ECHL: Norfolk Admirals Acquire Hank Crone From Idaho Steelheads

On Tuesday, the Norfolk Admirals made a splash as they acquired Hank Crone from the Idaho Steelheads for future considerations. In 48 games this season with the Idaho Steelheads, Crone has 15 goals and 39 assists for 54 points.

Crone, 27, is in his third season in the ECHL, as he’s put up 81 goals and 133 assists for 214 points in 157 games with the Allen Americans and Idaho Steelheads. He’s added two goals and nine assists for 11 points in 16 career Kelly Cup Playoff Games. The Dallas, Texas native made a name for himself in his rookie year with the Americans, putting up 49 goals and 56 assists for 105 points as he led the league in goals and points. He would win Rookie of the Year as well as being named MVP. Crone has also seen two stints in the AHL as he spent two games with the Ontario Reign during his rookie season and the following year would play in three games with the Chicago Wolves as he had one assist in each of his two stints.

Norfolk will gain another offensive weapon with this move, as they already have Filip Fornaa Svensson and Brady Fleurent, who each have 25 goals on the season. Fleurent is tied for third in the league with 67 points on the season. There’s no doubt that a move like this makes the Admirals the team to watch in the North for the rest of the season, and now could be one of the Kelly Cup Favorites with this move. I would expect Crone to play a big part in the Admirals’ offense down the stretch and into the playoffs.