ECHL logo ECHL logo
The ECHL (formerly the East Coast Hockey League ) is a professional ice hockey league based in Princeton, New Jersey with teams scattered across the United States and Canada , generally regarded as a tier below the American Hockey League .
The league, which combined teams from the defunct Atlantic Coast Hockey League and All-American Hockey League , began play as the East Coast Hockey League in 1988 with 5 teams, the Carolina Thunderbirds (now the Wheeling Nailers ), the Erie Panthers (now the Victoria Salmon Kings ), the Johnstown Chiefs , the Knoxville Cherokees (the franchise, as the Pee Dee Pride , is currently suspended, to resume play in Conway, South Carolina in 2007-08 ), and the Virginia Lancers (now the Utah Grizzlies ).
Since that time, the ECHL has met with great success, reaching its largest size in 2003 of 31 teams before being reduced to 28 teams for the 2004 season . In September 2002, the West Coast Hockey League ceased operations, and the ECHL Board of Governors approved membership applications from the Anchorage (now Alaska) Aces , the Bakersfield Condors , the Fresno Falcons , the Idaho Steelheads , the Las Vegas Wranglers , the Long Beach Ice Dogs and the San Diego Gulls as well as from teams in Ontario, California and Reno, Nevada . Alaska, Bakersfield, Fresno, Idaho, Las Vegas, Long Beach and San Diego began play in 2003-04 season as expansion teams.
The teams from the defunct WCHL, along with Las Vegas, joined as expansion teams for the ECHL’s 16th season in 2003-04. In a change reflective of the nationwide presence of the ECHL, the East Coast Hockey League changed its name to simply ECHL on May 19 , 2003 .
Future Expansion Teams
Teams
(2005-06 NHL affiliates in parentheses)
National Conference
West Division
Pacific Division
American Conference
North Division
South Division
2005-2006 Season
For regular season final standings and other stats, see 2005-06 ECHL season
Kelly Cup Playoffs
Quarterfinals
North Division Quarterfinals Johnstown vs. Trenton
Date
Away
Home
April 10
Trenton Titans 1
Johnstown Chiefs 2
OT
April 11
Johnstown Chiefs 4
Trenton Titans 3
Johnstown wins series 2–0
South Division Quarterfinals South Carolina vs. Charlotte
Date
Away
Home
April 10
Charlotte Checkers 3
SC Stingrays 6
April 11
SC Stingrays 3
Charlotte Checkers 4
April 12
Charlotte Checkers 1
SC Stingrays 3
South Carolina wins series 2–1
South Division Quarterfinals Greenville vs. Augusta
Date
Away
Home
April 9
Augusta Lynx 1
Greenville Grrrowl 2
April 11
Greenville Grrrowl 3
Augusta Lynx 2
OT
Greenville wins series 2–0
Division Semifinals
American Conference
North Division Semifinals Toledo vs. Johnstown
Date
Away
Home
April 14
Johnstown Chiefs 2
Toledo Storm 3
April 15
Johnstown Chiefs 1
Toledo Storm 4
April 19
Toledo Storm 5
Johnstown Chiefs 3
Toledo wins series 3–0
North Division Semifinals Reading vs. Wheeling
Date
Away
Home
April 14
Wheeling Nailers 3
Reading Royals 2
OT
April 16
Reading Royals 4
Wheeling Nailers 1
April 18
Reading Royals 3
Wheeling Nailers 4
April 19
Wheeling Nailers 5
Reading Royals 4
Wheeling wins series 3–1
South Division Semifinals Gwinnett vs. South Carolina
Date
Away
Home
April 15
SC Stingrays 3
Gwinnett Gladiators 5
April 16
SC Stingrays 4
Gwinnett Gladiators 5
OT
April 19
Gwinnett Gladiators 3
SC Stingrays 1
Gwinnett wins series 3–0
South Division Semifinals Florida vs. Greenville
Date
Away
Home
April 14
Greenville Grrrowl 4
Florida Everblades 5
OT
April 15
Greenville Grrrowl 2
Florida Everblades 4
April 21
Florida Everblades 0
Greenville Grrrowl 1
OT
April 22
Florida Everblades 9
Greenville Grrrowl 4
Florida wins series 3–1
National Conference
West Division Semifinals Alaska vs. Utah
Date
Away
Home
April 10
Utah Grizzlies 1
Alaska Aces 4
April 11
Utah Grizzlies 1
Alaska Aces 3
April 13
Alaska Aces 4
Utah Grizzlies 1
April 14
Alaska Aces 6
Utah Grizzlies 2
Alaska wins series 4–0
West Division Semifinals Las Vegas vs. Idaho
Date
Away
Home
April 11
Idaho Steelheads 1
Las Vegas Wranglers 0
2OT
April 12
