• HOME
  • NHL Teams
    • North Division
      • Calgary Flames
      • Edmonton Oilers
      • Montreal Canadiens
      • Ottawa Senators
      • Toronto Maple Leafs
      • Vancouver Canucks
      • Winnipeg Jets
    • East Division
      • Boston Bruins
      • Buffalo Sabres
      • New Jersey Devils
      • New York Islanders
      • New York Rangers
      • Philadelphia Flyers
      • Pittsburgh Penguins
      • Washington Capitals
    • Central Division
      • Carolina Hurricanes
      • Chicago Blackhawks
      • Columbus Blue Jackets
      • Dallas Stars
      • Detroit Red Wings
      • Florida Panthers
      • Nashville Predators
      • Tampa Bay Lightning
    • West Division
      • Anaheim Ducks
      • Arizona Coyotes
      • Colorado Avalanche
      • Los Angeles Kings
      • Minnesota Wild
      • San Jose Sharks
      • Seattle Kraken
      • St. Louis Blues
      • Vegas Golden Knights
  • Headlines
  • NHL Rumors
  • NHL Prospects
  • World Juniors
  • Archives
  • Podcast Network
  • More…
    • CHL
      • Ontario Hockey League
      • Quebec Major Junior Hockey League
      • Western Hockey League
    • Columns
    • Women’s Hockey
    • Other Leagues
    • NHL Entry Draft
    • Books
    • NHL History
  • Log in
The Hockey Writers
  • Site Index
  • NHL Salary Caps
  • Hockey 101: A Beginner’s Guide
  • Join Our Team
  • Free Newsletter
  • Store
  • Log in
The Hockey Writers
  • HOME
  • NHL Teams
    • North Division
      • Calgary Flames
      • Edmonton Oilers
      • Montreal Canadiens
      • Ottawa Senators
      • Toronto Maple Leafs
      • Vancouver Canucks
      • Winnipeg Jets
    • East Division
      • Boston Bruins
      • Buffalo Sabres
      • New Jersey Devils
      • New York Islanders
      • New York Rangers
      • Philadelphia Flyers
      • Pittsburgh Penguins
      • Washington Capitals
    • Central Division
      • Carolina Hurricanes
      • Chicago Blackhawks
      • Columbus Blue Jackets
      • Dallas Stars
      • Detroit Red Wings
      • Florida Panthers
      • Nashville Predators
      • Tampa Bay Lightning
    • West Division
      • Anaheim Ducks
      • Arizona Coyotes
      • Colorado Avalanche
      • Los Angeles Kings
      • Minnesota Wild
      • San Jose Sharks
      • Seattle Kraken
      • St. Louis Blues
      • Vegas Golden Knights
  • Headlines
  • NHL Rumors
  • NHL Prospects
  • World Juniors
  • Archives
  • Podcast Network
  • More…
    • CHL
      • Ontario Hockey League
      • Quebec Major Junior Hockey League
      • Western Hockey League
    • Columns
    • Women’s Hockey
    • Other Leagues
    • NHL Entry Draft
    • Books
    • NHL History
Home
Other Leagues
ECHL
Norfolk Admirals

Checkout Day With The Norfolk Admirals

By Ted Warren May 21st, 2014

Facebook Twitter LinkedIn WhatsApp
Photo Credit: (John Wright/Norfolk Admirals)

Photo Credit: (John Wright/Norfolk Admirals)

Following the end of the season every professional hockey team has what is known as “checkout day”. A time where players, coaches, and management come together to discuss the season and what the off season may bring.

The Norfolk Admirals wrapped up their post season in St. John’s, Newfoundland Friday, May 16th as the Ice Caps overtook the Admirals 5-2 in game six of the Eastern Conference Semi-Finals. THW’s Ted Warren conducted his own exit interviews with Norfolk’s Assistant Coach Jarrod Skalde, Zack Stortini, Stefan Noesen, Chris Wagner, and Captain Garnet Exelby.

Admirals Assistant Coach Jarrod Skalde Sums Up The Season

“You set out every year to win the whole thing and unfortunately only one team can do it. The development we got out of our players, to get into the playoffs, to knock off the number one seed, and then to battle St. John’s like we did it was a great learning experience for everyone from the coaching staff to the players.”

Skalde’s Take On Brad Thiessen’s Performance

“He’s such a pro. He’s had playoff experience before and he’s had success at the National Hockey League level and the American Hockey League level so we had all the confidence in the world in him and he did a great job. We wouldn’t have gotten in the playoffs it wasn’t for him. Especially when we played Hershey in that two game set. I’m so proud of him. He’s so professional and so well respected around the league, around the locker room, and by his teammates.”

Zack Stortini's Locker Photo Credit: (Norfolk Admirals)

Zack Stortini’s Locker Photo Credit: (Norfolk Admirals)

Zack Stortini On This Season’s Outcome

“You always want to win the championship, but with that being said it was a tremendous experience playing here and the city of Norfolk is great and the fans here are tremendous. They’re really fun to play in front of and the coaching staff is fantastic. I can’t say enough good things about people in this organization and how much they have helped me to become a better player. I owe a lot to them and I’m very grateful and I’m very thankful I got the opportunity to play here.”

Stefan Noesen (Aaron Bell/CHL Images)

Stefan Noesen (Aaron Bell/CHL Images)

Stefan Noesen Discusses Returning During Playoffs

“I expected it to be a little rough at first. It’s coming back from a pretty significant injury (knee surgery). There’s a lot at stake and I was a little nervous during the first game, but getting that first point it opened my eyes. It made me feel more confident and trusting my knee that I was making the right plays and doing the things that made me successful playing junior hockey.”

