Norfolk Admirals Off-Season Report

Norfolk Admirals Training Camp Increases to 30
9/21/01
The Norfolk Admirals announce that Syl Apps (Center) has accepted an invitation to attend Admirals Training Camp.

Apps, 25, spent the last two seasons skating for the St. John’s Maple Leafs (AHL). In 2000-01, the six-foot, 195 pound Pittsburgh, Pa. native registered 14 points (six goals, eight assists) in 69 regular season games with the Leafs. In four post-season appearances, he remained scoreless.

Norfolk Donating Proceeds From Blue/White Exhibition to United Way
9/20/01
The Norfolk Admirals announced that they are partnering with the City of Norfolk and Sinclair Communications, owners of WKOC 93.7 FM, WROX 96.1 FM, WNIS 790 AM and WTAR 850 AM, as well as the United Way of South Hampton Roads (UWSHR) to donate proceeds from the upcoming September 28th Blue/White Exhibition at Norfolk Scope, to the United Way Attack on America Relief Fund.

“With the tragedies of last week, the Admirals’ organization simply wants to do whatever it can to help,” said Admirals’ owner Mark Garcea. “We have to thank the City of Norfolk and Sinclair Communications for joining us in this endeavor. The United Way of South Hampton Roads has been a great partner as well. We hope our fans and many others come out to support this worthwhile cause.”

“On behalf of Norfolk residents, the Mayor and members of City Council, as well as the City’s administration, we are pleased to support this generous contribution with donation of rental and box office fees from the September 28th exhibition game,” stated John Rhamstine, Director of Civic Facilities for the City of Norfolk.

“We are proud to partner with our hometown Admirals team to build and strengthen our local community, and to help rebuild the lives of people torn apart through recent acts of terrorism,” said Mike Hughes, President of the United Way of South Hampton Roads.

Admirals Add 2 more to camp
9/19/01
The Norfolk Admirals announced today that two more players have accepted invitations to AHL training camp. Forward/defenseman Ian Semeschuk and Goaltender Ken Carroll are expected to report to Norfolk this weekend.

Admirals Sign 4 Players
9/18/01
Norfolk announced that they have signed 4 players to standard AHL Contracts.
Forwards: Olivier Morin and David Thibeault
Defensemen: Jeff Helperl and Chris Bogus

Helperl, 27, split the 2000-2001 campaign between Norfolk and the Jackson Bandits of the East Coast Hockey League (ECHL). In 45 contests for Norfolk, he registered 1-8=9 with 82 penalty minutes, recording his first AHL points, a pair of assists, on February 4, 2001. In eight post-season games for the Admirals, he went scoreless, picking up 16 PIM. Helperl made 34 appearances for Jackson, netting one goal, six assists (seven points) and 75 PIM.

Bogas appeared with four teams last year, playing more than half the season with the Toledo Storm of the ECHL. While with Toledo, Bogas scored nine goals, five assists (14 points) and added 56 PIM in 43 matches. He finished tied for the team lead in post-season points for the Storm with six (one goal, five helpers). Bogas also skated in 15 games for the Philadelphia Phantoms (AHL), recording 1-6=7, and netted one assist (one point) in five contests for the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins (AHL), during 2000-2001.

Morin finished third on the Tallahassee Tiger Sharks (ECHL) with 59 points (23 goals, 36 assists) last season. The 23-year old right winger also accumulated 102 PIM in 69 appearances for the club. He previously skated in 10 contests for the AHL’s Quebec Citadelles, registering one goal and five PIM in 1999-2000.

Thibeault, 23, spent the last two years playing for the Tiger Sharks (ECHL). In 138 career ECHL games, he netted 42 goals and 57 helpers (99points) and 201 PIM. His 52 points last year (25+27) placed him fifth on the squad in scoring.

Norfolk Invites 16 Players to Training Camp
9/18/01
The Norfolk Admirals announced on September 18th that the following 16 players were invited and have accepted invitations to attend training camp, which begins Sunday, Sep. 23rd at 2:00 P.M.

Forwards: Brad Both, Bret DeCecco, Ryan Dolder, Rick Kowalsky, Quintin Laing, Troy Lake, Nick Lent, Bobby Russell, Kelly Smart, Jason Stewart, Chris Pittman and Mark Scott

Defenseman: Mike Josefowicz, Jaroslav Kerestes and Dion Lassu

Goaltender: Tyler MacKay

Brad Both, 22, skated for the Fresno Falcons (WCHL) last season, posting 15 Points (5 goals, 10 assists) in 56 contests. From 97-98 to 99-00, Both was a member of the Lebret Eagles of the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League.

