Duluth, GA - The Gwinnett Gladiators announced today that they have agreed to terms with assistant captain Andy Brandt for the 2008-09 season. Brandt becomes the first player on the roster for the upcoming season. “I wanted to come back and play the same way that I played last year,” said Brandt, “and build on the success that the team had last season.

“Coach [Jeff] Pyle was one of the main reasons I wanted to come back because of the way he handled the team. But I also loved the area, the location near Atlanta and I loved the fans.”

Brandt played his first full professional season with the Gladiators last year. In his rookie campaign during the 2007-08 season, the Wausau, Wisconsin native recorded 18 goals and 26 assists for 44 points while being one of five players to appear in all 72 regular season games for Gwinnett. Brandt also appeared in all eight 2008 Kelly Cup playoff games with Gwinnett.

Brandt began his professional career during the 2006-07 season appearing in 4 games with Gwinnett and one Kelly Cup Playoff game after completing his senior season at the University of Wisconsin. Brandt appeared in 128 career collegiate games over 4 seasons with the Badgers notching 5 goals and 9 assists for 14 points.

The 6-foot-1, 184-pound forward helped the Gladiators post the second best point and win totals in team history as Gwinnett finished with 93 points and 44 wins during the 2007-08 season. In addition, the Gladiators posted an all time team best 22 road wins during the year.