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ECHL Board of Governors approves Colorado’s move to American Hockey League for 2018-19 season

ECHL Board of Governors approves Colorado’s move to American Hockey League for 2018-19 season

Tuesday, October 10th

The ECHL Board of Governors has voted to approve the Colorado Eagles’ request to withdraw from the ECHL at the conclusion of the 2017-18 Season.

The Eagles, defending Kelly Cup champions, who joined the ECHL in the 2011-12 Season, will play in the ECHL for the entirety of the 2017-18 Season. The move will allow the Eagles to move to the American Hockey League for the 2018-19 season and enter into an affiliation with the nearby Colorado Avalanche.

“The Eagles have been a strong and competitive Member of the ECHL over the past six seasons,” said ECHL Commissioner Brian McKenna. “We look forward to their participation in the ECHL this season and wish the team and their fans all the best on their future move to the AHL.”

Colorado joins previous ECHL markets, including Hampton Roads (Norfolk), Peoria, Charlotte, Bakersfield, Ontario and Stockton which have moved to the AHL, with Norfolk recently returning to the ECHL fold. The transaction is part of a move by the Western NHL teams to be in closer proximity to their “AAA” American Hockey League affiliates.

In addition, former ECHL cities such as Raleigh, Columbus, Nashville and Las Vegas have become members of the NHL.

Efforts are underway by Colorado to relocate the ECHL Membership for play in the ECHL in 2018-19 and beyond.

About the ECHL

Began in 1988-89 with five teams in four states, the ECHL has grown into a coast-to-coast league with 27 teams in 21 states and one Canadian province for its 29th season in 2016-17. There have been who have played in the NHL after playing in the ECHL, including one who has made his debut in the 2017-18 season. The ECHL has affiliations with 27 of the 30 NHL teams in 2017-18, marking the 21st 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 Twitter and Facebook.