Norfolk Admirals (AHL)

Last updated

Norfolk Admirals
Norfolk Admirals.svg
City Norfolk, Virginia
League American Hockey League
ConferenceEastern Conference
DivisionEast Division
Founded 2000
Operated 2000–2015
Home arena Norfolk Scope
Colors    
Media The Virginian-Pilot; WGNT
Affiliates Chicago Blackhawks (2000–2007)
Tampa Bay Lightning (2007–2012)
Anaheim Ducks (2012–2015)
Franchise history
2000–2015Norfolk Admirals
2015–present San Diego Gulls
Championships
Regular season titles1 (2011–12)
Division titles3 (2001–02, 2002–03, 2011–12)
Conference titles1 (2011–12)
Calder Cups1 (2011–12)

The Norfolk Admirals were a professional ice hockey team based in Norfolk, Virginia, that competed in the American Hockey League (AHL). The team played its home games at Norfolk Scope. The Admirals were the AHL affiliate of the Tampa Bay Lightning and Anaheim Ducks.

Contents

For the 2015–16 season, the Admirals moved to San Diego, California, to become the newest version of the San Diego Gulls as part of the AHL's efforts to create a Pacific Division. [1] The Bakersfield Condors from the ECHL moved to Norfolk for the 2015–16 season and also use the name Norfolk Admirals. [2]

History

The market was previously home to:

The original team ownership, Mark Garcea and Page Johnson (owners of the Hampton Roads Admirals franchise in the East Coast Hockey League), sought and gained admission to the American Hockey League as an expansion franchise for the 2000–01 season with an affiliation agreement with the Chicago Blackhawks. On May 26, 2004, the franchise was purchased by Ken Young after the original owners had put it up for sale. [3] The team name pays homage to the area's long naval history.

Norfolk was one of two franchises in the AHL named the Admirals, sharing the nickname with the Milwaukee Admirals. The Milwaukee franchise transferred from the defunct International Hockey League, and were allowed to keep their previous moniker.

Brandon Bochenski with the Admirals. Brandonbochenski admirals.JPG
Brandon Bochenski with the Admirals.

Norfolk's geographically closest rivals were the Hershey Bears, Charlotte Checkers, and Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins. The Admirals had two mascots, a dog named Salty and a rabbit named Hat Trick.

On March 19, 2007, the Blackhawks announced that their affiliation with the Admirals would end after the 2006–07 season. [4] On March 29, 2007, the Tampa Bay Lightning officially announced the Admirals as their new affiliate. [5] On June 14, 2012 Tampa Bay announced their separation from the 2012 Calder Cup champions in favor of the Syracuse Crunch. Later in that month owner Ken Young announced he had closed a five-year agreement with the Anaheim Ducks.

2011–12 season

During the 2011–12 season, the Norfolk Admirals, coached by Jon Cooper, set a professional hockey record for the longest winning streak, winning their 28th consecutive game on April 15 against the Adirondack Phantoms. [6] [7] The streak far surpassed the previous AHL record of 17 straight wins set by the Philadelphia Phantoms in 2004–05, as well as the pro hockey record of 18 games set by the Peoria Rivermen of the original International Hockey League in 1991.

The streak garnered international media attention for the Admirals and the American Hockey League, including highlights on NHL Network and ESPN's SportsCenter .

The 28-game streak included 15 home games and 13 road games. The win streak started on February 10 against Adirondack. Before their 3-2 OT win against Binghamton on April 14, the previous 20 games were all won in regulation. [8] As of October 20, 2012, the Admirals had won 32 regular season games in a row dating back to the 2011–12 season.

The winning streak translated into a deep playoff run for the Admirals, where they would win 15 of 18 playoff games, including back to back four game sweeps in the Eastern Conference and Calder Cup Finals. On June 9, 2012, the Admirals captured their first ever Calder Cup with a 6–1 win over the Toronto Marlies. [9]

Prior to the 2012–13 season, the Admirals and the Syracuse Crunch parent NHL organizations swapped teams. As a result, the Admirals failed to qualify for the Calder Cup playoffs while the Crunch made it to the Calder Cup Finals.

