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2009-10 ECHL Season Preview

October 12, 2009 - ECHL (ECHL) News Release


The ECHL will open its 22nd season on Thursday when the Reading Royals host the Kalamazoo Wings, who are the newest member of the Premier 'AA' Hockey League, at the Sovereign Center.

The league will play seven games on Friday and nine games on Saturday before concluding opening weekend with four games on Sunday.

To purchase tickets for any ECHL game go to ECHL.com/Tickets.shtml.

Began in 1988-89 with five teams in four states, the ECHL has grown into a coast-to-coast league that will have 20 teams in 15 states and British Columbia playing 720 games from Thursday to Apr. 3, 2010.

The Johnstown Chiefs have been a member of the league for all 22 seasons playing at the Cambria County War Memorial Arena while the Wheeling Nailers return for its 18th season and the Charlotte Checkers and the Kelly Cup champion South Carolina Stingrays each celebrate their 17th year. Toledo returns for its 16th season while the Florida Everblades celebrate their 12th year and Trenton its 11th season in the ECHL.

The third-longest tenured professional hockey league behind only the National Hockey League and the American Hockey League, the ECHL is the only minor professional hockey league to increase average attendance each of the last two seasons. The ECHL averaged 4,258 per game in 2008-09 which is the highest average since 2005-06 and the second-highest average in the last eight years. It is the fifth consecutive season and the 17th time in the last 19 years that the ECHL has averaged over 4,000 fans and the league drew over 3 million fans for the 16th year in a row and reached the 3 million mark in the fewest number of games since 2005-06.

The ECHL returns to Toledo following a two-year absence which allowed construction of the new state-of-the-art Lucas County Arena. The Walleye have sold more than 2,400 season tickets and are projecting capacity crowds when they host the Florida Everblades on Friday, Saturday and Sunday at the 7,500-seat facility.

South Carolina will raise its record third Kelly Cup championship banner and its third conference championship banner on Friday when it hosts the Wheeling Nailers. The Alaska Aces will hoist their second National Conference championship banner and their fourth West Division championship banner on Friday when they host Victoria. The Stingrays set a team record for largest crowd with 10,568 on Jan. 17 while Alaska tied its regular season record for the eighth time with 6,451 on Feb. 27. The capacity for Sullivan Arena was increased during the Kelly Cup Playoffs and the Aces had back-to-back standing-room-only crowds of 6,610 for Games 6 and 7 of the Finals.

The Idaho Steelheads host the Stockton Thunder on Friday, Saturday and Sunday while the Bakersfield Condors will host the Ontario Reign on Friday and Saturday. Bakersfield has drawn over 200,000 fans each of the last five seasons while Idaho has led the league the last six seasons with 42 sellouts.

Las Vegas will host Utah and Elmira will host Cincinnati on Friday while Johnstown will open on Saturday when Cincinnati visits the historic Cambria County War Memorial.

Trenton will open its season on Friday and Saturday when the Devils host Kalamazoo while Gwinnett will host Wheeling on Saturday and Sunday.

The Ontario Reign, the City of Ontario and Citizens Business Bank Arena will host the 18th Annual ECHL All-Star Game on Jan. 20, 2010 and the 13th Annual All-Star Skills Competition on Jan. 19, 2010.

ECHL Coaches Mixture Of Fresh Faces, Veterans

Thirteen of the 20 coaches in the ECHL return for the same team as last season while six take the reins for the first time. The 20th is Nick Vitucci who returns behind the bench in Toledo following a two-year hiatus while the Walleye built their new arena.

Cail MacLean begins his first season as head coach of South Carolina after working as an assistant coach for the Kelly Cup winner in 2008-09. MacLean finished his 11-year playing career in 2007-08 with South Carolina after three seasons with the club. He ranks in the Top 20 on the team career list in goals, assists and points and in the ECHL's Top 20 with 224 goals over nine seasons with Jacksonville, Reading, Trenton and South Carolina.

