The Norfolk Admirals have announced the addition of two rookies to the roster for the 2024-25 ECHL season. They have added defenseman Nathan Kelly and forward German Yavash.
Kelly: Last season, the South Delta, British Columbia native finished his senior year at Union College. During his time with the newly named “Garnet Chargers,” the left-handed defenseman played 89 games, totaling 14 points. He was a shot-blocking machine, successfully blocking 71 shots throughout his college career. After his senior year, he signed with the Admirals in March, playing just two games in the navy and white, having a +2 goal differential rating.
Prior to his collegiate career, he split three seasons in the British Columbia Hockey League between the Powell River Kings and the Chilliwack Chiefs. With the Kings, he played 54 regular season games, notching four goals and 11 assists. During the playoffs, he played 16 games notching just two assists. At the halfway point of the 2018-19 season, he moved over the the Chiefs, where he finished his junior career. Throughout his tenure with the team, he participated in 92 games, scoring six goals and providing 20 assists. The Chiefs reached the playoffs in both seasons he played with them, where he appeared in 18 games and recorded two goals along with seven assists.
Yavash: The 21-year-old hailing from Minsk, Belarus, represented his country in four matches at the U18 World Junior Championship in 2021. Later, he came over to North America to play in the United States Hockey League, signing with the Fargo Force (USHL). He split three seasons between the Fargo Force and Lincoln Stars. While with the Force, he played a total of 75 games, notching 14 goals and 18 assists (32 points). Halfway through the 2022-23 season, he dawned a new crest as he was moved to the Stars. During his time with the Stars, he participated in 69 regular season games, scoring 16 goals and providing six assists (19 points).
Kelly, Yavash, and the Admirals open their 2024-25 ECHL campaign October 18 when they welcome North Division rival, Adirondack Thunder, to Scope Arena.
