Bear Hunting….Admirals Bag Some Bears, Win 4-1

Photo: John Wright

Norfolk, VA

The Admirals had a successful weekend against the Bears. Four out of a possible four points and the Bears left Norfolk with nothing. While gaining some ground on the Bears, there is still some work to be done if the Admirals want to squeak into the playoffs. With 18 games left in the season the Admirals find themselves sitting in twelfth place in the AHL’s Eastern Conference with 59 points. I don’t think that there is anyone out there that would think that this years Admirals can pull off a winning streak to finish off the season. It’s not going to happen. Norfolk has a chance, but they are going to have to fight for every point and get some help if they want to make the post season. They got 4 points this weekend, there are 36 more points out there. get into the playoffs and it’s back to 0 points for everyone. Let’s get them points and bring back hockey to the Norfolk Scope in May and June.

From the Norfolk Admirals:

NORFOLK – Patrick Maroon scored twice and Frederik Andersen made 23 saves as the Norfolk Admirals (27-26-4-1) defeated the Hershey Bears (28-23-3-5), 4-1, on Saturday night at Norfolk Scope Arena.

The Admirals, who were eight points out of a playoff spot entering the week, earned five of a possible six points in the standings over three games. Norfolk has now closed to within three points of the eighth and final playoff berth in the Eastern Conference with 18 games remaining in the regular season.

Troy Bodie and Brayden Irwin also scored for Norfolk, while Jordan Hendry notched two assists for the home team. Andersen (15-11-1) improved to 8-1-0 over his last nine games.

The Admirals now embark on a three-game road trip beginning on Wednesday night against the Charlotte Checkers. The return to Scope on March 19th and 20th to host the Adirondack Phantoms.

The Admirals opened scoring 2:25 into the contest on Bodie’s fourth goal of the season. Bears goaltender Dany Sabourin fumbled the puck as he attempted to clear it from the zone. Bodie corralled the puck and swept it into the cage for a 1-0 Norfolk lead.

The lead doubled just 34 seconds into the second stanza on Irwin’s first goal of the season. Josh Brittain worked the puck from the left corner to Jordan Hendry in the left circle. The veteran blueliner sent a low slap shot that Irwin deflected from the low slot. The puck changed directions, eluding Sabourin between the netminder’s legs for a 2-0 lead.

Hershey cut its deficit to one goal just over seven minutes later. Garrett Stafford carried the puck into the Norfolk zone along the right wing. Just before he circled behind the net, he centered the puck into the low slot, where Jon DiSalvatore one-timed the puck past Andersen. The goal at 7:43 of the second period cut the home team’s lead to 2-1.

Norfolk’s penalty kill came up large midway through the second period, killing off a Hershey five-on-three power play for 1:07 with several big saves by Andersen.

The lead increased to 3-1 early in the third period. Maroon carried the puck behind the net from the left wing, circled in front and sent a wraparound shot past Sabourin at 4:34 for his sixteenth goal of the season. Sami Vatanen earned an assist on the play to extend his point/assist streak to seven straight games (1g, 9a).

Maroon sealed the victory with an empty-net goal with 1:20 remaining in regulation.

Sabourin (8-10-3) stopped 15 of 18 shots in the setback.

Norfolk was 1-for-3 on the power play. Hershey was 0-for-6. The Admirals killed the final 17 straight Hershey power plays in the season series to finish 39/41 (95.1%) on the penalty kill against the Bears this season.

Norfolk’s three-game road trip begins Wednesday at 7:00 p.m. against the Charlotte Checkers. The Syracuse Crunch and Binghampton Senators will provide the opposition on March 15-16. The Admirals return to Scope on March 19-20 to face off against the Adirondack Phantoms.

Three Stars:

1. Frederik Andersen – NOR
2. Patrick Maroon – NOR
3. Jordan Hendry – NOR

Hershey Bears 1 at Norfolk Admirals 4 – Status: Final
Saturday, March 9, 2013 – Norfolk Scope

Hershey 0 1 0 – 1
Norfolk   1 1 2 – 4

1st Period-1, Norfolk, Bodie 4 (Guenin, Andersen), 2:25 (PP). Penalties-Orlov Her (delay of game), 0:31; Brittain Nor (high-sticking), 5:45; Pelley Nor (boarding), 12:29.

