Milwaukee Admirals

The Milwaukee Admirals are a professional ice hockey team in the American Hockey League. They play in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States at the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee Panther Arena. They have been affiliated with the NHL's Nashville Predators since that team's founding in 1998.[1] The team is inactive for the 2020–21 season.

Milwaukee Admirals
2020–21 AHL season
CityMilwaukee, Wisconsin
LeagueAmerican Hockey League
ConferenceWestern
DivisionCentral
Founded1970 (As an amateur team)
Home arenaUW–Milwaukee Panther Arena
Colors       
Owner(s)Group headed by
Harris Turer
General managerScott Nichol
Head coachKarl Taylor
CaptainJarred Tinordi
MediaWVTV-DT2 “My 24”
The Big 920 (primary)
97.3 The Game (simulcast)
News/Talk 1130 WISN (alternate)
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
AHL.TV (Internet)
AffiliatesNashville Predators (NHL)
Florida Everblades (ECHL)
Franchise history
1970 (amateur)Milwaukee Wings
1970–presentMilwaukee Admirals
Championships
Regular season titles2 AHL (2003–04, 2019–20)
Division Championships1 USHL (1976–77)
4 IHL (1982–83, 1992–93, 1994–95, 1995–96)
6 AHL (2003–04, 2005–06, 2008–09, 2010–11, 2015–16, 2019–20)
Conference Championships2 (2003–04),(2005–06)
Calder Cups1 (2003–04)
Playoff championships1 USHL title (1975–76)

History

The Admirals first took to the ice in the winter of 1970 as an amateur club known as the Milwaukee Wings. They lost their first game on January 25 when the Madison All-Stars beat them 17–7. They got their first win five days later when they defeated the Milwaukee Winter Club 10–8.

The next year the team was sold by the original owner Reed Fansher to a group of investors. One of the investors, Erwin J. Merar, owned an appliance store. The team was renamed the "Admirals" after a brand of household appliances sold in Merar's store.[2]

Beginning with the 1973–74 season the Admirals joined the United States Hockey League. Their first season in a league was not particularly successful as they ended the season in last place in their division. They won only 11 games, lost 35, and tied two games that season.

The Admirals won the USHL league championship in 1976, winning seven straight games in the league's playoffs. In the off-season, the team was purchased by former Chicago Blackhawks announcer Lloyd Pettit and his wife, Jane Bradley Pettit.

For the 1977–78 season the Admirals joined the International Hockey League as the USHL was becoming a strictly amateur league. The Admirals appeared in the IHL's Turner Cup finals only once (1983), where they lost to Toledo in six games.

They stayed a part of the IHL until it joined the American Hockey League for the 2001–02[3] season when the IHL ceased operations. Five other IHL franchises also joined the AHL that season. The team was allowed to keep their nickname despite the presence of the Norfolk Admirals in the AHL, as Milwaukee has had the nickname since 1970, well before the Norfolk team was established as the Hampton Roads Admirals in the ECHL. In the 2015–16 season, Norfolk moved to the AHL's Pacific Division as the fourth incarnation of the San Diego Gulls.

2003-04 Admirals with the Calder Cup

They won their first Calder Cup in 2004 when they defeated the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins. Prior to the finals, Milwaukee needed seven games to defeat the Cincinnati Mighty Ducks in the first round. Then the Admirals defeated the Chicago Wolves in six games to advance to the conference finals. The Admirals then eliminated the Rochester Americans four games to one. Milwaukee went on to sweep the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins to win the Calder Cup. The Admirals completed a rare postseason run in which they needed one fewer games to eliminate their opponents in each subsequent series.[4]

The Admirals were purchased in June 2005 by a group of investors, led by Harris J. Turer, including Milwaukee Brewers owner Mark Attanasio, assistant general manager Gord Ash, and pitcher Ben Sheets. The Brewers subsequently became the sole uniform sponsor of the Admirals, and the Admirals wear a Brewers logo patch on their sweaters.

