June 12, 2018
Norfolk, VA – Norfolk Admirals head coach Robbie Ftorek has signed a two-year contract keeping the coach with the Admirals through the 2019-20 season, the organization announced on Tuesday afternoon.
Ftorek returns for his second full season at the helm of the Admirals after leading the team to a 26-39-6-1 record during the 2017-18 season. The coach took over the Admirals bench 17 games into the 2016-17 season, replacing Rod Aldoff. During Ftorek’s tenure, Norfolk has posted a record of 50-68-8-1.
“We’re thrilled to be able to bring a coach of Robbie Ftorek’s caliber back,” said Admirals President and CRO Trent Ferguson. “Our mission is to bring championship hockey back to Hampton Roads and we believe this is a step in that direction. Robbie’s experience and dedication are going to be fundamental in helping the Admirals be a perennial power in the ECHL once again.”
The Needham, MA native spent six seasons and coached over 400 games in the NHL with the Los Angeles Kings, New Jersey Devils, and Boston Bruins compiling a record of 229-152-44-18. In addition, Ftorek has coached 663 games in the AHL, as well as 353 games in the OHL. He also spent five seasons as an assistant coach at the NHL and AHL levels. Named the AHL’s Coach of the Year for the 1994-95 and 1995-96 seasons, Ftorek is one of only two coaches to ever win the award in consecutive seasons.
“It’s good to be back in Norfolk,” said Ftorek. “Hopefully we will be able to take these guys and help develop them and their careers while winning games.”
Prior to joining the coaching ranks, Ftorek spent 13 seasons appearing in over 700 professional games between the NHL, WHA, and CHL. The forwards professional career began in Hampton Roads with the Virginia Wings (AHL) during the 1972-73 season. Following his playing career Ftorek was inducted into the United States Hockey Hall of Fame in 1991.
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