ECHL has 71 former players on NHL Opening-Day Rosters

The ECHL has 71 players on National Hockey League opening-day rosters, marking the 23rd season in a row with more than 50 former ECHL players on opening-day rosters.
 
The Premier ‘AA’ Hockey League, the ECHL has a player or coach each of the 32 teams and has affiliations with 29 of the 32 teams in the NHL, marking the 28th consecutive season that the league has had affiliations with at least 20 teams in the NHL.
 
There are 55 coaches with an ECHL background working behind the benches of teams in the NHL including Colorado Avalanche head coach Jared Bednar, Detroit Red Wings head coach Derek Lalonde, New York Rangers head coach Peter Laviolette, San Jose Sharks head coach Ryan Warsofsky, Vegas Golden Knights head coach Bruce Cassidy and Washington Capitals head coach Spencer Carbery, who all previously were ECHL head coaches. In addition, Nashville Predators head coach Andrew Brunette and Seattle Kraken head coach Dan Bylsma are former ECHL players. It is the 14th consecutive season that there have been 30 or more coaches with an ECHL background working in the NHL. In the 2022-23 season, Cassidy became the third former ECHL head coach to lead his team to a Stanley Cup title, joining Laviolette (Carolina, 2006) and Bednar (Colorado, 2022). In 2021-22, Bednar became the first coach to lead teams to championships in the ECHL (South Carolina, 2009), AHL (Lake Erie, 2016) and NHL (Colorado, 2022). In 2019-20, Cassidy became the second former ECHL head coach to win the Jack Adams Award as NHL Coach of the Year, joining Bruce Boudreau, who received the honor in 2007-08.
 
There are 38 former ECHL officials who are scheduled to work as part of the NHL officiating team in 2024-25 with referees Riley Brace, Jake Brenk, Francis Charron, Tom Chmielewski, Mitch Dunning, Trevor Hanson, Beau Halkidis, Ghislain Hebert, Jean Hebert, Pierre Lambert, T.J. Luxmore, Liam Maaskant, Peter MacDougall, Morgan MacPhee, Michael Markovic, Wes McCauley, Jon McIsaac, Dan O’Rourke, Brian Pochmara, Kevin Pollock, Kyle Rehman, Chris Rooney, Carter Sandlak, Graham Skilliter and Furman South and linesmen Steve Barton, Ryan Daisy, Julien Fournier, Brandon Gawryletz, Brandon Grillo, Mitchell Hunt, Trent Knorr, Matt MacPherson, Jesse Marquis, Kilian McNamara, Bevin Mills, C.J. Murray, Ben O’Quinn and Bryan Pancich.
 
There have been 752 players who have played in the NHL after playing in the ECHL including 12 who made their debuts in 2023-24. The ECHL has had 560 players reach the NHL since 2002-03 when it changed its focus to become the primary developmental league for the NHL and the AHL. The ECHL had 97 players reach the NHL in its first 10 seasons and 215 in the first 15 years. There have been 496 ECHL players have played their first game in the last 19 seasons for an average of more than 26 per year.
 
There were three players who played in both the ECHL and NHL in 2023-24: Yaniv Perets (Norfolk and Carolina), Magnus Chrona (Wichita and San Jose) and Georgi Romanov (Wichita and San Jose).
 
The ECHL was represented for the 24th year in a row on the Stanley Cup champion in 2024 with 15 individuals on the Florida Panthers, including Assistant Coach Jamie Kompon, Goaltending Coach Robb Tallas and players Ryan Lomberg, Steven Lorentz, Anthony Stolarz and Carter Verhaeghe. There were 37 former players and 19 coaches on the 16 teams competing in the National Hockey League’s Stanley Cup Playoffs in 2024, marking the 19th year in a row that there have been at least 30 former ECHL players who have competed in the NHL postseason.
 
The first ECHL player to play in the NHL was Johnstown Chiefs goaltender Scott Gordon, who played his first game with the Quebec Nordiques against Buffalo on Jan. 30, 1990. The 100th player honor is shared by Jean-Sebastien Aubin and Manny Legace, who both made their debut on Oct. 21, 1998 with the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Los Angeles Kings, respectively. The 200th player was Brett McLean with the Chicago Blackhawks on Dec. 10, 2002 while the 300th was David Liffiton with the New York Rangers on April 11, 2006. The 400th was Phil Oreskovic on March 9, 2009 with the Toronto Maple Leafs while the 500th player honor is shared by Anthony Peluso and Darcy Kuemper, who both made their debut on Feb. 12, 2013 with the Winnipeg Jets and the Minnesota Wild, respectively. The 600th former ECHL player to reach the NHL was Florida Panthers forward Shane Harper on Oct. 13, 2016 while the 700th former ECHL player to debut in the NHL was New Jersey Devils defenseman Mason Geertsen on Oct. 19, 2021.
 