Relocation

On January 6, 2015, it was announced that the Admirals would move to an unknown location on the west coast, likely close to their NHL affiliate, after the franchise was purchased by the Anaheim Ducks. [10] On January 29, 2015, the Ducks confirmed the Admirals' relocation to San Diego to become the newest incarnation of the San Diego Gulls. [1] The Admirals were replaced in Norfolk with the relocated Bakersfield Condors franchise of the ECHL. The new team retained the Admirals name and logo but were affiliated with the Edmonton Oilers. [11]

Players

Team Captains

Notable alumni

NHL alumni of the Norfolk Admirals include:

2010 Stanley Cup Finals

In the 2010 Stanley Cup Finals, sixteen former Admirals competed for the championship. Bryan Bickell, Dave Bolland, Troy Brouwer, Adam Burish, Dustin Byfuglien, Corey Crawford, Jake Dowell, Colin Fraser, Jordan Hendry, Duncan Keith, Danny Richmond, Brent Seabrook, Jack Skille, and Kris Versteeg were on the Chicago Blackhawks active roster. Michael Leighton and Lukas Krajicek played for the Philadelphia Flyers. [12]

Team records

Season-by-season results

Regular seasonPlayoffs
SeasonGamesWonLostTiedOTLSOLPointsPCTGoals
for		Goals
against		StandingYearPrelims1st
round		2nd
round		3rd
round		Finals
2000–01 803626135—90.5632412083rd, South 2001 —W, 3–1, CIN L, 1–4, HER ——
2001–02 803826124—92.5752222051st, South 2002 —L, 1–3, HER ———
2002–03 803726125—91.5692011871st, South 2003 —W, 3–0, SA L, 2–4, HOU ——
2003–04 80353645—79.4941721875th, East 2004 W, 2–0, BNG L, 2–4, PHI ———
2004–05 804330—6193.5812001883rd, East 2005 —L, 2–4, PHI ———
2005–06 804329—4494.5882592463rd, East 2006 —L, 0–4, HER ———
2006–07 805022—62108.6753012573rd, East 2007 —L, 2–4, WBS ———
2007–08 802944—2565.4062132677th, East 2008 Out of playoffs
2008–09 803338—4575.4692362696th, East 2009 Out of playoffs
2009–10 803935—3384.5252082144th, East 2010 Out of playoffs
2010–11 803926—9693.5812652304th, East 2011 —L, 2–4, WBS ———
2011–12 765518—12113.7432731801st, East 2012 —W, 3–1, MAN W, 4–2 CON W, 4–0 STJ W, 4–0, TOR
2012–13 763734—4179.5201882075th, East 2013 Out of playoffs
2013–14 764026—3790.5922011923rd, East 2014 —W, 3–1, MAN L, 2-4, STJ ——
2014–15 762739—6464.4211682195th, East 2015 Out of playoffs

Single-season records

Goals: Troy Brouwer, 41 (2006–07)
Assists: Martin St. Pierre, 72 (2006–07)
Points: Martin St. Pierre, 99 (2006–07)
Penalty minutes: Zack Stortini, 299 (2013- 2014)
Wins: Corey Crawford, 38 (2006–07)
GAA: Craig Anderson, 1.94 (2002–03)
SV%: Craig Anderson, .923 (2002–03)

Career records

Career goals: Brandon Bochenski, 81
Career assists: Marty Wilford, 141
Career points: Blair Jones, 185
Career penalty minutes: Shawn Thornton, 1198
Career goaltending wins: Dustin Tokarski, 80
Career shutouts: Michael Leighton, 18
Career games: Ajay Baines, 409

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chicago Wolves</span> American Hockey League team in Rosemont, Illinois

The Chicago Wolves are a professional ice hockey team in the American Hockey League (AHL) and are affiliated with the Carolina Hurricanes of the National Hockey League (NHL). The Wolves play home games at the Allstate Arena in the Chicago suburb of Rosemont, Illinois, and are owned by Chicago business owners Don Levin and Buddy Meyers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Milwaukee Admirals</span> American Hockey League team in Milwaukee, Wisconsin

The Milwaukee Admirals are a professional ice hockey team in the American Hockey League (AHL). They play in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States, at the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee Panther Arena. They are the highest level affiliate of the National Hockey League (NHL)'s Nashville Predators.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cincinnati Mighty Ducks</span> Ice hockey team based in Ohio, US