Chris Wagner Credit: (John Wright/Norfolk Admirals)

Chris Wagner Credit: (John Wright/Norfolk Admirals)

Chris Wagner Departs Norfolk Unsatisfied

“You can’t really be (satisfied) until you’re the last one standing. I think it was a learning experience. Last year we didn’t make the playoffs and this year we did and next year we can take the next step and take it even further.”

Staying Positive With Captain Garnet Exelby

“ You always want to be standing here talking about the championship and I’m quite sure this organization feels the same way that I do. There’s always that small amount of disappointment about not being in the hunt for the championship, but this was a very positive year. I think we played pretty well down the stretch to get ourselves in a playoff spot and we held it together to get to the second round.”

Brad Thiessen  Photo Credit: (John Wright/Norfolk Admirals)

Brad Thiessen Photo Credit: (John Wright/Norfolk Admirals)

Exelby On the Ultimate Pro Brad Thiessen

“He’s the ultimate pro in my book. Whether he’s playing or not his level of preparation doesn’t change. He’s always ready to go, he’s always ready to start, and he’s always ready to practice. It’s a big credit to him to even get us in the playoffs. Gibson played a majority of the games for us and he played well. We lost him for the most important games of the year and Brad stepped right in and made all the saves he was supposed to make and more. He got us into the playoffs and that continued into the second round.”

Exelby’s Plans For The Offseason

“For me it’s taking some time to rest. I’ve been at it a while so I want to make sure I’m healthy. I have a set to dial in when I train for next season and most of it comes down to just working out all the imbalances that carry on throughout the year because you’re always shooting and skating the same way. So I guess you can call it cross training in a way because you’re building up the muscles that don’t get used the same way during the season.”

Come October the Norfolk Admirals will have new and returning players. Regardless young or old they will be united under one goal and that will be to bring the Calder Cup back to Norfolk.

Follow Ted on Twitter @Bauerhockeydude

  • Tags
  • Chris Wagner
  • Garnet Exelby
  • Stefan Noesen
  • Zack Stortini
Facebook Twitter LinkedIn WhatsApp

Get theScore App Now!
Recent Posts
Jan 21st 5:55 PM
Edmonton Oilers

McDavid Has the Maple Leafs’ Number and Needs to Keep it That Way

Jan 21st 5:08 PM
Archives

NHLers by Country: On Top of Their Game and the World

Jan 21st 4:50 PM
Edmonton Oilers

Oilers Missing Klefbom and Neal on Power Play

Jan 21st 4:40 PM
Minnesota Wild

Wild’s Soucy & Sturm Look Comfortable Filling Roster Gaps

Jan 21st 4:30 PM
Colorado Avalanche

Avalanche With Career Milestones in Sight in 2020-21 Season

Jan 21st 3:45 PM
Tampa Bay Lightning

The Lightning & Pat Maroon Are a Really Good Fit…For Now

Jan 21st 3:35 PM
Vegas Golden Knights

Golden Knights’ Depth Separates Them From the Rest

Jan 21st 3:15 PM
Columbus Blue Jackets

Blue Jackets’ Alexandre Texier, New Faces Shine to Begin Season

Jan 21st 2:45 PM
Edmonton Oilers

Oilers News & Rumors: Neal, Yamamoto, Tippett, More

Jan 21st 2:15 PM
Column

Senators News & Rumours: Stützle, Norris, Galchenyuk and More

Editor’s Picks
NHL TV Blackouts & Why They Happen?

NHL TV Blackouts & Why They Happen?

The 1979 NHL – WHA Merger

The 1979 NHL – WHA Merger

Masthead

Newsletters

RSS Feeds

Privacy Statement

Contact Us

About THW…

Founded in 2009, The Hockey Writers is a premier destination for news and information on everything hockey. Updated daily with news and features from over 130 writers worldwide. Over 2 million monthly readers now come to THW for their hockey fix.

© The Hockey Writers 2020. All rights reserved.
logo
  • HOME
  • Hockey Headlines
  • NHL Rumors
  • North Division
    • Calgary Flames
    • Edmonton Oilers
    • Montreal Canadiens
    • Ottawa Senators
    • Toronto Maple Leafs
    • Vancouver Canucks
    • Winnipeg Jets
  • East Division
    • Boston Bruins
    • Buffalo Sabres
    • New Jersey Devils
    • New York Islanders
    • New York Rangers
    • Philadelphia Flyers
    • Pittsburgh Penguins
    • Washington Capitals
  • Central Division
    • Carolina Hurricanes
    • Chicago Blackhawks
    • Columbus Blue Jackets
    • Dallas Stars
    • Detroit Red Wings
    • Florida Panthers
    • Nashville Predators
    • Tampa Bay Lightning
  • West Division
    • Anaheim Ducks
    • Arizona Coyotes
    • Colorado Avalanche
    • Los Angeles Kings
    • Minnesota Wild
    • San Jose Sharks
    • Seattle Kraken
    • St Louis Blues
    • Vegas Golden Knights
  • World Juniors
  • CHL
    • Ontario Hockey League
    • Quebec Major Junior Hockey League
    • Western Hockey League
  • THW Podcast Network
  • Store
  • FREE Newsletter
  • Search THW
  • More…
    • Join Our Team
    • The THW Archives
    • Prospects
    • The Goalie Page
    • NHL Salary Cap Information