Turple called back up to Grand Rapids

Duluth - The Gwinnett Gladiators announced today that goaltender Dan Turple has been reassigned by the Atlanta Thrashers to the Grand Rapids Griffins of the American Hockey League.

Turple was assigned to the Griffins for the first time this season on February 19th, dressing for four games and seeing action in the Griffins' 6-1 loss to Quad City on February 24th. He played the third period of that game making six saves and allowing one goal.

Since his return to Gwinnett on February 25th, Turple has played in one game, dropping a 3-1 decision to the Texas Wildcatters on March 2nd. Prior to his call-up, Turple was 12-9-1-1 with a goals against average of 3.14 and a save percentage of 0.904.

This will mark Turple's third trip of the season to the AHL as he was called up to the Chicago Wolves from October 19th to November 1st, but did not dress for the Wolves.

For his career, Turple is 30-23-6 overall with a 3.50 GAA and a save percentage of 0.890. The Hamilton, Ontario native went 18-13-3 in his rookie season Gwinnett with a 3.77 GAA and a 0.879 save percentage.

Turple should be available for the Griffins as they host the Toronto Marlies tonight in Grand Rapids.

The Gladiators continue their fifth anniversary season on Thursday, March 6th as they travel to Columbia to take on the Inferno at 7:05 p.m. at the Carolina Coliseum. Catch all the play-by-play action in Friday's game online via AccessNorthGa.com on Access Radio streaming channel 3.

Celebrating its 20th Anniversary as the Premier 'AA' Hockey League in 2007-08, the ECHL began in 1988-89 with five teams in three states and has grown to be a coast-to-coast league that has 25 teams in 17 states and British Columbia in 2007-08. The 25 teams includes the Mississippi (Biloxi) Sea Wolves, who return after missing two seasons in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, and the expansion Elmira (N.Y.) Jackals. The ECHL will play 900 games beginning Oct. 18 and concluding Apr. 5.

The Gwinnett Gladiators continue their fifth season as a proud member of the ECHL - season ticket packages are on sale now. In addition, the Gladiators offer several unique multi-game ticket packages as well as discounted group rates, suite rentals, and birthday parties. For more information call 770-497-5100 or log on to gwinnettgladiators.com.

The Gladiators are the AA affiliate of the Atlanta Thrashers and play all home games at the spectacular 11,355-seat Arena at Gwinnett Center, located just off I-85 on Sugarloaf Parkway in Duluth, where parking is always free.