Brent Thompson enters his first season as head coach in Alaska after four seasons as an assistant with the Aces' American Hockey League affiliate, the Peoria Rivermen, and one year as a player/assistant with Colorado in the Central Hockey League. Originally drafted by Los Angeles in the second round (39th overall) in the 1989 National Hockey League Entry Draft, Thompson played six seasons in the NHL from 1991-97 amassing 11 points (1g-10a) and 352 penalty minutes in 121 regular season games with Los Angeles, Phoenix and Winnipeg.

Jeff Pyle returns for his seventh season as head coach of Gwinnett and his 11th year in the ECHL. He has led the Gladiators to the Kelly Cup Playoffs all six seasons and has a career record of 385-256-75 to rank third all-time in both wins and games coached. Pyle was selected to three consecutive All-Star Games from 2004-06 which ties him with Davis Payne, Chris Cichocki and Glen Gulutzan for the most selections.

Derek Wilkinson in Charlotte and Marty Raymond in Bakersfield are both back for their sixth full season. Wilkinson is 194-161-34 with Charlotte which gives him more wins than any other coach in Checkers history. Wilkinson has guided Charlotte to the Kelly Cup Playoffs each of his first five seasons tying the team record for consecutive postseason appearances. Raymond led the Condors to the Kelly Cup Playoffs for the fifth straight year in 2008-09 while improving his record to 186-144-47 behind the Condors bench. Bakersfield had a winning record for the fourth time in his five seasons behind the bench in 2008-09.

Greg Puhalski returns for his second full season as head coach in Wheeling while Rick Kowalsky is back for his fourth season with Trenton. In his first season in 2008-09, Puhalski helped the Nailers finish with 29 more points than in 2007-08 which was the biggest improvement in the league. The upswing also was also responsible for Puhalski's 2009 All-Star Game selection and the Nailers securing a Kelly Cup Playoffs berth for the first time since 2006. Kowalsky presided over the second-best upswing in the standings as the Devils improved upon their 2007-08 total by 22 points to advance to the Kelly Cup Playoffs for the eighth time in 10 years. For his efforts Kowalsky was presented with the John Brophy Award, given annually to the coach adjudged to have contributed the most to his team's success.



Mark Morrison begins his fourth season as head coach of Victoria while Matt Thomas is back for his second as head coach in Stockton. Both were selected for a second time as National Conference coaches for the 2009 ECHL All-Star Game. Morrison guided the Salmon Kings to a third-place finish in the National Conference and the Division Finals in the Kelly Cup Playoffs. Victoria had the second-longest winning streak in ECHL history winning 15 games from Dec. 6, 2008 to Jan. 10, 2009. Thomas led the Thunder past regular season division winner Ontario in the Pacific Division Semifinals for the club's first playoff series victory since 2003. He has led his teams to the Kelly Cup Playoffs in each of his five seasons and is 201-114-44 in the regular season.

Derek Laxdal begins his fifth season as head coach in Idaho. He is 169-91-28 in the regular season and 19-18 in the Kelly Cup Playoffs as the Steelheads have won 40 games, including a team record 44 wins in 2008-09, and reached the postseason each of his first four seasons. Idaho captured the Kelly Cup championship in his second season in 2006-07 after going 43-21-8 in 2005-06 to set team records for wins and points (94).

Chuck Weber returns for his fourth year as head coach in Cincinnati. He has led the Cyclones to the Kelly Cup Playoffs all three years where he is 30-17 with back-to-back trips to the conference finals. Weber is 133-67-16 in his first three seasons which ranks him fourth all-time among ECHL coaches in wins during the start of their career. In his second season in 2007-08 the Cyclones won the Kelly Cup and Brabham Cup championships making the 35 year old only the third coach in 20 years to win both the regular season and postseason titles.

