ECHL History

East Coast Hockey League formed with the Carolina Thunderbirds, Erie Panthers, Johnstown Chiefs, Knoxville Cherokees and Virginia Lancers.

Johnstown Chiefs and Virginia Lancers, both owned by Henry Brabham, and the Carolina Thunderbirds, owned by Bill Coffey, came from the All-American Hockey League which had four teams disband before playoffs in spring of 1988.

Bill Coffey sold Carolina Thunderbirds to John Baker.

Henry Brabham secured team in Erie and Brabham with Bill Coffey established team in Knoxville.

Official logo has the letters ECHL and seven hockey sticks.

Patrick J. Kelly is named first Commissioner of East Coast Hockey League. Kelly is also manager of the Lancerlot Sports Complex in Vinton, Va., home of the Virginia Lancers.

Commissioner Patrick J. Kelly suspends three Carolina Thunderbirds players prior to Game 7 of the Riley Cup Finals.

Teams played 60-game schedule.

Henry Brabham Cup presented to regular season champion.

Jack Riley Cup presented to postseason champion.

Greensboro Monarchs, Hampton Roads Admirals and Nashville Knights added, making the ECHL an eight-team league.

Carolina Thunderbirds renamed Winston-Salem Thunderbirds.

Teams played 60-game schedule.

Scott Gordon becomes first player to play in the National Hockey League after playing in the ECHL taking the ice for the Quebec Nordiques on Jan. 30, 1990.

Cincinnati Cyclones, Louisville IceHawks and Richmond Renegades added, making the ECHL an 11-team league.

Virginia Lancers renamed Roanoke Valley Rebels.

League surpasses one million in attendance for first time.

Teams played 64-game schedule.

Columbus (Ohio) Chill, Dayton Bombers, Raleigh IceCaps and Toledo Storm added, making the ECHL a 15-team league. These teams join the East Division.

Teams played a 64-game schedule.

Cincinnati Cyclones transferred to Birmingham and renamed Birmingham Bulls. Winston-Salem Thunderbirds transferred to Wheeling and renamed Wheeling Thunderbirds. Roanoke Valley Rebels changed named to Roanoke Valley Rampage.

Teams played a 64-game schedule.

Birmingham and Hampton Roads play the longest shootout game in ECHL history on Oct. 16, 1992. Birmingham’s 21st shooter scores to give Bulls 7-6 win.

First All-Star Game is played on Feb. 2, 1993 in Wheeling, W.Va.

Columbus (Ohio) Chill sells out all 32 home games and will sell out all 32 home games in 1993-94 en route to then-ECHL record streak of 83 consecutive sellouts.

Charlotte Checkers, Huntington Blizzard, Roanoke Express and South Carolina Stingrays added, making the ECHL a 19-team league. Roanoke Valley transferred to Huntsville and named Huntsville Blast.

Teams played a 68-game schedule.

Huntsville transferred to Tallahassee and renamed Tallahassee Tiger Sharks. Louisville is granted a voluntary suspension for 1994-95, making ECHL an 18-team league.

Teams played a 68-game schedule.

Goaltenders Manon Rheaume and Erin Whitten, the first two women in professional hockey, record their first wins.

Former Cincinnati defenseman Kevin Dean became first ECHL player to have name engraved on Stanley Cup as member of New Jersey Devils.

Louisville IceHawks transferred to Jacksonville and renamed Jacksonville Lizard Kings. Greensboro Monarchs return ECHL membership and join American Hockey League. Louisiana IceGators, Louisville RiverFrogs and Mobile Mysticks added, making ECHL a 21-team league.

Teams played 70-game schedule.

Pat Pylypuik named general manager in Toledo, becoming the youngest GM in professional hockey history at 25 years old.

League web site launched.

League office relocated from Charlotte, N.C. to Princeton, N.J.

League launches ECHL Properties, the licensing and marketing arm of the ECHL.

League unveils new logo designed by NHL Enterprises, Inc. and announces national licensing program with NHL.

League executes its first Collective Bargaining Agreement with Professional Hockey Players’ Association.

Richard W. Adams named President/CEO on June 1, 1996.

Erie transferred to Baton Rouge and renamed Baton Rouge Kingfish. Nashville transferred to Pensacola and renamed Pensacola Ice Pilots. Mississippi Sea Wolves and Peoria Rivermen added, making ECHL a 23-team league. Wheeling Thunderbirds change name to Wheeling Nailers.

Teams played 70-game schedule.

Louisiana IceGators become first team in league history to draw more than 400,000 fans with 400,185.

ECHL surpasses four million mark in attendance for first time with 4,244,656.

South Carolina Stingrays become first team in league history to win regular season championship and postseason championship in same season.