Former ECHL broadcasters working in the National Hockey League include John Ahlers and Steve Carroll of the Anaheim Ducks, Bob McElligott of the Columbus Blue Jackets, Josh Bogorad of the Dallas Stars, Jack Michaels of the Edmonton Oilers, Doug Plagens of the Florida Panthers, Joe O’Donnell of the Minnesota Wild, Brendan Burke of the New York Islanders, Chris Kerber of the St. Louis Blues, Everett Fitzhugh of the Seattle Kraken, Dave Mishkin of the Tampa Bay Lightning, Mike Folta of Utah HC and Dave Goucher and Dan D’Uva of the Vegas Golden Knights. Former ECHL player Tripp Tracy is an analyst with the Carolina Hurricanes, former ECHL player Jody Shelley is an analyst with the Blue Jackets and former ECHL player Shane Hnidy is an analyst with the Golden Knights.

Former ECHL coaches and players on NHL Opening-Day Rosters (ECHL affiliate listed in parentheses):
 
 (*) – Injured Reserve/Non-Roster
 
Anaheim Ducks (Tulsa Oilers) – Assistant Coach Brent Thompson (Alaska, 2009-11); Assistant Coach Rich Clune (Idaho, 2007-08); Video Coach Austin Violette (Maine, 2018-19); Ross Johnston (Missouri, 2015-16); James Reimer (Reading, 2008-09 and South Carolina, 2008-09) and Tomas Suchanek * (Tulsa, 2023-24)
 
Boston Bruins (Maine Mariners) – Assistant Coach Jay Leach (Mississippi, 2001-02; Augusta, 2002-03; Long Beach, 2003-04 and Trenton, 2003-05); Goaltending Development Coach Mike Dunham (Gwinnett, 2005-06) and Justin Brazeau (Newfoundland, 2019-20 and Maine, 2021-22)
 
Buffalo Sabres (Jacksonville Icemen) – Assistant Coach Matt Ellis (Toledo, 2002-03); Assistant Coach Marty Wilford (Columbus, 1998-99); Video Coordinator Amir Gulati (Iowa, 2021-22) and Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen (Cincinnati, 2019-20)
 
Calgary Flames (Rapid City Rush) – Assistant Coach Cail MacLean (Jacksonville, 1997-99; Trenton, 1999-02; Reading, 2004-05; South Carolina, 2005-11 and Adirondack, 2015-17); Goaltending Coach Jason LaBarbera (Charlotte, 2000-02); Joel Hanley (Gwinnett, 2014-15); Ryan Lomberg (Adirondack, 2015-16); Daniil Miromanov (Manchester, 2018-19); Brayden Pachal (Fort Wayne, 2019-20); Dan Vladar (Atlanta, 2016-18 and 2019-20) and MacKenzie Weegar (Cincinnati, 2014-15)
 
Carolina Hurricanes – Bryce Montgomery (South Carolina, 2023-24)
 
Chicago Blackhawks (Indy Fuel) – Assistant Coach Kevin Dean (Cincinnati, 1991-92 and Trenton, 2010-11); Developmental Goaltending Coach Peter Aubry (Johnstown, 2002-03; Alaska, 2004-05 and Texas, 2007-08); Laurent Brossoit * (Alaska, 2013-14 and Bakersfield, 2013-14) and Petr Mrazek (Toledo, 2012-13)
 
Colorado Avalanche (Utah Grizzlies) – Head Coach Jared Bednar (Huntington, 1993-96 and South Carolina, 1996-09) and Assistant Coach Nolan Pratt (Richmond, 1995-96)
 
Columbus Blue Jackets – Assistant Coach Steve McCarthy (Kalamazoo, 2015-16); Assistant Coach Mike Haviland (Richmond, 1990-91; Winston-Salem, 1990-91; Trenton, 1999-2001 and 2004-05 and Atlantic City, 2001-04); Assistant Coach Scott Ford (Fresno, 2004-05; Trenton, 2005-06; Dayton, 2006-07; Utah, 2007-08 and South Carolina, 2014-15); Goaltending Development Coach Brad Thiessen (Wheeling, 2009-10 and Cincinnati, 2015-17); Justin Danforth * (Reading, 2016-17 and Cincinnati, 2017-18)
 
