Milwaukee Admirals facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Milwaukee Admirals |
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| City | Milwaukee, Wisconsin |
| League | American Hockey League |
| Conference | Western |
| Division | Central |
| Founded | 1970 |
| Home arena | UW–Milwaukee Panther Arena |
| Colors | |
| Owner(s) | Group headed by Harris Turer |
| General manager | Scott Nichol |
| Head coach | Karl Taylor |
| Captain | Kevin Gravel |
| Media | WVTV-DT2 "My 24" Fox Sports 920 Milwaukee Journal Sentinel AHL.TV (Internet) |
| Affiliate(s) | Nashville Predators (NHL) Atlanta Gladiators (ECHL) |
| Franchise history | |
| 1970 | Milwaukee Wings |
| 1970–present | Milwaukee Admirals |
| Championships | |
| Regular season titles | 2 AHL (2003–04, 2019–20) |
| Division Championships | 1 USHL (1976–77) 4 IHL (1982–83, 1992–93, 1994–95, 1995–96) 8 AHL (2003–04, 2005–06, 2008–09, 2010–11, 2015–16, 2019–20, 2023–24, 2024–25) |
| Conference Championships | 2 (2003–04),(2005–06) |
| Calder Cups | 1 (2003–04) |
| Playoff championships | 1 USHL title (1975–76) |
 Current season |
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The Milwaukee Admirals are a professional ice hockey team from Milwaukee, Wisconsin. They are part of the American Hockey League (AHL). The team is connected to the National Hockey League (NHL)'s Nashville Predators. The Admirals play their home games at the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee Panther Arena.
The team started playing in 1970. They were first an amateur team called the Milwaukee Wings. After their first season, they changed their name to the Admirals. They played on their own until 1973. Then, they joined the semiprofessional United States Hockey League (USHL). In 1977, the Admirals moved to the International Hockey League (IHL). This happened when the USHL became a league only for younger players. When the IHL stopped operating in 2001, the Admirals joined the AHL.
Contents
Team History
Early Years and Name Change
The Admirals first played in the winter of 1970. They were an amateur team known as the Milwaukee Wings. They lost their first game on January 25. Five days later, they won their first game. They finished that season with 8 wins and 7 losses.
The next year, a group of investors bought the team. One owner, Erwin J. Merar, had an appliance store. The team was renamed the "Admirals" after a brand of appliances sold in his store.
Playing in the USHL
The Admirals joined the United States Hockey League in the 1973–74 season. Their first season in the league was tough. They finished last in their division. They won only 11 games that season.
The Admirals won the USHL league championship in 1976. They won seven games in a row in the playoffs. After that season, former Chicago Blackhawks announcer Lloyd Pettit and his wife, Jane Bradley Pettit, bought the team.
Playing in the IHL
For the 1977–78 season, the Admirals joined the International Hockey League. This was because the USHL became a league only for amateur players. The Admirals played in the IHL's Turner Cup finals only once. This was in 1983, where they lost to Toledo.
Joining the AHL
The Admirals, along with five other IHL teams, joined the American Hockey League for the 2001-02 AHL season. This happened when the IHL stopped playing. The team was allowed to keep its name. This was even though another team, the Norfolk Admirals, was already in the AHL. Milwaukee had used the name since 1970, much longer than the Norfolk team.
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The Admirals won their first Calder Cup in 2004. They beat the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins in the finals. Before the finals, Milwaukee won a tough seven-game series. Then, they beat the Chicago Wolves in six games. After that, they won against the Rochester Americans. Milwaukee then swept the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins to win the Calder Cup. They won each series in fewer games than the one before it.
In June 2005, a group of investors bought the Admirals. Harris J. Turer led this group. It also included Milwaukee Brewers owner Mark Attanasio. The Brewers then became the only uniform sponsor for the Admirals. The Admirals wear a Brewers logo patch on their jerseys.