The Admirals won their second division title as a member of the American Hockey League in 2006, clinching the title on the last day of their schedule with a win over the Grand Rapids Griffins.[5]

In the 2006 Calder Cup playoffs after narrowly winning a seven-game playoff series over the Iowa Stars, Milwaukee swept both the Houston Aeros and Grand Rapids Griffins to advance to their second Calder Cup final series. To their disappointment, the Admirals would lose 4–2 to the Hershey Bears.[6]

On August 1, 2006, the Admirals unveiled a new logo and a change in color scheme from the traditional red-and-blue to black, white, and light blue.[7] They used this logo until 2015, when the Admirals unveiled another new logo, keeping the Lake Michigan blue from 2006, but replaced black with navy blue. Also, the skeleton motif was kept with the hat that adorns the skeleton's head as a callback to the logo used from 1977 to 1981.[8] This logo received very positive reviews, resulting in it becoming SportsLogos.net's 2015 Best New Primary Logo of the Year.[9]

On March 16, 2016, Milwaukee Admirals owner/CEO Harris Turer along with Wisconsin Center District (WCD) announced that the Admirals signed a 10-year contract, bringing the Admirals to the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee Panther Arena for the 2016-17 AHL season.[10] This 10-year contract also results in a $6.4 million investment to bring the arena up to AHL standards with the Admirals contributing two million and the rest being supplied by the Wisconsin Center District.[11]

The team won its second regular season championship in the 2019–20 season, which was curtailed by the COVID-19 pandemic. Due to the ongoing restrictions during the pandemic, the Admirals were one of three teams that opted out of the 2020–21 AHL season.[12]

NHL affiliation

The Admirals have been the top-level affiliate of the Nashville Predators since that team's founding in 1998. On February 22, 2010, the clubs signed a new agreement that extended that relationship through the 2011–12 season with a mutual option for 2012–13.[13]

"I like to say that for our players, the road to Nashville runs through Milwaukee and a look at our roster illustrates this. (T)his is the kind of environment that we want our prospects to develop in."

— Nashville General Manager David Poile

Coincidentally, the two cities' baseball franchises shared a reverse affiliation, as the Nashville Sounds were the Triple-A affiliate of the Milwaukee Brewers from 2005 to 2014, with the affiliation planned to be renewed starting in 2021.

During the 2006–07 season, the Admirals were also part of an unusual affiliation agreement with the Edmonton Oilers, who used five partial affiliates in the AHL for the 2006–07 season. These five affiliates included the Milwaukee Admirals, the Grand Rapids Griffins, the Iowa Stars, the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, and the Hamilton Bulldogs. This arrangement lasted one season, as the Oilers announced a three-year affiliation with the Springfield Falcons on March 19, 2007.