Dallas Stars (Idaho Steelheads) – Assistant Coach Steve Spott (Richmond, 1990-91); Casey DeSmith (Wheeling, 2015-16) and Mason Marchment (Orlando, 2016-17)
 
Detroit Red Wings (Toledo Walleye) – Head Coach Derek Lalonde (Toledo, 2014-16); Associate Coach Bob Boughner (Toledo, 1991-92); Goaltending Coach Alex Westlund (Dayton, 1999-2001; Cincinnati, 2001-02; Toledo, 2001-02; Trenton, 2003-04; Charlotte, 2004-05 and 2006-07 and Wheeling, 2013-14); Jack Campbell * (Idaho, 2014-16); Ben Chiarot (Colorado, 2011-12); Ville Husso (Missouri, 2016-17) and Cam Talbot (Greenville, 2010-11)
 
Edmonton Oilers (Fort Wayne Komets) – Assistant Coach Glen Gulutzan (Las Vegas, 2003-09); Carl Berglund * (Fort Wayne, 2023-24); Brett Kulak (Colorado, 2014-15); Stuart Skinner (Wichita, 2018-20) and Cameron Wright * (Utah, 2022-23 and Fort Wayne, 2023-24)
 
Florida Panthers (Savannah Ghost Pirates) – Assistant Coach Jamie Kompon (Hampton Roads, 1989-90; Cincinnati, 1990-91 and Winston-Salem, 1990-91); Goaltending Coach Rob Tallas (Charlotte, 1994-95); Chris Driedger (Elmira, 2013-14; Evansville, 2014-15; Wichita, 2016-17; Brampton, 2017-18 and Manchester, 2018-19) and Carter Verhaeghe (Missouri, 2015-17)
 
Los Angeles Kings (Greenville Swamp Rabbits) – Assistant Coach Derik Johnson (Missouri, 2014-15 and Reading, 2015-17); Goaltending Coach Mike Buckley (Mississippi, 2002-04 and Gwinnett, 2003-04); Kyle Burroughs (Missouri, 2015-16); Tanner Jeannot (Florida, 2019-21); Darcy Kuemper (Ontario, 2011-12 and Orlando, 2012-13) and Trevor Lewis (Utah, 2012-13)
 
Minnesota Wild (Iowa Heartlanders) – Assistant Coach Jack Capuano (Tallahassee, 1995-97; Knoxville, 1996-97 and Pee Dee, 1997-2005); Assistant Coach Patrick Dwyer (Gwinnett, 2004-05); Goaltending Coach Frederic Chabot (Winston-Salem, 1991-92); Frederick Gaudreau (Cincinnati, 2014-15); Filip Gustavsson (Brampton, 2018-19) and Jake Middleton (Manchester, 2015-16)
                                                                     
Montreal Canadiens (Trois-Rivières Lions) – Goaltending Coach Eric Raymond (Wheeling, 1993-94; South Carolina, 1995-96 and Huntington, 1995-96) and Michael Pezzetta (Maine, 2018-19)
 
Nashville Predators (Atlanta Gladiators) – Head Coach Andrew Brunette (Hampton Roads, 1993-94); Tommy Novak (Florida, 2020-21); Cole Smith (Florida, 2020-21) and Scott Wedgewood (Trenton, 2012-13 and Adirondack, 2015-16)
 
New Jersey Devils (Adirondack Thunder) – Video Coach Ian Greenwald (Utah, 2013-15)
 
New York Islanders (Worcester Railers) – Daylan Kuefler * (Worcester, 2023-24) and Tristan Lennox * (Worcester, 2023-24)
 
New York Rangers (Bloomington Bison) – Head Coach Peter Laviolette (Wheeling, 1997-98); Goaltending Coach Jeff Malcolm (Greenville, 2013-17); Sam Carrick (Idaho, 2012-13); Ben Harpur (Evansville, 2015-16) and Jonthan Quick (Reading, 2007-08)
 
Ottawa Senators – Goaltending Coach Justin Peters (Florida, 2006-08) and Nick Jensen (Toledo, 2013-14)
 
Philadelphia Flyers (Reading Royals) – Assistant Coach Darryl Williams (Newfoundland, 2019-21)
 
Pittsburgh Penguins (Wheeling Nailers) – Assistant Coach Mike Vellucci (Erie, 1989-90 and Winston-Salem, 1989-90); Assistant Coach Ty Hennes (Toledo, 2004-05; Bakersfield, 2004-05 and Texas, 2004-05); Goaltending Coach Andy Chiodo (Wheeling, 2003-06; Elmira, 2009-10 and Bakersfield, 2013-14); Michael Bunting (Rapid City, 2015-16) and Alex Nedeljkovic * (Florida, 2014-15 and 2016-17)
 
