Mike Gelatt Returned to Peoria Rivermen for Fifth Season
The veteran forward rejoined the team roster while Jordan Ernst officially retired from professional hockey.
Updated on Sept. 29, 2026 in Hockey
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The Peoria Rivermen announced that veteran forward Mike Gelatt has signed for his fifth season with the club. The news follows the retirement of longtime forward Jordan Ernst, who concluded his career after playing 214 regular-season games for the team.
Why it matters
The signing secures a key offensive presence for the upcoming season, while the departure of Ernst marks a significant transition in the franchise veteran lineup. These roster changes shape the team composition as they look to build on past championship success.
Mike Gelatt stands 6-foot-2 and weighs 210 pounds, bringing veteran experience to a roster that also added rookie forward Everett Pietila. The team additionally released Bohdan Zinchenko and Joowon Kim from their current training camp roster.
The players
Mike Gelatt
He is a 6-foot-2, 210-pound forward who has established himself as a key contributor during his five-season tenure with the Peoria Rivermen.
Jordan Ernst
He is a veteran hockey player who announced his retirement after a prolific career that included 106 goals and 214 regular-season games for Peoria.
Everett Pietila
He is a rookie forward from Howell, Michigan, who joins the team after completing his collegiate career at Lake Superior State.
Peoria Rivermen
This is a professional hockey team based in Peoria, Illinois, that competes in the Southern Professional Hockey League.
The details
Mike Gelatt, a Middletown, New Jersey native, returns to Peoria after helping the organization secure a championship in the 2023-24 season. During his tenure, he has accumulated 38 career regular-season goals and 43 assists across 90 games played.
Timeline
2022-23: Mike Gelatt competed at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls.
2023-24: The Rivermen won the SPHL championship with Gelatt on the roster.
- 2026-09-22
Mike Gelatt officially signed his contract with the team.
2026-27: The upcoming season for the SPHL.
Season Trajectory
The addition of Gelatt and rookie Pietila seeks to maintain continuity following the 2023-24 SPHL championship win. This transition helps the team balance the loss of established leaders like Jordan Ernst while fostering development within the current SPHL competitive cycle.
The signing provides the Rivermen with a known offensive commodity, ensuring consistent production following the retirement of Jordan Ernst. Fans and analysts will look for how rookie Everett Pietila integrates into the lineup to fill the vacated roster spots during the season.
The takeaway
Maintaining veteran leadership is essential for minor league teams looking to sustain success across multiple seasons. Fans should keep an eye on how new signings and roster depth adjustments impact the team performance as the upcoming year begins.
Further reading
For more updates on local ice sports, visit the Peoria Hockey section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Indianapolis Star.
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