Five Defensemen Signed To Training Camp Roster

NORFOLK, VA. - The Norfolk Admirals, proud ECHL affiliate of the Edmonton Oilers, bolstered their back end on Saturday, adding five defensemen to the team's initial training camp roster. Mike Krieg, 26, is attempting to crack an ECHL lineup for the first time in his career. After compiling 26 points through 56 games under Rod Aldoff as a member of the Pensacola Ice Flyers (SPHL) last season, the Phoenix, AZ native hopes is looking to translate his skill to the next level. Kenny Bradford, 24, is looking to add some size to the blue line, entering camp at 6'2" - 223 lbs. The past four seasons the right-handed shot played collegiate hockey at the University of Windsor. Anthony Calabrese, 24, is another member of the roster who is familiar with Admirals head coach Rod Aldoff. After a successful college career at SUNY-Plattsburgh, Calabrese joined Pensacola for the end of the year in 2015-16 and contributed nearly a point-per-game throughout the entire duration of the playoffs. Brandon Blair, 24, another former Ice Flyer, is described by Aldoff as, "a great teammate and someone you want to have your back." After a few seasons in the Federal Hockey League and Southern Professional Hockey League, Blair has a total of 521 penalty minutes in 163 games. Chris Williams, 25, returns to the Admirals after joining the organization at the end of last season. The former member of the University of Alaska-Anchorage Seawolves is aiming to complete his first full season in Norfolk. "We're going to be playing defense as a team this year and I'm looking forward to seeing who is going to commit to that," Aldoff said of the group. With the additions, the Admirals have now announced the signing of 26 players thus far this offseason. By position, the names are as follows. FORWARD: Steven Whitney, Mike Seidel, Ryan Salkeld, Paul Rodrigues, Alexandre Ranger, Devin Mantha, Nick MacNeil, Danick Gauthier, Josh Brittain, Maxime St-Cyr, Domenic Alberga. Jeff DiNallo, Malcolm Gould, Cal Decowski and Louis Belisle. DEFENSE: Gabriel Verpaelst, Steven Tarasuk and Aaron Harstad, Adam Phillips, Mike Krieg, Kenny Bradford, Anthony Calabrese, Brandon Blair and Chris Williams. GOALTENDER: Connor Knapp and Sean Bonar. Many of these names will be on the ice when the team begins training camp this Monday. The team will begin practice at 10 AM at Norfolk Scope Arena and it is open to the public. The Admirals begin the 2016-17 season on Friday, October 14th against the Kalamazoo Wings at the Norfolk Scope. Season tickets, ten packs, and opening night packages are on sale now and can be purchased by calling 757-640-1212. For more information on all things Admirals, follow the team on Facebook (NorfolkAdmirals), Twitter (@NorfolkAdmirals), and Instagram (NorfolkAdmirals). **Photo Credits: Tommie Media (Krieg), Windsor Star (Bradford), Jody Link/GoPensacola.com (Calabrese), Tyler Sizemore/CTPost.com (Blair)