There was a distinct voice missing from our “Exit Day” edition of Chatterbox: Milwaukee Admirals head coach Dean Evason. Much like the “Black Aces” Evason has also been up with the Nashville Predators during their current run through the Stanley Cup Playoffs. And today he was available for media availability back at the UW-Milwaukee Panther Arena.
In addition, we also had the opportunity to catch up with Milwaukee Admirals President Jon Greenberg who discussed everything from Year One for the organization playing in the Arena to the -other- Admirals now representing the pipeline in Norfolk.
This was yet another golden season for the Milwaukee Admirals and their forward troops. I mean that in a very real sense. There were a total of twelve forwards that played their trade at the NHL level with the Nashville Predators this season who also called themselves Admirals. The depth of the organization is immensely talented and deep. And it just continues to grow each and every season.
(Photo Credit: Scott Paulus)
When determining this award there are quite a few that deserve mention. The sophomore campaign for Vladislav Kamenev was a fantastic one and he has made great strides into his young career. Trevor Smith was a leader on and off the ice and did so through example and by his determination across all aspects of the game: face-offs, penalty killing, power-play, defense, offense, forechecking, you name it. Frédérick Gaudreau had his breakout season in 2015-16 but managed to blow it apart with something even more special this season. And there are countless other contributors who always brought it on a daily basis who could well go under the radar of the more flashy scoring talents. Guys such as Adam Payerl, Justin Florek, Matt White, and Mike Liambas. Even the rookies, Justin Kirkland and Anthony Richard, were really coming into their own by the end of the season. It was a supremely balanced group at forward this season: skill, pace, strength, size, and work ethic.
Yet, the man who took his game to a whole new level is the one who is most deserving of our end-season award here. Admirals Roundtable’s 2016-17 Forward of the Year Award belongs to Pontus Åberg.
(Photo Credit: Jeff Hanisch)
What Åberg managed to do this season was a feat that only four other members in the AHL history of the Milwaukee Admirals had accomplished before: reach 30 or more goals in a season. Darren Haydar (2005-06), Rich Peverley (2006-07), and Chris Mueller (2011-12) were the first three to record 30 or more goals in the regular season. Haydar scored 35 goals in 80 games. Peverley scored 30 goals in 66 games. Mueller scored 32 goals in 73 games. Yet, Åberg’s goal scoring pace was one that topped those great names in Admirals history by recording 31 goals in only 56 games of work. In terms of goals/game: Åberg stands at 0.553 with the next closest to him on that list being Peverley at 0.455.
Åberg was staggering in goal scoring this season. And that also gets reflected in areas of extreme importance. His 9 game-winning goals led the Admirals this season. Almost as important these days is being the team to get on the scoreboard first: Åberg’s 8 first-goals also led the Admirals this season. His shooting accuracy was also worth noting as, of all Admirals who scored 10 goals or more, only Gaudreau (19.4) shot at higher percentage than Åberg (18.7).
(Photo Credit: Scott Paulus)
The 23-year old from Stockholm, Sweden did serious damage offensively. That much is obvious. But, just as importantly, Åberg was just as good defensively. This season saw an extra step in the evolution to his game that made him just as fun to watch off the puck as on it. He was very sound and responsible on defense and it was his relentless work ethic on the ice this past season that often times meant seeing him get double or extended shifts when the Admirals required it. His team leading 15 power-play goals certainly were nice but his contributions on the penalty kill were just as important. He wasn’t shy to apply his full skill set in that department, either. Åberg led the Admirals with 2 shorthanded goals this season.
There is a very good reason why Åberg was recalled at the end of the Admirals season: he deserved it. While it might have hurt the Admirals to be without their top forward in the hunt for the Calder Cup all you need to do is tune in tonight and watch Åberg contributing for the Predators in the Western Conference Finals in the pursuit of the franchise’s first ever Stanley Cup. He is right where he should be.
The first domino as far as retaining members of the 2016-17 Milwaukee Admirals has fallen. The Nashville Predators have signed defenseman Andrew O’Brien to a one-year, two-way contract that will keep him in the organization for the 2017-18 season.
Nashville, TN – Nashville Predators President of Hockey Operations/General Manager David Poile announced Wednesday that the club has signed defenseman Andrew O’Brien to a one-year, two-way contract for 2017-18 worth $650,000 at the NHL level and $62,500 at the AHL level.
