Admirals Crew

As the Admirals look ahead to their 10^th season in the American Hockey League, let’s take a look back at what lot of longtime Admirals followers may remember as their first and perhaps most cherished days of professional hockey fandom. Before joining the AHL in 2001-2002, the Admirals spend over two decades as members of the now defunct International Hockey League. The IHL saw many milestones throughout Milwaukee’s organizational history. For example, the Admirals current affiliation with the Nashville Predators began while they were still playing in the league. Before becoming Calder Cup champions in 2004, the Admirals chased dreams of hoisting the Turner Cup, named in honor Joe Turner, killed in battle during World War II, after serving as a goaltender for the Detroit Red Wings. Though the Admirals never captured the Turner Cup, they came close several time, fashioning one of the league’s most competitive teams over the course of the mid-90s. From the 92-93 season to the 95-96 season, the Ads boasted Midwest Division crowns in 3 of the 4 years, having only won one division title in their previous IHL tenure which dated back to 1977. Their first Midwest Division championship in 1983 resulted in their only Turner Cup Finals appearance.Though the Admirals did not join the IHL until 1977, the league came into existence in 1945. Originally consisting of just four border teams in the Detroit/Windsor area, the league soon expanded to cities throughout midwestern United States and eastern Canada. IHL teams began serving as top level NHL farm teams by the late 70′s and early 80′s as the quality of the league’s hockey improved. The late 80′s/early 90′s also saw major market expansion, including Atlanta, Houston, Kansas City, Las Vegas and as far west as San Diego, among various other large US cities. Ultimately, competing for market share in such major markets with the NHL led to strained relationships between the leagues. As the NHL began to perceive the IHL as an increasing threat, teams began to switch their minor league affiliations, a major blow to the smaller league. Expansion ultimately proved costly as the league folded following the 2001 season. The Admirals were among the six teams to survive the collapse, joining the AHL in 2001, along with the Chicago Wolves, Grand Rapids Griffins, Houston Aeros, Utah Grizzlies and Manitoba Moose.

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