2nd Period-2, Norfolk, Irwin 1 (Hendry, Brittain), 0:34. 3, Hershey, DiSalvatore 16 (Stafford, Taffe), 7:43. Penalties-Irwin Nor (high-sticking), 8:02; Guenin Nor (cross-checking), 8:55.

3rd Period-4, Norfolk, Maroon 16 (Hendry, Vatanen), 4:34. 5, Norfolk, Maroon 17 (Wagner), 18:40 (EN). Penalties-Almeida Her (hooking), 0:28; Sexton Nor (interference), 1:17; Brittain Nor (interference), 3:54; DiSalvatore Her (tripping), 4:24.

Shots on Goal-Hershey 7-12-5-24. Norfolk 8-7-4-19.
Power Play Opportunities-Hershey 0 / 6; Norfolk 1 / 3.
Goalies-Hershey, Sabourin 8-10-3 (18 shots-15 saves). Norfolk, Andersen 15-11-1 (24 shots-23 saves).
A-7,316
Referees-Chris Cozzan (18), Jason Rollins (37).
Linesmen-Mark Hamlett (81), Scott Pomento (25).

Admirals Weekend Roundup – Providence Bruins

Photo: L. Todd Spencer | The Virginian-Pilot

This weekend the Admirals played host the the AHL’s Atlantic Division leading Providence Bruins.The Admirals had their defense bolstered by the return of Hampus Lindholm and Nate Guenin. While the defense was uh…”stronger”, the offense was still lacking. Peter Holland and Pat Maroon are still up with the Ducks.

Photo: John Wright

This was also the Hall of Fame weekend. ECHL Admiral Brian Martin and AHL Admiral Marty Wilford were inducted into the Admiral’s Hall of Fame. Normally you would find the Admirals try to make a nice presentation of the event, but this year it just seemed that nothing was really put into the presentation. The original Admiral, Dennis McEwan was the only member of the Admirals front office to be part of the ceremony.While he did a great job, it would have been nice to have the the Ken Young, the owner of the team,or even Joe Gregory on hand to make the presentation. This was really a lackluster event.

Back to the Hockey. Friday nights affair was all Bruins. There was more excitement in the stands than on the ice. The recently bolstered defense fell apart and made Bobkov look like an ECHL goalie. The Admirals offense was just as bad, unable to find the back of the net and fell 3-0. Saturday nights affair started off with a bang with 2 early fights to get things going. Troy Bodie returned to the lineup and got back into the thick of things with the second fight of the night. Norfolk was not going to let what happened Friday night happen again Saturday night. They made a fight of it, but the Bruins would not step aside. It took a shootout to get things done, but the Admirals squeeked out a 3-2 win.

From The Norfolk Admirals:

February 22, 2013

Providence Shuts Out Admirals

NORFOLK – Niklas Svedberg stopped 21 shots and Graham Mink scored twice as the Norfolk Admirals (22-25-3-1) were shut out by the Providence Bruins (31-17-0-3), 3-0, on Friday night at Norfolk Scope Arena. The same teams face off again tomorrow night at Scope at 7:15 p.m.

Norfolk was shut out for the fifth time this season. Admirals goaltender Igor Bobkov (10-15-0) stopped 16 of 19 shots and took the loss before being replaced by Frederik Andersen (10-10-1) 8:07 into the second period. Andersen stopped all 13 shots he faced in relief. All of Providence’s offense came on special teams, as the Bruins scored twice on the power play and once while shorthanded.

Providence took the lead 16:17 into the contest on Mink’s first goal of the contest. While on the power play, Matt Bartkowski sent a low wrist shot from the high slot that Mink deflected from the low slot. Mink sent the puck up and under the crossbar for a 1-0 Bruins lead.

The lead doubled for the visitors with another Mink power play goal just 46 seconds into the second period. Colby Cohen sent a shot from the left point that Bobkov stopped. However, Mink found the rebound in the goalmouth and scored to increase Providence’s lead to 2-0.

That lead grew to three goals just over seven minutes later as the Bruins scored shorthanded. Bartkowski picked off a Norfolk pass and sent the puck to former Admiral Trent Whitfield. The Providence captain sent a wrist shot from the left circle over Bobkov’s right shoulder at 8:07 for a 3-0 lead.

