Welcome to the 2026-27 ECHL Season

Dear ECHL Fans,

Welcome to the 39th Season of ECHL Hockey, as we look to provide exciting entertainment across North America to 30 markets (including two new ones for 2026-27!) in the year ahead. This includes continuing to enhance our role as the developmental league to the National Hockey League and American Hockey League, as we have now eclipsed over 780 players having graduated to the NHL (including 14 who made their debut last year), as well as seven NHL Head Coaches who honed their pro career in our league. The 2025-26 Season saw the most ever NHL/AHL contracts assigned to the ECHL, and we anticipate growing this figure for the future to continue to provide talent to the next level.

Last season, the ECHL welcomed an average of 5,018 fans per game, marking the first time the League surpassed 5,000 fans per game since the 1997-98 Season, and just the fourth season over 5,000 all-time. Additionally, between the regular season and Kelly Cup Playoffs, an all-time record of 5,810,411 fans attended ECHL games, marking the fourth consecutive season a new record has been established!

We continue to pride ourselves on offering affordable entertainment to the communities we serve, welcoming sport fans, families, businesses, and groups of all sizes to enjoy an outing together and take in the exciting ECHL action. We hope you'll find our venues to be a welcoming atmosphere where you can root on your hometown team and connect with your local community.

The ECHL would also like to congratulate the Florida Everblades, who captured their fourth Kelly Cup title in the last five seasons - and fifth championship all-time - in 2026, defeating the Kansas City Mavericks in six games in the Kelly Cup Finals. The Finals featured standing-room only crowds and the energy generated by both fanbases was astounding.

Our Teams’ biggest contribution to our markets continues to be the impact off the ice in the communities we serve, donating an ECHL record of over $4.6 million last Season. This is on top of the countless hours that our staff, coaches and players dedicate to local schools, hospitals, and charities to become an integral part of the community.

The ECHL has been represented on the last 26 Stanley Cup champions including in 2026 with seven individuals on the Carolina Hurricanes: goaltender Brandon Bussi, Vice President Pro Player Personnel Chris Abbott, Head Athletic Trainer Doug Bennett, Assistant Athletic Trainer Koryd Lavimoniere, Head Equipment Manager Jorge Alves, TV/Radio Analyst Tripp Tracy and Editorial Content Producer & Team Reporter Walt Ruff.

Thank you on behalf of the ECHL and all of our Teams for your continued support and we hope that you and those you attend with enjoy following your favorite club and making lasting memories around the ECHL experience as we approach four decades of providing affordable entertainment.

Sincerely,