The dependable defenseman brings veteran leadership and elite puck-handling back to Georgia, bolstering a defensive core hungry for another deep Kelly Cup Playoff run this season.
The Gladiators continue to add to their lineup for the 2026-27 season. They are bringing back a familiar face to the blue line, announcing that defenseman Brendan Less is returning for the upcoming season.
After being acquired from the Adirondack Thunder before the start of the 2025-26 season, Less established himself as a dependable defenseman who is capable of logging significant minutes in every situation. He has steady play, good skating ability, and puck handling. This made him a key piece in the short playoff run on the blue line for the Gladiators.
The Kinnelon, NJ native dressed in 57 regular-season games last season, notching four goals and 14 assists. Less earned the coaching staff's trust by being consistent and dependable. Less played five seasons of NCAA Division I hockey, starting at Dartmouth College. He spent three seasons developing his skating and defensive awareness before transferring to Quinnipiac University for his final two years and joining one of the nation's top programs, providing depth on the blue line.
Less began his professional career with the Worcester Railers before spending time with the Iowa Heartlanders and Adirondack Thunder. In those stops, He established a presence that is valued for his skating, positioning, and ability to contribute. His versatility and consistency allowed him to take on heavy minutes in different roles. Less brought more than 100 games of ECHL experience to Atlanta.
His return provides Atlanta with stability and depth on a blue line that helped establish the team's identity during last season's playoff run. As the Gladiators look to build to another appearance in the Kelly Cup Playoffs, retaining veteran and experienced players like Less gives the club the pieces to the puzzle on the road to the playoffs.
Being familiar with Head Coach Matt Ginn's system and a veteran role within the locker room, Less enters the season expected to be counted on for heavy minutes and leadership from the back end.
