Admirals Preseason Notebook
By Ted Warren
The Norfolk Admirals training camp officially kicked off September 28th. The Team was having impromptu skates at their practice facility, Chilled Ponds, in Chesapeake for about a week before training camp. Many young guns participated in the unofficial practices including Kyle Palmieri who skated for Team USA in the 2012 IIHF World Championship Tournament. Palmieri was joined on the ice by Peter Holland, Emerson Etem, Igor Bobkov, and Mat Clark.
With Norfolk’s roster officially set for camp, fans and players alike will set their sights on October 6th. Norfolk will square off against Western Conference rival Charlotte at 7:15 pm Saturday at the Norfolk Scope. This will be one of two pre-season contests against the Admirals Western Conference foes. The next contest is slated to take place at the Admirals practice facility, Chilled Ponds at 1:00 pm Sunday afternoon.
The Checkers roster is supped up with talent ranging from the Hurricanes 1st round draft pick in 2008, Zach Boychuk, to veteran Tim Wallace. Charlotte has depth at the goaltender position with former Duck net-minder Dan Ellis. Joining Charlotte on this pre-season journey is Zac Dalpe who could have cracked the Hurricanes opening night roster. Also keeping a seat warm on the bus ride to Norfolk is the youngest Staal brother, Jarred. The Carolina organization has three out of the four Staal brothers under contract. Fans that were hoping to get a glimpse of NHL All-Star Jeff Skinner may have to wait. Skinner chose not to report to Checkers training camp today. It remains unclear if the 20-year-old will play in the AHL this year.
With all the talent that Anaheim sent Norfolk and with the moves that Carolina made, these two exhibition games should look like Calder Cup games. Even though there is not NHL hockey, there is AHL hockey and it’s the home to the stars of tomorrow for the NHL.