Providence goaltender Niklas Svedberg (25-6-2) earned his 25th win of the season – tops among AHL rookie netminders.

Norfolk was 0-for-3 on the power play. Providence was 2-for-5.

Three Stars:
1. Graham Mink – PRO
2. Niklas Svedberg – PRO
3. Matt Bartkowski – PRO

Providence Bruins 3 at Norfolk Admirals 0 – Status: Final
Friday, February 22, 2013 – Norfolk Scope

Providence 1 2 0 – 3
Norfolk        0 0 0 – 0

1st Period-1, Providence, Mink 4 (Bartkowski, Caron), 16:17 (PP). Penalties-Cohen Pro (hooking), 1:40; MacKinnon Pro (tripping), 5:43; Mitchell Nor (unsportsmanlike conduct), 14:40; Irwin Nor (delay of game), 19:58.

2nd Period-2, Providence, Mink 5 (Cohen, Bartkowski), 0:46 (PP). 3, Providence, Whitfield 4 (Bartkowski), 8:07 (SH). Penalties-Svedberg Pro (tripping), 7:23; Letourneau-Leblond Nor (high-sticking), 15:56.

3rd Period- No Scoring.Penalties-Letourneau-Leblond Nor (major – charging, game misconduct – charging), 6:50; served by Mink Pro (bench minor – too many men), 8:02; MacKinnon Pro (roughing), 9:56; Vatanen Nor (roughing), 9:56; Hendry Nor (interference), 16:56.

Shots on Goal-Providence 12-10-10-32. Norfolk 5-9-7-21.
Power Play Opportunities-Providence 2 / 5; Norfolk 0 / 3.
Goalies-Providence, Svedberg 25-6-2 (21 shots-21 saves). Norfolk, Bobkov 10-15-0 (19 shots-16 saves); Andersen 11-10-1 (13 shots-13 saves).

A-5,602
Referees-T.J. Luxmore (49).
Linesmen-Mark Hamlett (81), Scott Pomento (25).

February 23, 2013

Hendry Proves It’s Better to Give Than Receive

NORFOLK – Frederik Andersen made 37 saves and Jordan Hendry gave the Admirals the win on his 29th birthday with the game-winning conversion in the sixth round of the shootout, as the Norfolk Admirals (23-25-3-1) defeated the Providence Bruins (31-17-0-4), 3-2, on Saturday night at Norfolk Scope Arena.

Hendry, who has played 239 career AHL games, scored on his first career AHL shootout attempt. He has two goals and seven points in 38 games with the Admirals this season. Brandon McMillan tied the contest at 2-2 with just 4:26 left in regulation, while Dan Sexton opened scoring in the game for the Admirals. Andersen (11-10-1) stopped 37 of 39 shots through regulation and overtime before denying five of six Providence shooters in the shootout. The Admirals have won eight of their last 13 games (8-4-1-0).

The Admirals will visit the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins on Wednesday night before returning to Scope to host the Charlotte Checkers next Friday night at Scope.

Norfolk went ahead, 1-0, on Sexton’s fourth goal of the season. Luca Caputi sent a pass across the crease to Sexton, who shot it past the right leg of Providence goaltender Michael Hutchinson at 6:49 for a five-on-three power play goal.

The Bruins tied the game early in the second period. Bobby Robins’ initial shot was blocked by Andersen, with the netminder reaching out with his glove in an attempt to cover the puck. However, it was knocked loose by Justin Florek to Christian Hanson, whose backhand shot hit the post. The puck then caromed off the post towards the crease, where it caromed again off a Norfolk defender and went into the net. Hanson’s goal at 4:11 tied the game at 1-1.

Providence took a 2-1 lead 9:24 into the final frame. Kevan Miller sent a shot from the right point that deflected off an Admirals defender and eluded Andersen.

The Admirals tied the game with 4:26 left in regulation. Emerson Etem attempted a wraparound shot from behind the net that wound up on the stick of Sexton. Hutchinson made a lunging save to deny Sexton’s shot. However, McMillan scored his fourth goal of the season on the rebound to tie the game at 2-2.

