The Norfolk Admirals have announced that they’ve signed rookie defenseman Will Magnuson for the 2025-26 season. In his final year at Bemidji State University, where he put up a goal and four assists for five points in 35 games. Magnuson becomes the second defender out of college to sign with Norfolk for the 2025-26 season, joining Brehdan Engum. I would expect Magnuson to be a third-pairing defenseman for the Admirals to start the season.
With the signing of Magnuson, the Admirals now have six defensemen and 11 forwards signed for the 2025-26 season. It will be interesting to see if Norfolk decides to sign another defenseman before training camp, as they also have one defenseman on a PTO. Including Magnuson, four of their six defenseman are left-handed shots.
The Chaska, Minnesota, native spent the last four seasons at Bemidji State, where he put up two goals and 16 assists for 18 points in 136 games. Magnuson would be named to the CCHA All-Academic team in each of his four seasons with the Beavers. In 2024, Bemidji State would capture the CCHA Regular Season Championship.
“Will Magnuson is a Connor Fedorek style player that will block shots, stand up for teammates, and be a rugged piece to our back end,” said Jeff Carr, Admirals General Manager & Head Coach. “He’s played with two different types of top players in his time at BSU. That will give us the versatility and creativity of pairing him with different style defenseman if needed.”
Head Coach Jeff Carr on the signing of Magnuson
Prior to playing at the NCAA level, Magnuson would spend his junior days in the NAHL. In 54 games with the Bismark Bobcats, he would put up five goals and 14 assists for 19 points. He would add two assists in six games during the 2021 USHL Playoffs.
Discover more from Inside The Rink
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