Patrick J. Kelly Cup replaces Jack Riley Cup as trophy awarded to postseason champion.

Patrick J. Kelly named Commissioner Emeritus.

Knoxville transferred to Florence, S.C. and renamed Pee Dee Pride. Chesapeake Icebreakers and New Orleans Brass added, making ECHL a 25-team league.

Teams played a 70-game schedule.

Rookie of the Year will receive the John A. Daley Memorial Trophy.

NHL awards former Richmond goaltender Jamie McLennan the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy.

Raleigh transferred to Augusta and renamed Augusta Lynx. Louisville transferred to Miami and renamed Miami Matadors. Florida Everblades and Greenville Grrrowl added, making ECHL a 27-team league.

All-Star Game played in Biloxi, Mississippi and televised nationally on ESPN2.

Teams played a 70-game schedule.

Chesapeake transferred to Jackson and renamed Jackson Bandits. Columbus and Miami granted voluntary suspension. Arkansas RiverBlades, Greensboro Generals and Trenton Titans added, making ECHL a 28-team league.

Teams played 70-game schedule.

Former Raleigh left wing Krzysztof Oliwa becomes second former ECHL player to have name engraved on Stanley Cup as member of New Jersey Devils.

NHL awards former Hampton Roads goaltender Olaf Kolzig the Vezina Trophy.

Hampton Roads Admirals, Huntington Blizzard and Jacksonville Lizard Kings granted voluntary suspension, making ECHL a 25-team league.

Teams played a 72-game schedule.

Former Chesapeake and Wheeling goaltender David Aebischer and Richmond defenseman Nolan Pratt become third and fourth former ECHL players to have name engraved on Stanley Cup as members of Colorado Avalanche. First time multiple ECHL players have been on Stanley Cup champion.

Birmingham transferred to Atlantic City and renamed Atlantic City Boardwalk Bullies. Miami transferred to Cincinnati and renamed Cincinnati Cyclones. Hampton Roads transferred to Columbus, Georgia and renamed Columbus Cottonmouths. Tallahassee relocated to Macon and renamed Macon Whoopee. Columbus, Ohio transferred to Reading and renamed Reading Royals. Columbia Inferno added, making ECHL a 29-team league.

Teams played a 72-game schedule.

Former Richmond goaltender Manny Legace becomes fifth former ECHL player to have name engraved on Stanley Cup as member of Detroit Red Wings.

Macon transferred to Lexington and renamed Lexington Men O’ War. Mobile Mysticks and New Orleans Brass granted voluntary suspension, making ECHL a 27-team league.

Teams played a 72-game schedule.

Brian McKenna named President/CEO.

Former Johnstown center Brett McLean becomes 200th player to play in the National Hockey League after playing in the ECHL when he made his debut with the Chicago Blackhawks on Dec. 10.

Former Cincinnati goaltender Corey Schwab becomes sixth former ECHL player to have name engraved on Stanley Cup as member of New Jersey Devils.

Huntington transferred to Beaumont and renamed Texas Wildcatters and Mobile transferred to Duluth and renamed Gwinnett Gladiators. Arkansas RiverBlades and Jacksonville Lizard Kings returned their ECHL memberships.

ECHL expands into western United States with the addition of expansion members Alaska Aces, Bakersfield Condors, Fresno Falcons, Idaho Steelheads, Las Vegas Wranglers, Long Beach Ice Dogs and San Diego Gulls, making ECHL a 31-team league that has a national presence.

League name changed from East Coast Hockey League to ECHL on May 19, 2003.

Teams played a 72-game schedule.

ECHL is first professional league in North America to mandate protective visors.

Eastern Conference champion will receive E.A. “Bud” Gingher Memorial Trophy.

Western Conference champion will receive Bruce Taylor Trophy.

ECHL Coach of the Year will receive the John Brophy Award.

Las Vegas Wranglers host Bakersfield Condors in first-ever “Midnight Madness” game in professional hockey history.

League announces that, beginning in 2004-05, The Hockey Company will be the primary equipment supplier for players and officials.

Former Atlantic City goaltender Matt Yeats becomes 250th player to play in the National Hockey League after playing in the ECHL when he made his debut with the Washington Capitals on Mar. 23.

Former Trenton left wing Ruslan Fedotenko, former Richmond defenseman Nolan Pratt and former Charlotte left wing Andre Roy bring the number of former ECHL players who have their name engraved on the Stanley Cup to nine as members of Tampa Bay Lightning. Pratt becomes first former ECHL player to have his name engraved twice. Former Johnstown radio announcer Dave Mishkin and former Johnstown equipment manager Dana Heinze also get names engraved.

