Gladiators Release Former Vipers Forward Elser:

The East Coast Hockey League (ECHL) Gwinnett Gladiators have released former Vernon Vipers forward Brian Elser.

Elser was released on February 23rd 2014 No official press release from the Gladiators but the transaction was posted on the transactions page on the ECHL website.  In 16 games with Gwinnett Elser collected just one assist.  Elser signed with the Gladiators on December 19th 2013 is now eligible for waivers and can be claimed off waivers by another ECHL team.

Elser started the season with the Southern Professional Hockey League (SPHL) Mississippi Surge signing on November 1st 2013 playing in just six games collecting (1-goal-3-assists-4-points) before being waived on November 22nd 2013.

Elser joined his second team this year after signing with the Southern Professional Hockey League (SPHL) Huntsville Havoc on December 5th 2013. In five games with the Havoc Elser recorded (1-goal-4-assists-5-points) before joining the Gladiators. Elser has now played with three teams this season and sixth team in the last two years.

Elser played with four teams last season. Started the 2012-13 season with the Southern Professional League's (SPHL) Fayetteville FireAntz playing in 22 games collecting (9-8-17) before being waived on March 5th 2013. While playing with the FireAntz Elser was called up to the East Coast Hockey League's (ECHL) Gwinnett Gladiators signing a one game contract on January, 15th 2013 before returning to Fayetteville after playing just one game. Elser then signed with the East Coast Hockey League (ECHL) South Carolina Stingrays on February, 6th 2013 before being released on February, 27th 2013. In seven games with the Stingrays Elser collected (1-1-2). Elser then signed with the East Coast Hockey League (ECHL) Elmira Jackals on March 6th 2013 before being released on March 22nd 2013. In four games with the Jackals Elser had just one assist.

The Vipers scouted Elser who was 18 at the time, at the U.S. Midget championships in Buffalo. Elser attended the 2008-2009 Vipers training camp making the Vipers opening day roster before being traded on September, 12th 2008 to the AJHL Drayton Valley Thunder for future considerations (cash) and a player to be named next year. In two games with the Vipers Elser collected one assist. Rumor was Elser didnt report to the Thunder and his rights were given back to Vernon. On August, 7th 2009 the Vipers traded Elser and future considerations to Victoria for Jonathan Milhouse.

Brian Elser's Player Profile:

http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=47131