Norfolk Admirals (AHL)

For the ECHL team that began play in 2015–16, see Norfolk Admirals (ECHL).
Norfolk Admirals
2014–15 Norfolk Admirals season
City Norfolk, Virginia
League American Hockey League
Conference Eastern Conference
Division East Division
Founded 2000
Operated 2000–2015
Home arena Norfolk Scope
Colors                    
Media The Virginian-Pilot; WGNT CW Norfolk
Affiliates Chicago Blackhawks (2000–2007)
Tampa Bay Lightning (2007–2012)
Anaheim Ducks (2012–2015)
Franchise history
2000–2015 Norfolk Admirals
2015–present San Diego Gulls
Championships
Regular season titles 1 (2011–12)
Division Championships 3 (2001–02, 2002–03, 2011–12)
Conference Championships 1 (2011–12)
Calder Cups 1 (2011–12)

The Norfolk Admirals were a professional ice hockey team that played in the American Hockey League. They became affiliated with the Anaheim Ducks after being dropped from the Tampa Bay Lightning following their 2012 AHL championship season. The Admirals played in Norfolk, Virginia at the Norfolk Scope.

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.

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. On March 29, 2007, the Tampa Bay Lightning officially announced the Admirals as their new affiliate. 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 set a professional hockey record for the longest winning streak, winning their 28th consecutive game on April 15 against the Adirondack Phantoms.[4][5] 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.[6] As of October 20, 2012 the Norfolk Admirals have 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.[7]

Relocation

On January 6, 2015, it was announced that Norfolk will move to an unknown location on the west coast, most likely to stay close to their NHL affiliate, the Anaheim Ducks. It was later reported that they will move to San Diego.[8] 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 and play in the ECHL.

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.[9]

Team records

Season-by-season results

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

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. Retrieved February 18, 2015.
  3. ↑ "Admirals to Stay in Norfolk". Daily Press. May 26, 2004.
  4. ↑ Virginian-Pilot, April 16, 2012
  5. ↑ TheAHL.com, April 15 2012
  6. ↑ TheAHL.com, April 6, 2012
  7. ↑ Hodges, Jim (June 10, 2012). "Admirals win AHL championship with a sweep". The Virginian Pilot. Retrieved June 10, 2012.
  8. ↑ "Sources say Admirals being sold, will leave Norfolk". Hampton Roads. 2015-01-06. Retrieved 2015-01-06.
  9. ↑ "Sixteen former Admirals players to compete for Stanley Cup" (PDF). downtownnorfolk.org. May 25, 2010. Retrieved May 27, 2010.
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