ECHL: Norfolk Admirals Bring Back Josh McDougall

The Norfolk Admirals announced their first signing for the 2024-25 season in Josh McDougall. McDougall was acquired by the Admirals back on December 23, 2022, from the Wichita Thunder. The 5-foot-10 defenseman has spent two seasons with the Admirals, playing 102 games, tallying six goals and 24 assists and a +2 goal differential. Through the Admirals Kelly Cup Playoff run, McDougall collected three goals and three assists and was a +2. During his ECHL career, McDougall has played 126 games between the Admirals, Thunder, and Indy Fuel. He has six goals and 27 assists in his ECHL career with a +5 goal differential. McDougall set career highs in assists (17), points (20), and plus/minus (+13) this past season. His point total put him fourth among all Admirals defensemen for points in the 2023-24 season.

I am very excited to be back in Norfolk and build on the strides made by the team last season,” McDougall said. “I’m also looking forward to playing in-front of the great fans at the Scope once again and embark on another great season in October.”

McDougall via the Norfolk Admirals Press Release

Prior to joining the Admirals, the Prince Alberta, SK, CAN native played three seasons in the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League for the Nipawin Hawks. He tallied 25 goals and 79 assists for 104 points in 112 games played. During the 2016-17 and 2017-18 playoffs for the Hawks, McDougall played 27 games, notching six goals and 17 assists. From there, he would go on to play four years of college hockey at Mercyhurst University. He played 130 games for the Lakers collecting eight goals and 42 assists. He was named to the NCAA (AHA) All-Rookie Team his freshman season. McDougall was assistant captain for his Junior and Senior seasons at the University.

McDougall brings stability to the blueline and can play big minutes when called upon to do so. More of a defensive defenseman, McDougall has improved his play tremendously on defense and will be one of the top defensemen for the Admirals again this season. Though not a very big body, he can bring grittiness and clear players out from in-front of the net to help the goaltender see the puck more clearly.