No books today. This will be a sports post from a very sad hockey fan.
The AHL. American Hockey League. It's just one step away from the NHL and each NHL team has an AHL affiliation.
In Norfolk, Virginia, we have an AHL team, the Norfolk Admirals, and they are affiliated with the Tampa Bay Lightning. This season was an unprecedented record-breaking season and the Norfolk Admirals won 28 games in a row, setting a professional hockey record. That means even the NHL teams have never accomplished that.
Then the Norfolk Admirals won the Calder Cup, sweeping Toronto in 4 games to bring the AHL's version of the Stanley Cup back home to Norfolk. The parade was this past Wednesday and the fans were there. We watched the reveal of the Championship banner and got to meet the guys who will one day move up to the NHL.
And then this week, the Tampa Bay Lightning announced they are transferring their affiliation with our AHL Norfolk Admirals, the record-breaking team, to Syracuse next season.
Yes, I know these same guys would eventually be traded to other teams or eventually land a spot with the big boys in the NHL.
But what breaks my heart the most is that many of the very same guys who brought that championship cup to Norfolk will not be playing under their well-earned banners next season.
To the players, my husband and I thank you for an incredible season. Best of luck in all of your future endeavors, and we will eagerly keep track of your rise into the NHL.
