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2008–09 ECHL season

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2008–09 ECHL season
LeagueECHL
SportIce hockey
DurationOctober 17, 2008 – June 5, 2009
Regular season
Brabham CupFlorida Everblades
Season MVPKevin Baker (Florida)
Top scorerKevin Baker (Florida)
Playoffs
American championsSouth Carolina Stingrays
  American runners-upCincinnati Cyclones
National championsAlaska Aces
  National runners-upLas Vegas Wranglers
Playoffs MVPJames Reimer
Finals
ChampionsSouth Carolina Stingrays
  Runners-upAlaska Aces
ECHL seasons

The 2008–09 ECHL season was the 21st season of the ECHL.

League business

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Team changes

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The league welcomed one new franchise, the Ontario Reign, which relocated from Beaumont, Texas and played at the Citizens Business Bank Arena in Ontario, California.[1]

Two teams, the Columbia Inferno and the Myrtle Beach Thunderboltz, voluntarily suspended operations for the season with plans on returning in the 2009–10 season. The Myrtle Beach franchise was originally planning to return to operations, but their arena had not been completed in time for the Board of Governors Meeting during the All-Star Break.[2] The league announced that they were immediately terminating the Pensacola Ice Pilots franchise, because the team's owners did not intend on fielding a team for the 2008–09 season or any season after that. The team was a founding member of the ECHL as the Nashville Knights and moved to Pensacola, Florida, after the 1995–96 season.[3]

Realignment

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On June 23, the ECHL announced the new divisional alignment of its 23 franchises. The league saw three teams vacate the South Division of the American Conference shrinking the division from nine to six teams and added a franchise to the Pacific Division of the National Conference increasing the division total from four teams to five. There will be thirteen teams in the American Conference, which stretches from New York south to Florida and from Mississippi east to New Jersey, and ten teams in the National Conference which stretches from Alaska south to Arizona.[4]

American Conference

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National Conference

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Regular season

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Teams suspend operations in mid-season

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On December 2, the Augusta Lynx suspended operations and voluntarily relinquished their membership to the league, in effect becoming the first team in the league's 21-year history to suspend midseason.[5] Lynx owners stated that financial troubles and failed attempts to find additional investors were causes for the team to suspend operations. Dan Troutman, one of the team's owners, stated that he had asked the league to take over operations so the team could finish the season, but the move was voted down by the league's Board of Governors. The owners had also stated that attendance issues, in which Augusta has ranked no higher than 20th in the league the past three seasons, as the major reason for their financial problems as the team was successful in sponsorship issues.[6]

On December 22, the Fresno Falcons became the second team in twenty days to cease operations, as the league's Board of Governors voted unanimously to terminate the franchise after Fresno's ownership notified the league that they were unable to continue the membership for financial reasons.[7] Fresno Hockey Club, LLC., the team's ownership group, cited "overwhelming financial issues due to declining attendance and dwindling corporate sponsorships" as reasons the team did not continue to operate for the 2008–09 season. This move came less than a year after the team signed a 20-year lease with Selland Arena (starting with the 2008–09 season) and an agreement with the city of Fresno in which the city invested $5 million into upgrades for hockey at Selland Arena, as long as the team would not be sold or moved without the direct approval from the city. A clause in the agreement, stated that the city could take over the team as a government agency if owners were unable to continue operations; however, the option was declined after it was determined that the hockey club would finish the season $500,000 under expenses. City officials had expressed interest in bringing the franchise back as early as the 2009–10 season, although ECHL Commissioner was less enthusiastic stating that "a great deal of damage had been done" and that the league would give a new ownership "nine to ten months of lead time to create a solid foundation." At the time of their folding, the Falcons were in first place of the Pacific Division and had the fifth best record in the ECHL.[8]

League standings

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Note: GP = Games played; W = Wins; L= Losses; OTL = Overtime losses; SOL = Shootout losses; GF = Goals for; GA = Goals against; PTS = Points; PCT = Winning percentage; Green shade = Clinched playoff spot; Blue shade = Clinched division; Red shade = team is eliminated from playoffs; (z) = Clinched home-ice advantage

* Augusta folded on December 3, 2008. Fresno folded on December 22, 2008.