Nick Bootland in Kalamazoo and Nick Vitucci in Toledo are both at the helm of teams new to the ECHL for 2009-10. Bootland is in his second year as head coach of the K-Wings, who played in the International Hockey League in 2008-09. Bootland played two seasons in the ECHL for Cincinnati from 2001-03 and had 98 points (44g-54a) and 216 penalty minutes in 114 regular season games and 18 points (10g-8a) and 21 penalty minutes in 18 Kelly Cup Playoff games. He helped the Cyclones reach the conference finals in 2003 where they lost in to eventual Kelly Cup champion Atlantic City in seven games. Vitucci played 14 seasons in the ECHL and is the league's all-time regular season wins leader. He was a member of the inaugural class inducted into the ECHL Hall of Fame in 2008 and his five ECHL championships are the most in league history. He coached the Toledo Storm from 2004-07 before the team took a voluntary suspension while the Lucas County Arena was being constructed. Vitucci is 140-104-21 in the regular season and led Toledo to the Kelly Cup Playoffs three years in a row from 2004-07, the first time the team had reached the postseason three straight seasons since 1997-99. He was named ECHL Coach of the Year in 2004-05 after Toledo finished 41-26-5., begins his first season as head coach with the Walleye.

Returning for his third year as head coach in Elmira is Steve Martinson, who is 80-50-14 and has guided the team to a Kelly Cup Playoff berth in each of the Jackals first two seasons. Martinson has never missed the postseason in 14 years as a coach and he won five championships in the West Coast Hockey League and one title in the United Hockey League.

Coaches returning for their second season are Malcolm Cameron in Florida and Karl Taylor in Ontario. Cameron led the Everblades to a 49-17-5 mark and their second Brabham Cup championship as well as the team's 11th-consecutive playoff appearance since entering the league in 1998-99. Cameron, who coached in the ECHL All-Star Game in 2007 and 2008, is 257-124-50 in six ECHL seasons. Taylor, meanwhile, pushed the Reign to a 38-29-6 record and the Pacific Division regular season title in the club's inaugural season. Taylor was head coach of Reading for three seasons from 2005-08. The Royals were 112-82-22, advanced to the Kelly Cup Playoffs two times and had more than 100 call ups to the AHL. Taylor was selected to coach the American Conference in the 2006 ECHL All-Star Game, becoming the sixth first-year coach since 1996 to step behind the bench for the midseason event.

Jeff Flanagan starts his first season as head coach with Johnstown. He was head coach for Gardena in Italy which finished 18-11-3 and led the league with 4.80 goals per game en route to the semifinals in 2008-09. He was associate coach of Basingstoke in the English Premier League in 2004-05 and was an assistant coach for Reading in 2006-07. He played three seasons at the University of Guelph helping the Gryphons capture the CIS National Championship in 1996-97.

Kevin Colley, who is the youngest coach in the ECHL at 30 years old, begins his second season as head coach in Utah after a 28-28-16 season and an appearance in the Kelly Cup Playoffs in 2008-09.

Larry Courville is in his first full season as head coach for the Reading Royals. He took over for Jason Nobili on Jan. 6, 2009 and led the Royals to a 15-19-3 record in their final 38 games. Courville played six seasons in the ECHL and had 96 points (36g-60a) and 264 penalty minutes in 190 regular season games for Johnstown and Reading. He was the first inductee into the Reading Eagle Wall of Honor which celebrates members of the organization who have made distinctive contributions to the success of the team.

Ryan Mougenel is in his first year as head coach of Las Vegas after working the last four years as an assistant coach. The 33 year old had 105 points (46g-59a) and 271 penalty minutes in 180 regular season games with Atlantic City, Chesapeake, Hampton Roads, and Jackson and helped Atlantic City win the Kelly Cup championship in 2003.



2009-10 ECHL Team Capsules

National Conference - Pacific Division

Bakersfield Condors

Seventh Season

Location: Bakersfield, California
Arena (Opened): Rabobank Arena (1998)
Capacity: 9,000
Conference: National
Division: Pacific
Coach: Marty Raymond, Seventh Season (186-144-47)
NHL Affiliate: Anaheim Ducks
AHL Affiliate: TBD
Alumni In NHL In 2008-09: Alexandre Bolduc and Connor James
2009 Kelly Cup Playoffs
Lost Pacific Division Semifinals To Las Vegas (3 games to 4)

2008-09 In Review
Record: 33-31-8
Points: 74
Division Finish: 3rd
Conference Finish: 6th
Overall Finish: 14th
Goals-Per Game: 3.42 (5th)
Goals-Against Average: 3.65 (21st)
Power Play: 20.5% (5th)
Penalty Kill: 81.2% (14th)

