Norfolk Admirals will head into the 2026/27 ECHL season without a National Hockey League (NHL) or American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate.
The Admirals’ three-year partnership with the NHL’s Winnipeg Jets and their AHL affiliate, the Manitoba Moose, ended in July.
Norfolk, who previously had NHL affiliations with the Edmonton Oilers, Nashville Predators, Arizona Coyotes and Carolina Hurricanes, is the only ECHL team without an NHL and AHL affiliate this season.
Having qualified for the play-offs just twice since joining the ECHL in 2015, the Admirals are hoping their bold approach will pay dividends.
Norfolk focus on ‘Admirals First’ strategy
Sports bettors in Virginia who have previously wagered on the Admirals to be successful in the ECHL have suffered endless disappointments.
The Admirals will be one of the outsiders in the ice hockey betting odds at BetUS when the outright market for the prestigious Kelly Cup is formulated.
However, the club hopes its ambitious move to start a new season without a higher-level affiliate makes it a more attractive proposition for bettors and loyal fans.
“This season, the Norfolk Admirals are choosing an Admirals First approach,” the club recently posted on social media platform X.
“Our focus has been on building a roster of players who want to compete for the Admirals crest, represent Hampton Roads with pride and help us pursue a championship.
“This allows us to build relationships and create opportunities across the broader NHL landscape, while making decisions centered around what is best for the Norfolk Admirals and our players.
“Our focus is clear – our team, our crest and our community.”
Carr hoping to garner greater control over his roster
The Admirals posted a 30-38-4 record last season to finish sixth in the North Division. They hope that operating without an affiliate will help them improve this term.
Linking up with teams from the NHL and AHL is generally considered to be beneficial to ECHL clubs, giving them the opportunity to acquire players from higher up the scale.
However, the set-up can also be detrimental clubs in the ECHL if their top performers are called up to play by their NHL or AHL affiliates.
Admirals’ general manager and head coach Jeff Carr is aiming to build a tighter group of players with limited movement in and out of the club this season.
He believes that the greater continuity will give the club a much better chance of challenging for their first-ever Kelly Cup championship.
Having lost prolific points scorers Brady Fleurent and Jaydon Dureau during the close season, the Admirals will need other forwards to make up the deficit.
Norfolk Admirals 2026/27 roster
| Player | Born | Birthplace |
| GOALTENDERS | ||
| Luke Pavicich (G) | 2002 | Clarence Centre, NY, US |
| Matt Vernon (G) | 1998 | San Jose, CA, US |
| DEFENSEMEN | ||
| Sean Comrie (D) | 2000 | Edmonton, AB, CAN |
| Brehdan Engum (D) | 2000 | Burnsville, MN, US |
| Ryan Gagnon (D) | 1996 | Quesnel, BC, CAN |
| William Magnuson (D) | 2001 | Chaska, MN, US |
| Andrew McLean (D) | 1995 | Waterford, MI, US |
| Jack O’Brien (D) | 2003 | White Rock, BC, CAN |
| Jack Pascucci (D) | 2002 | North Andover, MA, US |
| Ian Pierce (D) | 2001 | Edgewater, NJ, US |
| Tyler Ryder (D) | 2001 | Grand Rapids, MI, US |
| FORWARDS | ||
| Matthew Argentina (C/RW) | 2003 | Philadelphia, PA, US |
| Matthew Barnaby (C/RW) | 1998 | Buffalo, NY, US |
| Nick Capone (RW/C) | 2001 | East Haven, CT, US |
| Michael Citara (RW) | 2002 | New Hope, PA, US |
| Brody Crane (LW/RW) | 2004 | Union, ON, CAN |
| Brad Fortin (F) | 2001 | Langley, BC, CAN |
| Will Gavin (LW/C) | 1999 | Durham, CT, US |
| Grant Hebert (C) | 1997 | St. Andrews West, ON, CAN |
| Matt Koethe (RW/LW) | 1999 | Minnetonka, MN, US |
| Teddy Lagerback (RW) | 2001 | Minnetonka, MN, US |
| Nathan Noel (C/RW) | 1997 | St. John’s, NL, CAN |
| Jack O’Leary (F) | 2000 | Smithtown, NY, US |
| Brandon Osmundson (F) | 1998 | Chesapeake, VA, US |
| Kristóf Papp (C) | 2001 | Budapest, HUN |
| Brett Pfoh (F) | 2002 | Port Moody, BC, CAN |
| Marko Reifenberger (C) | 1999 | Hastings, MN, US |
This content is provided for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional advice. AFP editorial staff were not involved in the creation of this content.
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