Bret DeCecco finished sixth in scoring for the Kootenay Ice (WHL) in 2000-01 with 34 goals 31 assists =65 points in 57 games. Originally selected by the Buffalo Sabres in the seventh round (206th overall) of the 1999 NHL Entry Draft, DeCecco also recorded six goals and 11 assists (17 points) in 11 post-season contests with the Ice last year.

Ryan Dolder joined the 1997-98 Notre Dame (CCHA) squad as a walk-on and eventually became the club’s captain and second leading scorer (15-19=34) by the time he completed his collegiate career with the Irish in 2000-01. In 142 games at Notre Dame, Dolder posted 33 goals, 37 assists (70 points) and 92 penalty minutes.

Jarolslav Kerestes skated with the Columbus Cottonmouths (CHL) in both 1999-00 and 2000-01, seasons in which the club made back-to-back appearances in the CHL Championship Game. In 131 regular season contests for Columbus, Kerestes posted seven goals, 12 assists (19 points) and 335 PIM, and three points (three assists) and 50 penalty minutes in 30 post-season games.

Rick Kowalsky was a member of the Trenton Titans (ECHL) in ’00-01, posting 17 points (7 goals, 10 assists) in 12 regular season games before recording 12 points (8 goals, 4 assists) in 13 post-season contests for the club. Also in the ’00-01 season he appeared in 2 contests for the Cardiff Devils (BISL) registering 0 points. Earlier in his career he has played for Sault-Ste.-Marie Greyhounds (OHL), Cornwall Aces (AHL), Hampton Roads Admirals (ECHL), and the Portland Pirates (AHL) Rick is also a former 10th round draft pick (227th Overall) of the Buffalo Sabres in the 1992 NHL Entry Draft.

Quintin Laing is a former 4th round draft pick (102nd overall ) of the 1997 NHL ENTRY DRAFT of the Detroit Red Wings. He played 10 games for the Norfolk Admirals (AHL) last season posting 1assist for 1 point and 10 PIM, Quintin spent most of his season with the Admirals ECHL affiliate Jackson Bandits, where he saw action in 60 contests. Notched 13 goals 24 assists for 37 points and also stayed clear on the box putting up only 39 PIM Before last season he played 4 seasons in the WHL for the Kelowna Rockets.

Troy Lake, 25, is an Edmonton, Alberta native and Providence College (NCAA) graduate. Troy Skated for Providence from the 95-96 season through his senior season in 98-99. In 128 contests for Providence, Lake registered 105 points ( 37 goals, 34 assists, 132 PIM ) For the Past two seasons he has played for the Roanoke Express (ECHL) racking up 197 Penalty Minutes and recording 35 goals and 38 assists. ( 72 Points ) The 6’1, 215 pounder missed 25 games last season with a severed hamstring from January through mid-March when he was accidentally stepped on by a skate in a game versus the Greenville Grrrowl.(ECHL)

Dion Lassu has spent his 4year career as a Defenseman in the WHL. He started his career playing for the Edmonton Ice in 97-98 In 66 games Lassu netted 3 goals and tallied 8 assists for 11 points, also racked up 172 PIM. After just 1 season with Edmonton Dion Moved to the Kootenay Ice where he played 2 seasons. ( 170 games – 7 goals – 29 assists – 506 PIM ) those totals include 28 playoff games where he registered 1 goal, 8 assists, 71 PIM for 10pts.

Nick Lent was an eighth round selection (200th overall) of the Phoenix Coyotes in the 1996 NHL Entry Draft. He completed the 2000-2001 campaign with the New Haven Knights (UHL), and registered eight regular season points (three goals, five assists) in 26 games, while posting three goals and one assist (four points) in eight playoff contests.

Bobby Russell was a member of the Jackson Bandits (ECHL) for the ’00-01’ campaign, he finished first among Jackson players with 38 goals and posted professional career-highs with the club in games played (69), goals, assists (30) and points (68). A 2001 ECHL ALL STAR STARTER, Russell also saw action in five playoff games for Jackson recording 2 helpers for 2 points. Bobby got a well deserved call-up mid point through the season last year to the Norfolk Admirals (AHL) but only saw action in two contests and went scoreless with a ( -2 ) His career highlight by far was as a member of 1997-98 Portland Winterhawks, as if advancing to the Memorial Cup Championship Game wasn’t enough, Bobby netted the Game Winning wining goal at 6:21 of overtime off a rebound from his knees as he was falling face first to the ice. The goal gave the Portland Winterhawks the title of Memorial Cup Champions over the Guelph Storm (OHL)

Mark Scott skated with four different clubs last season in the Columbus Cottonmouths and Oklahoma City Blazers (CHL), Phoenix Mustangs (WCHL) and Pensacola Ice Pilots (ECHL). He posted a professional career-high three goals with the Blazers in ‘00-01, while tying his career mark of six points with the squad.