Baton Rouge transferred to Victoria and renamed Victoria Salmon Kings becoming the ECHL’s first club based in Canada. Cincinnati Cyclones and Columbus Cottonmouths granted voluntary suspension and memberships of Greensboro Generals and Roanoke Express are terminated while the Richmond Renegades voluntarily returns its membership, making ECHL a 28-team league.

Teams played a 72-game schedule.

American Conference champion will receive E.A. “Bud” Gingher Memorial Trophy.

National Conference champion will receive Bruce Taylor Trophy.

League announces referees and linesmen will wear numbers.

League welcomed 50 millionth fan on Mar. 11 when Carol Stewart of Biloxi, Miss. attended her first hockey game ever at the Mississippi Coast Coliseum.

Scott Gomez played for the Alaska Aces in his hometown of Anchorage during the NHL lockout and won league scoring title and was named Most Valuable Player.

Atlantic City transferred to Stockton and renamed Stockton Thunder, Bloomington transferred to Phoenix and renamed Phoenix RoadRunners and Lexington transferred to West Valley City and renamed Utah Grizzlies. Pee Dee Pride granted voluntary suspension, Louisiana IceGators membership is terminated and Peoria Rivermen join American Hockey League. Mississippi SeaWolves forced to cancel season because of Hurricane Katrina and Texas Wildcatters forced to cancel season because of Hurricane Rita, making ECHL a 25-team league.

Teams played a 72-game schedule.

All-Star Game played in Fresno, Calif. and broadcast nationally on OLN.

Former Charlotte defenseman David Liffiton becomes 300th player to play in the National Hockey League after playing in the ECHL when he made his debut with the New York Rangers on Apr. 11.

Alaska Aces become second team in league history to win regular season championship and postseason championship in same season.

Former Wheeling coach Peter Laviolette becomes first ECHL coach to have his name engraved on Stanley Cup as head coach of Carolina Hurricanes while Chad LaRose and Andrew Hutchinson bring total number of former ECHL players on historic trophy to 11. Former Johnstown athletic trainer Chris Stewart also has name engraved.

Greenville Grrrowl membership terminated and San Diego Gulls voluntarily returns membership. Cincinnati Cyclones and Texas Wildcatters return from voluntary suspension, making ECHL a 25-team league.

Teams played a 72-game schedule.

All-Star Game played in Boise, Idaho and televised in over 31 million homes including being shown live for sixth year in a row on The NHL Network and NHL Center Ice.

For the seventh consecutive year the ECHL is represented on the Stanley Cup Champion with Anaheim assistant coach Dave Farrish, players Francois Beauchemin and George Parros and broadcasters John Ahlers and Steve Carroll. It is the second year in a row that a former ECHL coach is part of the NHL champion and the third consecutive year that there is more than one former ECHL player on the winning team. Farrish becomes the second former ECHL coach to have his name engraved on the historic trophy while Beauchemin and Parros are the 12th and 13th former ECHL players to have their name on the Stanley Cup.

Elmira Jackals granted expansion membership and Toledo Storm granted voluntary suspension while new arena is built. Long Beach IceDogs membership is terminated. Mississippi SeaWolves return after missing two seasons in aftermath of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, making ECHL a 25-team league.

Teams played a 72-game schedule.

ECHL celebrated 20th Anniversary and is the third-longest tenured professional hockey league behind only the National Hockey League and the American Hockey League.

ECHL All-Star Game played in Stockton, Calif. and televised live nationally on NHL Network for seventh season in a row.

ECHL represented on Stanley Cup champion for eighth year in a row by Aaron Downey, who becomes the 14th former ECHL player to be a member of the Stanley Cup winner.

Former Mississippi coach Bruce Boudreau is named the NHL Coach of the Year.

Twenty-six former ECHL players made their NHL debut, including six who played in both the ECHL and the NHL, raising the total number of players who have played in the NHL after the ECHL to 355, including 210 in the last seven seasons.

ECHL averaged over 4,000 for the fourth year in a row and the 16th time in the last 18 years while welcoming more than 3.75 million fans for the fifth straight season and the 11th time in the last 12 years.

Cincinnati won the Kelly Cup in front of an ECHL postseason record crowd of 12,722 at the 12,056-seat U.S. Bank Arena.

ECHL teams donated almost $4 million to charitable organizations, including almost $2 million in monetary contributions.

Texas Wildcatters transferred to Ontario and renamed Ontario Reign and Columbia Inferno granted a voluntary suspension. Pensacola IcePilots membership is terminated.

Teams played a 72-game schedule.

ECHL All-Star Game played in Reading, Pa. and televised live nationally for eighth season in a row.