O’Brien, 24 (11/21/92), was acquired on Jan. 19, 2017, from Anaheim and appeared in 32 games with the Milwaukee Admirals in 2016-17, recording two goals and 10 points along with 36 penalty minutes. The Hamilton, Ontario, native also skated in 10 games for the San Diego Gulls last season, posting two assists.
A 6-foot-4, 208-pound blueliner, who was drafted in the fourth round (108th overall) of the 2012 Draft by Anaheim, O’Brien has appeared in 167 career AHL games and registered 40 points (12g-28a) and 216 penalty minutes.
O’Brien was acquired by the Predators from the team that they are now battling in the Western Conference Finals, the Anaheim Ducks, in exchange for Max Görtz. The move appeared to be one that swapped two prospects that simply needed a change of scenery. And that certainly turned into a positive for O’Brien who quickly adjusted to the Admirals and became a great locker room presence as well.
This year’s defensive group didn’t need to get blown up mid-season like the 2015-16 season had to. The lone real alteration came in the very first month of the season when the Milwaukee Admirals made the always rare AHL trade that saw them acquire Adam Pardy from the Springfield Falcons in exchange for Eric Robinson, Teddy Doherty, and Brandon Whitney. This happened because Matt Irwin was quickly promoted from the Admirals to the Nashville Predators and remained in the NHL from that point forward.
What I saw from a very young Admirals defensive group was an awful lot of learning and improvement by season’s end. Given moments of injury that sidelined a veteran like Pardy for a great length of time and then Jimmy Oligny at the end of the regular season for the rest of the playoffs – the young guns did well under the pressure. The Jack Dougherty who started the season was not the same one working in the playoffs. All defensemen really did grow and improve.
When it all boils down though there wasn’t much of a contest here. From a consistency standpoint. Defense. Offense. Special Teams. This 20-year old from Québec did so well so often that it never felt like it was actually his first pro season – but it was. Admirals Roundtable’s 2016-17 Defenseman of the Year Award belongs to Alex Carrier.
Carrier proved time and time again that he could shoulder a weight of responsibilities for the Admirals in his debut season of professional hockey. He played with maturity, poise, and a swagger that put him to the NHL where he made his debut in mid-January. Not long after making his NHL debut he represented the Admirals at the AHL All-Star Classic and helped the Central Division All-Stars win the AHL All-Star Challenge for a second consecutive season.
The area that I usually look at directly when giving this specific award is to make sure that the defenseman who wins it simply isn’t just the most dynamic offensive defenseman on the season. You can say as much for Carrier who used his great skating ability and instincts in the defensive end of the rink to be disruptive and effective as part of the Admirals go-to defensive paring alongside Pardy. Those two hit it off immidiately and the benefits of Carrier being paired with a veteran and getting to practice, play, and learn from him daily certainly helped his confidence soar.
Carrier was NHL good as a 20-year old first-year pro. I cannot wait to see how the sophomore campaign for him goes. The questions for him have been answered but now everyone knows who he is and what he’s all about. This time next season we could well be back discussing just how well Carrier embraced the adversity and succeeded. He did it this season. And he didn’t show signs that he couldn’t next season.
The Chicago Wolves will no longer be the AHL affiliate of the St. Louis Blues anymore. Instead, the Amtrak Rivals are embarking on a new adventure alongside the latest expansion to the NHL: the Vegas Golden Knights. The agreement begins for the 2017-18 season and was announced as a multi-year deal between the Knights and Wolves.
VEGAS (May 16, 2017) – Vegas Golden Knights General Manager George McPhee announced today, May 16, that the club has entered into a multi-year affiliation relationship with the Chicago Wolves of the American Hockey League, making the Wolves the official AHL affiliate of the Vegas Golden Knights. Under the terms of the affiliation arrangements, the Golden Knights will be able to transfer players to and from Chicago during the 2017-18 season.
“American Hockey League affiliates play a significant role in the success of all NHL clubs and are we are proud to have the Chicago Wolves as our first in team history,” said Vegas Golden Knights General Manager George McPhee. “I would like to thank Don Levin, Wendell Young and the rest of the Wolves organization for their commitment to the game and helping young hockey players grow to reach their full potential as professionals. Chicago is without question one of the strongest, most passionate hockey communities in North America. This is a relationship that we truly believe will be mutually beneficial.”