Season-by-season results

Legend:  —  – round did not exist at the time

Regular season Playoffs
Season Games Won Lost Tied OTL SOL Points PCT Goals
for		 Goals
against		 Standing Year Qualifying 1st round
Opening Round		 2nd round
Quarterfinals		 3rd round
Semifinals		 Finals
197015870——16.533——
1970–71221471——29.659——
1971–722411121——23.479167117——
1972–73322651——53.828228145——
1973–744811352——24.2501923185th, Southern1974—Did not qualify
1974–754818300——36.3752412883rd, Southern1975—Did not qualify
1975–764823250——46.4792792703rd, Southern1976—W, 2–0, SCW, 2–0, TCW, 3–0, GB
1976–774823232——48.5002312411st, Southern1977—W, 2–0–2, GBL, 1–2–3, GR
1977–7880273815——69.4312572993rd, South1978—L, 1–4, TOL——
1978–7980214811——53.3312603914th, South1979—L, 3–4, GRO——
1979–8080294110——68.4253274023rd, South1980—L, 0–4, SAG——
1980–8182323515——79.4823543713rd, West1981—L, 3–4, FWK——
1981–828241347——91.5433853512nd, IHL1982—L, 1–4, SAG——
1982–838243309——98.5794073121st, West1983—BYEW, 4–1, KALL, 2–4, TOL
1983–8482462763—101.6164033352nd, IHL1984—BYEL, 0–4, FLI—
1984–8582254755—60.3662923895th, West1985—Did not qualify
1985–8682482815—102.6223683062nd, West1986—L, 1–4, PEO——
1986–87824137—2286.5243423583rd, West1987—L, 2–4, SLC——
1987–8882215407—49.2992884304th, West1988—Did not qualify
1988–8982542305—113.6893993232nd, West1989—W, 4–2, KALL, 1–4, SLC—
1989–9082363907—79.4823163703rd, West1990—L, 2–4, SLC——
1990–91823643—3075.4572753164th, West1991—L, 2–4, PEO——
1991–92823836—5384.5123063093rd, East1992—L, 1–4, MUS——
1992–93824923—37108.6593292801st, Midwest1993—L, 2–4, KC——
1993–94814024—17097.5993383022nd, Midwest1994—L, 0–4, ATL——
1994–95814427010—98.6053172981st, Central1995—W, 3–2, SDL, 1–4, LV——
1995–96824032——1090.5492903071st, Midwest1996—L, 1–3, PEO———
1996–97823836——884.5122532984th, Midwest1997—L, 0–3, LB———
1997–98824334——591.5552672623rd, Midwest1998—W, 3–1, HOUL, 4–2, CHI——
1998–99823828——1692.5612542654th, Midwest1999—L, 0–2, MTB———
1999–00823736——983.5062222465th, Eastern2000—L, 1–2, CLE———
2000–01824233——791.5552442175th, Eastern2001—Did not qualify
2001–02803035105—75.4691982075th, West2002Did not qualify
2002–03803227147—85.5312472514th, West2003W, 2–1, RCHL, 0–3, HOU———
2003–0480462473—102.6382691911st, West2004BYEW, 4–3, CINW, 4–2, CHIW, 4–1, RCHW, 4–0, WBS
2004–05804724—45103.6442472072nd, West2005—L, 3–4, CIN———
2005–06804921—64108.6752682341st, West2006—W, 4–3, IWAW, 4–0, HOUW, 4–0, GRGL, 2–4, HER
2006–07804125—41096.6002272303rd, West2007—L, 0–4, CHI———
2007–08804429—4395.5942312124th, West2008—L, 2–4, CHI———
2008–09804922—36107.6692291951st, West2009—W, 4–0, RCKL, 3–4, HOU——
2009–10804130—2791.5692372204th, West2010—L, 3–4, CHI———
2010–11804422—68102.6382261941st, West2011—W, 4–2, TEXL, 3–4, HOU——
2011–12764029—2587.5722101902nd, Midwest2012—L, 0–3, ABB———
2012–13764128—4389.5861972002nd, Midwest2013—L, 1–3, TEX———
2013–14763924—6791.5992151993rd, Midwest2014—L, 0–3, TOR———
2014–15763328—8781.5332062185th, Midwest2015—Did not qualify
2015–16764823—32101.6642241931st, Central2016—L, 0–3, GR———
2016–17764326—4395.6122252153rd, Central2017—L, 0–3, GR———
2017–18763832—4282.5392162356th, Central2018—Did not qualify
2018–19763624—14288.5792172072nd, Central2019—L, 2–3, IA———
2019–20614114—5390.7142111411st, Central2020—Season cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic
2020–21Did not participate due to the COVID-19 pandemic2021Did not participate

Players

Current roster

Updated January 29, 2021.[21][22]

# Nat Player Pos S/G Age Acquired Birthplace Contract

Team captains

Retired numbers
Milwaukee Admirals retired numbers
No. Player Position Career No. retirement
9Phil WittliffC1973–1977–
14Fred BerryC1980–1984, 1985–1987December, 2003[23]
14Mike McNeillC1992–1998December, 2003 [23]
20Darren HaydarRW2002–2006February 21, 2020[24]
26Tony HrkacC1994–1997, 2003–2005March 14, 2008[25]
27Danny LecoursLW1975–1984, 1985–1987–
44Kevin WillisonD1981–1984, 1985–1986February, 2004[23]
44Gino CavalliniC1993–1996February, 2004[23]