After a scoreless overtime, the teams exchanged goals in the fourth round of the shootout, with Caputi scoring for Norfolk and Graham Mink converting for Providence. In the top of the sixth round, Hendry rifled a shot off the crossbar and into the net, while Andersen stopped Nicolas Tremblay to seal the win.

Michael Hutchinson (6-11-2) stopped 31 of 33 shots through regulation and overtime before allowing two goals on six shots in the shootout.

Norfolk was 1-for-4 on the power play. Providence was 0-for-6.

Three Stars:
1. Frederik Andersen – NOR
2. Brandon McMillan – NOR
3. Dan Sexton – NOR

Providence Bruins 2 at Norfolk Admirals 3 (SO) – Status: Final SO
Saturday, February 23, 2013 – Norfolk Scope

Providence 0 1 1 0 – 2
Norfolk        1 0 1 0 – 3

1st Period-1, Norfolk, Sexton 4 (Caputi, Vatanen), 6:49 (PP). Penalties-Randell Pro (fighting), 0:07; Letourneau-Leblond Nor (fighting), 0:07; Robins Pro (fighting), 0:38; Bodie Nor (fighting), 0:38; Cunningham Pro (holding), 5:32; Whitfield Pro (tripping), 5:49; McMillan Nor (slashing), 7:40; Guenin Nor (slashing), 8:40; Florek Pro (hooking), 11:39; Irwin Nor (hooking), 14:27.

2nd Period-2, Providence, Hanson 7 (Florek, Robins), 4:11. Penalties-Vatanen Nor (delay of game), 12:32; Clark Nor (roughing), 17:01.

3rd Period-3, Providence, Miller 1 (Bartkowski, Spooner), 9:24. 4, Norfolk, McMillan 4 (Etem, Sexton), 15:34. Penalties-Miller Pro (roughing), 5:08; McMillan Nor (roughing), 5:08; Irwin Nor (hooking), 18:50.

OT Period- No Scoring.Penalties-Whitfield Pro (high-sticking), 4:47.

Shootout – Providence 1 (Spooner NG, Cunningham NG, Whitfield NG, Mink G, Krug NG, Tremblay NG), Norfolk 2 (Brittain NG, Mitchell NG, Etem NG, Caputi G, Vatanen NG, Hendry G).
Shots on Goal-Providence 10-18-11-0-0-39. Norfolk 10-9-11-3-1-34.
Power Play Opportunities-Providence 0 / 6; Norfolk 1 / 4.
Goalies-Providence, Hutchinson 6-11-2 (33 shots-31 saves). Norfolk, Andersen 11-10-1 (39 shots-37 saves).

A-6,919
Referees-T.J. Luxmore (49), Jason Rollins (37).
Linesmen-Mark Hamlett (81), Scott Pomento (25).

Fists Fly, Offense Sputters….Admirals Fall To The Crunch 3-0

The Syracuse Crunch provided the opposition for last nights match up at Scope. Many of the players and coaching staff were on last seasons Calder Cup wining Norfolk Admirals.It was an awkward situation for many fans. You want to support your Admirals, but you also want to welcome back those familiar faces. I went an appropriate and traditional route. I clapped and cheered when the former Admirals took the ice for warm ups. When the Syracuse Crunch took the ice for the game I cheered for the Admirals. I learned early that you cheer for the crest on the jersey, not for the name on the back of the jersey. Now I am a Caps fan and I keep tabs on the Bears and the Caps prospects, but I am an Admirals fan and support the Admirals all season long. Last night it seemed like I was one of the few as it appeared that there were many more fair weather type fans that cheered on the Crunch as they shut out OUR Admirals and then skated to center ice and raise their sticks to salute the fans…..Admiral fans (hmmm.) Yes members of the Crunch were Admirals, but the past is the past. We won the cup, we had the nice streak, but its over and time to look into the future. Jay Rosehill put it into perspective… “”Those guys won here, and they’ve got some history, but this is our crowd, and this is our barn,the past is over. There’s going to be a clash, for sure, because they come in here like it’s going to be a reunion. We’re trying to establish that this is our place now.” Hopefully we can get the support of all the fans behind the ADMIRALS and get a win tonight. Our Admirals are the only team that should be raising their sticks on Scope ice.

Now for the game results….

