Tanner Fritz exemplifies perseverance and hard-work. Last year was his fifth-year after being undrafted and signed from The Ohio State University to the Sound Tigers roster. He initially played for their ECHL affiliate in Kansas City where he earned a call up to Bridgeport in 2016, and impressed during the playoffs. He got a full contract for the next two seasons. After scoring 38 points for Bridgeport in the first half of the 2017-18 season, he was called up to the Islanders where he played 34 games, scoring three goals and four assists.
Fritz played in 57 games for Bridgeport a season ago, and would get to play eight games for the Islanders before being sidelined for the remainder of the season with a blood clot in his hand.
“It was really scary definitely,” Fritz said at a Sound Tigers season ticket holder event. “But it was awesome to be apart of both teams playoff run from above.”
Fritz was on the Islanders roster and injured reserve but was seen in Bridgeport during Bridgeport’s playoff series with Hershey, as well as being at all of the Islander playoff games at the Coliseum. He was the ultimate teammate for both squads.
“He’s going to be leaned on heavily as a leader on this team,” said head coach Brent Thompson. “We’re going to rotate our assistant captains and he will be one of them.”
Fritz he is probably the 14th or 15th forward on the depth chart for the Islanders after signing a two-year, one-way deal this summer.

“I’m really excited for this season and hope I can get back up to the Island,” Fritz said. “That’s my personal goal, but as a team I think we can win a Calder Cup. This team has so many veterans that can lead this team.”

Christian Gardecki

A Native of Danbury, CT. Christian is one of the longest tenured Drive4Five writers, Christian Gardecki began writing for Drive4five In May of 2017. Christian covers Minor League Hockey and the Bridgeport Islanders for Drive4Five. Outside of Drive4Five, Christian was the captain of his High School Hockey team and currently attends Hofstra University with a major in journalism. Christian was the play by play broadcaster for the Danbury Westerners summer collegiate baseball team during their 2021 NECBL Championship. Christian also was the Public Address Announcer for the Danbury Hat Tricks Minor Pro Hockey team in the Federal Prospects Hockey League and NAHL Junior team from 2019-21.