American Conference
Northern Division GP W L OTL SOL PTS GF GA
Cincinnati Cyclones (MON/NSH) 72 41 26 2 3 87 256 231
Trenton Devils (NJD) 72 40 25 2 5 87 236 206
Elmira Jackals (OTT) 72 39 26 2 5 85 235 232
Wheeling Nailers (PIT) 72 36 28 2 6 80 263 260
Johnstown Chiefs (COL/CBJ) 72 37 30 5 0 79 228 232
Dayton Bombers (Independent) 72 32 33 4 3 71 229 247
Reading Royals (TOR/LAK) 72 24 42 3 3 54 211 269
Southern Division† GP W L OTL SOL PTS PCT GF GA
(z) Florida Everblades (CAR/FLA) 71 49 17 2 3 103 .725 265 186
South Carolina Stingrays (WSH) 71 42 23 2 4 90 .634 238 180
Charlotte Checkers (NYR) 71 34 29 2 6 76 .535 217 224
Gwinnett Gladiators (ATL/CHI[9]) 72 31 35 1 5 68 ..472 214 246
Mississippi Sea Wolves (PHI/TBL[10]) 71 28 35 7 1 64 .451 203 256
Augusta Lynx (TBL)* 18 6 10 1 1 14 .438 39 70

† Percentage of points earned is used to determine playoff seedings in the Southern Division due to unbalanced schedules, as Gwinnett played one more game than the other teams.

National Conference
Pacific Division GP W L OTL SOL PTS PCT GF GA
Ontario Reign (LAK) 73 38 29 4 2 82 .561 197 218
Las Vegas Wranglers (CGY) 73 34 31 2 6 76 .521 208 195
Bakersfield Condors (ANA) 72 33 32 3 4 73 .507 246 263
Stockton Thunder (EDM) 72 32 32 5 2 71 .493 210 237
Fresno Falcons (CHI)* 30 18 10 1 1 38 .633 82 82

† Percentage of points earned is used to determine playoff seedings in the Pacific Division due to unbalanced schedules, as Ontario and Las Vegas played one more game than Bakersfield and Stockton after the schedule was adjusted.

West Division GP W L OTL SOL PTS GF GA
Alaska Aces (STL) 72 45 24 1 2 93 232 181
Idaho Steelheads (DAL) 72 44 24 2 2 92 224 186
Victoria Salmon Kings (VAN) 72 38 27 2 5 83 232 200
Utah Grizzlies (NYI) 72 28 28 6 10 72 220 246
Phoenix RoadRunners (SJS) 72 30 37 2 3 65 200 246

All Star Classic

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The ECHL All-Star Game was played in Reading, Pennsylvania, on January 21, 2009,[11] hosted by the Reading Royals. The American Conference defeated the National Conference 11–5, with Matthew Ford of Charlotte and Florida's Kevin Baker both scoring hat tricks to overcome a 3–1 deficit after the first period.

American Conference National Conference
Position Player Team Player Team
Starters Forward Kevin Baker Florida Everblades Colin Hemingway Alaska Aces
Barret Ehgoetz Cincinnati Cyclones Matt Pope Bakersfield Condors
Travis Morin South Carolina Stingrays Cory Urquhart Stockton Thunder
Defense Ryan Gunderson Trenton Devils Matt Shasby Alaska Aces
Elgin Reid Wheeling Nailers Dylan Yeo Victoria Salmon Kings
Goaltender Kris Mayotte Johnstown Chiefs Jean-Phillipe Lamoreux Alaska Aces
Reserves Forward Josh Aspenlind Elmira Jackals Mark Bombersback Idaho Steelheads
Ryan Cruthers Mississippi Sea Wolves Mark Derlago Bakersfield Condors
Ryan Del Monte Johnstown Chiefs Matt Fornataro Phoenix RoadRunners
Tyler Doig Reading Royals Dan Gendur Victoria Salmon Kings
Bryan Ewing Wheeling Nailers Tim Kraus Ontario Reign
Matthew Ford Charlotte Checkers Tom May Utah Grizzlies
Jordan Fox Gwinnett Gladiators Justin Taylor Las Vegas Wranglers
Jarret Lukin Dayton Bombers Geoff Walker Ontario Reign
Defense Aaron Brocklehurst Florida Everblades Ryan Huddy Stockton Thunder
Aaron Clarke Wheeling Nailers Kenny MacAulay Stockton Thunder*
Matt Cohen Trenton Devils Jeff May Las Vegas Wranglers
Johann Kroll South Carolina Stingrays Matt Stephenson Idaho Steelheads
Steve Ward Reading Royals Michael Wilson Phoenix RoadRunners
Goaltender David Leggio Florida Everblades Joe Fallon Gwinnett Gladiators*
Michal Neuvirth South Carolina Stingrays John Murray Ontario Reign

