Hampton Roads Admirals

The Hampton Roads Admirals were an American 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.[1] In 2015, the AHL Admirals were relocated and the ECHL returned to Norfolk with the current Norfolk Admirals.

For current Admirals franchise in the ECHL, see Norfolk Admirals (ECHL).
Hampton Roads Admirals
CityNorfolk, Virginia
LeagueECHL
Founded1989
Operated1989–2000
Home arenaNorfolk Scope
ColorsBlue, Gold, White               
AffiliatesWashington Capitals (NHL) Portland Pirates (AHL)
Franchise history
1989–2000Hampton Roads Admirals
2001–2004Columbus Cottonmouths
Championships
Regular season titlesNone
Division Championships1991, 1994
Kelly Cups1991, 1992, 1998

Expansion

One-time Chicago Cubs and National League executive Blake Cullen was looking to expand into the Norfolk area for hockey.[2] He arranged an exhibition game between the Virginia Lancers and the Carolina Thunderbirds (originally listed as the Carolina Cougars) to take place at the Norfolk Scope.[3] Cullen said that he "would be happy with 3,000 fans and 4,000 or more would be very encouraging.[3] " The game, played on a Wednesday night between a fourth and fifth place team, drew over 6,200 fans.[4] Because of the turnout, the ECHL was willing to offer Cullen a new franchise for free. However, when a group of five businessmen offered the league $25,000 for territorial rights, Commissioner Pay Kelly told Cullen that he "was a man of his word" and offered the franchise to him for the same price, in which Cullen accepted.[5]

A naming contest would be held in the summer of 1989. Betty Ann Den Decker would win the contest with the name "Admirals".[6]

Inaugural Season

The Hampton Roads Admirals were introduced for the 1989-90 season and developed a rivalry with the Virginia Lancers of Vinton, Virginia throughout the season. The Admirals provided "attention and credibility to the ECHL[7] by drawing an average of 5,885 fans in their inaugural season. Until the Admirals joined the league, owners considered 2,000 fans to be "a good crowd.[7] They would make the post-season in their first season, going 29-29-2[8] before losing to the Erie Panthers 3 games to 2 in a five game series of the opening round of the Riley Cup playoffs.[9] The credibility also caught the attention of two NHL teams: the Detroit Red Wings and the Washington Capitals. Detroit agreed to send eight prospects, while the Washington Capitals agreed to sending a goaltender and an unspecified number of players.[7]

Championships

The Admirals were the flagship franchise of the ECHL, having won Jack Riley Cups in 1991 and 1992, and the Patrick J. Kelly Cup in 1998. The three championships won by the franchise is matched only by the South Carolina Stingrays and Alaska Aces. Two years later, the Admirals moved up to the American Hockey League (AHL).

Season-by-season record
SeasonDiv.GPWLTOTLPtsPctGFGAPIMCoachPlayoff Results
1989-90East60292902600.4832522671902John BrophyLost in round 1
1990-91East64382006820.5943002482131John BrophyWon Championship
1991-92East64422002860.6562982202097John BrophyWon Championship
1992-93East64372106800.5782942352441John BrophyLost in round 1
1993-94East68411908900.6032982462272John BrophyLost in round 2
1994-95East68372308820.5442552392522John BrophyLost in round 1
1995-96East703225013770.4572782652756John BrophyLost in round 1
1996-97East70461950970.6932862232256John BrophyLost in round 2
1997-98Northeast703228100740.5292222251902John BrophyWon Championship
1998-99Northeast70382480840.6002152132147John BrophyLost in round 2
1999-2000Northeast70442204920.6292411982189John BrophyLost in round 3

Playoffs
  • 1989–90: Lost to Erie 3-2 in quarterfinals.
  • 1990–91: Defeated Richmond 3-1 in quarterfinals; defeated Johnstown 4-1 in semifinals; defeated Greensboro 4-1 to win championship.
  • 1991–92: Defeated Raleigh 3-1 in first round; defeated Richmond 2-0 in quarterfinals; defeated Greensboro 3-1 in semifinals; defeated Louisville 4-0 to win championship.
  • 1992–93: Lost to Raleigh 3-1 in quarterfinals.
  • 1993–94: Defeated South Carolina 2-1 in first round; lost to Wheeling 3-1 in quarterfinals.
  • 1994–95: Lost to Tallahassee 3-1 in first round.
  • 1995–96: Lost to Richmond 3-0 in first round.
  • 1996–97: Defeated Roanoke 3-1 in first round; lost to South Carolina 3-2 in quarterfinals.
  • 1997–98: Defeated Peoria 3-0 in first round; defeated Roanoke 3-2 in quarterfinals; defeated Wheeling 4-2 in semifinals; defeated Pensacola 4-2 to win championship.
  • 1998–99: Lost to Richmond 3-1 in first round.
  • 1999–00: Defeated Huntington 3-2 in first round; lost to Trenton 3-2 in quarterfinals.

Team records
RecordNumberPlayerYear
Goals (Season)55Brian Martin1990–91
Assists (Season)82Murray Hood1990–91
Points (Season)118Victor Gervais1992–93
Penalty Minutes (Season)354Aaron Downey1995–96
GAA (Season)2.55Jan Lasak1999–2000
SV% (Season).917 (tie)Jason Saal1998–99
.917 (tie)Jan Lasak1999–2000
Goals (Career)312Rod Taylor1991–2000
Assists (Career)282Victor Gervais1990–98
Points (Career)565Rod Taylor1990–98
Penalty Minutes (Career)856Rod Taylor1990–98
Wins (Career)62Mark Bernard1990–96
Shutouts (Career)5Mark Bernard1990–96
Games (Career)528Rod Taylor1991–2000

Notable players
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References
  1. "FORMER ECHL ADMIRALS WILL SET UP SHOP IN COLUMBUS, GA.(SPORTS) - The Virginian-Pilot (Norfolk, VA)". The Virginian-Pilot. June 17, 2001.
  2. Minium, Harry. "Whatever happened to...Blake Cullen?" The Virginian-Pilot (Norfolk, VA), Wednesday, July 2, 2014. Retrieved April 24, 2019
  3. WARNER HESSLER (1989-02-01). "Game Tests Market For Hockey - Daily Press". Articles.dailypress.com. Retrieved 2012-08-05.
  4. White, Paul (2008-02-08). "Admirals' inaugural class didn't need any debate | HamptonRoads.com | PilotOnline.com". HamptonRoads.com. Retrieved 2012-08-05.
  5. "Echl Hat Trick Launched In Norfolk - Daily Press". Articles.dailypress.com. 1990-02-24. Retrieved 2012-08-05.
  6. "Back On The Ice - Daily Press". Articles.dailypress.com. 1989-11-10. Retrieved 2012-08-05.
  7. "Admirals Help Echl's Image Of Credibility - Daily Press". Articles.dailypress.com. 1990-06-21. Retrieved 2012-08-05.
  8. 1989-90 East Coast Hockey League Standings
  9. 1989-90 ECHL Playoff Results
Preceded by
Greensboro Monarchs		 Riley Cup Champions
1990-91, 1991-92		 Succeeded by
Toledo Storm
Preceded by
South Carolina Stingrays		 Kelly Cup Champions
1997-98		 Succeeded by
Mississippi Sea Wolves
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