Las Vegas Wranglers

Seventh Season

Location: Las Vegas, Nevada
Arena (Opened): Orleans Arena (2003)
Capacity: 7,705
Conference: National
Division: Pacific
Coach: Ryan Mougenel, First Season
NHL Affiliate: Phoenix Coyotes
AHL Affiliate: San Antonio Rampage
Alumni In NHL In 2008-09: John Curry, Brent Krahn, Mike McKenna, Adam Pardy, Dany Sabourin, Tyler Sloan and Tyson Strachan

2009 Kelly Cup Playoffs
Lost National Conference Finals To Alaska (0 games to 4)

2008-09 In Review
Record: 34-31-8
Points: 76
Division Finish: 2nd
Conference Finish: 5th
Overall Finish: 13th
Goals-Per Game: 2.85 (19th)
Goals-Against Average: 2.67 (5th)
Power Play: 12.4% (T-21st)
Penalty Kill: 85.5% (3rd)

Ontario Reign

Second Season

Location: Ontario, California
Arena (Opened): Citizens Business Bank Arena (2008)
Capacity: 9,644
Conference: National
Division: Pacific
Coach: Karl Taylor, Second Season (38-29-6)
NHL Affiliate: Los Angeles Kings
AHL Affiliate: Manchester Monarchs
Alumni In NHL In 2008-09:

2009 Kelly Cup Playoffs
Lost Pacific Division Semifinals To Stockton (3 games to 4)

2008-09 In Review
Record: 38-29-6
Points: 82
Division Finish: 1st
Conference Finish: 4th
Overall Finish: 9th
Goals-Per Game: 2.70 (22nd)
Goals-Against Average: 2.99 (9th)
Power Play: 17.4% (9th)
Penalty Kill: 82.7% (12th)

Stockton Thunder

Fifth Season

Location: Stockton, California
Arena (Opened): Stockton Arena (2005)
Capacity: 9,737
Conference: National
Division: Pacific
Coach: Matt Thomas, First Season
NHL Affiliate: Edmonton Oilers
AHL Affiliate: Springfield Falcons
Alumni In NHL In 2008-09: Troy Bodie, Liam Reddox and Tim Sestito

2009 Kelly Cup Playoffs
Lost Pacific Division Finals To Las Vegas (3 games to 4)

2008-09 In Review
Record: 32-33-7
Points: 71
Division Finish: 4th
Conference Finish: 8th
Overall Finish: 17th
Goals-Per Game: 2.92 (17th)
Goals-Against Average: 3.29 (14th)
Power Play: 15.8% (13th)
Penalty Kill: 81.1% (T-16th)

National Conference - West Division

Alaska Aces

Seventh Season

Location: Anchorage, Alaska
Arena (Opened): Sullivan Arena (1983)
Capacity: 6,410
Conference: National
Division: West
Coach: Brent Thompson, First Season
NHL Affiliate: St. Louis Blues
AHL Affiliate: Peoria Rivermen
Alumni In NHL In 2008-09: Scott Gomez, Chris Holt, D.J. King and Chris Minard

2009 Kelly Cup Playoffs
Lost Kelly Cup Finals To South Carolina (3 games to 4)

2008-09 In Review
Record: 45-24-3
Points: 93
Division Finish: 1st
Conference Finish: 1st
Overall Finish: 2nd
Goals-Per Game: 3.22 (T-8th)
Goals-Against Average: 2.51 (1st)
Power Play: 18.2% (8th)
Penalty Kill: 89.3% (1st)

Idaho Steelheads

Seventh Season

Location: Boise, Idaho
Arena (Opened): Qwest Arena (1997)
Capacity: 5,006
Conference: National
Division: West
Coach: Derek Laxdal, Fifth Season (169-91-28)
NHL Affiliate: Dallas Stars
AHL Affiliate: Texas Stars
Alumni In NHL In 2008-09: Jay Beagle, Matt Climie, B.J. Crombeen, Dan Ellis, Zenon Konopka, Warren Peters and Tom Wandell