* Fresno's termination was announced on December 22, 2008, after ECHL All-Star voting had ended. As such, these players were voted as representatives of Fresno. Fallon's case is unique because he had moved to the American Conference. MacAulay joined head coach Matt Thomas at Stockton, in the National Conference

Playoff format

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On June 23, the league announced its new playoff format for the 2008–09 season. The playoffs would feature a total of sixteen teams (eight from each conference) and four rounds of play.

As it was originally announced, the top four finishers in each division were seeded based on regular season point totals. The Division Semifinals had the first seed meeting the fourth seed and the second seed meeting the third seed in a best-of-seven series. The winners of the Division Semifinals advanced to the Division Finals, a best-of-seven series. The Division Finals winners advanced to a best-of-seven Conference Finals series. The winner of the American Conference and the winner of the National Conference met in the Kelly Cup Finals, a best-of-seven game series. Home-ice advantage was determined by regular season points. This format is similar to that used by the American Hockey League for the 2009 Calder Cup playoffs.[4]

At the Mid-Season Board of Governors Meeting in Reading, Pennsylvania, during All-Star Game, two changes were announced for the playoff format due to Augusta and Fresno folding mid-season. In the National Conference, instead of the top four teams in each division making the playoffs, the top eight teams (of the nine in the conference) made the playoffs; the fourth seed in the Pacific Division playoffs was determined by the team with the better record between fourth place in the Pacific Division and fifth place in the Western Division. All seeding in the National Conference and in the American Conference's Southern Division used percentage of points won because of an unbalanced number of games played caused by rescheduling (Points divided by Games Played, then divided by two).[12]

Kelly Cup playoffs

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Main article: 2009 Kelly Cup playoffs

Bracket

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This bracket
Division semifinals Division finals Conference finals Kelly Cup finals
            
N1 Cincinnati 4
N4 Wheeling 3
N1 Cincinnati 4
North Division
N3 Elmira 0
N2 Trenton 3
N3 Elmira 4
N1 Cincinnati 0
American Conference
S2 South Carolina 4
S1 Florida 4
S4 Gwinnett 1
S1 Florida 2
South Division
S2 South Carolina 4
S2 South Carolina 4
S3 Charlotte 2
S2 South Carolina 4
W1 Alaska 3
P1 Ontario 3
P4 Stockton 4
P4 Stockton 3
Pacific Division
P2 Las Vegas 4
P2 Las Vegas 4
P3 Bakersfield 3
P2 Las Vegas 0
National Conference
W1 Alaska 4
W1 Alaska 4
W4 Utah 1
W1 Alaska 4
West Division
W3 Victoria 1
W2 Idaho 0
W3 Victoria 4


