Matt Francis was signed this week by the Gwinnett Gladiators of the ECHL.

From the G.G. release…

The Gwinnett Gladiators announced today they have agreed to terms with returning defenseman Brandon Gentile in addition to forwards Matt Caruana and Matt Francis …Caruana split time between the Bakersfield Condors and the AHL’s Iowa Chops last season, finishing with a combined 25 points in 59 professional games. He made his professional debut with the Portland Pirates of the AHL shortly after his senior year at Niagara during the 2007-08 season appearing in five regular season and 13 playoff games in the AHL.

The Orono, Ontario native skated three seasons for the Bowmanville Eagles of the OPJHL before playing four seasons as a standout at Niagara Univesity from 2004-05 to 2007-08.

Francis joins the Gladiators after skating two seasons each with St. Cloud State University and Bemidji State University from 2004-05 to 2008-09. Francis compiled 48 points over 108 career collegiate games. The 5-foot-11, 185-pound defenseman appeared in 60 games over two seasons in the BCHL prior to joining St. Cloud State, including an 87-point season with the Surrey Eagles in 2003-04.