ECHL represented on Stanley Cup champion for ninth year in a row by Pittsburgh Penguins head coach Dan Bylsma, player Ruslan Fedotenko, equipment managers Dana Heinze and Dave Zeigler, athletic trainers Chris Stewart and Scott Adams and scout Derek Clancey.

Former ECHL goaltender Tim Thomas received the Vezina Trophy as the top goaltender in the National Hockey League and was also presented the William Jennings Trophy with teammate Manny Fernandez as the goaltenders finishing the season having surrendered the fewest goals.

Record 52 former ECHL players played their first NHL game, including eight who played in both the ECHL and the NHL, raising the total number of players who have played in the NHL after the ECHL to 407 including 151in the last four seasons.

For the second year in a row the ECHL was the only minor professional hockey league to increase its attendance averaging 4,258 per game which is the highest average since 2005-06 and the second-highest average in the last eight seasons. ECHL averaged over 4,000 fans for fifth consecutive season and the 17th time in the last 19 years and drew more than 3 million fans for the 16th year in a row and reached the 3 million mark in the fewest number of games since 2005-06.

South Carolina won record third Kelly Cup championship beating the Alaska Aces 4-2 in Game 7 in front of a standing-room-only crowd of 6,610 at Sullivan Arena in Anchorage, Alaska. Stingrays won the coveted trophy the first time it was presented in 1997 and again in 2001 when they became the first two-time winner. South Carolina coach Jared Bednar is first player or coach to have his name engraved on the trophy three times as he was a player in 1997 and 2001. Games 5 and 7 of the Finals were televised live on B2 Television and available in 33 million households in over 125 markets.

ECHL teams donated more than $3.4 million to charitable organizations including over $1.7 in monetary contributions. Teams have contributed over $12.5 million to charity in the last four seasons.

Toledo returned after a two-year voluntary suspension while the Lucas County Downtown Arena was built and renamed Toledo Walleye while Kalamazoo Wings are granted an expansion membership. Dayton Bombers, Mississippi SeaWolves, Myrtle Beach and Phoenix RoadRunners relinquish their memberships.

Teams played a 72-game schedule.

All-Star Game played in Ontario, Calif. and televised live nationally for the ninth season in a row.

ECHL represented on Stanley Cup champion for 10th year in a row by Chicago Blackhawks assistant coaches Mike Haviland and John Torchetti, developmental goaltending coach Wade Flaherty, senior director of hockey administration Al MacIsaac, general manager of minor league affiliations Mark Bernard and scout Ryan Stewart.

Thirty-six former ECHL players played their first NHL game, including five who played in both the ECHL and the NHL, raising the total number of players who have played in the NHL after the ECHL to 444 including 188 in the last five seasons.

For the third year in a row, the ECHL incresed its attendance averaging 4,485 per game which is the highest average since the 1999-2000 season and the second-highest average in the last 11 years. The ECHL averaged over 4,000 fans for the sixth consecutive season and the 18th time in the last 20 years and drew more than 3 million fans for the 17th year in a row.

Cincinnati won its second Kelly Cup championship in three years, beating the Idaho Steelheads 2-1 in Game 5 in front of a standing-room only 13,438 fans at U.S. Bank Arena in Cincinnati, Ohio. The Cyclones made history during the American Conference Finals, becoming the first team in ECHL history to come back from a 3-0 series deficit to take the American Conference title from the Reading Royals.

ECHL teams donated more than $3.6 million to charitable organizations including over $1 million in monetary contributions. Teams have contributed over $16.1 million to charity in the last five seasons.

Johnstown Chiefs relocated to Greenville and renamed the Greenville Road Warriors while Charlotte Checkers join American Hockey League.

Teams played a 72-game schedule.

All-Star Game played in Bakersfield, Calif. and televised nationally for the 10th season in a row.

Former Hampton Roads left wing Andrew Brunette became the first ECHL alum to play in 1,000 NHL games when he reached the milestone with the Minnesota Wild on Feb. 1.

Alaska Aces right wing Wes Goldie becomes just seventh player in ECHL history to reach 300-goal plateau and the fifth player to play in at least 600 games.

ECHL represented on the Stanley Cup champion for 11th year in a row by Boston Bruins assistant coach Geoff Ward, players Rich Peverley, Michael Ryder and Tim Thomas, scout Tom McVie and radio broadcaster Dave Goucher. Thomas becomes first ECHL alum to win Conn Smythe Award as Most Valuable Player of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

Thomas also was awarded the Vezina Trophy as the NHL’s top goaltender marking the second time he has won the award in the last three seasons.

Former ECHL player and Pittsburgh Penguins head coach Dan Bylsma wins Jack Adams Award as NHL Coach of the Year.

