Gladiators Extend Qualifying Offers to Three Ahead of 2025-26 Season

 

DULUTH, Ga. — The Atlanta Gladiators, in cooperation with the ECHL, have extended qualifying offers to three players as they begin shaping their roster for the 2025-26 campaign. The offers were made to forward Jackson Pierson, defenseman Derek Topatigh, and goaltender Drew DeRidder.

The move allows the Gladiators to retain the ECHL rights to these players for the upcoming season—should they choose to return.

Under league rules, teams may extend qualifying offers to a maximum of eight players, with no more than four of those being veterans. Players who had already signed contracts by the July 7 deadline were not required to receive qualifying offers.

Pierson, who showed flashes of offensive potential last season, receives his first qualifying offer from the organization. Topatigh, a steady presence on the blue line, brings both leadership and physical play to the Gladiators’ defensive corps. Between the pipes, DeRidder impressed in limited action, and his qualifying offer suggests the team sees him as a key piece of their future goaltending strategy.

Contract Rights and Timelines

The league’s qualifying offer structure ensures that teams can maintain a level of control over their roster while giving players the opportunity to explore other options under specific conditions.

For non-veterans like Pierson, a valid qualifying offer allows Atlanta to retain their rights for one full season. In the case of veterans or goaltenders with more than 180 regular-season games played—such as Topatigh and DeRidder—teams hold their rights only until July 22 if a contract isn’t finalized. After that date, the player becomes a restricted free agent and can negotiate with other ECHL clubs.

However, those negotiations come with caveats. If a restricted free agent wishes to sign with another team, the Gladiators would have seven days to match any offer sheet. If no agreement is reached or matched by August 8, the player becomes an unrestricted free agent, free to sign anywhere without restriction.

Roster Building Underway

This round of qualifying offers is just one step in Atlanta’s offseason maneuvering. While only three names were extended offers, the team may have already locked in several other pieces prior to the July 7 deadline, a common strategy to minimize exposure in free agency.

Fans eagerly awaiting the return of pro hockey to Gas South Arena can now circle their calendars—the full 2025-26 ECHL schedule has been released. With these qualifying offers on the table, Atlanta’s front office has signaled that preparations for a competitive season are well underway.

As the July 22 and August 8 deadlines approach, expect more news out of Duluth as players finalize decisions and rosters take shape. For now, Pierson, Topatigh, and DeRidder represent key figures to watch as the Gladiators prepare for the puck to drop this fall.