NORFOLK, Va. - Norfolk Admirals President Michael Santos announced today that Rod Aldoff has been relieved of his coaching duties. The team has named Robbie Ftorek as his replacement. Assistant coach Ben Boudreau will remain with the Admirals in the same role.
"The Admirals appreciate Rod's contributions to the organization and are committed to assisting him and his family with this transition. We look forward to Robbie joining the staff as the team's new head coach." Aldoff had coached just 17 games in Norfolk. He was hired to replace Eric Veilleux, who left in June.
Ftorek, 64, has 1,186 games of professional hockey coaching experience, including 443 in the National Hockey League. Most recently, Ftorek was an Assistant Coach with the Abbotsford Heat of the American Hockey League in 2013-14 and prior to that, his most recent head-coaching gig was with the Erie Otters of the Ontario Hockey League from 2007-13.
It's been a flurry of change for the Admirals. Just before its season opener, Norfolk introduced its new ownership group. Earlier this month, Michael Santos was hired as team president.
Ftorek currently holds an NHL coaching record of 229-157-13 along with 44 ties over six seasons with the Boston Bruins, Los Angeles Kings and New Jersey Devils. Along with his head coaching experience, the United States Hockey Hall of Fame member also spent four seasons as an assistant with New Jersey and the Quebec Nordiques.
Prior to his coaching career, Ftorek played 707 games of professional hockey in the NHL and World Hockey Association. His very first stop in his career came with the Virginia Wings of the AHL, back in 1972.
Robbie's son, Sam, is currently the head coach of the Roanoke Rail Yard Dawgs of the Southern Professional Hockey League.
Ftorek's first games behind the bench will come this weekend when the Admirals take on the Reading Royals this Friday and Saturday at Norfolk Scope Arena. Tickets for those games are available now and can be purchased at the Norfolk Scope box office as well as on Ticketmaster.com.
