It's My Favorite Day of the Year!

No no no... not because it's Friday. 

Though that is nice too.

IT'S THE START OF HOCKEY SEASON.

And that's a very big deal to me.

Last night was suppose to be the opening night for NHL teams.

My lovely Philadelphia Flyers were suppose to play the Boston Bruins.

Would have loved to watch that game.

Tonight however is the Norfolk Admirals home opener.

Last season the Admirals had a 28 game winning streak to end the season.

In the playoffs they won 15 of 18 games.

&& Ended up winning the Calder Cup.

BIG DEAL FOR US FANS IN NORFOLK!

Norfolk Admirals Baby!

However, the Tampa Bay Management decided they no longer wanted to be affiliated with us anymore. So they packed up shop and most of the boys who just won the cup, and headed to Syracuse, New York. Bummer I know! In return we now have the boys who were playing in Syracuse last year. Instead of the Lightning being our parent team, we are now under the wings of the Anaheim Ducks. Yes, bring out the QUACK QUACK QUACK! (I legit want to get a duck call for the games.)

I call this the year of the come backs. Why you ask? All three coaches that we have this year were here at various times. Our Head Coach Trent Yawney was the coach here in Norfolk when the Admirals switched from the ECHL to the AHL. We were under the Black Hawks at that time. Every one of the five seasons he was here, we made it to the playoffs. Our Associate Coach Mike Haviland took over the coaching roles when Trent Yawney went on to bigger and better things. Every season under his belt, the team made it to playoffs as well. Marty Wilford is our Assistant Coach actually played for the Admirals to start off his career.  Not only are the coaches come back kids, some of the players are as well. Jay Rosehill, Matt Smaby, and Jordan Hendry are all players who have played here previously.

The team this year is looking really good. It's a different style of hockey then what we saw last year. Yes I know, these aren't the guys who made the streak, and they aren't the ones who won the Calder Cup, but guess what... it's theirs to defend. I'm glad to hear that they understand that the streak and the cup are theirs to defend. It's big shoes to fill but I think these guys have what it takes. It's not the name of the back of the sweater that matters, it's the logo on the front. Even if it is a whole new group of guys, they are the Norfolk Admirals and I will support them 100%. 

Puck drops at Norfolk Scope tonight at 7:30... where will you be?