The Admirals won their second division title in the AHL in 2006. They won the title on the last day of their season. In the 2006 Calder Cup playoffs, they won a seven-game series. Then, Milwaukee swept two more teams. They reached their second Calder Cup final series. However, the Admirals lost to the Hershey Bears in six games.
On August 1, 2006, the Admirals showed off a new logo. They also changed their colors from red and blue to black, white, and light blue. They used this logo until 2015. In 2015, the Admirals revealed another new logo. It kept the light blue color from 2006. But it changed black to navy blue. The skeleton design was also kept. The hat on the skeleton's head was a nod to older Admirals logos. This new logo was very popular. It was named the Best New Primary Logo of the Year in 2015.
On March 16, 2016, the Admirals announced a 10-year contract. This brought the team back to the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee Panther Arena. This contract also meant a $6.4 million investment. This money was used to make the arena ready for AHL games.
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The team won its second regular season championship in the 2019–20 season. This season was cut short because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Because of the pandemic, the Admirals chose not to play in the 2020–21 AHL season. Even though the season was canceled, the team's owners still paid all their full-time employees.
On November 17, 2023, the Admirals made history. Defenseman Luke Prokop played his first AHL game. He became the first openly gay player in the league's history.
During the 2023-24 season, the Admirals set a new team record. They won 19 games in a row. This is also the second-longest winning streak in AHL history. The winning streak lasted from January 5, 2024, until February 25.
Team Information
League History
The Milwaukee Admirals have been part of different leagues:
- 1970–1973: Played independently (not in a league)
- 1973–1977: Joined the United States Hockey League
- 1977–2001: Joined the International Hockey League
- 2001–present: Joined the American Hockey League
NHL Team Connection
The Admirals have been the main team connected to the Nashville Predators since 1998. This means that players often move between the two teams. David Poile, the Nashville General Manager, said that the road for their players to reach Nashville goes through Milwaukee. He said Milwaukee is a good place for young players to grow.
It's interesting that the baseball teams in these two cities also have a connection. The Nashville Sounds baseball team is connected to the Milwaukee Brewers.
For the 2006–07 season, the Admirals also had a special agreement. They were one of five teams connected to the Edmonton Oilers. This agreement lasted only one season.
Team Mascot
In 1998, the Admirals got a new mascot named Roscoe. Roscoe is a "sea dog" with bright orange fur. He has a nose shaped like a hockey puck. He wears a special admiral's hat and an Admirals jersey. His jersey number is 98, which is the year he joined the team.
Sometimes during games, Roscoe rides a special Zamboni. It looks like a pirate ship. When he meets fans, Roscoe sometimes balances hockey pucks on his nose.
In 2014, the Nashville Predators' mascot, Gnash, got hurt. Roscoe was "called up" to the Predators. He joined other mascots to entertain fans in Nashville while Gnash got better.
Players
Current Roster
Updated July 15, 2025.
| # | Nat | Player | Pos | S/G | Age | Acquired | Birthplace | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| – |  |
Daniel Carr | LW | L | 33 | 2025 | Sherwood Park, Alberta | Admirals |
| 31 |  |
Ethan Haider | G | L | 24 | 2024 | Maple Grove, Minnesota | Admirals |
| – | |
Zack Hayes | D | L | 26 | 2025 | Calgary, Alberta | Admirals |
| 36 | |
Kyle Marino | C | R | 30 | 2024 | Niagara Falls, Ontario | Admirals |
| 39 | |
Chad Nychuk | D | L | 24 | 2024 | Rossburn, Manitoba | Admirals |
| – | |
T. J. Semptimphelter | G | L | 23 | 2025 | Marlton, New Jersey | Admirals |
| – | |
Oasiz Wiesblatt | C | L | 21 | 2025 | Calgary, Alberta | Admirals |
Team Captains
- Neil Meadmore, 1987–88
- Peter Bakovic, 1988–1991
- Gino Cavallini, 1994–1996
- Tony Hrkac, 1996–97
- Jeff Nelson, 1997–1999
- Marc Moro, 1999–2001
- Andy Berenzweig, 2002–03
- Ray Schultz, 2003–04
- Tony Hrkac, 2004–05
- Greg Zanon, 2005–06
- Sheldon Brookbank, 2006–07
- Alex Henry, 2007–08
- Nolan Yonkman, 2008–2010
- Brett Palin, 2010–11
- Scott Ford, 2011–12, 2013–14
- Mike Moore, 2012–13
- Joe Piskula, 2014–15
- Colton Sissons, 2015–16
- Trevor Smith, 2016–2018
- Jarred Tinordi, 2018–2020
- Cole Schneider, 2021–2023
- Kevin Gravel, 2023–present
Retired Numbers
The Admirals have honored several players by retiring their jersey numbers. This means no other player on the team will wear that number again.
