ECHL
From Free net encyclopedia
Image:ECHL Logo.jpg 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, becoming the Myrtle Beach Thunderboltz in 2006-07), 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.
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Future Expansion Teams
- Burlington, Vermont (awaiting arena completion -- franchise currently operating as Utah Grizzlies)
- Gulf Coast Swords will play in Bradenton, Florida (awaiting arena completion)
- Mississippi Sea Wolves of Biloxi-Gulfport, MS (2007-08; franchise suspended on request in 2005 as a result of damage to the community and arena caused by Hurricane Katrina.)
- Myrtle Beach Thunderboltz will play in Conway, South Carolina (2007-08; awaiting construction of Atlantic Center Arena on the campus of Coastal Carolina University.)
- Reno, Nevada (awaiting arena completion)
- Texas Wildcatters (2006-07; franchise suspended on request in 2005 as a result of damage to the community and arena caused by Hurricane Rita.)
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Teams
(2005-06 NHL affiliates in parentheses)
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National Conference
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West Division
- Alaska Aces (Image:StLouis Blues.gif)
- Idaho Steelheads (Image:Dallas Stars.gif)
- Las Vegas Wranglers (Image:Calgary Flames.gif)
- Phoenix Roadrunners
- Utah Grizzlies
- Victoria Salmon Kings
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Pacific Division
- Bakersfield Condors
- Fresno Falcons (Image:San Jose Sharks.gif)
- Long Beach Ice Dogs (Image:Montreal Canadiens.gif)
- San Diego Gulls (Image:Colorado Avalanche.gif)
- Stockton Thunder (Image:Phoenix Coyotes.gif)
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American Conference
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North Division
- Dayton Bombers (Image:Columbus-alternate.gif)
- Johnstown Chiefs (Image:Tampa Bay Lightning.gif)
- Reading Royals (Image:Los Angeles Kings.gif)
- Toledo Storm (Image:Detroit Redwings.gif / Image:San Jose Sharks.gif)
- Trenton Titans (Image:Philadelphia Flyers.gif / Image:NY Islanders.gif)
- Wheeling Nailers (Image:Pittsburgh Penguins.gif)
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South Division
- Augusta Lynx
- Charlotte Checkers (Image:NY Rangers.gif / Image:Alternate-1999.gif)
- Columbia Inferno (Image:Vancouver Canucks.gif)
- Florida Everblades (Image:Carolina Hurricanes.gif)
- Greenville Grrrowl (Image:Chicago Blackhawks.gif / Image:Edmonton Oilers.gif)
- Gwinnett Gladiators (Image:Atlanta Thrashers.gif)
- Pensacola Ice Pilots (Image:Torontomapleleafslogo40s50s.gif)
- South Carolina Stingrays (Image:Washington Capitals.gif)
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2005-2006 Season
For regular season final standings and other stats, see 2005-06 ECHL season
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Kelly Cup Playoffs
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1st Round
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Division Semifinals
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American Conference
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- 1 If Necessary
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National Conference
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- 1 If Necessary
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Division Finals
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American Conference
- 1 If Necessary
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National Conference
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- 1 If Necessary
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Kelly Cup Finals
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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 and Texas Wildcatters, which were suspended by request from team ownership and the ECHL because of the impact of Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane Rita. The Wildcatters will resume play in 2006-07, and the Seawolves are due to resume play in 2007-08.
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See also
- Kelly Cup
- ECHL All-Star Game
- List of ECHL seasons
- Developmental and minor sports leagues
- List of ice hockey leagues
- Sports league attendances
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External links
Template:ECHL Template:ECHL Arenasde:East Coast Hockey League