Vilio Returns To Norfolk For 2022-23 Season

Norfolk, Va - Norfolk Admirals Professional Hockey Club, proud affiliates of the Carolina Hurricanes and Chicago Wolves, announced on Thursday afternoon that defenseman Elijah Vilio has signed a contract with the club for the 2022-23 season.

Vilio, 25, becomes the first defenseman to ink a deal with the Admirals for the upcoming season. Ryan Valentini was announced as the club’s first signing of the 2022-23 season on Tuesday.

The Abbotsford, BC native played in his first season as a professional last season. Before signing with the Atlanta Gladiators on October 6, 2021, Vilio participated in training camp with Barys Nur-Sultan in the KHL.

It didn’t take long for him to assert himself in Atlanta as a reliable force on the blue line. Vilio donned the Gladiators crest for 50 games and posted 23 points (9g, 14a), including a +13 rating. He registered his first professional hat trick on January 17 against the Florida Everblades.

On March 7, Vilio was traded to the Rapid City Rush for the completion of a future considerations trade. He played in just six games with the Rush before being traded to Norfolk along with forward Brett Van Os on March 31 in exchange for Kyle Rhodes.

The 6’2, 205-pound defenseman made an immediate impact for the Admirals upon his arrival. Despite playing in just eight games to finish the season, Vilio posted five points (3g, 2a) and ended the season on a high note with a three-game point streak.

"Elijah Is a fast-moving offensive defenseman," said Admirals General Manager and Head Coach Rod Taylor. "He is not afraid to join the rush and makes a great first pass.  He is not afraid to go through the pile."

Before turning pro last season, Vilio was a major standout at Trinity Western University. In two of his four seasons, he captured BCIHL championships and scored the most points by a defenseman in 2019-20 with 27. 

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About Norfolk Admirals Professional Hockey

Norfolk Admirals Professional Hockey is a member of the ECHL, the premier Double-A hockey league, and brings affordable, family entertainment to Hampton Roads and play its home games at Scope Arena in Norfolk, striving to contribute to Norfolk’s rich regional impact of entertainment, culture, and the arts. The Admirals are affiliated with the National Hockey League’s (NHL) Carolina Hurricanes and American Hockey League’s (AHL) Chicago Wolves. The Admirals have won three Kelly Cups (1991, 1992, 1998). The club transitioned to the AHL in 2000 and won the Calder Cup in 2012 while capturing 28 consecutive wins—still the record for the longest active streak in AHL history. The team rejoined the ECHL in 2015. Blake Cullen founded the Hampton Roads Admirals in 1989. Visit www.norfolkadmirals.com for more information.

About SevenVenues

The City of Norfolk’s SevenVenues serves to link Norfolk’s residents, visitors, and tourists to Norfolk’s rich cultural arts and entertainment community. Besides providing entertainment services, the City of Norfolk’s Department of Cultural Facilities, Arts and Entertainment is also responsible for the maintenance, repair, management, and operation of the City’s seven public assembly facilities which include: Scope Arena, Chrysler Hall, the Attucks Theatre, the Wells Theatre, Harrison Opera House, Harbor Park, and Open Air Events. To learn more, visit SevenVenues.com.