Not much to talk about as far as scoring. The league leading Crunch brought their “A” game to town and it showed. Richard Panik opened up the scoring for the Crunch with a power play goal at 2:28 of the first period. Tyler Johnson scored on a slap shot at 14:50 of the first. Both teams went scoreless in the second to keep the game at 2-0 Crunch. Keith Aulie closed out the scoring at 17:04 to give the Crunch a 3-0 victory.

The Admirals offense was almost non-existent. Dustin Tokarski turned aside all 22 shots he faced. The Admirals are going to need to turn up the heat and put some shots on Tokarski. We know Tic is not a wall and we have witnessed many a melt down in net last year. The Admirals need to get the shots flying and apply the pressure. The wall will crumble.

We saw a very physical game last night. Tempers flared and fists were flying. The highlight of the night was Jay Rosehill’s dismantling of Eric Neilson. There was no skating in circles and posturing in this match. Rosehill flew into the fight and pounded Neilson. Neilson tried to keep up, but I give the fight clearly to Rosehill. Tonight will probably very physical as well, but lets hope our offense shows up as well.

LETS GO ADMIRALS!!

Syracuse Crunch 3 at Norfolk Admirals 0 – Status: Final
Friday, January 4, 2013 – Norfolk Scope

Syracuse 2 0 1 – 3
Norfolk     0 0 0 – 0

1st Period-1, Syracuse, Panik 16   2:28 (PP). 2, Syracuse, Johnson 20   14:50. Penalties-Conacher Syr (roughing), 2:08; Wagner Nor (roughing, roughing), 2:08; Holland Nor (interference), 3:22; Pelley Nor (boarding), 8:53; Conacher Syr (misconduct – continuing altercation), 16:33; Gudas Syr (fighting), 16:33; Neilson Syr (fighting), 16:33; Bodie Nor (fighting), 16:33; Clark Nor (misconduct – continuing altercation), 16:33; Rosehill Nor (fighting), 16:33; Palat Syr (high-sticking), 18:27.

2nd Period- No Scoring.Penalties-Gudas Syr (misconduct), 6:15; Namestnikov Syr (fighting), 6:15; Neilson Syr (misconduct – continuing altercation), 6:15; Bodie Nor (misconduct – continuing altercation), 6:15; Hendry Nor (fighting), 6:15; Rosehill Nor (misconduct), 6:15; Panik Syr (diving), 7:58; Parent Nor (interference), 7:58; Connolly Syr (delay of game – faceoff violation), 10:29; Aulie Syr (interference), 18:26; Holland Nor (tripping, misconduct – abuse of officials), 19:33; Wyman Syr (high-sticking), 20:00.

3rd Period-3, Syracuse, Aulie 3 (Killorn), 17:04. Penalties-Korobov Syr (hooking), 2:35; Gudas Syr (charging), 14:29.

Shots on Goal-Syracuse 10-8-11-29. Norfolk 6-5-11-22.
Power Play Opportunities-Syracuse 1 / 3; Norfolk 0 / 6.
Goalies-Syracuse, Tokarski 14-5-3 (22 shots-22 saves). Norfolk, Andersen 7-8-0 (29 shots-26 saves).
A-6,285
Referees-Terry Koharski (10).
Linesmen-Luke Murray (92), Scott Pomento (25).

Two Nights, Two Victories – Admirals Over Bridgeport 4-1

From the Norfolk Admirals:

BRIDGEPORT, Conn. – Frederik Andersen made 32 saves and ten different players recorded points as the Norfolk Admirals (9-11-0-0) topped the Bridgeport Sound Tigers (10-9-0-1), 4-1, on Sunday evening at Webster Bank Arena. The Admirals won both games of their two-game road trip after topping the Bears last night in Hershey, 5-1. The Admirals and Bears will meet on Thursday night at the Verizon Center in Washington, D.C., in the Washington AHL Showcase, presented by GEICO.

Norfolk captain Nate Guenin had a goal and an assist while Peter Holland netted two assists for the Admirals. Norfolk also received goals from John Mitchell, Jordan Hendry and Kyle Palmieri.

Andersen improved his record to 6-5-0 with his second consecutive win. He finished the weekend with 61 saves on 63 shots.

Norfolk’s penalty kill was perfect for the second consecutive game, stopping all six of Bridgeport’s chances while killing all 15 opponent power plays over the weekend.