Notable alumni

Team records
Single season
Goals: Danny Lecours, 75, (1982–83)
Assists: Dale Yakiwchuk, 100, (1982–83)
Points: Dale Yakiwchuk, 138, (1982–83)
Penalty minutes: Don Gibson, 381, (1992–93)
GAA: Mark Dekanich, 2.02, (2010–11)
SV%: Mark Dekanich, .931, (2010–11)
Career
Career goals: Danny Lecours, 444
Career assists: Fred Berry, 379
Career points: Danny Lecours, 813
Career penalty minutes: Ken Sabourin, 1233
Career goaltending wins: Rich Sirois, 119
Career shutouts: Brian Finley, 11
Career games: Danny Lecours, 641

References
  1. "Nashville Predators renew affiliation with the Cincinnati Cyclones". predators.nhl.com. Retrieved 2016-03-28.
  2. http://news.sportslogos.net/2019/11/22/milwaukee-admirals-celebrate-refrigerators-with-50th-season-logo/
  3. "Milwaukee Admirals hockey team [AHL] statistics and history at hockeydb.com". www.hockeydb.com. Retrieved 2016-03-28.
  4. "Calder Cup Champions - Players | AHL". theahl.com. Archived from the original on 2010-02-27. Retrieved 2016-03-28.
  5. "Milwaukee Admirals". www.milwaukeeadmirals.com. Retrieved March 28, 2016.
  6. "2006 AHL PLAYOFFS". Retrieved October 24, 2016.
  7. "Milwaukee Admirals". www.milwaukeeadmirals.com. Retrieved March 28, 2016.
  8. Creamer, Chris (15 July 2015). "Fear This: Admirals Evolve, Unveil New Logos and Uniforms". SportsLogos.Net.
  9. Creamer, Chris (16 December 2015). "2015 Logo of the Year Awards: The Best New Sports Logos of the Year". SportsLogos.Net.
  10. "Admirals to move to UWM Panther Arena | AHL". theahl.com. Retrieved 2016-03-28.
  11. "Admirals improvements beginning at UW-Milwaukee Panther Arena". Retrieved October 24, 2016.
  12. "28 teams to participate in 2020-21 AHL season". AHL. January 4, 2021.
  13. "Milwaukee, Nashville Extend Affiliation Agreement". Retrieved 2011-03-05.
  14. "Admirals Open Season Sunday". Milwaukee Journal. 8 November 1970. Retrieved 16 April 2020 – via NewsBank: Access World News – Historical and Current.
  15. "Admirals Regain Stars for Meet". Milwaukee Journal. 2 April 1972. Retrieved 16 April 2020 – via NewsBank: Access World News – Historical and Current.
  16. Smith, Russ L. (25 March 1974). "Waterloo takes 8-game win streak to playoffs". Waterloo Courier. Retrieved 6 March 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  17. "Twins Split in Final Two Games". Green Bay Press-Gazette. 24 March 1975. Retrieved 6 March 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  18. "6-5 Overtime Defeat Eliminates Sioux City". Sioux City Journal. 21 March 1976. Retrieved 6 March 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  19. "Admirals end Bays' season". Traverse City Record-Eagle. 29 March 1976. Retrieved 6 March 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  20. Zima, Jim (10 April 1976). "Pominville Stops Bobcats' Title Bid". Green Bay Press-Gazette. Retrieved 6 March 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  21. "MilwaukeeAdmirals.com – Team Roster". Retrieved 2019-02-07.
  22. "TheAHL.com -Milwaukee Admirals Roster". Retrieved 2018-10-23.
  23. "Finally! Admirals History". jwhouk.net. March 4, 2007. Retrieved June 14, 2019.
  24. "Darren Haydar: a man with two teams". Chicago Sun-Times. February 22, 2020.
  25. "Big games on tap for Admirals". MilwaukeeAdmirals.com. March 12, 2008. Retrieved June 14, 2019.
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