The Milwaukee Admirals announced today that executive vice president and general manager Phil Wittliff is retiring from his position.
“After 34 years I felt that the time was right for me to retire,” said Wittliff. “The Milwaukee Admirals, under the terrific leadership of Harris Turer and Jon Greenberg, are poised for great things in the future. It is with great pride I now feel comfortable that my grandchildren, and the children of generations of the future, will be able to enjoy Admirals hockey.”
Wittliff’s 34-year career with the Milwaukee Admirals included almost every possible role in the organization, from playing to coach to public relations director. Since ending his fifth stint as head coach on May 8, 1997, Wittliff focused on his front office duties of executive vice president and general manager.
“We want to thank Phil for all that he has done for not just the team and organization, but also for what he has meant to hockey in the Milwaukee community and around the state,” said Turer, the Admirals’ owner and CEO. “His experience and advice will be impossible to replace and we wish him the best of luck as he continues on in life.”
Wittliff was instrumental in the successful efforts to establish the Milwaukee Admirals as the top developmental affiliate of the NHL’s Nashville Predators prior to the 1998-99 season, as well as the franchise’s transition into the American Hockey League in 2001. Wittliff was at the helm when the team captured the 2004 Calder Cup championship, their only league title in the organization’s history.
