ECHL: Norfolk Admirals Receive Graham Sward From Manitoba Moose

The Norfolk Admirals and Manitoba Moose announced today that Graham Sward was sent down to the Admirals to begin the 2024-25 season. Heading into training camp, Sward signed with the Moose on a Player Tryout (PTO). On Thursday (Oct. 10), the 21-year-old was signed to a one-year contract by the Moose. The Langley, British Columbia native was drafted 146th overall in the 2022 NHL Entry Draft by the Nashville Predators.

On his way to hitting the professional ranks, Sward spent five seasons in the Western Hockey League between the Spokane Chiefs, Winnipeg Ice/Wenatchee Wild. Throughout his junior hockey career, the 6-foot-4 defenseman was a major offensive threat. In a little over three seasons with the Chiefs, he tallied 14 goals and 52 assists in 132 games. Though his point production was stellar, his defensive numbers took a bit of a hit as he was a minus-eight with the Chiefs. With the move to the Ice who eventually became the Wild, he learned to balance out the offensive side and defensive side of the game. In 118 games played, he notched 19 goals and 95 assists with an insane +83. During playoff appearances in 2022, 2023, and 2024, he played 28 games, totaling 19 points and a plus-eight rating. In his final two seasons, Sward was named assistant captain for the Chiefs and Wild.

Sward will be a very key player along the blue line for the Admirals this season. His defensive play is solid, and will be able to help the Admirals more by creating offensive chances from the back end.

Sward and the Admirals open up their 2024-25 ECHL campaign on Oct. 18 when they welcome the Adirondack Thunder for the first of a two-game weekend series.

Trade Winds Blowing Inside The Rink

Join Conrad and Jayd as they kick off another season of hockey coverage on the Inside The Rink Podcast. Join us weekly as we cover the hot topics across the NHL and Minor Leagues. In this episode: – Four Nations Rosters- Waivers Gone Wild- Nichushkin Returns to Colorado- Penguins Fire Sale?& Much More!
  1. Trade Winds Blowing
  2. Injuries All Over
  3. Goalies Getting Paid
  4. It's Time To Play The Game
  5. Sniffles – Preseason Begins

Zachary Alvarado

Inside The Rink journalist covering the Wheeling Nailers and Norfolk Admirals of the ECHL. I am a Duquesne University Sports Information and Media major graduating in December. I have been passionate about hockey since I was 4 years old.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

ECHL Game Recap: Jacksonville Icemen vs Adirondack Thunder | 11/20/2024

The Adirondack Thunder and Jacksonville Icemen faced off on Wednesday Night for the first time since March 3rd, 2023, in a game Adirondack won 5-2. After coming off a 7-1 loss on Sunday Night, the Thunder needed to put out a solid effort to start their four-game road trip, but the Icemen had other plans. […]

Read More

Utah Hockey Club Recalls Jaxson Stauber

After a rocky start to the season for the Utah HC goaltending tandem, the team announced Wednesday that Jaxson Stauber was recalled from the Tucson Roadrunners. Karel Vejmelka and Connor Ingram have the team’s go-to goaltending tandem for the last three seasons, with Ingram getting the main count of reps last season under the Arizona […]

Read More

Player Profile: Jeffrey Truchon-Viel

Jeffrey Truchon-Viel was born on January 28, 1997, in Rimouski, Quebec. During the 2013-14 season, Viel played for Antoine-Girourard Gaulois in the QMAAA and registered 22 goals and 23 assists in 42 regular season games. In the playoffs, the winger contributed one goal in three games and was teammates with fellow NHL player Mathieu Joseph […]

Read More