Twenty-three former ECHL players played their first NHL game, including three who played in both the ECHL and NHL, bringing the total number of players who have played in the NHL after the ECHL to 467, including 211 in the last six seasons.

The ECHL averages 4,339 fans per game, marking the seventh consecutive season and the 19th time in the last 21 years that the ECHL has averaged more than 4,000 per game.

Alaska won its second Kelly Cup championship beating the Kalamazoo Wings 4 games to 1. The Aces become the fourth team in ECHL history to win the Brabham Cup and Kelly Cup in the same season.

ECHL teams donated more than $3.6 million to charitable organizations including over $1.3 million in monetary contributions. Teams have contributed over $20 million in the last six seasons.

Chicago Express and Colorado Eagles granted expansion memberships while Victoria Salon Kings withdraw from the league making ECHL a 20-team league.

Teams played a 72-game schedule.

Alaska Aces right-wing Wes Goldie became the league’s all-time leader in goals when he scored his 369th ECHL goal on March 24 at Ontario.

ECHL represented on the Stanley Cup champion for 12th year in a row by Los Angeles Kings assistant coach Jamie Kompon, players Dwight King, Jordan Nolan and Jonathan Quick, manager of communications/broadcasting Jeremy Zager and scouts Steve Greeley, Mark Mullen and Mark Yannetti. Quick becomes second consectuive ECHL alum to win Conn Smythe Trophy as Most Valuable Player of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

Twenty-three former ECHL players played their first NHL game, including six who played in both the ECHL and NHL, bringing the total number of players who have played in the NHL after the ECHL to 490, including 234 in the last seven seasons.

The ECHL averages 4,281 fans per game, marking the eighth consecutive season and the 20th time in the last 22 years that the ECHL has averaged more than 4,000 per game.

Florida won its first Kelly Cup championship beating Las Vegas 4 games to 1.

ECHL teams donated more than $2.6 million to charitable organizations bringing the total contribution over the last seven seasons to more than $23 million.

Evansville IceMen, Fort Wayne Komets, Orlando Solar Bears and San Francisco Bulls granted expansion memberships while Chicago Express withdraws from the league, making the ECHL a 23-team league.

ECHL celebrated its 25th Anniversary making it the third-longest tenured professional hockey league behind only the National Hockey League and the American Hockey League.

Teams played a 72-game schedule.

All-Star Game played in Loveland, Colo., and televised nationally for the 11th consecutive time.

ECHL represented on the Stanley Cup champion for the 13th year in a row with Chicago Blackhawks assistant coach Jamie Kompon, players Sheldon Brookbank and Daniel Carcillo, vice president/assistant to the president Al MacIsaac, director of pro scouting Ryan Stewart and general manager of minor league affiliations Mark Bernard.

Twenty-two former ECHL players played their first NHL game, bringing the total number of players to have played in the NHL after the ECHL to 512, including 256 in the last eight seasons.

The ECHL averages 4,695 fans per game, the highest single-season average since  1999-2000, and the ninth consecutive season and the 21st time in the last 23 years that the ECHL has averaged over 4,000 fans.

Reading wins its first Kelly Cup championship, defeating Stockton 4 games to 1 in the Kelly Cup Finals.

ECHL teams donated more than $3.3 million to charitable organizations bringing the total contribution over the last eight years to more than $27 million.

Trenton Titans cease operations making the ECHL a 22-team league.

Teams played a 72-game schedule.

ECHL represented on the Stanley Cup champion for the 14th year in a row with Los Angeles Kings assistant coach Davis Payne, players Kyle Clifford, Trevor Lewis, Martin Jones, Dwight King, Jordan Nolan and Jonathan Quick; manager of communications and broadcasting Jeremy Zager; and scouts Mark Mullen and Mark Yannetti.

Twenty-nine former ECHL players played their first NHL game, bringing the total number of players to have played in the NHL after the ECHL to 541, including 285 in the last nine seasons.

The ECHL averages 4,706 fans per game, the highest single-season average since  1999-2000, and the 10th consecutive season and the 22nd time in the last 24 years that the ECHL has averaged over 4,000 fans.

Alaska ties the ECHL record by winning its third Kelly Cup title in team history, defeating Cincinnati 4 games to 2 in the Kelly Cup Finals.

ECHL teams donated more than $3.9 million to charitable organizations bringing the total contribution over the last nine years to more than $31 million.

Indy Fuel are granted an expansion Membership.

ECHL accepts Allen Americans, Brampton Beast, Missouri Mavericks, Quad City Mallards, Rapid City Rush, Tulsa Oilers and Wichita Thunder from the former Central Hockey League.

Las Vegas Wranglers are granted a voluntary suspension making the ECHL a 28-team league.

Teams played a 72-game schedule.