| No. | Player | Position | Career | No. retirement |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9 | Phil Wittliff | C | 1973–1977 | April 3, 1977 |
| 14 | Fred Berry | C | 1980–1984, 1985–1987 | December 27, 2003 |
| 14 | Mike McNeill | C | 1992–1998 | December 27, 2003 |
| 20 | Darren Haydar | RW | 2002–2006 | February 21, 2020 |
| 26 | Tony Hrkac | C | 1994–1997, 2003–2005 | March 14, 2008 |
| 27 | Danny Lecours | LW | 1975–1984, 1985–1986 | January 4, 1987 |
| 44 | Kevin Willison | D | 1981–1984, 1985–1986 | February 28, 2004 |
| 44 | Gino Cavallini | C | 1993–1996 | February 28, 2004 |
Notable Former Players
Many players who played for the Milwaukee Admirals also played in the National Hockey League (NHL). Here are some of them who played at least 100 games for both the Admirals and in the NHL:
- Pontus Aberg
- Shawn Antoski
- Victor Bartley
- Michel Bergeron
- Anthony Bitetto
- Jonathon Blum
- Gabriel Bourque
- Randy Boyd
- Sheldon Brookbank
- Alexandre Carrier
- Gino Cavallini
- Kevin Fiala
- Vernon Fiddler
- John Flesch
- Cody Franson
- Frederick Gaudreau
- Dan Hamhuis
- Alex Henry
- Tony Hrkac
- Andrew Hutchinson
- Kevin Klein
- Jeff Larmer
- Michael Latta
- David Mackey
- Bob Mason
- Chris Mason
- Andrew McBain
- Mark Mowers
- Rob Murphy
- Cal O'Reilly
- Mathieu Olivier
- Rich Peverley
- Pekka Rinne
- Miikka Salomaki
- Mike Santorelli
- Brandon Segal
- Colton Sissons
- Trevor Smith
- Wyatt Smith
- Nick Spaling
- Jeremy Stevenson
- Zack Stortini
- Alexander Sulzer
- Tom Tilley
- Jarred Tinordi
- Eeli Tolvanen
- Mike Tomlak
- Jordin Tootoo
- Yakov Trenin
- Steve Tuttle
- Scottie Upshall
- Austin Watson
- Greg Zanon
- Richard Zemlak
Team Records
These are some of the best records set by Milwaukee Admirals players.
Single Season Records
- Most Goals: Danny Lecours, 75 goals (1982–83 season)
- Most Assists: Dale Yakiwchuk, 100 assists (1982–83 season)
- Most Points: Dale Yakiwchuk, 138 points (1982–83 season)
- Most Penalty Minutes: Don Gibson, 381 minutes (1992–93 season)
- Best Goalie Average (GAA): Connor Ingram, 1.92 (2019–20 season)
- Best Save Percentage (SV%): Connor Ingram, .933 (2019–20 season)
Career Records
- Most Career Goals: Danny Lecours, 445 goals
- Most Career Assists: Fred Berry, 379 assists
- Most Career Points: Danny Lecours, 814 points
- Most Career Penalty Minutes: Ken Sabourin, 1233 minutes
- Most Career Goalie Wins: Rich Sirois, 119 wins
- Most Career Shutouts: Brian Finley, 11 shutouts
- Most Career Games Played: Danny Lecours, 641 games
