Norfolk Admirals, New Ducks AHL Affiliation
By Sean
What was already expected has finally been announced, the Anaheim Ducks and the Norfolk Admirals have reached an agreement where the Admirals will become the new AHL affiliation of the Anaheim Ducks. It is a multi-year agreement, however, the exact number of years was disclosed. Anaheim Ducks GM Bob Murray had this to say on the new agreement:
"“We are excited to be affiliating with the Admirals in a great hockey market such as Norfolk, Virginia. We look forward to working with the Norfolk organization and continuing the winning tradition the team has created at Norfolk Scope Arena. We would also like to thank the Syracuse Crunch and its fans for their support over the last two seasons.”"
Norfolk Admirals join the Syracuse Crunch, Portland Pirates and Iowa Chops as Ducks’ AHL affiliations. Syracuse was the affiliation from 2010-2012, Portland was the affiliation from 2005-2008 and Iowa was the affiliation in 2008-2009. The Ducks have a pretty good long line of success in the AHL, with a .567 winning percentage since the 2005-2006 season. Norfolk Admirals President Ken Young had this to say on joining the Ducks organization:
"“We are excited to have the Ducks as our partner and look for a terrific long-term relationship. The Ducks have the nucleus of an excellent club in Anaheim and have a great system of prospects that we will see develop in Norfolk. We look forward to continued top-level hockey in Hampton Roads as Anaheim’s top affiliate.”"
Norfolk’s previous NHL affiliations were the Tampa Bay Lightning from 2007-2012 and the Chicago Blackhawks from 2000-2007. Norfolk also spent time in the East Coast Hockey League, from 1989-2000, where they won three league championships to go along with the Calder Trophy they won this past season.
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