Brock Nelson netted the lone goal for the Sound Tigers while goaltender Anders Nilsson stopped 28 of 32 shots in defeat.

The Admirals built a 2-0 lead after one period. Mitchell opened scoring with his sixth goal of the season at 8:35, giving him goals in three consecutive games. Guenin netted his second goal of the season at 17:40.

The teams exchanged goals in the second stanza. Hendry netted his first goal of the season while the teams skated at three-on-three at 6:55. Nelson responded at 15:42 to get the Sound Tigers on the board.

Palmieri closed out scoring with a power play goal 1:19 into the final frame.

Norfolk was 1-for-8 on the power play. Bridgeport was 0-for-6.

Norfolk Admirals 4 at Bridgeport Sound Tigers 1 – Status: Final
Sunday, December 2, 2012 – Webster Bank Arena

Norfolk       2 1 1 – 4
Bridgeport 0 1 0 – 1

1st Period-1, Norfolk, Mitchell 6 (McMillan, Guenin), 8:35. 2, Norfolk, Guenin 2 (Smith-Pelly, Wagner), 17:40. Penalties-Smith-Pelly Nor (holding the stick), 4:12; Landry Bri (holding), 4:12; McIver Bri (hooking), 15:38; McMillan Nor (unsportsmanlike conduct), 18:18; Cantin Bri (unsportsmanlike conduct), 18:18.

2nd Period-3, Norfolk, Hendry 1 (Vatanen, Holland), 6:55. 4, Bridgeport, Nelson 9 (McDonald), 15:42. Penalties-Nelson Bri (hooking), 0:51; McIver Bri (holding), 5:33; Palmieri Nor (interference), 5:40; Guentzel Nor (holding), 6:19; Niederreiter Bri (boarding), 6:39; Gallant Bri (cross-checking), 10:54; Vatanen Nor (hooking), 11:11.

3rd Period-5, Norfolk, Palmieri 8 (Maroon, Holland), 1:19 (PP). Penalties-Cizikas Bri (charging), 0:41; Holland Nor (cross-checking), 4:29; Backman Bri (cross-checking), 7:21; Landry Bri (delay of game), 8:23; Schaus Nor (tripping), 12:37; Hendry Nor (unsportsmanlike conduct), 14:45; Vatanen Nor (roughing), 14:45; Cizikas Bri (roughing), 14:45.

Shots on Goal-Norfolk 13-12-7-32. Bridgeport 6-15-12-33.
Power Play Opportunities-Norfolk 1 / 8; Bridgeport 0 / 6.
Goalies-Norfolk, Andersen 6-5-0 (33 shots-32 saves). Bridgeport, Nilsson 4-3-0 (32 shots-28 saves).
A-3,104
Referees-Jean Hebert (43), Ryan Hersey (8).
Linesmen-Mike Baker (11), Kevin Redding (16).

Meet The Admirals: The Defense Corps

The Norfolk Admirals training camp is in full swing. The physicals and fitness tests are in the books and now it’s time for some on ice action. In the AHL it is expected that there will be some new faces to each team. For us Admiral fans the whole team is pretty new to us, Over the next few posts you can get a chance to learn about the Admiral players fighting for roster spots on this years squad.

Sources: The AHL, Norfolk Admirals, Anaheim Ducks

The Defense

 

Mat Clark – D

Age: 21 / Height: 6’3” / Weight: 205
Birthplace: Lakewood, Colorado

The Anaheim Ducks drafted Mat Clark in the 2nd round (37th overall) of the 2009 NHL Entry Draft. Clark has played in 142 AHL games between the Manitoba Moose and Syracuse Crunch, posting three goals and 28 points with 200 penalty minutes. He made his NHL debut last season, appearing in two games with the Ducks in April. Clark isn’t the only athlete in his family, as he has one grandmother who was a professional figure skater, another grandmother who was a professional golfer, and a sister who attended the University of South Alabama on a soccer scholarship. Plus, his uncle Ab DeMarco played 344 games in the NHL between 1969 and 1979. The Ducks assigned Clark to the Admirals on September 14th.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gabe Guentzel – D

