Why is the ECHL the Premier "AA" league?

[ACsurfan]

Certainly not based on talent or level of play...that would be the veteran laden CHL.

Colorado Eagles would rule the ECHL...

[mrsummitcitypigskin]

Certainly not based on talent or level of play...that would be the veteran laden CHL.

Colorado Eagles would rule the ECHL...

Who's opinion is that? AA hockey has 3 forms that I know of. 2 leagues, the ECHL & CHL are affiliated. The IHL is a non-affilate league. I think they all play the same brand of hockey. The IHL seems to have more veteran players (cuz of the non-union status) The ECHL is a tad quicker skating and the CHL is a bit more physical. I'd love to see an end of season playoff between the top teams from each league. I think a Colorado and a Ft.Wayne would skate pretty evenly with a top team from the ECHL.

[braddaman1]

It is just a self proclaimed tag line they gave themselves. Most likely because they are affiliated with the NHL. As far a pay goes the IHL has a higher salary cap than the ECHL. Other than that there is little difference in the play and skills.

[HockeyRulez]

It is just a self proclaimed tag line they gave themselves. Most likely because they are affiliated with the NHL. As far a pay goes the IHL has a higher salary cap than the ECHL. Other than that there is little difference in the play and skills.

Higher salary? DUH. It;'s veteran players DOMINATING the league! Come on are you JOKING? There is a BIG difference in the play. Guys like Robinson and Bouchard in Muskegon would get lost in the shuffle in the ECHL. The IHL is full of has been and even more never was's and never going anywheres. The ECHL has SOME of those but they also have many could bes.

[HockeyRulez]

Who's opinion is that? AA hockey has 3 forms that I know of. 2 leagues, the ECHL & CHL are affiliated. The IHL is a non-affilate league. I think they all play the same brand of hockey. The IHL seems to have more veteran players (cuz of the non-union status) The ECHL is a tad quicker skating and the CHL is a bit more physical. I'd love to see an end of season playoff between the top teams from each league. I think a Colorado and a Ft.Wayne would skate pretty evenly with a top team from the ECHL.

I don't think every team has Affiliations and aren't the affiliations actually just NHL related?)reffering to the CHL)

[mrsummitcitypigskin]

Higher salary? DUH. It;'s veteran players DOMINATING the league! Come on are you JOKING? There is a BIG difference in the play. Guys like Robinson and Bouchard in Muskegon would get lost in the shuffle in the ECHL. The IHL is full of has been and even more never was's and never going anywheres. The ECHL has SOME of those but they also have many could bes.

Ft.Wayne (IHL) would skate with any team in the ECHL or CHL.
I'd add Muskegon and Port Huron in the mix too. At the AA level
anything can happen on a given night. If your statement is true,
Mr.HockeyRulez, why are so many of Ft.Wayne's players being
called up to the AHL?

As I've said before, this will be an interesting off-season in AA hockey.
Realignment is def on the horizon.

[HockeyRulez]

Ft.Wayne (IHL) would skate with any team in the ECHL or CHL.
I'd add Muskegon and Port Huron in the mix too. At the AA level
anything can happen on a given night. If your statement is true,
Mr.HockeyRulez, why are so many of Ft.Wayne's players being
called up to the AHL?

As I've said before, this will be an interesting off-season in AA hockey.
Realignment is def on the horizon.

I think its going to be an interesting offseason for sure, not to mention the fact the ECHL's East Division will be in a tough spot. They need a 4th team. I haven't heard of any markets that may play. Other then Albany/Binghampton but I don't see it, and the Binghampton one depends on something else. The IHL just needs to disband.

Just because they can skate with them doesn't mean the players are in fact as good. You gotta remember its a team game, not individual. No franchise is gunna look at a guy like Robin Bouchard or Todd Robinson over say some talented 22 year old. One of the reasons is infact just that, age. But another is salary. They know that older guys demand more money. Younger guys are just thankful to be getting noticed.
Fort Wayne isn't even the best team in the league(3rd best record wise)I dont really follow that dumpsterfire of a league anymore, I look at boxscores everyonce and awhile. But I just looked @ Fort Waynes boxscore from tonight. They have Syrocynski(Who should be a full time AHL Guy by now)But look @ their roster. Guy Dupuis? OLD, been there forever. PC Drouin, OLD. Matt Woodard, somewhat old. Colin Chaulk, ANCIENT. Justin Chewdoruk, OLD. If thats the same Bobby Phillips that played on I think the Richmond Riverdogs then hes old as well. The rest of these guys, I don't know, The site blows as far as player info and im not gunna sit here and hockeydb all these guys.
But one thing thats been noted about the season and even the last couple, is the economy. It SUCKS over here, guys bolt to Europe for better money, that has part to do with the callups thing, callups in a way are overrated. You see guys called up just to fill a roster spot if clubs are shorthanded. I don't know or care how many callups theyve had. My team has had too many to mention and we've seen guys come and go kinda extensively. In a way its a pain in the ass, but in a way kudos to them. I'm glad to see guys get a shot. They havent claimed our best players yet and thank god.
These teams may compete but you forget because its a Developmental League the majority of ECHL Rosters are guys adjusting to the Pro Game. This gives the old farts in the IHL advantages to a degree or another, but just because they could play with em/beat them now doesn't mean much. The only true way to settle this is to have the UHL bums show up around ECHL camps and try to beat out guys for a spot. I'd like to see that if the IHL folds. Stick every player in ECHL camps and see how well they do.

[nuts_4_hockey]

As a K-Wings fan who lives in close proximity to Ft Wayne as well I got to attend games from the ECHL and IHL last season. A statement about the IHL guys-veteran majority-competing with the E is laughable to me! The I has somewhat more physicality from their older players But the E has some hard physical players too-who play so much faster of a paced game. I haven't been to any CHL games but 2 things stand out to me about the C: They should have a fast paced game because of the veteran limit like the E. They have a virtually unaffiliated league. A couple affiliations across a whole league makes me question whether it should be called AA at all. Before C fans get too angry I will say this though there are many very talented players on your rosters too.