ECHL has 36 former players, 6 officials in 2022 Winter Olympics

The ECHL will be represented by 36 former players in the 2022 Winter Olympic Games which begin this week in Beijing, China.

Ten of the 12 teams in the tournament feature at least one former ECHL player, with Canada leading the way with nine former players while China and Latvia both have six former ECHL players.

In addition to the 36 former ECHL players in the Olympics, Andrew Bruggeman, who is in his sixth season as an ECHL referee, and Stephen Reneau, who is in his ninth season as a referee, have been selected as referees for the Olympics. Four former ECHL officials have also been selected to work the tournament – referee Olivier Gouin (2015-16 through 2018-19) and linespersons Kendall Haley (2019 Traverse City Prospects Tournament), Dustin McCrank (2014-15 through 2019-20), Brian Oliver (2011-12 through 2015-16) and William Hancock (2014-15 through 2017-18). 

Former ECHL players in the 2022 Winter Olympics

Canada - Adam Cracknell (Las Vegas, 2006-08); David Desharnais (Cincinnati, 2007-08); Alex Grant (Wheeling, 2009-11); Maxim Noreau (Texas, 2007-08); Edward Pasquale (Gwinnett, 2010-11 and Brampton, 2015-16); Mat Robinson (Las Vegas, 2008-09 and Elmira, 2009-10); Ben Street (Wheeling, 2010-11); Matt Tomkins (Indy, 2017-19) and Daniel Winnik (Phoenix (2006-07)

China - Jake Chelios (Toledo, 2013-14 and Kalamazoo, 2014-15); Jason Fram (Allen, 2016-17); Jeremy Smith (Cincinnati, 2009-11); Ethan Werek (Florida, 2015-16 and Orlando, 2016-17); Brandon Yip (Utah, 2014-15) and Zach Yuen (Orlando, 2013-14; Wheeling, 2014-15; Atlanta, 2014-16 and Idaho, 2015-16)

Czech Republic - Roman Will (Fort Wayne, 2014-15)

Denmark - Sebastian Dahm (Johnstown, 2008-09 and Alaska, 2009-10) and Morten Madsen (Texas, 2007-08)

Finland - Jussi Olkinuora (Ontario, 2013-15 and Tulsa, 2015-16) and Frans Tuohimaa (Bakersfield, 2014-15)

Germany - Konrad Abeltshauser (Allen, 2014-15); Tom Kuhnhackl (Wheeling, 2012-14); Mathias Niederberger (Ontario, 2013-14); Marcel Noebels (Trenton, 2012-13) and Frederik Tiffels (Wheeling, 2017-18)

Latvia - Rodrigo Abols (Greenville, 2019-20); Rihards Bukarts (Manchester, 2016-17); Martins Dzierkals (Orlando, 2017-18); Ralfs Freibergs (Ontario, 2014-15 and Toledo, 2015-16); Kristers Gudlevskis (Florida, 2013-14) and Renars Krastenbergs (Wheeling, 2018-20)

Slovakia - Michal Cajkovsky (Reading, 2013-14 and South Carolina, 2014-15); Martin Gernat (Bakersfield, 2013-14) and Kristian Pospisil (Orlando, 2017-18)

Sweden - Magnus Hellberg (Cincinnati, 2012-14)

United States - Pat Nagle (Florida, 2011-13; Idaho, 2013-14; Fort Wayne, 2014-17; Toledo, 2017-20 and Reading, 2021-22)