Bakanov returns to Admirals

Action photo of Andrei Bankanov of the Norfolk Admrials

Norfolk, Va. - The Norfolk Admirals, ECHL affiliate of the National Hockey League's Winnipeg Jets and American Hockey League's Manitoba Moose, announced they have signed forward Andrei Bakanov to a contract for the 2025-26 season.

Bakanov, 23, returns to the Admirals after spending the 2024-25 season with five different teams.

The Moscow, Russia native began his professional career in the KHL with Kunlan (2020-21 season). After another season in his home country in 2021-22, Bakanov signed with the AHL’s Springfield Thunderbirds in September 2022.

Bakanov began his United States playing career with the Thunderbirds, playing in 18 games, while seeing action in another 35 contests with the Worcester Railers. The following year, Bakanov posted a career-high 24 points (12g-12a) in 62 regular-season games with the Railers. Last year, he played 15 games with Worcester, nine with Bloomington, three with Fort Wayne, 11 in Idaho, and 17 with Norfolk.