Admirals Release Former Vernon Viper Marino:

The AHL Norfolk Admirals have released former Vernon Vipers forward Brandon Marino from his Professional Tryout Contract.   The Admirals signed Marino to a Professional Tryout Contract on January, 15th but released the former Viper on January, 16th.  In 1 game with the Admirals Marino went pointless.  Marino will return to the ECHL Fort Wayne Komets where he was playing before joining the Admirals.  In 46 games this season with the Komets Marino has (14-38-52).  Marino signed with the Komets on July, 17th 2012 after playing the last three seasons with the CHL Quad City Mallards . Marino was invited to the Admirals training camp on September, 26th 2012 but was released on October, 4th 2012. 

Marino was named the 2011-12 Central Hockey League Most Valuable Player, as well as took home MVP at last year's CHL all-star game. Marino had a breakout season during which he led the league with 41 goals and finished second with 90 points. The 5’ 9”, 185-pound Riverside, California native also led the league in power play goals (13), ranked fourth in assists (49) and finished tied for fourth in shorthanded goals (3) and game winning goals (7) while also posting a plus/minus rating of +9. Marino played just two games with the 2002-2003 Vernon Vipers.

Brandon Marino's Player Profile:

http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdisplay.php?pid=93732

This is posted on the Admirals website:

Admirals Release Four Players from PTOs, Return Hegarty to Fort Wayne

Norfolk Admirals Press Release

Published on January 16, 2013

Norfolk, VA – The Norfolk Admirals today announced that forwards Brandon Marino, Jean-Michel Rizk and Marc-Olivier Vallerand along with defenseman Kyle Bushee have each been released from their Professional Tryout Contracts (PTOs). In addition, defenseman Ryan Hegarty has been returned on loan to Norfolk’s ECHL affiliate, the Fort Wayne Komets.

Marino, 5-foot-9, 185 pounds, made his American Hockey League debut last night with Norfolk. He has appeared in 40 games with Fort Wayne this season, registering 12 goals and 44 points with 34 penalty minutes and a +7 plus/minus rating. He leads the team in points and assists (32).

Rizk, 6-foot-1, 195 pounds, also made his AHL debut last night with the Admirals and recorded one shot on goal. He has appeared in 40 games with the Komets this season, notching 15 goals and 25 points with 43 penalty minutes and a -1 plus/minus rating. He leads Fort Wayne in goals.

Vallerand, 5-foot-10, 190 pounds, appeared in two games with the Admirals with four shots on goal. He has appeared in 34 games with the ECHL’s Greenville Road Warriors, scoring 12 goals and 36 points with 33 penalty minutes.

Bushee, 6-foot-0, 185 pounds, appeared in two games with Norfolk, posting two shots. He has appeared in 36 games with the ECHL’s Elmira Jackals this season, leading all team defensemen with six goals and 18 points.

Hegarty, 6-foot-0, 200 pounds, did not appear in a game with the Admirals after being recalled from Fort Wayne last Saturday. He has appeared in 28 games with the Komets this season, posting one goal and three points with 16 penalty minutes for the Komets. Hegarty signed an AHL Standard Player’s Contract with Norfolk on September 21, 2012.