Age: 24 / Height: 6’0” / Weight: 187
Birthplace: Woodbury, Minnesota

Gabe Guentzel will enter his first full season of professional hockey in 2012-13. He signed an AHL Standard Player’s Contract with Norfolk on September 21st. Last season, Guentzel joined the Syracuse Crunch on an Amateur Tryout Contract following the conclusion of his collegiate career. In 12 regular season games with the Crunch, Guentzel recorded six penalty minutes. He also had an assist in four Calder Cup Playoff games. In 156 games over four seasons with the Colorado College Tigers, Guentzel recorded 16 goals and 94 points. Guentzel earned WCHA Second All-Star team honors last season and was a three-time WCHA All-Academic honors recipient (2009-10, 2010-11, 2011-12). His father, Mike Guentzel, is Associate Head Coach for the University of Minnesota Golden Gophers hockey program.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jordan Hendry – D

Age: 24 / Height: 6’0” / Weight: 197
Birthplace: Lanigan, Saskatchewan

Jordan Hendry will be one of the few familiar faces at Scope in 2012-13. Hendry made his professional debut in Norfolk at the end of the 2005-06 season after completing his Business Finance degree at the University of Alaska Fairbanks. Hendry, an undrafted defenseman, appeared in 93 games with the Admirals between the 2005-06 and 2006-07 seasons, posting five goals and 21 points with 97 penalty minutes. Since that time, he has appeared in 129 career NHL games – all with the Chicago Blackhawks – posting four goals and 13 points with 40 penalty minutes while winning the 2010 Stanley Cup. In 201 AHL games between the Admirals, Rockford IceHogs and Houston Aeros, Hendry has 11 goals and 39 points with 210 penalty minutes. He split last season between the Aeros (10 games) and HC Lugano, netting one goal and 10 points while playing 29 games in Switzerland. Hendry signed with the Ducks on July 1st and was assigned to the Admirals by Anaheim on September 15th.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ryan Hegarty – D

Age: 22 / Height: 6’0” / Weight: 200
Birthplace: Arlington, Massachusetts

Ryan Hegarty will make his professional debut in 2012-13. The 22-year-old defenseman from Massachusetts spent the previous four years with the University of Maine Black Bears, posting four goals and 29 points with 140 penalty minutes. Last season, Hegarty’s plus-7 rating was tied for the best among team defensemen and he was counted upon in penalty killing and shutdown defense situations. Prior to joining the Black Bears, he played for the United States National Development Program, winning a bronze medal at the 2008 IIHF World Under-18 Championships. Hegarty was originally drafted by the Ducks in the fourth round (113th overall) of the 2008 NHL Entry Draft. Hegarty signed an AHL Standard Player’s Contract with the Admirals on September 21st.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nate Guenin – D

Age: 29 / Height: 6’2” / Weight: 210
Birthplace: Aliquippa, Pennsylvania

Nate Guenin was drafted by the New York Rangers in the 4th round (127th overall) of the 2002 NHL Entry Draft. Guenin has played in 375 AHL games with the Syracuse Crunch, Springfield Falcons, Peoria Rivermen, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins and Philadelphia Phantoms, scoring 14 goals and 83 points with 512 penalty minutes. In his NHL career, Guenin has played 32 games with the Philadelphia Flyers, Pittsburgh Penguins, Columbus Blue Jackets and Anaheim Ducks, scoring two goals and four points with 14 penalty minutes. Guenin also played collegiate hockey at Ohio State University where he netted six goals and 53 points in 151 games with the Buckeyes. Guenin served as captain in Syracuse last season. He agreed to terms on an AHL Standard Player’s Contract with the Admirals on September 26th.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hampus Lindholm – D

Age: 18 / Height: 6’3” / Weight: 195
Birthplace: Helsingborg, Sweden

Eighteen-year-old Hampus Lindholm joins the Admirals after being drafted by the Anaheim Ducks just three months ago. The first-round pick (6th overall) was a top defenseman for Sweden in the 2012 U-18 World Junior Championships in the Czech Republic, where he recorded a goal and four points while earning a silver medal. Lindholm is expected to become the youngest player in AHL Admirals history. Should he play on opening night, Lindholm will be 18 years, eight months and 23 days old, surpassing the previous mark held by Dana Tyrell, who made his debut at 18 years, ten months and 28 days old on March 21, 2008. Lindholm split the 2011-12 season in Sweden between Rogle’s junior and Allsvenskan teams; he recorded five goals and 17 points and a plus-25 rating in 28 games for their junior squad and one goal and four points in 20 contests for their senior club. He was assigned to the Admirals by Anaheim on September 14th.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nick Schaus – D

