The Dearborn, Michigan native is a huge fan favorite and a true franchise player making it impossible to enumerate all of his accomplishments during his tenure as a Gwinnett Gladiator.

Mike is a kind, engaging, caring, and a conscientious human being. His dedication to the game of hockey and the fans has earned him the endearment of everyone he has made contact with. Always firmly grounded, Mike Vigilante has consistently displayed great character and class on the stage of any arena, and one whom we feel is a very special man.

In 2007-08, Mike was off to a career season with many wagering that his time to move to the next level of pro hockey was way overdue. Then, Mike suffered two back-to-back concussions early to mid-season, the last one taking him out for the remainder of the schedule. Though still a factor in the locker room, many felt that Mike's on-ice leadership was an essential piece that was missing from the team that went two rounds into the 2008 Kelly Cup playoffs. But all "Viggy" could do is watch from upstairs or behind the bench.

Though Mike has currently moved on to pursue his alternate passion of education, the passion of playing pro hockey still courses strongly through his veins. We hope that this does not spell an end to Mike's career, but it would be well understood, given the seriousness of his past injuries.

We pray for Mike and all of the goodness the future brings to him. Mike is a very special man, an inspiration, and a shining example of what great character and hard work can accomplish to the many children (and parents) whom he has forever touched over the years in Gwinnett County, GA.

God speed number 21, Captain Mike Vigilante.