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

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• Myrtle Beach Thunderboltz (2007-08; awaiting construction of Atlantic Center Arena on the campus of Coastal Carolina University). Will be located in Conway, South Carolina.
• Gulf Coast Swords will play in Bradenton, Florida (pending arena completion, which is mired in lawsuits and financial problems-the ECHL has given the ownership group one last chance to get an arena going, otherwise the franchise will be revoked)
• 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.)
• Reno Raiders (2008-09, pending arena construction, franchise suspended after the 1997-98 West Coast Hockey League season)

Teams

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(2005-06 NHL affiliates in parentheses)

National Conference

West Division

• Alaska Aces (STL)
• Idaho Steelheads (DAL)
• Las Vegas Wranglers (CGY)
• Phoenix Roadrunners (TBD)
• Utah Grizzlies (TBD)
• Victoria Salmon Kings (VAN)

Pacific Division

• Bakersfield Condors (Independent)
• Fresno Falcons (SJ)
• Long Beach Ice Dogs (MTL)
• Stockton Thunder (PHX)

American Conference

North Division

• Cincinnati Cyclones (TBD)
• Dayton Bombers (CLB)
• Johnstown Chiefs (TB)
• Reading Royals (LA)
• Toledo Storm (DET/SJ)
• Trenton Titans (PHI/NYI)
• Wheeling Nailers (PIT)

South Division

• Augusta Lynx (Independent)
• Charlotte Checkers (NYR/OTT)
• Columbia Inferno (VAN)
• Florida Everblades (CAR/FLA)
• Gwinnett Gladiators (ATL)
• Pensacola Ice Pilots (TOR)
• South Carolina Stingrays (WSH)
• Texas Wildcatters (TBD)

2005-2006 Season

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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

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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

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• Kelly Cup
• ECHL All-Star Game
• List of ECHL seasons
• Developmental and minor sports leagues
• List of ice hockey leagues
• Sports league attendances

External links

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• ECHL website

ECHL | Ice hockey leagues

East Coast Hockey League | East Coast Hockey League | Minor league hockey