Idaho Steelheads 4
Las Vegas Wranglers 2
April 14
Las Vegas Wranglers 5
Idaho Steelheads 4
OT
April 15
Las Vegas Wranglers 2
Idaho Steelheads 4
April 17
Las Vegas Wranglers 5
Idaho Steelheads 2
April 18
Idaho Steelheads 0
Las Vegas Wranglers 6
April 19
Idaho Steelheads 2
Las Vegas Wranglers 6
Las Vegas wins series 4–3
Pacific Division Semifinals Fresno vs. San Diego
Date
Away
Home
April 11
San Diego Gulls 3
Fresno Falcons 4
OT
April 12
San Diego Gulls 3
Fresno Falcons 4
April 14
Fresno Falcons 2
San Diego Gulls 1
OT
April 15
Fresno Falcons 5
San Diego Gulls 1
Fresno wins series 4–0
Pacific Division Semifinals Bakersfield vs. Long Beach
Date
Away
Home
April 11
Long Beach Ice Dogs 1
Bakersfield Condors 3
April 14
Long Beach Ice Dogs 5
Bakersfield Condors 4
April 15
Bakersfield Condors 6
Long Beach Ice Dogs 3
April 16
Bakersfield Condors 4
Long Beach Ice Dogs 5
OT
April 19
Bakersfield Condors 4
Long Beach Ice Dogs 1
April 21
Long Beach Ice Dogs 6
Bakersfield Condors 2
April 22
Long Beach Ice Dogs 3
Bakersfield Condors 4
Bakersfield wins series 4–3
Division Finals
American Conference
North Division Finals Toledo vs. Wheeling
Date
Away
Home
April 24
Wheeling Nailers 4
Toledo Storm 5
OT
April 26
Wheeling Nailers 5
Toledo Storm 3
April 28
Toledo Storm 0
Wheeling Nailers 6
April 29
Toledo Storm 3
Wheeling Nailers 1
May 2
Wheeling Nailers 2
Toledo Storm 3
Toledo wins Series 3–2
South Division Finals Gwinnett vs. Florida
Date
Away
Home
April 26
Florida Everblades 3
Gwinnett Gladiators 5
April 28
Florida Everblades 7
Gwinnett Gladiators 3
April 29
Gwinnett Gladiators 6
Florida Everblades 4
May 1
Gwinnett Gladiators 7
Florida Everblades 4
Gwinnett wins series 3–1
National Conference
West Division Finals Alaska vs. Las Vegas
Date
Away
Home
April 24
Las Vegas Wranglers 5
Alaska Aces 0
April 25
Las Vegas Wranglers 3
Alaska Aces 4
OT
April 27
Alaska Aces 2
Las Vegas Wranglers 6
April 29
Alaska Aces 4
Las Vegas Wranglers 0
April 30
Alaska Aces 3
Las Vegas Wranglers 1
May 2
Las Vegas Wranglers 3
Alaska Aces 4
3OT
Alaska wins series 4–2
Pacific Division Finals Fresno vs. Bakersfield
Date
Away
Home
April 24
Bakersfield Condors 3
Fresno Falcons 5
April 25
Bakersfield Condors 2
Fresno Falcons 4
April 28
Fresno Falcons 2
Bakersfield Condors 4
April 29
Fresno Falcons 3
Bakersfield Condors 2
OT
May 3
Fresno Falcons 2
Bakersfield Condors 4
May 5
Bakersfield Condors 4
Fresno Falcons 3
OT
May 6
Bakersfield Condors 2
Fresno Falcons 4
Fresno wins series 4–3
Conference Finals
American Conference Finals Toledo vs. Gwinnett
Date
Away
Home
May 5
Toledo Storm 3
Gwinnett Gladiators 5
May 8
Toledo Storm 4
Gwinnett Gladiators 3
OT
May 12
Gwinnett Gladiators 4
Toledo Storm 2
May 14
Gwinnett Gladiators 4
Toledo Storm 2
May 16
Gwinnett Gladiators 3
Toledo Storm 2
OT
Gwinnett wins series 4–1
National Conference Finals Alaska vs. Fresno
Date
Away
Home
May 8
Fresno Falcons 3
Alaska Aces 2
May 10
Fresno Falcons 0
Alaska Aces 2
May 12
Alaska Aces 3
Fresno Falcons 4
OT
May 13
Alaska Aces 3
Fresno Falcons 1
May 16
Alaska Aces 3
Fresno Falcons 0
May 19
Fresno Falcons 4
Alaska Aces 3
May 22
Fresno Falcons 2
Alaska Aces 3
2 OT
Alaska wins series 4–3
Kelly Cup Finals
Kelly Cup Finals Alaska vs. Gwinnett
Date
Away
Home
May 24
Gwinnett Gladiators 2
Alaska Aces 3
May 25
Gwinnett Gladiators 3
Alaska Aces 4
May 29
Alaska Aces 5
Gwinnett Gladiators 4
May 31
Alaska Aces 1
Gwinnett Gladiators 6
June 1
Alaska Aces 4
Gwinnett Gladiators 3
Alaska wins series 4–1
Defunct teams
Like any minor league, the ECHL has its share of defunct teams. Teams that no longer play within the ECHL are listed below. All of the teams, except for the Greensboro Generals and the Roanoke Express , which were terminated by the ECHL, and the teams which have relocated, are considered to have suspended operations and the franchises placed for sale. Also excepted are the Mississippi Sea Wolves , which were suspended by request from team ownership and the ECHL because of the impact of Hurricane Katrina . The Sea Wolves are due to resume play in 2007-08.
