Predators defenseman Tanner Molendyk might have skipped the AHL level completely, but Milwaukee Admirals will get a chance to see him.
It’s just a matter of time before Tanner Molendyk gets the call and joins the Nashville Predators, but Milwaukee Admirals fans should benefit until they do.
The Admirals open their 2025-26 American Hockey League season Saturday, Oct. 11, against the Rockford IceHogs.
Molendyk, a smooth-skating young defenseman, might have skipped the AHL level entirely if not for a lower-body injury suffered in rookie camp in September but instead is one of several notable newcomers on the Admirals roster.
Others include Andrew Gibson, another defenseman picked in the first round of the 2023 draft; center Austin Roest, who blossomed in the Western Hockey League playoffs as he ended his junior career; and forward Cole O’Hara, who played two games with Milwaukee after finishing his college season at Massachusetts.
Feisty center Zach L’Heureux is back to start the season after spending most of 2024-25 with Nashville. Veteran left wing Daniel Carr returned after four seasons in Europe and is expected to provide scoring and leadership. Reid Shaefer, a 2022 first-round pick, has recovered from the shoulder injury that wiped out much of what was shaping up as a breakout 2024-25.
Here's the anticipated opening night roster:
Forwards: 13 Joey Willis; 15 Isaac Ratcliffe; 18 Ryder Rolston; 19 Jake Lucchini; 21 Arnaud Durandreau; 36 Kyle Marino; 41 David Edstrom; 43 Daniel Carr; 47 Navrin Mutter; 48 Kalan Lind; 49 Reid Shaefer; 63 Austin Roest; 68 Zach L’Heureux; 77 Cole O’Hara; 88 Oasiz Wiesblatt.
Defensemen: 5 Kevin Gravel; 6 Andrew Gibson; 8 Andreas Englund; 12 Ryan Ufko; 39 Chad Nychuk; 50 Tanner Molendyk; 51 Jack Matier; 65 Zack Hayes; 82 Jordan Oesterle
Goaltenders: 30 Magnus Chrona; 32 Matt Murray
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Milwaukee Admirals 2025-26 roster includes prospect Tanner Molendyk
Category: General Sports