“If you look at George McPhee’s history, he has always been a general manager who believes that winning is an important part of developing players,” said Wolves owner Don Levin. “Professional playoffs are different than the regular season and he understands that and he wants his players to be ready to win.”
The Wolves finished first in the 2016-17 Central Division and made it to the second round of the Calder Cup playoffs before falling to the Grand Rapids Griffins. The team finished with its best regular-season winning percentage (.664) since 2008. The Golden Knights’ first signee, Reid Duke, joined the Wolves on April 7 after signing a professional tryout contract.
The Wolves will be the primary affiliate of the Golden Knights.
Founded as part of the International Hockey League in 1994, the Chicago Wolves have enjoyed two decades of consistent success on the ice as home to some of the most prominent names in American hockey, like Chris Chelios, Troy Murray and Rob Brown. When the IHL folded in 2001, the franchise joined the AHL.
About American Hockey League Affiliates
An American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate is an NHL organization’s highest level of minor league affiliation.
Throughout the season, AHL players will be promoted (“recalled”) to the partner NHL club for a number of reasons. If an NHL player is injured, the team may recall a player from the AHL to temporarily take his place. They can then be sent back down to the minors (“assigned”) for a variety of reasons as well, including when an injured NHL player returns to full health.
Every NHL team has its own affiliate in the AHL, from where more than 88 percent of active NHL players are graduates.
The Vegas Golden Knights are a National Hockey League franchise owned and operated by Black Knight Sports and Entertainment LLC. The Vegas Golden Knights were established by founding partners William Foley and his family and the Maloof family. For the latest news and information on the Golden Knights visit vegasgoldenknights.com. Fans can follow the team on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Snapchat.
GLENVIEW, Ill. — The Chicago Wolves announced Tuesday that the organization has signed a multi-year partnership with the Vegas Golden Knights, the National Hockey League’s expansion franchise that begins play in 2017-18.
The Wolves, who have earned four league championships, and the Golden Knights have forged an alliance based on their shared belief that winning is a crucial component of the American Hockey League experience. Vegas general manager George McPhee and Wolves owner Don Levin have it written into the teams’ agreement that the goal is to win championships at the AHL level.
“If you look at George McPhee’s history, he has always been a general manager who believes that winning is an important part of developing players,” Levin said. “Professional playoffs are different than the regular season and he understands that and he wants his players to be ready to win.”
During the nine seasons when McPhee served as the Washington Capitals’ GM and the Hershey Bears worked with the Capitals (2005-14), Hershey captured three Calder Cup championships.
“American Hockey League affiliates play a significant role in the success of all NHL clubs and are we are proud to have the Chicago Wolves as our first in team history,” McPhee said. “I would like to thank Don Levin, Wendell Young and the rest of the Wolves organization for their commitment to the game and helping young hockey players grow to reach their full potential as professionals. Chicago is without question one of the strongest, most passionate hockey communities in North America. This is a relationship that we truly believe will be mutually beneficial.”
The Golden Knights have just two players under contract — rookie forward Reid Duke, who spent the final five weeks of the 2016-17 season practicing with the Wolves, and Russian center Vadim Shipachyou — but that will change rapidly as McPhee and his hockey operations staff are in the final stages of preparation for the NHL Expansion Draft (June 18-21) and the NHL Entry Draft (June 23-24 in Chicago).
“We’re starting from the ground up with a new franchise,” said Wolves general manager Wendell Young. “It will be exciting to build both franchises together with the same philosophy.”
The Wolves captured the 2017 Central Division title — their fourth division crown in the last eight years — as the franchise enjoyed its finest regular-season showing (101 points) in seven seasons. The Wolves also reached the Central Division Finals during the 2017 Calder Cup Playoffs.
The Wolves have multiple ticket packages available for the 2017-18 season, including the opportunity to Call Dibs on a season-ticket seat for just $25. Click here for more information or call 1-800-THE-WOLVES.
This was an unusual season for the Milwaukee Admirals in the goaltending department. The 2016-17 season was the first time that the Admirals rolled out and played more than two goaltenders over the course of a campaign since the 2013-14 season. That year the Admirals had five different goaltenders factor in while this season there were four: Juuse Saros, Marek Mazanec, Jonas Gunnarsson, and Mark Visentin.