The Cincinnati Mighty Ducks were a professional ice hockey team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They were members of the American Hockey League, and played their home games at the Cincinnati Gardens. Throughout their existence they were the primary minor league affiliate of the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim of the National Hockey League, with a three-year shared affiliation with the Detroit Red Wings.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pensacola Ice Pilots</span> Defunct minor professional ice hockey team

The Pensacola Ice Pilots were a professional ice hockey team located in Pensacola, Florida. The team was previously affiliated with the Tampa Bay Lightning, Toronto Maple Leafs, New York Islanders (2006–07), and the Chicago Blackhawks. They have also had a working agreement with the Houston Aeros of the AHL for the 04–05 season. On June 23, 2008, the ECHL announced that it had terminated the Ice Pilots' membership, effective immediately.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Utah Grizzlies</span> Professional minor league ice hockey team in Salt Lake City, Utah

The Utah Grizzlies are a professional ice hockey team in the ECHL. They play their home games at Maverik Center in West Valley City, Utah.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bakersfield Condors (1998–2015)</span> Defunct ECHL ice hockey team

The Bakersfield Condors were a minor league ice hockey team based in Bakersfield, California in the Pacific Division of the ECHL's Western Conference. The Condors played home games at Rabobank Arena.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cincinnati Cyclones</span> Professional ice hockey team

The Cincinnati Cyclones are an ice hockey team based in Cincinnati. The team is a member of the ECHL. Originally established in 1990, the team first played their games in the Cincinnati Gardens and now play at Heritage Bank Center.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hampton Roads Admirals</span> Defunct minor professional ice hockey team

The Hampton Roads Admirals were a professional ice hockey team in the East Coast Hockey League (ECHL). They played in Norfolk, Virginia at the Norfolk Scope Arena from 1989 until 2000, when the owners purchased an expansion American Hockey League franchise that became the Norfolk Admirals. In 2015, the AHL Admirals were relocated and the ECHL returned to Norfolk with the current Norfolk Admirals.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kyle Calder</span> Canadian ice hockey player (born 1979)

Kyle Charles Calder is a Canadian former professional ice hockey forward who played in the National Hockey League (NHL) for the Chicago Blackhawks, Philadelphia Flyers, Detroit Red Wings, Los Angeles Kings, and Anaheim Ducks.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jeff Schultz</span> Canadian ice hockey player

Jeff Schultz is a Canadian former professional ice hockey defenceman. He most recently played for the San Diego Gulls in the American Hockey League (AHL). He was drafted by the Washington Capitals in the first round, 27th overall, in 2004.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Virginia Wings</span> American hockey team

The Virginia Wings were a professional ice hockey team based in Norfolk, Virginia of the greater Hampton Roads area. They were an affiliated farm team of the Detroit Red Wings, and a member of the American Hockey League for three seasons from 1972–73 to 1974–75. The Wings were previously known as the Tidewater Wings for the 1971–72 season. Their cross-state rivals in the AHL were the Richmond Robins.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sheldon Brookbank</span> Canadian ice hockey player (born 1980)

Sheldon W. Brookbank is a Canadian former professional ice hockey defenceman who played in the National Hockey League (NHL). He was the assistant coach of the Chicago Blackhawks of the National Hockey League (NHL) under Jeremy Colliton.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Richard Pánik</span> Slovak ice hockey player (born 1991)

Richard Pánik is a Slovak professional ice hockey right winger for HC Slovan Bratislava of the Slovak Extraliga. Pánik was drafted in the second round, 52nd overall, in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft by the Tampa Bay Lightning.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ondřej Palát</span> Czech ice hockey player (born 1991)

Ondřej Palát is a Czech professional ice hockey winger and alternate captain for the New Jersey Devils of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was drafted in the seventh round, 208th overall, by the Tampa Bay Lightning at the 2011 NHL Entry Draft. Palát won the Stanley Cup back-to-back with the Lightning in 2020 and 2021.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Trevor Carrick</span> Canadian ice hockey player (born 1994)

Trevor Carrick is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman who is currently playing with the Charlotte Checkers in the American Hockey League (AHL). He was selected in the fourth round, 115th overall, by the Carolina Hurricanes in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jon Cooper (ice hockey)</span> Canadian-American ice hockey coach

Jonathan D. Cooper is a Canadian–American professional ice hockey coach who is the head coach for the Tampa Bay Lightning of the National Hockey League (NHL). Cooper won back-to-back Stanley Cup championships in 2020 and 2021 and also reached the Stanley Cup Finals in 2015 and 2022 as the Lightning head coach, and as of the 2023–24 season, is the longest-tenured head coach in the NHL.