The Toledo Walleye host the first outdoor games in ECHL history, hosting Kalamazoo on Dec. 27 and Fort Wayne on Jan. 4 at Fifth Third Field in downtown Toledo.

All-Star Game played in Orlando, Fla. on Jan. 21, 2015 and televised nationally for the 12th consecutive time.

ECHL represented on the Stanley Cup champion for the 15th year in a row with Chicago Blackhawks vice president of hockey operations Al MacIsaac, general manager of minor league affiliations Mark Bernard, director of pro scouting Ryan Stewart, pro scout Derek Booth and players Scott Darling and Andrew Desjardins.

Twenty-eight former ECHL players played their first NHL game, bringing the total number of players to have played in the NHL after the ECHL to 569, including 313 in the last 10 seasons.

The ECHL averages 4,598 fans per game, the 11th consecutive season and the 23rd time in the last 25 years that the ECHL has averaged over 4,000 fans.

The Allen Americans won their first Kelly Cup title, defeating the South Carolina Stingrays 4 games to 3 in the Kelly Cup Finals.

ECHL teams donated more than $5.6 million to charitable organizations bringing the total contribution over the last 10 years to more than $37 million.

Bakersfield Condors relocate to Norfolk, Va. as the Norfolk Admirals, Ontario Reign relocate to Manchester, N.H. as the Manchester Monarchs and Stockton Thunder relocate to Glens Falls, N.Y. as the Adirondack Thunder while Las Vegas Wranglers relinquishes membership.

Teams played a 72-game schedule.

ECHL represented on the Stanley Cup champion for the 16th year in a row with Pittsburgh Penguins’ player Tom Kuhnhackl, goalie development coach Mike Buckley, Vice President of Hockey Operations Jason Karmanos, Director of Pro Scouting Derek Clancey, Amateur Scout Warren Young, Head Athletic Trainer Chris Stewart and Head Equipment Manager Dana Heinze.

Thirty former ECHL players played their first NHL game, bringing the total number of players to have played in the NHL to 599, including 343 in the last 11 seasons.

The ECHL averages 4,385 fans per game, the 12th consecutive season and the 24th time in the last 26 years that the ECHL has averaged over 4,000 fans.

The Allen Americans became the first team to repeat as ECHL champions since the Toledo Storm in 1993 and 1994, defeating the Wheeling Nailers 4 games to 2 in the Kelly Cup Finals.

ECHL teams donated more than $4 million to charitable organizations bringing the total contribution over the last 11 years to more than $41 million.

Evansville IceMen are granted a Transfer of Home Territory to Owensboro, Ky. and is granted a Voluntary Suspension for needed arena renovations making the ECHL a 27-team league.

Teams played a 72-game schedule.

The Adirondack Thunder hosted the 2017 ECHL All-Star Classic on Wednesday, Jan. 18 at the Glens Falls Civic Center. The game was televised nationally live on NHL Network.

ECHL represented on the Stanley Cup champion for the 17th year in a row with Pittsburgh Penguins’ players Josh Archibald, Tom Kuhnhackl, Carter Rowney and Mark Streit, Goalie Development Coach Mike Buckley, Vice President of Hockey Operations Jason Karmanos, Director of Pro Scouting Derek Clancey, Amateur Scouts Ryan Bowness and Warren Young, Head Athletic Trainer Chris Stewart and Head Equipment Manager Dana Heinze.

Twenty-four former ECHL players played their first NHL game, bringing the total number of players to have played in the NHL after the ECHL to 623, including 367 in the last 12 seasons.

The ECHL averages 4,251 fans per game, the 13th consecutive season and the 25th time in the last 27 years that the ECHL has averaged over 4,000 fans.

The Colorado Eagles claimed their first-ever Kelly Cup championship with a 4 games to 0 victory over the South Carolina Stingrays in the 2017 Kelly Cup Finals.

ECHL teams donated more than $3.8 million to charitable organizations bringing the total contribution over the last 12 years to more than $45 million.

Worcester Railers are granted an expansion Membership, while Owensboro is granted a Transfer of Home Territory to Jacksonville where they become Jacksonville Icemen. Elmira Jackals withdraws Membership and Alaska Aces are granted a Voluntary Suspension, making the ECHL a 27-team league for its 30th Anniversary Season.

Teams played a 72-game schedule.

The ECHL welcomed Kyle McGhan as its 100 millionth fan on Nov. 10 at Wings Event Center in Kalamazoo.

The Indy Fuel hosted the 2018 ECHL All-Star Classic on Monday, Jan. 15 at the Indiana Farmers Coliseum. The game was televised nationally live on NHL Network.