Not only did the Admirals roll out those four goaltenders but everyone not named Visentin earned a shutout. It was the first time the Admirals saw shutouts from three different goaltenders in a single season since the 2006-07 season when Pekka Rinne, Karl Goehring, and Scott Reid accomplished the feat. Those three earned a combined 5 shutouts that season. Saros, Mazanec, and Gunnarsson managed combine for the exact same number of shutouts.
(Photo Credit: Jeff Hanisch)
And, of course, there was the start to the season and how the actual goaltending narrative played out that was also unusual. Mazanec won the back-up role to Rinne with the Nashville Predators in the NHL. This seemed to be a well earned promotion for the 25-year old Czech native who had spent three-years in the organization working towards that opportunity. Saros looked set to be “the man” in Milwaukee and carrying a full work load in the AHL. That all looked like it made sense. But that didn’t stay that way all that long. Saros was outrageously good for the Admirals in the AHL and was effectively sweeping all major goaltending categories atop the AHL statistical sheets. Meanwhile, Mazanec wasn’t being afforded much time in net to start the season and wasn’t very convincing when he did get his chance to shine. This started an ad nauseum process of “Mazanec down, Saros up” that continued until mid-December when Saros was cementing himself as Rinne’s back-up. Mazanec was then told to clear out his Nashville apartment and find a place in Milwaukee – which he did during the All-Star break.
As frustrating as this season could have been for Mazanec he never once displayed an negativity surrounding what had happened. All that he did was come back to the city of Milwaukee, pop on his Admirals sweater, and went to work. These last two seasons with the Admirals have been some of his best and consistent work and he shouldered the load for the Admirals over the course of this season. Mazanec is the no-doubt choice for Admirals Roundtable’s Goalie of the Year for the 2016-17 Season.
The most impressive aspect of Mazanec’s run with the Admirals this past season was seeing him operate as the team’s workhorse in net. The date you can really slam down as when Mazanec made the committed stay into the Admirals picture was 12/16/16 at the start of the team’s Texas road trip. There were still 53 games remaining in the Admirals 2016-17 season at that point. Mazanec would play in 42 of those remaining games.
At season’s end Mazanec would finish with a solid career best for wins in an AHL season by earning 27 wins from 47 appearances. His previous best came last season when he managed to win 19 games from 39 appearances while he and Saros split duties for the Admirals. And with the increased work load Mazanec nearly matched or bested previous career bests in save percentage and shutouts over the course of an AHL season.
It isn’t clear what happens next for the Czech goaltender who turns 26-years old this July. But what he certainly didn’t do was burn any bridges or make it difficult for other NHL or AHL teams to consider bringing him in if the next chapter of Mazanec’s career is not back with the Predators organization. This season could have been more. This season could have been a nightmare. In the end I don’t feel it’s right to say that it was either. But what Mazanec did was to make the most of what he could the moment he knew he was an Admiral once again. That lends itself well for the road ahead no matter where that road leads.
The Nashville Predators have officially signed forward Victor Ejdsell to a two-year entry level contract. The 21-year old from Karlstad, Sweden was named the 2016-17 MVP of the Allsvenskan in Sweden’s second division.
Nashville, TN – Nashville Predators President of Hockey Operations/General Manager David Poile announced Monday that the club has signed free-agent forward Victor Ejdsell to a two-year, entry-level contract.
Ejdsell, 21 (6/6/95), was named Swedish second league (Allsvenskan) most valuable player and forward of the year in 2016-17 after leading the league in points (25g-32a-57pts), tying for second in assists, and for third in goals.
The 6-foot-5, 214-pound center split time with Farjestad’s junior and Swedish Hockey League clubs is 2014-15 and 2015-16, captaining the junior squad in 2014-15.
This was a rumored story for awhile. Yet, now that it’s locked in, it’s worth going back to that original report. Ejdsell apparently chose Nashville over the likes of the Detroit Red Wings and Chicago Blackhawks.
In addition, while he did sign an entry level contract, Ejdsell signed with HV71 who play in the top flight of the Swedish Hockey League. It is possible that Ejdsell could join HV71 and move to the Milwaukee Admirals in the AHL mid-season much the same way that Kevin Fiala did in the 2014-15 season. That said, Ejdsell is older than Fiala right now and could well make the full leap to North America now. Perhaps one extra season tested in the SHL could prove to be beneficial before making that commitment.
Ejdsell will only add to the center depth that the Predators are building. He is a -big- Swede standing at 6’5″ and has some pace to go with his size. In his 2016-17 season played with BIK Karlskoga he produced 57 points (25 goals, 32 assists) in 50 games. It was the first true season in which he wasn’t bouncing around junior academy programs and settling in with a senior team. I believe the results and MVP distinction say enough about how he adapted.