ECHL awards

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See also: ECHL awards
Award Winner
Kelly Cup: South Carolina Stingrays
Brabham Cup: Florida Everblades
Gingher Memorial Trophy: South Carolina Stingrays
Bruce Taylor Trophy: Alaska Aces
John Brophy Award: Rick Kowalsky (Trenton)[13]
CCM U+ Most Valuable Player: Kevin Baker (Florida)[14]
Kelly Cup Playoffs Most Valuable Player: James Reimer (South Carolina)
Reebok Hockey Goaltender of the Year: Jean-Philippe Lamoureux (Alaska)
CCM Rookie of the Year: Bryan Ewing (Wheeling)[15]
Defenseman of the Year: Dylan Yeo (Victoria)[16]
Leading Scorer: Kevin Baker (Florida)[17]
Reebok Plus Performer Award: Travis Morin (South Carolina)[18]
Sportsmanship Award: Travis Morin (South Carolina)[19]
Birmingham Memorial Award: Michael Voyer

All-ECHL Teams

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Bryan Ewing and Jean Philippe Lamoureux were named to both All-ECHL and ECHL All-Rookie Teams.[20]

First Team

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Second Team

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All-Rookie Team

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The Wheeling Nailers set a league record with four rookies being named to the ECHL All-Rookie Team, surpassing the previous record of two which had occurred on six separate occasions.[21]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Ontario Set To Reign The Inland Empire Archived March 3, 2008, at the Wayback Machine
  2. ^ ECHL Concludes Mid-Season Board of Governors Meeting Archived 2008-05-05 at the Wayback Machine
  3. ^ Pensacola Membership Terminated[permanent dead link]
  4. ^ a b ECHL Board of Governors Annual Meeting[permanent dead link]
  5. ^ "Augusta Suspends Operations". ECHL. December 2, 2008. Archived from the original on February 11, 2009. Retrieved December 23, 2008.
  6. ^ Byler, Billy (December 3, 2008). "Game is over for Lynx". Augusta Chronicle. Archived from the original on December 6, 2008. Retrieved December 23, 2008.
  7. ^ "Fresno Falcons Cease Operations". ECHL. December 22, 2008. Archived from the original on December 23, 2008. Retrieved December 23, 2008.
  8. ^ Davis, Jeff (December 22, 2008). "Fresno Falcons fold". Fresno Bee. Archived from the original on December 26, 2008. Retrieved December 23, 2008.
  9. ^ The Blackhawks moved their ECHL affiliate to Gwinnett after Fresno ceased operations.
  10. ^ The Lightning moved their ECHL affiliate to Mississippi after Augusta ceased operations.
  11. ^ "All-Star Game, Hall Of Fame Induction Highlight Hockey Week In Reading". echl.com. Retrieved January 22, 2009. [dead link]
  12. ^ "Kelly Cup Playoffs Format Revised". ECHL. January 23, 2009. Archived from the original on February 11, 2009. Retrieved January 23, 2009.
  13. ^ "Trenton's Kowalsky Receives John Brophy Award". ECHL. April 6, 2009. Archived from the original on June 11, 2009. Retrieved April 9, 2009.
  14. ^ "Florida's Baker Is CCM U+ ECHL Most Valuable Player". ECHL. April 9, 2009. Archived from the original on June 11, 2009. Retrieved April 9, 2009.
  15. ^ "Wheeling's Ewing Named CCM ECHL Rookie of the Year". ECHL. April 4, 2009. Retrieved April 7, 2009. [dead link]
  16. ^ "Victoria's Yeo Named Defenseman of the Year". ECHL. April 7, 2009. Retrieved April 7, 2009. [dead link]
  17. ^ "Florida's Baker Wins ECHL Scoring Title". ECHL. April 5, 2009. Retrieved April 7, 2009. [dead link]
  18. ^ "South Carolina's Morin Wins Reebok ECHL Plus Performer Award". ECHL. April 5, 2009. Retrieved April 7, 2009. [dead link]
  19. ^ "South Carolina's Morin Wins ECHL Sportsmanship Award". ECHL. April 3, 2009. Archived from the original on August 1, 2009. Retrieved April 7, 2009.
  20. ^ "All-ECHL First Team Announced". ECHL. April 2, 2009. Retrieved April 7, 2009. [dead link]
  21. ^ "ECHL All-Rookie Team Announced". ECHL. April 1, 2009. Archived from the original on April 3, 2009. Retrieved April 2, 2009.
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