ECHL teams donate over $4 million to charity during 2015-16 season

The ECHL on Thursday announced that its member teams donated more than $4 million to charitable and non-profit organizations during the 2015-16 season. The Premier ‘AA’ Hockey League and its teams have contributed over $19 million to charity in the last five years and more than $41 million in the last 11 seasons. “We are proud of the efforts of our teams in all 28 cities across the League and to the commitment made by our owners to have a positive and lasting impact on their local communities,” said ECHL Commissioner Brian McKenna. “Member teams partnered with and donated to over 200 charitable and non-profit organizations, helping to make a positive impact in their local market.” The financial contributions are in addition to the thousands of appearances by players, coaches, team personnel and mascots at schools, hospitals, libraries and charity functions throughout the year. The total includes over $324,000 for cancer awareness and prevention raising the total raised through “Pink” and similar events the last nine seasons to more than $3.1 million. About the ECHLBegan in 1988-89 with five teams in four states, the ECHL has grown into a coast-to-coast league with 28 teams in 21 states and one Canadian province for its 28th season in 2015-16. There have been who have gone on to play in the National Hockey League after starting their careers in the ECHL, including 30 who have made their NHL debuts in the 2015-16 season. The ECHL has affiliations with 25 of the 30 NHL teams in 2015-16, marking the 19th consecutive season that the league had affiliations with at least 20 teams in the NHL. Further information on the ECHL is available on its website at ECHL.com as well as on Facebook and Twitter.