Commissioner Brian McKenna announces that he will step down following the season after leading the ECHL for 16 seasons.

ECHL represented on the Stanley Cup champion for the 18th year in a row with Washington Capitals’ players Jay Beagle, Philipp Grubauer and Braden Holtby, Associate Coach Todd Reirden, Professional Development Coach Olaf Kolzig, Pro Scout/Minor League Operations Jason Fitzsimmons, Manager of Hockey Analytics H.T. Lenz, Head Athletic Trainer Jason Serbus and Equipment Assistant Dave Marin. Beagle, who won the Kelly Cup title wtih Idaho in 2007, became first person to ever win a Kelly Cup, Calder Cup and Stanley Cup championship during his career.

Eighteen former ECHL players played their first NHL game, bringing the total number of players to have played in the NHL after the ECHL to 641, including 385 in the last 13 seasons.

The ECHL averages 4,424 fans per game, the 14th consecutive season and the 26th times in the last 28 years that the ECHL has averaged over 4,000 fans per game.

The Colorado Eagles became the fourth team in ECHL history to win back-to-back championships, defeating the Florida Everblades 4 games to 3 in the 2018 Kelly Cup Finals.

ECHL teams donated more than $3.6 million to charitable organizations bringing the total contribution over the last 13 years to more than $49 million.

Alaska Aces are granted a Transfer of Home Territory to Portland, Maine to become the Maine Mariners; St. John’s, Newfoundland is granted an expansion Membership as the Newfoundland Growlers; Colorado Eagles withdraw from the league to join the American Hockey League; and Quad City Mallards withdraw their Membership, making the ECHL a 27-team league.

Ryan Crelin, who initially joined the ECHL League staff in 2005, is named as the League’s fourth commissioner.

Teams played a 72-game schedule.

The Toledo Walleye hosted the 2019 ECHL All-Star Classic at the Huntington Center on Monday, Jan. 21, 2019. The game was telecast live nationally on NHL Network.

ECHL represented on the Stanley Cup champion for the 19th year in a row with St.Louis Blues goaltender Jordan Binnington; Executive Vice President, Chief Revenue Officer Steve Chapman; Vice President, Broadcast and Content Development Chris Kerber; Assistant GM and Director of Amateur Scouting Bill Armstrong; Pro Scout Dave Farrish; Assistant Athletic Trainer Dustin Flynn and Equipment Assistant Andrew Dvorak.

Twenty former ECHL players played their first NHL game, bringing the total number of players to have played in the NHL after the ECHL to 662, including 406 in the last 14 seasons.

The ECHL averages 4,445 fans per game, the 15th consecutive season and the 27th time in the last 29 years that the ECHL has averaged over 4,000 fans per game.

The Newfoundland Growlers win the Kelly Cup title, defeating the Toledo Walleye 4 games to 2 in the Kelly Cup Finals. Newfoundland becomes the first team since Greensboro in 1990 to win the ECHL title in its first season of existence.

ECHL teams donated more than $3.6 million to charitable organizations bringing the total contribution over the last 14 years to more than $53 million.

The ECHL Board of Governors approves the use of video replay review in all 26 arenas for goal review.   

The Wichita Thunder hosted the 2020 ECHL All-Star Classic at INTRUST Bank Arena on Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2020. The game was teleast live on NHL Network.

The ECHL suspended play of the 2019-20 Season on March 12, and cancelled the remainder of the regular season and Kelly Cup Playoffs on March 14, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

ECHL represented on the Stanley Cup champion for the 20th year in a row with Tampa Bay Lightning players Yanni Gourde and Carter Verhaeghe; Assistant Coach Derek Lalonde; Director of Player Development JP Cote; Assistant Equipment Manager Jason Berger and Radio Play-by-Play Announcer Dave Mishkin.

Sixteen former ECHL players played their first NHL game, bringing the total number of players to have played in the NHL after the ECHL to 678, including 422 in the last 15 seasons.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the start of the ECHL season is delayed until Dec. 11. Thirteen teams - Allen, Florida, Greenville, Indy, Jacksonville, Kansas City, Orlando, Rapid City, South Carolina, Tulsa, Utah, Wheeling and Wichita - began a 72-game season on that date while Fort Wayne began a shortened season on Feb. 12. The remaining 12 teams elected a Voluntary Suspension under the ECHL's COVID-19 policy.

The Fort Wayne Komets win their first Kelly Cup title, defeating the South Carolina Stingrays 3 games to 1 in the Kelly Cup Finals. 

ECHL represented on the Stanley Cup champion for the 21st year in a row with Tampa Bay Lightning player Yanni Gourde; Assistant Coach Derek Lalonde; Director of Player Development JP Cote; Assistant Equipment Manager Jason Berger and Radio Play-by-Play Announcer Dave Mishkin.

