The Yorktown Admirals will begin playing in the United States Premier Hockey League during the 2026-27 hockey season. (Yorktown Admirals)

YORK COUNTY — A new junior hockey team will make its debut in Hampton Roads for the 2026-27 hockey season, and home ice will be located in York County.

The Yorktown Admirals will compete in the United States Premier Hockey League and will field a Tier II National Collegiate Development Conference team, the top level of junior hockey in the USPHL with over 1,000 alumni in college hockey each season, and a Tier III USPHL Premier team in the Southeast division alongside the Hampton Roads Whalers, Potomac Patriots, Carolina Jr. Canes, Charlotte Rush, and Charleston Colonials.

The Yorktown Admirals will be owned and operated by Norfolk Admirals, Hampton Roads Whalers Chairman, and Chilled Ponds Yorktown and Chesapeake Owner, Patrick Cavanagh. The team will play out of Chilled Ponds Yorktown.

“This marks a new era for Yorktown, Virginia hockey as the inaugural Yorktown Admirals Tier II Junior Hockey teams takes the ice at Chilled Ponds Yorktown. Sharing the name of the Norfolk Admirals, this program represents the true cradle-to-pro platform our community’s players will be part of for generations to come. ‘Let’s Go Admirals’ now carries even greater meaning,” Cavanagh said.

Cavanagh added that the NCDC is the Tier II junior hockey division of the USPHL. The league, established to provide an unparalleled pathway to NCAA hockey, offers elite-level competition, professional coaching, and a proven track record of player advancement to NCAA Division I and III programs, as well as professional leagues. With organizations across the United States and Canada, the NCDC continues to set the standard for player development and exposure at the junior level, the organization said.

“We’re thrilled to see this next phase of growth at Chilled Ponds Yorktown”, stated Kristi Olsen, Director of York County Economic and Tourism Development. “The introduction of the junior hockey teams is more than an exciting milestone — it represents a strong commitment to youth development and serves as a catalyst for new economic activity in York County. This partnership brings expanded opportunities for our athletes, supports our local businesses, and advances our shared vision for a vibrant, sports-driven regional economy.”

Coaching staff, pre-draft camp dates, and registration info are set to be announced in the coming weeks.

To learn more, visit yorktownadmirals.com.