Carolina Hurricanes announce ECHL affiliation

The Carolina Hurricanes have partnered with the Norfolk Admirals of the ECHL for the 2021-22 season, once again giving them a three-tiered development system. Hurricanes GM Don Waddell released a statement on the deal:

"We’re excited to partner with the Norfolk Admirals and have some of our Hurricanes prospects playing just three hours down the road in Virginia. Owned and led by former Admirals player Patrick Cavanagh, the Admirals have a proud history and following in Hampton Roads."

The Hurricanes were previously partnered with the Greenville Swamp Rabbits, but they followed the Charlotte Checkers to an agreement with the Florida Panthers last year. Carolina will now have the Admirals and Chicago Wolves as their two minor-league teams, both independently owned and operated. Unfortunately, that means the team will no longer have the geographical advantages that came with having their affiliates so closely grouped.

Still, this is a big day for Norfolk, who will now have the support of an NHL franchise again, one that is relatively close by. The team will be able to house some of the Hurricanes’ more raw prospects, likely including at least one of the team’s signed goaltenders.