NORFOLK, Va – The Norfolk Admirals announced they have signed Defenseman Andrew McLean to a contract for the 2026-27 season.
This will be the Waterford, Michigan native's third separate stint with the organization. He first joined the Admirals for one game in the 2019-20 season, after spending four seasons at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point. He was named to the WIAC All-Conference Team in 2019-20, tallying three goals and 18 assists for 21 points in 28 games and won the National Championship the year prior.
He then had stints with the Knoxville Ice Bears in the SPHL (Southern Professional Hockey League), Orlando Solar Bears in the ECHL, and Glasgow Clan in the EIHL, the United Kingdom's Elite Ice Hockey League.
McLean returned to Norfolk for the 2023-24 season for his second stint with the team, leading all defensemen in points (33) while ranking second in goals (8) and plus/minus rating (+19). His 33 total points in 65 games played were both single-season career bests.
"Andrew McLean is a welcome addition back to our organization. He has good puck-moving ability and his escapability with the puck are his best assets," said Head Coach and General Manager Jeff Carr. "He has proven to put up points in this league and play in playoff hockey as a key contributor on the back end."
“I’m ecstatic to get back to Norfolk and play in front of the best fans in the league," said McLean. 'Norfolk holds a special place in my heart and is where I started my professional career. I couldn’t be more excited to get back and get to work in the scope!”
In the early part of the 2024-25 season, McLean was traded to the Iowa Heartlanders for future considerations, where he put up three goals and 16 assists for 19 points in 61 games played. He then went back overseas to the EIHL in 2025-26 before returning to Hampton Roads.
The Admirals open their 2026-27 season on the road in Savannah, Georgia against the Ghost Pirates on Friday, October 16th at 7 pm. Norfolk skates at home for the first time at Scope Arena on Friday, October 23rd against the Trois Rivières Lions at 7:05 pm.
Season Tickets and Flex Plan Vouchers for the 2026-27 season are on sale now. Click HERE for more information about ticket plans for this upcoming season.
Adirondack Thunder
Allen Americans
Atlanta Gladiators
Bloomington Bison
Cincinnati Cyclones
Florida Everblades
Fort Wayne Komets
Greensboro Gargoyles
Greenville Swamp Rabbits
Idaho Steelheads
Indy Fuel
Jacksonville Icemen
Kalamazoo Wings
Kansas City Mavericks
Maine Mariners
New Mexico Goatheads
Norfolk Admirals
Orlando Solar Bears
Rapid City Rush
Reading Royals
Savannah Ghost Pirates
South Carolina Stingrays
Tahoe Knight Monsters
Toledo Walleye
Trenton Ironhawks
Trois-Rivières Lions
Tulsa Oilers
Wheeling Nailers
Wichita Thunder
Worcester Railers