Veteran Defenseman Returns to Gwinnett

7/20/2005
10 YEAR PRO EMMETT SIGNS WITH GLADIATORS

The Gwinnett Gladiators announced today that they have signed veteran
defenseman Rick Emmett for the 2005-06 season.

?He?s the ultimate pro,? said Gladiators Head Coach Jeff Pyle, ?Emmer
and Brownie (Cam Brown) have been like coaches the past two years in the
locker room and on the ice. Rick is fantastic to work with and can play
in all situations; plus he?ll do whatever you need him to do to get the
job done.?

The Etobicoke, Ontario native will begin his 11th professional season
and his third with the Gladiators. Last year with Gwinnett, Emmett
posted 8 goals and 24 assists for 32 points in 60 games and finished
with a team high +23 plus/minus rating.

?I definitely have high expectations,? said Emmett, ?but because we are
always going to be young, there is some mystery involved but I have no
concerns because Jeff (Pyle) does a great job getting everyone to buy in
and when you have 20 guys all working together, great things can
happen.?

Emmett helped Gwinnett to the Kelly Cup Playoffs in each of the
Gladiators first two seasons in Georgia. The 5-foot-10, 195 pound
defenseman lead the Gladiators in power play goals with 5 during the
2004 Kelly Cup Playoffs as Gwinnett captured the Central Division
Championship and advanced to the Western Conference Finals.

During the 1996-97 season, his second year pro, Emmett helped the Quad
City Mallards of the Colonial Hockey League capture the league
championship Colonial Cup. Emmett then helped the Mallards repeat as
Colonial Cup Champions during the 1997-98 season, the first year after
the league was renamed the United Hockey League.

Emmett led Quad Cities defensemen in scoring during the1997-98 season
with 48 points. His 13 points during the 1996-97 Colonial Cup Playoffs
ranked second among Quad Cities defenseman while he ranked first in that
category on Quad Cities during the 1997-98 Colonial Cup Playoffs with 14
points.