The ECHL and its member teams mourn the loss and express their condolences to the family and friends of Hampton Roads Admirals’ founder and former owner Blake Cullen, who passed away on Monday at the age of 85.
Cullen founded the Admirals in 1989, and was the team’s owner for their first seven seasons in the ECHL. The Admirals advanced to the playoffs every year and won back-to-back Riley Cup championships in their second and third seasons. Hampton Roads drew more than 1.8 million fans during his tenure and led the league in attendance in 1989-90 and 1992-93 while ranking among the attendance leaders every year.
“Blake was all for the ECHL and was an excellent owner,” said ECHL Commissioner Emeritus Patrick J. Kelly. “He did a lot for the League during his time in Hampton Roads and was always willing to speak to other teams to assist them in any way he could. Blake was a sports guy who did anything he could to help improve the league either on or off the ice.”
Cullen was inducted into the ECHL Hall of Fame as part of the second class of inductees in 2009. Prior to his involvement in the ECHL, Cullen spent two decades as an administrator with the Chicago Cubs and the National League.
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