Age: 26 / Height: 5’11” / Weight: 200
Birthplace: Orchard Park, New York

Nick Schaus enters his third full season of professional hockey in 2012-13. The New York native spent the majority of last season with the AHL’s Syracuse Crunch, posting four goals and eight points with 30 penalty minutes in 45 games. He also netted a goal and five points with four penalty minutes in ten games with the ECHL’s Elmira Jackals. In 126 career AHL games between the Crunch and Worcester Sharks, Schaus has scored eight goals and 30 points with 78 penalty minutes. He originally signed with the San Jose Sharks as an undrafted free agent out of UMass-Lowell. In his 148 career games with the River Hawks, Schaus registered ten goals and 65 points with 220 penalty minutes. He also played four seasons of junior hockey in the USHL with the River City/Omaha Lancers and was the USHL Defenseman of the Year in 2005-06. Schaus signed an AHL Standard Player’s Contract with the Admirals on September 21st.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Matt Smaby – D

Age: 27 / Height: 6’6” / Weight: 239
Birthplace: Minneapolis, Minnesota

Admirals fans will remember Matt Smaby playing at Scope during parts of the 2007-08, 2008-09 and 2009-10 seasons. The former second-round draft pick of the Tampa Bay Lightning (41st overall in 2003) has appeared in 90 games with the Admirals, scoring three goals and 14 points with 105 penalty minutes. The 6-foot-6, 239-pound blueliner from Minneapolis, Minnesota, has appeared in 156 career AHL games between the Admirals, Springfield Falcons and Syracuse Crunch, scoring seven goals and 39 points with 194 penalty minutes. He has also played 122 career NHL games with Tampa Bay, posting six assists and 106 penalty minutes. Last season, Smaby tied for third with a plus-12 rating with Syracuse while netting two goals and nine points in 30 games. Smaby was signed to an AHL Standard Player’s Contract with the Admirals on September 26th.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sami Vatanen – D

Age: 21 / Height: 5’9” / Weight: 163
Birthplace: Jyväskylä, Finland

A fourth-round selection (106th overall) of the Anaheim Ducks in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft, Sami Vatanen will make his North American professional debut in 2012-13. Despite being only 21 years old, Vatanen already has played 156 professional games in the Finnish Elite League with his hometown team Jyväskylä, netting 32 goals and 103 points with 114 penalty minutes. In 2010-11, Vatanen was named the Finnish Elite League’s Defenseman of the Year and was also named to the All-Star Team. He patterns his game after five-time NHL All-Star defenseman Scott Niedermayer, who retired as a member of the Anaheim Ducks and remains in the organization to help develop the team’s defensemen. The Ducks assigned Vatanen to the Admirals on September 14th.

Anaheim Ducks Make Some Pre-Lockout Roster Moves.

The Ducks, like most NHL teams, have announced a series of roster moves. 20 players have been assigned to the AHL, OHL, and the Swedish Elite League.

The Ducks have made the following roster moves:

Assigned to Norfolk (American Hockey League)
Frederik Andersen – Goaltender
Igor Bobkov – Goaltender
Josh Brittain – Left Wing
Mat Clark – Defenseman
Marco Cousineau - Goaltender
Corey Elkins – Center
Emerson Etem – Right Wing
Peter Holland – Center
Matt Kennedy – Right Wing
Ryan Lasch – Right Wing
Brandon McMillan – Left Wing
John Mitchell – Left Wing
Kyle Palmieri – Right Wing
Devante Smith-Pelly – Right Wing
Sami Vatanen – Defenseman
Chris Wagner – Center

Assigned to junior team
John Gibson – Goaltender (Kitchener/OHL)
Rickard Rakell – Right wing (Plymouth/OHL)

Assigned to Sweden
Max Friberg – Left Wing (Timra/Swedish Elite League)
Tim Heed – Defenseman (Vaxjo/Swedish Elite League)

Jordan Hendry was placed on waivers and will be assigned to Norfolk/AHL when he clears.