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Hampton Roads Admirals

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
For the 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      
AffiliateWashington Capitals (NHL) Portland Pirates (AHL)
Franchise history
1989–2000Hampton Roads Admirals
2001–2004Columbus Cottonmouths
never playedGulf Coast Swords
Championships
Regular season titlesNone
Division titles1991, 1994
Kelly Cups1991, 1992, 1998

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.[1] In 2015, the AHL Admirals were relocated and the ECHL returned to Norfolk with the current Norfolk Admirals.

Expansion

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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 Pat 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. Bettie Ann denDekker would win the contest with the name "Admirals".[6]

Inaugural Season

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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 three games to two 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

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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 Alaska Aces, Florida Everblades and South Carolina Stingrays. Two years later, the Admirals moved up to the American Hockey League (AHL).

Season-by-season record

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Season Div. GP W L T OTL Pts Pct GF GA PIM Coach Playoff Results
1989-90 East 60 29 29 0 2 60 0.483 252 267 1902 John Brophy Lost in round 1
1990-91 East 64 38 20 0 6 82 0.594 300 248 2131 John Brophy Won Championship
1991-92 East 64 42 20 0 2 86 0.656 298 220 2097 John Brophy Won Championship
1992-93 East 64 37 21 0 6 80 0.578 294 235 2441 John Brophy Lost in round 1
1993-94 East 68 41 19 0 8 90 0.603 298 246 2272 John Brophy Lost in round 2
1994-95 East 68 37 23 0 8 82 0.544 255 239 2522 John Brophy Lost in round 1
1995-96 East 70 32 25 0 13 77 0.457 278 265 2756 John Brophy Lost in round 1
1996-97 East 70 46 19 5 0 97 0.693 286 223 2256 John Brophy Lost in round 2
1997-98 Northeast 70 32 28 10 0 74 0.529 222 225 1902 John Brophy Won Championship
1998-99 Northeast 70 38 24 8 0 84 0.600 215 213 2147 John Brophy Lost in round 2
1999-2000 Northeast 70 44 22 0 4 92 0.629 241 198 2189 John Brophy Lost in round 3

Playoffs

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  • 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

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Record Number Player Year
Goals (Season) 55 Brian Martin 1990–91
Assists (Season) 82 Murray Hood 1990–91
Points (Season) 118 Victor Gervais 1992–93
Penalty Minutes (Season) 354 Aaron Downey 1995–96
GAA (Season) 2.55 Jan Lasak 1999–2000
SV% (Season) .917 (tie) Jason Saal 1998–99
.917 (tie) Jan Lasak 1999–2000
Goals (Career) 312 Rod Taylor 1991–2000
Assists (Career) 282 Victor Gervais 1990–98
Points (Career) 565 Rod Taylor 1990–98
Penalty Minutes (Career) 856 Rod Taylor 1990–98
Wins (Career) 62 Mark Bernard 1990–96
Shutouts (Career) 5 Mark Bernard 1990–96
Games (Career) 528 Rod Taylor 1991–2000

Notable players

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References

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  1. ^ "FORMER ECHL ADMIRALS WILL SET UP SHOP IN COLUMBUS, GA.(SPORTS) - The Virginian-Pilot (Norfolk, VA)". Blogspot. The Virginian-Pilot. June 17, 2001.
  2. ^ Minium, Harry (July 2, 2014). "Whatever happened to ... Blake Cullen?". The Virginian Pilot. Retrieved April 24, 2019.
  3. ^ a b Hessler, Warner (February 1, 1989). "Game Tests Market For Hockey". Daily Press. Retrieved August 5, 2012.
  4. ^ White, Paul (February 8, 2008). "Admirals' inaugural class didn't need any debate". The Virginian-Pilot. Archived from the original on October 1, 2012. Retrieved August 5, 2012.
  5. ^ Hessler, Warner (February 24, 1990). "ECHL Hat Trick Launched In Norfolk". Daily Press. Retrieved August 5, 2012.
  6. ^ Ebert, Bruce C. (November 10, 1989). "Back On The Ice". Daily Press. Retrieved August 5, 2012.
  7. ^ a b c Hessler, Warner (June 21, 1990). "Admirals Help ECHL's Image Of Credibility". Daily Press. Retrieved August 5, 2012.
  8. ^ "1989-90 East Coast Hockey League Standings". HockeyDB.
  9. ^ "1989-90 ECHL Playoff Results". HockeyDB.
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Preceded by Riley Cup Champions
1990–91, 1991–92 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Kelly Cup Champions
1997–98 		Succeeded by
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