AHL Norfolk Admirals

Forward Dominic Maltais & Defenseman Chad Ackerman to be Inducted into Admirals Hall of Fame

February 4, 2014 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Norfolk Admirals News Release


NORFOLK, VA - The Norfolk Admirals announced today that forward Dominic Maltais and defenseman Chad Ackerman will be the newest members inducted into the Admirals Hall of Fame. Their inductions will take place in a pre-game ceremony on Friday, February 14th, prior to the Admirals game against the Syracuse Crunch at Norfolk Scope Arena.

Dominic Maltais

For five seasons with the Hampton Roads Admirals (1995-2000) Dominic Maltais brought an energetic style of play which featured balanced offensive numbers complemented with a healthy blend of penalty minutes. Maltais was certainly the type of player you loved having on your team, but hated to play against. Throughout his career, Maltais had the ability to get under the skin of his opponents by drawing them into penalties with his words and chippy play. He would then add to their frustration by scoring the goal on the ensuing power play. This combination made him a fan favorite in Hampton Roads.

Maltais joined the Admirals for the 1995-96 season and made an immediate impact, finishing third on the team in scoring with 63 points. The following season he flourished while playing on a line with Victor Gervais to lead the team with 97 points, 42 goals, a +44 rating, all while sporting 211 penalty minutes. In addition, he registered 17 points in nine postseason appearances for the blue and gold.

After starting the 1997-98 season playing in England, Maltais returned to the Admirals midseason and logged 17 points in 24 games. He then added 12 points in 20 postseason games to help guide the Admirals to their third ECHL Championship in 1998.

Maltais called Hampton Roads home for two more seasons, and found himself near the top of the ECHL Admirals record books. Maltais ranks second all-time in games played (282), fourth in points (303), fourth in goals (142), tied for fifth in assists (161) and second in penalty minutes (848). During the 1999-2000 season, he scored ten game-winning goals, which is one shy of the team record in a single season. In addition, he scored two hat tricks during his career with the team and holds the ECHL Admirals team record for the fastest two goals scored by a player when he lit the lamp twice in a 17-second span during an October 30, 1999 game at Greensboro.

Following his career with the Admirals, Maltais went on to play for the Asheville Smoke (UHL) for the 2000-01 season where he finished with a career high 101-points. During the same season, he played against the AHL Admirals at Scope in his lone appearance with the Hershey Bears. Maltais went on to play nine more seasons in his native Quebec in the QSPHL / LNAH, before retiring in 2009

Chad Ackerman

No defenseman has scored more goals in ECHL Admirals history than Chad Ackerman. The offensive blueliner led all team defensemen in goals in three of his four seasons in Hampton Roads, while leading all defensemen in scoring in two seasons. Ackerman played for the Admirals from 1996-2000 totaling 37 goals, 92 assists, and 129 points, which is good for second all-time for defensemen in ECHL Admirals history. His 259 games played with the blue and gold ranks fifth all-time.

After a successful four-year career at Bowling Green State University, Ackerman joined the Admirals as a rookie for the 1996-97 season. During his first pro season, he led all defensemen with nine goals and finished the year with a +12 rating.

The following season he recorded a career best 14 goals, which once again was tops amongst all team defensemen. On March 28,1998, Ackerman scored two goals, including the game winner in a win-or-go home game at Wheeling to keep the Admirals' playoff hopes alive. The Admirals eventually clinched the final playoff spot that year, and went on to win their third ECHL Championship. Ackerman was a force during the 1998 title run, totaling 15 points in 20 playoff games.

In 1998-99, he led all Admirals defensemen in points (36) and goals (10). During his final season with the Admirals in 1999-2000, Ackerman was named an ECHL All-Star. For the second consecutive season, he would lead the way for Admirals blueliners with 40 points and a career high 36 assists.

In 2000-01, Ackerman continued his career in the ECHL appearing in 32 games with the Richmond Renegades before joining the Trenton Titans late in the season. He helped lead the Titans to a Kelly Cup Finals appearance, and registered seven points in 19 postseason games. Ackerman played his final professional game with the Titans during the 2006-07 season to conclude a productive and successful career.

Maltais and Ackerman are the 15th and 16th members to be inducted into the Admirals Hall of Fame since its inception. The Admirals Hall of Fame was established during the 2007-08 season with charter members Blake Cullen, John Brophy, Al MacIsaac and Rod Taylor. Over the last five years, Mark Bernard, Victor Gervais, Rick Kowalsky, Dennis McEwen, Ajay Baines, Steve Poapst, Aaron Downey Chris Phelps, Brian Martin and Marty Wilford have also been added to the elite group.

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Next Home Game & Promotions : The Admirals return home to Scope for a pair of games on Friday and Saturday against the Hartford Wolf Pack. Friday's game is Military Appreciation Night presented by USAA. All military personnel can purchase tickets for just $11 when they present their valid military I.D. to the Scope Box Office. Game time is set for 7:30 p.m.

Game tickets are now on sale, and are available through the Norfolk Scope Box Office, all Ticketmaster Outlets, charge-by-phone at 1-800-745-3000 and online at ticketmaster.com .

For 10-packs, or discounted group tickets stop by the Admirals' Administrative Offices at Scope, or call (757) 640-1212 Office hours are Monday - Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Fans can also visit us online at www.norfolkadmirals.com.

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