Jason Stewart was a sixth round draft pick (142nd overall) of the New York Islanders in the 1994 NHL Entry Draft He opened up his hockey career at St. Cloud State (NCAA). In 143 Collegiate games, Stewart registered 55 Points. ( 25 goals, 30 assists, 141 PIM ) In 98-99 Stewart Made the Jump from the Collegiate level and split the season with the East Coast Hockey League and American Hockey League. Jason played 31 games respectively for each league, with Lowell (AHL) he registered 2 assists for 2 points, and 7 Penalty Minutes. He had a productive stint with Roanoke scoring 7 goals and 13 assists for 20 Points, and spent 39 minutes in the Penalty Box.

Chris Pittman skated the last two seasons with the Dalhousie University Tigers (CIAU), scoring 22 goals, adding 17 assists (39 points) and tallying 141 PIM in 33 career games. During ’96-97, he saw action with the Baltimore Bandits of the AHL, as well as the ECHL’s Richmond Renegades and Louisville Riverfrogs.

Scott skated with four different clubs last season in the Columbus Cottonmouths and Oklahoma City Blazers (CHL), Phoenix Mustangs (WCHL) and Pensacola Ice Pilots (ECHL). He posted a professional career-high three goals with the Blazers in ‘00-01, while tying his career mark of six points with the squad.

TEAM INFORMATION :

Training Camp: Opens September 23rd at 2:00 P.M. @ Norfolk Scope
Training camp is open to the public from Monday, September 24th – Friday, September 28th
Monday-Thursday
9am – 11am
2pm – 4pm

Friday
practice 10am

EXHIBITION GAMES:
Friday, September 28 – 7:00 P.M. ( Blue/White Scrimmage )
Saturday, September 29 – 7:00 P.M. Norfolk Admirals @ Philadelphia Phantoms ( Skatezone – Voorhees, NJ )
Radio Broadcasts: WHKT – 16:50 A.M.

TRANSACTIONS

9/20/01 – Blackhawks assign Forwards Tyler Arnason and Matt Henderson, and defensemen Kent Huskins and Arved Rekis to Norfolk (AHL)

9/19/01 – Blackhawks resign goalie Igor Radulov to Mississauga (OHL)

9/17/01 – Blackhawks sign Peter White (Philadelphia-NHL)

9/6/01 – Blackhawks sign forward Tyler Arnason (St.Cloud State-WCHA) to an undisclosed contract.

9/6/01 – Admirals sign forward Shawn Thorton and defenseman Jonathan Aitken to AHL standard player’s contracts.

9/5/01 – Blackhawks sign defenseman Kent Huskins (Clarkson-ECAC) and free agent defenseman Vladimir Chebaturkin (Worcester-AHL)

8/22/01 – Blackhawks sign Igor Korolev (Toronto-NHL)

8/13/01 – Blackhawks sign goalie Craig Andersson (Guelph-OHL) to a multi-year contract

8/11/01 – Blackhawks resign Jamie Allision

8/07/01 – Blackhawks resign center Steve Dubinsky, winger Casey Hankinson and defenseman Nolan Baumgartner to new contracts.

8/02/01 Blackhawks resign Eric Daze

8/01/01 – Blackhawks sign free agent center Ajay Baines (Norfolk-AHL) and free agent right wing Mike Peluso (Worcester-AHL)

7/31/01 – Blackhawks sign Center/Left Wing Pascal Rheaume (Worcester-AHL) and resign forward Jean Yves Leroux

7/31/01 – Admirals sign forward Richard Pitirri (Richmond-ECHL)

7/19/01 – Blackhawks resign goalie Jocelyn Thibault

7/18/01 – Blackhawks sign free agent Steve Thomas (Toronto-NHL) a one year – $1.5 million contract

7/17/01 – Blackhawks resign forward Bob Probert and defenseman Jaroslav Spacek

7/16/01 – Blackhawks sign forward Mikhail Yakubov (Lada Togliatti-RUSSIA) and defenseman Rumun Ndur (Norfolk-AHL)

7/05/01 – Blackhawks resign defenseman Chris McAlpine

7/03/01 – Blackhawks resign center Alex Zhamnov

7/01/01 – Blackhawks sign free agent denfenseman John Klemm (Colorado-NHL)

6/23/01 – Blackhawks obtain Igor Korolev from Toronto for a 2001 third round draft choice

6/23/01 – Blackhawks trade Stephan Quintal to Montreal for a 2001 forth round draft choice

6/14/01 – Blackhawks resign defenseman Steve Poapst

6/01/01 – Blackhawks sign goalie Michael Leighton (Windsor-OHL)

5/02/01 – Blackhawks announce Brian Sutter as their new head coach

NORFOLK ADMIRALS 2001-2002 SCHEDULE