ECHL level in 2025-26, recording 11 goals, 17 assists and 28 points in 63 games while posting a plus-10 rating. His plus-minus mark led all Atlanta forwards, while four of his 11 goals were game-winners, tying Jack O'Brien for third-most on the team.

The numbers tell part of the story. Nolan's value to Atlanta went beyond the scoresheet, as the Gladiators viewed him as a player capable of providing physicality, offensive production and stability within the locker room.

Nolan Earned His Role in Atlanta

Nolan's 2025-26 campaign represented a significant step forward in his professional career.

After beginning his ECHL career with the Adirondack Thunder in 2024-25, Nolan made the jump to Atlanta and appeared in 63 regular-season games. His 28 points represented a career high at the ECHL level, and he also contributed one assist in six Kelly Cup Playoff games.

His first ECHL goal came during his debut with Adirondack on Feb. 12, 2025, against the Trois-Rivières Lions. Before establishing himself as an ECHL regular, Nolan had been a productive player in the Southern Professional Hockey League, where he recorded 17 goals and 21 assists in 38 games with the Fayetteville Marksmen during the 2024-25 season.

He began his professional career with the Peoria Rivermen in 2023 and helped the club capture the SPHL President's Cup after producing 11 goals and nine assists in 24 regular-season games.

Nolan also brings NCAA Division I experience, having played three seasons at Merrimack College and one season at Michigan State before turning professional.

A Physical Forward Atlanta Wants Back

For Gladiators head coach and Director of Hockey Operations Matt Ginn, Nolan's importance wasn't limited to his production.

“Ryan came in last season and earned everything that he got,” Ginn said. “A big part of the locker room, he immediately garnered his teammates' and staff's respect through how he handled his business.”

Ginn also pointed to Nolan's size and physical style as important pieces of his game.

At 6-foot-1 and 198 pounds, Nolan gives Atlanta a forward capable of creating space while also contributing offensively. Ginn expects the experience of a full ECHL season to translate into another step forward in 2026-27.

That development could be particularly important as Atlanta continues assembling a roster with a mix of returning players and new additions.

Gladiators Continue Building 2026-27 Roster

Nolan becomes the latest piece of the Gladiators' 2026-27 roster.

He joins Max Neill, Connor Caponi, Kyle Pow, Anthony Cipollone, Joey Cipollone, Jack Blake, Stephen Calisti and Ryan Conroy among the players announced as signed for the upcoming season.

Atlanta is announcing its offseason player signings through the organization's YouTube channel, with announcements scheduled on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 6 p.m. ET as the roster continues to take shape.

For a team preparing for another ECHL campaign, retaining a player who already understands the organization, coaching staff and expectations provides some valuable continuity.

Nolan's return also gives Atlanta a forward coming off his most productive ECHL season, with an opportunity to build on that foundation rather than start over.

Atlanta's New Season Begins in October

The Gladiators will open the 2026-27 regular season at Gas South Arena on Oct. 17, when Atlanta hosts the Norfolk Admirals.

By then, Nolan will have the chance to turn the momentum of his first season in Atlanta into an even larger role.

For the Gladiators, bringing him back is about more than retaining 28 points from a year ago. It is about keeping a player who earned the trust of his teammates and coaching staff while providing the physical presence and timely scoring that Atlanta will need throughout the season.

As the roster continues to come together, Nolan's return gives the Gladiators another piece of continuity — and another reason for Atlanta fans to watch what this group can become.