Jets announce ECHL affiliation with the Norfolk Admirals

WINNIPEG - The Winnipeg Jets Hockey Club, along with their American Hockey League affiliate, the Manitoba Moose, are pleased to announce a partnership with the Norfolk Admirals as the organization's ECHL affiliate for the upcoming 2023-24 season.

"We are excited to begin our partnership with the Norfolk Admirals," said Craig Heisinger, Senior Vice President & Director of Hockey Operations/Assistant General Manager of the Winnipeg Jets. "The city of Norfolk and the Admirals franchise have a rich hockey history. We look forward to the opportunity that this affiliation will provide for our prospects."

Sixteen players to suit up for the Moose last season played ECHL games in their careers. Ten of those players featured for both Manitoba and in the ECHL last season. The Jets lineup held one ECHL alumnus this season as Jansen Harkins played in the league during the 2017-18 campaign.

The Admirals posted a 21-46-5 record in 2022-23, their seventh season in the ECHL. Norfolk forward Todd Burgess previously played 35 games for the Moose in 2021-22 while recording 13 points (7G, 6A) and nine PIMs. A total of nine players from last season's Norfolk team also spent time in the AHL in 2022-23 led by defenceman Xavier Bouchard, who suited up in 22 games for the Milwaukee Admirals and recorded three assists and 17 penalty minutes.

"Last year, our organization made a concerted, positive transformation to our on and off-ice product that our incredible city and fanbase has been desperate for," said Jeff Carr, General Manager and Head Coach of the Norfolk Admirals. "This affiliation helps us build a solid base as we continue to ascend in our new culture."

"Winnipeg's dedication to winning and development is no secret in the hockey world," Carr continued. "With the depth that Winnipeg has and their view on development, they're going to be very involved with our roster. We both felt joining forces together with the goals of character, winning, and development outweighed any obstacle of geographical distance."

The Norfolk Admirals begin their first season as the ECHL affiliate of the Winnipeg Jets and Manitoba Moose on Friday, Oct. 20 when they travel to Savannah, Georgia for a game against the Ghost Pirates.