The rookie squadron for the Milwaukee Admirals during the 2016-17 season was one that had plenty of interest going in. Anthony Richard made a pro debut with the Admirals during their 2016 AHL Calder Cup Playoffs run. Jack Dougherty made a pro debut even before those playoffs started. And both Alex Carrier and Justin Kirkland had yet to get in a game. Jonas Gunnarsson wasn’t even signed yet but showed well at Nashville’s Rookie Development Camp.
I would say that along the first few months most of the Admirals rookie core had a slow start. Kirkland and Richard, who arrived with great scoring prowess out of their junior careers, were clearly going through the motions. Gunnarsson in net was also adjusting to the differences in playing styles that come with the leap from European style hockey to the North American style game. By season’s end though, certainly looking at the likes of those two forwards and a defenseman in Dougherty, you could see the learning curve get adjusted and all rookies really start to come into their own.
There was one rookie though that impressed immediately and never really stopped. What Carrier did from the start of the season to the end was outstanding. And he is Admirals Roundtable’s Rookie of the Year for the 2016-17 Season.
When you think of how the Admirals started the season you have to think of a time with Matt Irwin on defense. It wasn’t a very long existence, mind you, but once he went away Carrier was thrust into his place. Carrier’s responsibilities and work load were increased to the point he was one of the first defensemen out on special teams. He didn’t buckle with the added load or pressure. He excelled with incredible maturity and poise. Carrier did not look or play like a 20-year old first-year pro this season. His numbers reflect that.
(Photo Credit: Sara Stathas)
Carrier ended this season as not only the Admirals top rookie point scorer but also the lead scoring defenseman. Carrier produced 39 points (6 goals, 33 assists) from 72 games. It’s the first time since the 2009-10 season when the Admirals rookie leading scorer was a defenseman. Carrier’s season total also holds with it 2 game winning goals scored in overtime as well as work on the power-play that notched 3 power-play goals and 16 power-play assists. Only Admirals captain Trevor Smith with 17 power-play assists had more. Carrier quarterbacked the Admirals power-play and really took that responsibility the moment Irwin’s recall became permanent. The Admirals lost a veteran defenseman and began molding a new one who acted the part upon arrival to the AHL.
It should really have come as no surprise when Carrier was recalled by the Predators and logged his first career NHL games in his debut season as a pro. He earned it. And it was just a glimpse into the future for him. He is only going to be 21-years old entering his sophomore season when 2017-18 rolls in. He’s only getting better the more he gets to process games at the pro level.
While the saves and hits this season felt so-so the goals scored along the way by the Milwaukee Admirals were spectacular. This year’s team had such fantastic pace and skill which provided many great goals. That’s what makes this category the most difficult to really decide upon.
I’ve stuck to really three goals that stand out to me as your podium finishers. In saying that, depending on how you view it, these could really all vary on which goal stands on the top step of the podium.
The second best goal of the season just so happened to be the first career pro goal scored by Yakov Trenin. “Why do I always travel to Rockford,” you ask. Because the Rockford IceHogs video quality on AHL Live is such that I likely would never have actually seen the beauty that was Trenin’s first goal as a pro. On 4/12/17 the Admirals were able to top the IceHogs at the BMO Harris Bank Center by way of their Russian duo. The game-winning goal on the evening turned out to be Trenin’s no-look spin-o-rama backhander gliding away from Lars Johansson in net and burying top shelf over his glove. It really is a high bar that Trenin set for himself to score a better goal than his first as a pro.
Yet, it was always going to be difficult to defeat this one. The Best Goal of the 2016-17 Season belongs to Kevin Fiala for this:
I must have watched this clip a dozen or more times and going frame by frame to appreciate the speed, stick skills, and sheer smoothness of Fiala to have done everything to record the game-winning goal on the road for the Admirals over the Charlotte Checkers back on 1/18/17. Allow me to do some breaking down of what Fiala actually did.