2009 Kelly Cup Playoffs
Lost West Division Semifinals To Victoria (0 games to 4)

2008-09 In Review
Record: 44-24-4
Points: 92
Division Finish: 2nd
Conference Finish: 2nd
Overall Finish: 3rd
Goals-Per Game: 3.11 (12th)
Goals-Against Average: 2.58 (2nd)
Power Play: 19.6% (6th)
Penalty Kill: 83.9% (8th)

Utah Grizzlies

Fifth Season

Location: West Valley City, Utah
Arena (Opened): The E-Center (1997)
Capacity: 10,207
Conference: National
Division: West
Coach: Kevin Colley, Second Season (28-28-16)
NHL Affiliate: New York Islanders
AHL Affiliate: Bridgeport Sound Tigers
Alumni In NHL In 2008-09: Andrew MacDonald, Peter Mannino, Joel Rechlicz and Trevor Smith

2009 Kelly Cup Playoffs
Lost West Division Semifinals to Alaska (1 game to 4)

2008-09 In Review
Record: 28-28-16
Points: 72
Division Finish: 4th
Conference Finish: 7th
Overall Finish: 15th
Goals-Per Game: 3.06 (T-13th)
Goals-Against Average: 3.42 (T-15th)
Power Play: 13.8% (20th)
Penalty Kill: 81.2% (T-14th)

Victoria Salmon Kings

Sixth Season

Location: Victoria, British Columbia
Arena (Opened): Save-On-Foods Centre (2005)
Capacity: 7,006
Conference: National
Division: West
Coach: Mark Morrison, Fourth Season (107-65-17)
NHL Affiliate: Vancouver Canucks
AHL Affiliate: Manitoba Moose
Alumni In NHL In 2008-09:

2009 Kelly Cup Playoffs
Lost West Division Finals to Alaska (1 games to 4)

2008-09 In Review
Record: 38-27-7
Points: 83
Division Finish: 3rd
Conference Finish: 3rd
Overall Finish: 8th
Goals-Per Game: 3.22 (T-8th)
Goals-Against Average: 2.78 (7th)
Power Play: 17.0% (T-11th)
Penalty Kill: 84.3% (T-5th)

American Conference - East Division

Elmira Jackals

Third Season

Location: Elmira, New York
Arena (Opened): First Arena (2000)
Capacity: 3,784
Conference: American
Division: East
Coach: Steve Martinson, Third Season (80-50-14)
NHL Affiliate: Ottawa Senators
AHL Affiliate: Binghamton Senators
Alumni In NHL In 2008-09: Dan LaCosta and Bryan Rodney

2009 Kelly Cup Playoffs
Lost North Division Finals To Cincinnati (0 games to 4)

2008-09 In Review
Record: 39-26-7
Points: 85
Division Finish: 3rd
Conference Finish: 5th
Overall Finish: 7th
Goals-Per Game: 3.26 (7th)
Goals-Against Average: 3.22 (T-12th)
Power Play: 15.2% (16th)
Penalty Kill: 83.5% (9th)

Johnstown Chiefs

22nd Season

Location: Johnstown, Pennsylvania
Arena (Opened): Cambria County War Memorial Arena (1950)
Capacity: 3,880
Conference: American
Division: East
Coach: Jeff Flanagan, First Season
NHL Affiliate: TBD
AHL Affiliate: TBD
Alumni In NHL In 2008-09: Scott Adams (athletic trainer), Andre Deveaux, Scott Gordon (coach), Dana Heinze (equipment manager), Ray Macias, Brett McLean, Dany Sabourin, Jody Shelley, Chris Stewart (athletic trainer) and Wes O'Neill

2009 Kelly Cup Playoffs
Did Not Qualify

2008-09 In Review
Record: 37-30-5
Points: 79
Division Finish: 5th
Conference Finish: 7th
Overall Finish: 11th
Goals-Per Game: 3.17 (11th)
Goals-Against Average: 3.22 (T-12th)
Power Play: 17.0% (T-11th)
Penalty Kill: 83.3% (T-10th)

