P.K. Subban of the Nashville Predators. (Photo by Frederick Breedon/Getty Images)
NORFOLK, Va. – The Norfolk Admirals announced the club has reached an affiliation agreement with the Nashville Predators of the National Hockey League, beginning with the 2017-18 season.
“After a thorough process, the Nashville Predators are the perfect fit for the city of Norfolk and the Admirals. Their proven history of community outreach, innovative marketing, player development and winning is everything Admirals fans demand of us,” Admirals President Michael Santos stated.
Nashville currently holds a three games to one lead in the Stanley Cup Playoffs Western Conference semifinal.
Predators Director of Hockey Operations Brian Poile represented the new parent club at the event and said, “As an organization, we’re a big believer in the direction the Admirals are headed. We love having committed relationships with our affiliates for a variety of reasons, not limited to only player development.”
Norfolk Admirals
The Milwaukee Admirals will continue to serve as the American Hockey League affiliate for the Predators, the bridge between Nashville and Norfolk.
Since their inception in 1998, 35 Predators have been ECHL alumnus, including players such as Tomas Vokoun, Vern Fiddler and Anthony Bitetto.
This announcement comes as the first of three major organizational changes this summer for the Admirals. The team will have a new logo to go along with their new affiliation.
The Admirals will kick off their 2017-18 campaign in October, with the home opener coming on Friday the 27th against the South Carolina Stingrays.