Twenty former ECHL players played their first NHL game, bringing the total number of players to have played in the NHL after the ECHL to 698, including 442 in the last 16 seasons.

Iowa Heartlanders and Trois-Rivières Lions granted expansion Memberships while Brampton Beast withdraw from the League making the ECHL a 27-team league.

League Office relocated from Princeton, N.J. to Shrewsbury, N.J.

Teams played a 72-game schedule.

The Jacksonville Icemen hosted the 2022 ECHL All-Star Classic at VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena on Monday, Jan. 17, 2022.

Laura Schmidlein became first female on-ice official in league history when she worked a game at Worcester on Dec. 11, 2022.

The Florida Everblades win their second Kelly Cup title in team history, defeating the Toledo Walleye 4 games to 1 in the Kelly Cup Finals. Four of the five games in the Finals feature standing-room only crowds.

ECHL represented on the Stanley Cup champion for the 22nd year in a row with Colorado Avalanche head coach Jared Bednar, Assistant Coach Nolan Pratt, goaltender Darcy Kuemper, Head Equipment Manager J.C. Ihrig and Assistant Equipment Manager Donny White. Bednar becomes the first coach to lead teams to championships in ECHL, AHL and NHL, and is just the second individual to win titles in all three leagues, joining Jay Beagle.

Twenty-nine former ECHL players played their first NHL game, bringing the total number of players to have played in the NHL after the ECHL to 727, including 471 in the last 17 seasons.

Savannah Ghost Pirates are granted an expansion Membership making the ECHL a 28-team league.

Teams played a 72-game schedule.

Norfolk hosted the 2023 ECHL All-Star Classic on Monday, Jan. 16, 2023, becoming the second city in League history to host the event twice.

Mike Pelech of the Atlanta Gladiators became the ECHL’s all-time leader in games played when he skated in his 860th career league game on Feb. 14.

The Idaho Steelheads set ECHL single-season records for home wins (32), wins (58) and points (119).

The ECHL welcomed an average of 4,639 fans per game, marking the League’s highest per-game average in nine years. Additionally, between the regular season and Kelly Cup Playoffs, an all-time record of 5,044,458 fans attended ECHL games.

The Florida Everblades won their second consecutive Kelly Cup title, and third in team history, with a 4 games to 0 victory over the Idaho Steelheads in the Kelly Cup Finals.        

ECHL represented on the Stanley Cup champion for the 23rd year in a row with a record 16 individuals with ECHL ties on the Vegas Golden Knights including head coach Bruce Cassidy and players Laurent Brossoit, Adin Hill, Keegan Kolesar, Brayden Pachal, Jonathan Quick and Logan Thompson.

Thirteen former ECHL players played their first NHL game, bringing the total number of players to have played in the NHL after the ECHL to 740, including 484 in the last 18 seasons.

Teams played a 72-game schedule. 

Savannah hosted the 2024 ECHL All-Star Classic on Monday, Jan. 15, 2024. 

The Cincinnati Cyclones became first team in professional hockey history to start five Black players in a game on Mar. 30 against Wheeling. 

Newfoundland Membership was Terminated on April 2 for failure to fulfill obligations under the ECHL Bylaws. 

The Florida Everblades become the first team in ECHL history to win three consecutive championships, defeating the Kansas City Mavericks 4 games to 1 in the Kelly Cup Finals. Florida’s fourth overall title also is the most in ECHL history. 

ECHL represented on the Stanley Cup champion for the 24th year in a row with Florida Panthers Assistant General Manager Assistant General Manager Brett Peterson, Senior Vice President of Hockey Operations Paul Krepelka, Assistant Coach Jamie Kompon, Goaltending Coach Robb Tallas, players Ryan Lomberg, Steven Lorentz, Anthony Stolarz and Carter Verhaeghe, Professional Scouts P.J. Fenton and Sean Backman, Assistant Athletic Trainer Brian Riedel and Assistant Equipment Managers Thomas Anderson, Dakota King and Joe Wiezczek and Radio Broadcaster Doug Plagens. 

The ECHL welcomed 4,948,467 fans during the regular season, the most fans to attend games in a single season in league history. The average of 4,944 fans per game was the largest since the 1996-97 season. Additionally, between the regular season and Kelly Cup Playoffs, an all-time record of 5,358,907 fans attended ECHL games. 

Twelve former ECHL players played their first NHL game, bringing the total number of players to have played in the NHL after the ECHL to 752, including 496 in the last 19 seasons. 

Bloomington Bison and Tahoe Knight Monsters are granted expansion Memberships making the ECHL a 29-team league. 

Teams will play a 72-game schedule.