The 2015–16 AHL season was the 80th season of the American Hockey League. The regular season began on October 9, 2015, and ended on April 17, 2016. The 2016 Calder Cup playoffs follow the conclusion of the regular season. An attendance record was set with a league average of 5,982 spectators per game, surpassing the record set in 2004–05.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">San Diego Gulls</span> American Hockey League team in San Diego, California

The San Diego Gulls are a professional ice hockey team based in San Diego, California, that competes in the American Hockey League (AHL). The team plays its home games at Pechanga Arena. The Gulls began play in the 2015–16 season. The team is an affiliate of the National Hockey League (NHL)'s Anaheim Ducks.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bakersfield Condors</span> American Hockey League team in Bakersfield, California

The Bakersfield Condors are a professional ice hockey team in the American Hockey League (AHL) based in Bakersfield, California. The team is owned by and affiliated with the National Hockey League's Edmonton Oilers. The Condors play their home games at Mechanics Bank Arena. The AHL franchise is a relocation of the Oklahoma City Barons, which joined four other AHL franchises in 2015 as the basis to form a new Pacific Division in California.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Norfolk Admirals (ECHL)</span> Ice hockey team in Norfolk, Virginia

The Norfolk Admirals are a professional ice hockey team in the ECHL that began play in the 2015–16 season. Based in Norfolk, Virginia, the team plays its home games at Norfolk Scope. The Admirals replaced the American Hockey League (AHL) team of the same name, which played from 2000 until 2015, after which they moved to San Diego, California, and became the current incarnation of the San Diego Gulls.

References

  1. 1 2 "Ducks Launch American Hockey League Franchise in California". Anaheim Ducks . January 29, 2015. Retrieved January 29, 2015.
  2. ↑ "Admirals announce sale to Anaheim, ECHL affiliation with Edmonton". Norfolk Admirals. January 30, 2015. Archived from the original on January 31, 2015. Retrieved February 18, 2015.
  3. ↑ Hessler, Warner (May 26, 2004). "Admirals to Stay in Norfolk". Daily Press .
  4. ↑ "Admirals' 7-year run with Blackhawks ends this year". The Virginian-Pilot . March 20, 2007. Retrieved October 17, 2021.
  5. ↑ "TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING ENTER INTO AFFILIATION AGREEMENT WITH AMERICAN HOCKEY LEAGUE'S NORFOLK ADMIRALS AFFILIATION TO BEGIN WITH 2007-08 SEASON". Tampa Bay Lightning . March 29, 2007. Retrieved October 17, 2021.
  6. ↑ McManus, Tim (April 16, 2012). "Admirals close regular season with 28th straight win". The Virginian-Pilot . Archived from the original on April 18, 2012. Retrieved April 18, 2012.
  7. ↑ "Norfolk Admirals @ Adirondack Phantoms Sunday April 15, 2012 | TheAHL.com | The American Hockey League". American Hockey League . Retrieved October 17, 2021.
  8. ↑ "Norfolk makes it 24, clinches points crown". American Hockey League . April 6, 2012. Archived from the original on April 8, 2012. Retrieved April 8, 2012.
  9. ↑ Hodges, Jim (June 10, 2012). "Admirals win AHL championship with a sweep". The Virginian-Pilot . Archived from the original on June 13, 2012. Retrieved June 10, 2012.
  10. ↑ Minium, Harry (January 7, 2015). "Sources say Admirals being sold, will leave Norfolk". The Virginian-Pilot . Hampton Roads. Archived from the original on January 8, 2015. Retrieved January 7, 2015.
  11. ↑ "AHL move west will see Condors ECHL franchise relocate east". The Bakersfield Californian . January 7, 2015. Retrieved September 28, 2020.
  12. ↑ "Sixteen former Admirals players to compete for Stanley Cup" (PDF). DowntownNorfolk.org. May 25, 2010. Archived from the original on December 30, 2010. Retrieved May 27, 2010.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.