The Milwaukee Admirals are a professional ice hockey team in the American Hockey League. They have been affiliated with the Nashville Predators of the NHL since 2001. The Admirals were originally founded in 1970 as an amateur team before turning pro in 1977 when they joined the International Hockey League. They adopted the Admirals name in 1977. Here is a look at the history and current status of the Milwaukee Admirals franchise.
Early History
The Milwaukee Admirals first began play in the winter of 1970-71 as an amateur club known as the Milwaukee Chicks. After two seasons as the Chicks in the United States Hockey League, the team was renamed the Milwaukee Admirals in 1973. They played at the Milwaukee Arena and were one of the founding members of the IHL in 1977. The Admirals won their first Turner Cup championship in 2004 while in the IHL.
Some key facts about the early history of the Admirals:
- Original name was the Milwaukee Chicks from 1970-1973
- Became known as the Admirals in 1973
- Were one of the founding teams of the IHL in 1977
- First played home games out of the Milwaukee Arena
- Won IHL Championships in 1973, 1978, and 1988
The Admirals played in the IHL from 1977 up until 2001, making the playoffs 22 times in those 25 seasons. They won their fourth and final Turner Cup in 2004 after joining the AHL, giving them more IHL championships than any other team.
Joining the AHL
In 2001, the Milwaukee Admirals were purchased by a group led by Harris Turer and joined the American Hockey League as the affiliate of the Nashville Predators. The IHL disbanded soon after in 2001, meaning the Admirals needed a new league to play in. The Predators had been playing in the AHL since 1998, so it made sense for their affiliate to also play in the AHL. Milwaukee has remained the top affiliate of the Nashville Predators ever since.
Some key facts about the Admirals joining the AHL:
- Purchased by Harris Turer and joined AHL in 2001
- Became affiliate of NHL’s Nashville Predators
- IHL disbanded in 2001 leading to move to AHL
- Have been in the AHL since the 2001-02 season
- Won first Calder Cup in 2004 after joining the AHL
The Admirals won their first Calder Cup in 2004 under new head coach Claude Noel. That Calder Cup win was the last championship the Admirals have won to date. The team has made the playoffs 16 times since joining the AHL, including 15 straight playoff appearances from 2005-06 to 2019-20.
Recent History
Milwaukee has remained the top affiliate of Nashville since becoming part of the AHL in 2001. They play home games at the UW–Milwaukee Panther Arena. The Admirals have been one of the most successful franchises in the AHL in recent years, winning at least 40 games seven straight seasons from 2009-2016. They set a franchise record with 106 points in 2015-16.
Some key facts about the Admirals in recent seasons:
- Have had a 16 year affiliation with the Nashville Predators
- Dean Evason has been head coach since 2012
- Made playoffs 15 straight seasons 2005-06 to 2019-20
- Won at least 40 games seven straight seasons from 2009-2016
- Set franchise record with 106 points in 2015-16
- Last won division title in 2019-20 season
The Admirals have continued to achieve success in the AHL, even if they have not been able to replicate their Calder Cup championship from 2004. Fans still come out to support the team, even if they are no longer reaching the championship heights of earlier eras. The loyal fan base and strong organization should keep AHL hockey thriving in Milwaukee for years to come.
Players
Many talented NHL players have spent time developing their skills in Milwaukee. Predators players like Pekka Rinne, Shea Weber, Roman Josi and Ryan Johansen all played for the Admirals earlier in their careers. Here is a look at some notable Admirals alumni over the years:
Player | Position | NHL Team | Years with Admirals |
---|---|---|---|
Pekka Rinne | Goalie | Nashville Predators | 2004-05 |
Shea Weber | Defense | Montreal Canadiens | 2005-07 |
Roman Josi | Defense | Nashville Predators | 2010-11 |
Ryan Johansen | Center | Nashville Predators | 2012-13 |
In addition to Predators stars, the Admirals have developed players like Ben Bishop, Adam Hall, Dan Hamhuis and Troy Brouwer who went on to NHL careers with other teams. The AHL has been an important stepping stone for more than 950 Admirals players advancing to the NHL over the years.
Arena and Attendance
The Admirals have played in some various venues over their history. Here is a quick history of their home arenas:
- Milwaukee Arena from 1970-1987
- MECCA Arena from 1987-1997
- Bradley Center from 1997-2003
- UW–Milwaukee Panther Arena from 2003-present
They have played at the UW–Milwaukee Panther Arena since 2003 after moving from the Bradley Center where they spent just six seasons. The Bradley Center was demolished in 2019.
In recent years, the Admirals have consistently drawn solid attendance numbers to the Panther Arena:
- 2018-19 – 6,103 (25th in AHL)
- 2017-18 – 6,195 (22nd in AHL)
- 2016-17 – 6,226 (20th in AHL)
- 2015-16 – 6,526 (16th in AHL)
Their total attendance usually ranks in the middle of the pack in the AHL, with most teams averaging between 5,000 to 7,000 fans per game. They continue to draw dedicated fans despite not having a true modern arena.
Ownership
The Admirals have had somewhat of a rotating door of owners throughout their history. Here are some of the previous owners of the team:
- Original owner was Zollner Corporation from 1970-1977
- Sold to former Milwaukee Braves catcher Del Crandall in 1977
- Crandall ownership until 1987 when bought by Badgerland Hockey group
- Badgerland Hockey owned team from 1987-1992
- Pettit family took over in 1992 until 2001
- Current owner is Harris Turer since 2001
Harris Turer has owned the team since purchasing them in 2001 after leaving the IHL. Turer also owns the building they play in, the UW–Milwaukee Panther Arena. Having stable ownership and arena control has benefitted the Admirals in recent decades.
Coaches
The Admirals have been led by some colorful and successful coaches throughout franchise history. Here are some of the most notable bench bosses in Admirals history:
- Claude Noel: 2003-2007 – Won Calder Cup in 2004
- Mark Bernard: 2008-2011 – Made playoffs three seasons
- Lane Lambert: 2011-2012 – Won season division title
- Dean Evason: 2012-2018 – Winningest coach in team history
- Karl Taylor: 2018-2019 – AHL coach of the year 2018
- Karl Taylor & Scott Ford: 2019-2020 – Shared duties last season
Noel and Evason stand out as two of the most accomplished and successful head coaches the Admirals have had. Evason has the most wins all-time with 242 during his six seasons behind the bench. The current coaching situation has Taylor and Ford splitting duties.
Conclusion
The Milwaukee Admirals have cultivated a strong hockey tradition dating back to their original IHL days in the 1970s. For most of their existence they have been the top affiliate of the NHL’s Nashville Predators. They provide a quality development environment for prospects and young players trying to make it to the NHL level. With consistent success, a loyal fan base and comfortable arena, the Admirals have cemented themselves in Milwaukee’s sports landscape for over 50 years. Their rich history and promising future ensures Admirals hockey will continue thriving in the state of Wisconsin.