ECHL: Norfolk Admirals Future Considerations Trade Deadline Recap

The Norfolk Admirals wrapped up three trades on Friday afternoon prior to the ECHL Future Considerations Trade Deadline. Norfolk would add two more forwards to their roster, but would lose a notable name up front as well.

Denis Smirnov Headed To Idaho

The Idaho Steelheads would acquire forward Denis Smirnov from Norfolk to complete the trade that sent Hank Crone to the Admirals. Smirnov, 27, began his professional career with the Kalamazoo Wings during the 2021-22 season, where he had two goals and three assists for five points. The Russian forward has spent the last three seasons with the Admirals, posting solid numbers, with 42 goals and 68 assists for 110 points in 140 games. He is coming off a season in which he scored a career-high 19 goals. Smirnov has seen action in 22 Kelly Cup Playoff Games with the Admirals, putting up three goals and four assists. This doesn’t come as a shock as the price for Crone was going to hurt the Admirals at some point, especially for a guy like Crone who was a rental.

Crone, 27, was traded to Norfolk on March 27th. In seven regular-season games with the Admirals, he had four goals and six assists for 10 points. His success wouldn’t be limited to the regular season, as he was hot to start the Kelly Cup Playoffs. In the opening round vs the Wheeling Nailers, the Dallas, Texas native had five assists in five games. He would finish the playoffs with a goal and seven assists for eight points in 11 games. Crone will be playing overseas in Switzerland next season.

Ted Nichol Headed To Norfolk

Ted Nichol will head back to the Eastern Conference for the first time since the 2022-23 season when he started his career with the Florida Everblades. In 15 games that season, he had a goal and two assists for three points. The Listowel, Ontario, native has spent the last two years with Kalamazoo, putting up seven goals and five assists for 12 points in 72 games. Nichol would leave the K-Wings in February to play in Hungary, where he had one goal and three assists for four points in seven games.

Spencer Kennedy, who went to Kalamazoo in April, would play four games for the K-Wings, putting up one assist and adding 23 PIMS.

Norfolk Admirals Acquire Ryan O’Reilly

Ryan O’Reilly was acquired from Orlando to complete a trade with the Blooming Bison that involved Jack Adams last offseason. This season, O’Reilly spent 26 games at Providence College, putting up six goals and three assists for nine points. He joined the Solar Bears at the end of the season, playing in six regular-season games while also picking up his first pro goal. The 25-year-old forward would play in seven games with the Solar Bears during the 2025 Kelly Cup Playoffs.

Prior to the 2024-25 season, the Southlake, Texas, native spent four seasons at Arizona State University. He put up 26 goals and 29 assists for 55 points in 127 games. O’Reilly was drafted by the Detroit Red Wings in the fourth round of the 2018 NHL Draft.

ITR 43: It's Winning Time – Inside The Rink

Join Chris and Conrad as they break down the Chris Kreider trade, the Calder Cup Final, and the Stanley Cup Final drawing to an end.

1. ITR 43: It's Winning Time 39:10
2. ITR 42: Ripe For Repeat? 29:05
3. ITR 41: Stanley Cup Final – The Rematch 46:47
4. ITR 40: Headed For A Repeat? 32:22
5. ITR 39: Conference Finals 35:18