San Jose Sharks (Wichita Thunder) – Head Coach Ryan Warsofsky (South Carolina, 2013-18); Goaltending Coach Thomas Speer (Idaho, 2011-12 and Las Vegas, 2011-12); Mackenzie Blackwood (Adirondack, 2017-18) and Vitek Vanecek (South Carolina, 2017-18)
 
Seattle Kraken (Kansas City Mavericks) – Head Coach Dan Bylsma (Greensboro, 1992-94); Assistant Coach Bob Woods (Johnstown, 1990-94; Hampton Roads, 1995-96; Mobile, 1996-97; Tallahassee, 1997-98 and Mississippi, 1999-2005); Goaltending Coach Steve Briere (Mississippi, 2000-01; Cincinnati, 2001-02 and Toledo, 2001-02); Joey Daccord (Brampton, 2019-020); Yanni Gourde (San Francisco, 2012-13 and Kalamazoo, 2013-14) and Philipp Grubauer (South Carolina, 2011-12 and Reading, 2012-13)
 
St. Louis Blues (Florida Everblades) – Jordan Binnington (Kalamazoo, 2013-14) and Nathan Walker (South Carolina, 2014-15)
 
Tampa Bay Lightning (Orlando Solar Bears) – Luke Glendening (Toledo, 2012-13) and Jonas Johansson (Cincinnati, 2017-19)
 
Toronto Maple Leafs (Cincinnati Cyclones) – Goaltending Coach Curtis Sanford (Peoria, 2000-02); Jani Hakanpaa * (Quad City, 2014-15); Timothy Liljegren (Newfoundland, 2018-19); Steven Lorentz (Florida, 2017-19); Bobby McMann (Wichita, 2020-21 and Newfoundland, 2021-22); Dakota Mermis * (Rapid City, 2015-16); Ryan Reaves (Alaska, 2007-08 and Orlando, 2012-13) and Anthony Stolarz (Reading, 2017-18)
 
Utah HC (Allen Americans) – Goaltending Coach Corey Schwab (Cincinnati, 1991-92) and Connor Ingram (Adirondack, 2017-18 and Orlando, 2018-19)
 
Vancouver Canucks (Kalamazoo Wings) – Vincent Desharnais (Wichita, 2019-21); Dakota Joshua * (Tulsa, 2019-20); Kevin Lankinen (Indy, 2018-19) and Arturs Silovs (Trois-Rivières, 2021-22)
 
Vegas Golden Knights (Tahoe Knight Monsters) – Head Coach Bruce Cassidy (Jacksonville, 1996-98 and Trenton, 1999-00); Assistant Coach Dominique Ducharme (Huntington, 1995-96 and Raleigh, 1995-96); Adin Hill (Rapid City, 2016-17) and Keegan Kolesar (Quad City, 2017-18)
 
Washington Capitals (South Carolina Stingrays) – Assistant Coach Spencer Carbery (Bakersfield, 2007-08; Stockton, 2007-08; Fresno, 2007-08; South Carolina, 2008-16); Assistant coach Scott Allen (Carolina, 1988-89; Winston-Salem, 1989-90; Erie, 1989-90; Greensboro, 1989-90; Cincinnati, 1990-91 and Johnstown, 1996-2002); Assistant Coach Mitch Love (Johnstown, 2007-08); Logan Thompson (Adirondack, 2018-19 and South Carolina, 2019-20) and Spencer Smallman * (Florida, 2017-18; Greenville, 2019-20 and Fort Wayne, 2020-21)
 
Winnipeg Jets (Norfolk Admirals) – Assistant Coach Marty Johnston (Florida, 2002-03; Trenton, 2003-04; Long Beach, 2003-04 and Peoria, 2003-04); Assistant Coach Davis Payne (Greensboro, 1992-95; Greenville, 1999-2000; Pee Dee, 2000-03 and Alaska, 2003-07) and Goaltending Coach Wade Flaherty (Greensboro, 1989-90)
 
About the ECHL
 
Began in 1988-89 with five teams in four states, the ECHL has grown into a coast-to-coast league with 29 teams in 22 states and one Canadian province for its 37th season in 2024-25. There have been 752 players who have gone on to play in the National Hockey League after starting their careers in the ECHL, including 12 who made their NHL debuts in the 2023-24 season. The ECHL has affiliations with 29 of the 32 NHL teams in 2024-25, marking the 28th consecutive season that the league has affiliations with at least 20 teams in the NHL. Further information on the ECHL is available on its website at ECHL.com.