NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) — After tasting the postseason for the first time in a decade, the Norfolk Admirals are hungry for more. With more than a dozen returning players to the roster — a massive luxury for an ECHL squad — the chase for Kelly Cup gold begins this weekend against the team who ended their magical run last year.

The Ads will start their ’24-’25 season at Scope Arena where they host the Adirondack Thunder in a two game slate beginning at 7:05 p.m. Friday.

Head coach Jeff Carr said last season was fun because it got the fans excited to watch Admirals hockey again, but now there’s an added sense of responsibility to build on the success of that ’23-’24 run.

“We’re looking forward to this week,” Carr said. “I know the front office and the hockey staff have been building for a couple years to build on a lot of good things. We’re going to take baby steps into the new year, but there’s a lot of motivated guys in our locker room.”

Forward and Chesapeake-native Brandon Osmundson said he expects the Admirals to be one of the ECHL’s best teams.

“I think it sets a culture right away,” Osmundson said. “I think last year we were trying to find that culture, but this year the expectation is higher. … I think we’re one of the best teams, if not the best team this year. We have a lot to prove. That’s a big statement to follow-up on, but I’m confident in this group that we’ll show it.”

For more info on opening night, click here.