The Norfolk Admirals (ECHL) have secured a new NHL affiliation, announcing a one-year agreement with the Arizona Coyotes that covers the 2018-19 season.
“We’re really excited to begin a new chapter and partnership with the Coyotes organization,” said Admirals owner Ardon Wiener. “From the on-ice to the front office, Arizona is a top-notch organization and this partnership will help us continue to build on the tradition that has been created here over the last 29 seasons.”
Norfolk will also be affiliated with the AHL’s Tucson Roadrunners, who finished the 2017-18 regular season by winning the AHL’s Pacific Division.
“With both the Coyotes’ AHL (Tucson) and ECHL (Fort Wayne) affiliates finishing the regular season ranked in the top two in their respective divisions and advancing past the first round of the playoffs, Arizona has a great stable of prospects. We’re looking forward to helping them continue to develop, while winning games,” said president and CRO Trent Ferguson. “Coach Ftorek laid the ground work last season and we’re looking forward to building on that success with the Coyotes and Roadrunners help this year.”
During the 2017-18 season Norfolk had three players (Grant Besse, TJ Melancon, Ty Reichenbach) sign a PTO with the Roadrunners.
“We are excited to partner with the Norfolk Admirals as our new ECHL affiliate,” said Coyotes’ Assistant General Manager Steve Sullivan. “The Admirals are a first-class organization with Owner Ardon Wiener and Head Coach Robbie Ftorek. Having had Robbie as my first professional head coach, I fully trust his ability to develop our prospects in Norfolk. We look forward to a strong partnership.”
There have already been several announcements regarding affiliations for the 2018-19 season, and more should be on the way over the coming weeks and months. Here is our coverage of some of the latest announcements.