Arkansas RiverBlades (1999-2003)
Atlantic City Boardwalk Bullies (2001-2005; moved to Stockton, CA)
Baton Rouge Kingfish (1996-2003; moved to Victoria, BC)
Birmingham Bulls (1992-2001; moved to Atlantic City, NJ)
Chesapeake Icebreakers (played in Upper Marlboro, MD, 1997-1999; moved to Jackson, MS)
Columbus Chill (OH) (1991-1999; moved to Reading, PA)
Columbus Cottonmouths (GA) (2001-2004; replaced by SPHL franchise)
Erie Panthers (1988-1996; moved to Baton Rouge, LA)
Greensboro Generals (1999-2004; team franchise revoked)
Greensboro Monarchs (1989-1995; replaced by the Carolina Monarchs of the AHL )
Greenville Grrrowl (1998-2006)
Hampton Roads Admirals (1989-2000; replaced by the Norfolk Admirals of the AHL)
Huntington Blizzard (1993-2000; now in Beaumont as Texas Wildcatters )
Huntsville Blast (1993-1994; moved to Tallahassee, FL)
Jackson Bandits (1999-2003)
Jacksonville Lizard Kings (1995-2000)
Knoxville Cherokees (1988-1997; moved to Florence, SC)
Lexington Men O' War (2002-2003)
Louisiana IceGators (1995-2005)
Louisville Icehawks (1990-1994; moved to Jacksonville, FL)
Louisville River Frogs (1995-1998; moved to Miami, FL)
Macon Whoopee (2001-2002; moved to Lexington, KY)
Miami Matadors (1998-1999; moved to Cincinnati, OH)
Mississippi Sea Wolves (Biloxi-Gulfport, MS ) - Team suspended operations in 2005 because of Hurricane Katrina, will resume in 2007.
Mobile Mysticks (1995-2002; moved to Duluth, Gwinnett County, GA)
Nashville Knights (1989-1996; moved to Pensacola, FL)
New Orleans Brass (1997-2002; team suspended operations after the arrival of the NBA's Hornets when arena lease was not given)
Pee Dee Pride (1997-2005; team suspended operations after the 2004-05 season and will become the Myrtle Beach Thunderboltz once a new arena is completed in nearby Conway, SC)
Peoria Rivermen (1996-2005; replaced by the Peoria Rivermen of the AHL )
Raleigh Icecaps (1991-1998; moved to Augusta, GA)
Richmond Renegades (1990-2003)
Roanoke Express (1993-2004; franchise revoked)
San Diego Gulls (2003-2006)
Tallahassee Tiger Sharks (1994-2001; moved to Macon , Georgia )
Virginia Lancers (1988-1993 in Vinton, VA; franchise later renamed the Roanoke Valley Rebels and Rampage; moved to Huntsville, AL)
Winston-Salem Thunderbirds (1988-1992; originally called Carolina before reverting to city name; moved to Wheeling, WV, and eventually become the Nailers)
See also
External links
Western Conference Eastern Conference
Eastern Conference
Bon Secours Wellness Arena (Greenville, SC )
Colisée Vidéotron (Trois-Rivières, QC )
Cool Insuring Arena (Glens Falls, NY )
Cross Insurance Arena (Portland, ME )
DCU Center (Worcester, MA )
Enmarket Arena (Savannah, GA )
Gas South Arena (Duluth, GA )
Hertz Arena (Estero, FL )
Kia Center (Orlando, FL )
Norfolk Scope (Norfolk, VA )
North Charleston Coliseum (North Charleston, SC )
Santander Arena (Reading, PA )
VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena (Jacksonville, FL )
WesBanco Arena (Wheeling, WV )
Western Conference
Allen County War Memorial Coliseum (Fort Wayne, IN )
BOK Center (Tulsa, OK )
Cable Dahmer Arena (Independence, MO )
Credit Union of Texas Event Center (Allen, TX )
Fishers Event Center (Fishers, IN )
Grossinger Motors Arena (Bloomington, IL )
Heritage Bank Center (Cincinnati, OH )
Huntington Center (Toledo, OH )
Idaho Central Arena (Boise, ID )
Intrust Bank Arena (Wichita, KS )
Maverik Center (West Valley City, UT )
The Monument (Rapid City, SD )
Tahoe Blue Event Center (Stateline, NV )
Wings Event Center (Kalamazoo, MI )
Xtream Arena (Coralville, IA )