It’s three-on-three overtime. Fiala is on a slight odd-man rush down the right wing with Jack Dougherty joining him down the left wing. Standing in front of Fiala acting as a defenseman was Phil Di Giuseppe – a forward. Lucas Wallmark was backchecking on Fiala tightly. As Fiala skates in with pace Di Giuseppe moves off a touch to his right to break up a possible play to Dougherty. Di Giuseppe then gets down to take away space and Fiala instantly changes forehand to backhand to skate past a flailing stick check. Wallmark then overlaps off of Fiala which sends him free one-on-one against the AHL’s All-Time Shutout King Michael Leighton. Once there, in really no space at all, Fiala goes from backhand to forehand – then stickhandles away from a poke check by Leighton – hits the brakes – switches stance and begins gliding away from goal while cradling the puck like a yo-yo on his backhand – before depositing with the forehand over the top of a down and out Leighton’s left pad.
In short: Fiala is absolutely incredible and we here at Admirals Roundtable wish him the best of recovery from his injury. He will be back. And more highlights such as that will happen again. This goal came when he was 20-years old and frankly still learning. He’ll be back to this level once again. I don’t question that.
The American Hockey League have announced the approval for the 2017-18 season’s divisional alignment. The change comes with the arrival of the Belleville Senators, Binghamton Devils, and Laval Rocket. In addition, the new alignment sees an alteration in the Western Conference’s Central Division with the Charlotte Checkers shifting out and into the Eastern Conference’s Atlantic Division.
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. … American Hockey League President and CEO David Andrews announced that the league’s Board of Governors, convening for its Spring Meeting earlier this week in Chicago, Ill., has approved the following division alignment for the 2017-18 AHL season.
The format for the 2018 Calder Cup Playoffs will be finalized by the Board of Governors at its Annual Meeting in Hilton Head Island, S.C., July 2-6, and the complete playing schedule for the 2017-18 regular season, which begins Oct. 6, will be announced this summer.
In operation since 1936, the AHL continues to serve as the top development league for all 30 National Hockey League teams. More than 88 percent of today’s NHL players are American Hockey League graduates, and for the 16th year in a row, more than 6 million fans attended AHL games across North America in 2016-17.
Also, the Milwaukee Admirals announced the teams that they will be facing for the 2017-18 season. The teams mentioned include the return of Eastern Conference opposition with the likes of the two teams the Admirals faced in their Calder Cup Finals appearances: the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins and the Hershey Bears.
Milwaukee, WI— American Hockey League President and CEO David Andrews announced that the league’s Board of Governors, convening for its Spring Meeting earlier this week in Chicago, Ill., has approved division alignment for the 2017-18 AHL season.
The Admirals will continue to play in the Central Division of the Western Conference, along with the Chicago Wolves, Cleveland Monsters, Grand Rapids Griffins, Iowa Wild, Manitoba Moose, and Rockford IceHogs. The division is unchanged from last season.
In addition to the divisional alignment, the Admirals unveiled their opponents for next season, which includes match-ups with the Hershey Bears and the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins. Coincidently, those teams were the Admirals opponents in their two appearences in the Calder Cup Finals. The Admirals topped the Penguins 4-0 in 2004 and fell to the Bears 4-2 in the Finals in 2006. However, they haven’t played either team in the regular season since the 2001-02 campaign.
In addition, the Admirals will also face off with the Ontario Reign for the first time. The Reign, the primary affiliate of the Los Angeles Kings, will be in their third year in the AHL next season and play in the Pacific Division. In addition to the Reign, the Admirals will also play the San Diego Gulls and the Stockton Heat from the Pacific.
The Admirals will continue to play a 76-game, unbalanced schedule which includes 38 home contests at the UW-Milwaukee Panther Arena. The Chicago Wolves will be the most common opponent at Panther Arena with six match-ups, while the Ads will host Grand Rapids, Iowa and Rockford each five times.
Milwaukee Admirals Opponent Breakdown:
Chicago Wolves…………6
Grand Rapids Griffins…..5
Iowa Wild……………….5
Rockford IceHogs……….5
Cleveland Monsters…….4
Manitoba Moose………..4
San Antonio Rampage….2
Texas Stars………………2
Hershey Bears…………..1
Ontario Reign…………..1
San Diego Gulls….……..1
Stockton Heat…………..1
WBS Penguins………….1
Personally, I am so happy to see the conferences clashing in-season once again. The last time that the Admirals played Eastern Conference opposition was the 2007-08 season when the Manchester Monarchs and Providence Bruins were on the schedule. That is a very welcome change and one that also sees the arrival of the Ontario Reign on the Admirals schedule for the first time as well.
Admirals Roundtable 