Reading Royals

Ninth Season

Location: Reading, Pennsylvania
Arena (Opened): Sovereign Center (2001)
Capacity: 7,160
Conference: American
Division: East
Coach: Larry Courville, First Season
NHL Affiliate: Toronto Maple Leafs / Boston Bruins
AHL Affiliate: Toronto Marlies
Alumni In NHL In 2008-09: Jeff Finger, George Parros, Jonathan Quick, Rich Peverley, Dave Steckel

2009 Kelly Cup Playoffs
Did Not Qualify

2008-09 In Review
Record: 24-42-6
Points: 54
Division Finish: 7th
Conference Finish: 12th
Overall Finish: 21st
Goals-Per Game: 2.93 (16th)
Goals-Against Average: 3.74 (22nd)
Power Play: 15.5% (15th)
Penalty Kill: 78.2% (22nd)

Trenton Devils

11th Season

Location: Trenton, New Jersey
Arena (Opened): Sovereign Bank Arena (1999)
Capacity: 7,605
Conference: American
Division: East
Coach: Rick Kowalsky, Fourth Season (105-92-19)
NHL Affiliate: New Jersey Devils
AHL Affiliate: Lowell Devils
Alumni In NHL In 2008-09: Jesse Boulerice, Todd Fedoruk, Josh Gratton, Ruslan Fedotenko, Mike Haviland (Asst. Coach), Peter Horachek (Asst. Coach), Jay Leach, Pierre-Luc Letourneau-Leblond, Jerred Smithson, Steve Valiquette
2009 Kelly Cup Playoffs
Lost North Division Semifinals to Elmira (3 games to 4)

2008-09 In Review
Record: 40-25-7
Points: 87
Division Finish: 2nd
Conference Finish: 4th
Overall Finish: 6th
Goals-Per Game: 3.28 (6th)
Goals-Against Average: 2.86 (8th)
Power Play: 21.7% (4th)
Penalty Kill: 84.1% (7th)

American Conference - North Division

Cincinnati Cyclones

Seventh Season

Location: Cincinnati, Ohio
Arena (Opened): U.S. Bank Arena (1975)
Capacity: 12,056
Conference: American
Division: North
Coach: Chuck Weber, Fourth Season (133-67-16)
NHL Affiliate: Montreal Canadiens/ Nashville Predators
AHL Affiliate: Hamilton Bulldogs/ Milwaukee Admirals
Alumni In NHL In 2008-09: Jamie Kompon (Asst. Coach), Pat Rissmiller, Corey Schwab (Goalie Coach) and Greg Stewart

2009 Kelly Cup Playoffs
Lost American Conference Finals to South Carolina (0 games to 4)

2008-09 In Review
Record: 41-26-5
Points: 87
Division Finish: 1st
Conference Finish: 3rd
Overall Finish: 5th
Goals-Per Game: 3.56 (3rd)
Goals-Against Average: 3.21 (11th)
Power Play: 19.1% (7th)
Penalty Kill: 79.9% (T-20th)

Kalamazoo Wings

First Season

Location: Kalamazoo, Michigan
Arena (Opened): Wings Stadium (1974)
Capacity: 5,113
Conference: American
Division: North
Coach: Nick Bootland, Second Season
NHL Affiliate: Philadelphia Flyers / San Jose Sharks
AHL Affiliate: Adirondack Phantoms / Worcester Sharks
Alumni In NHL In 2008-09: David Barr (assistant coach), Manny Fernandez, Ken Hitchcock (head coach), Jamie Langenbrunner, Brad Lukowich, Claude Noel (assistant coach), Jim Playfair (associate coach), Joel Rechlicz, Jonathan Sim and Marty Turco

Toledo Walleye

First Season

Location: Toledo, Ohio
Arena (Opened): Lucas County Downtown Arena (2009)
Capacity: 7,500
Conference: American
Division: North
Coach: Nick Vitucci, Fifth Season
NHL Affiliate: Detroit Red Wings / Chicago Blackhawks
AHL Affiliate: Grand Rapids Griffins / Rockford IceHogs
Alumni In NHL In 2008-09: Matt Ellis, Andrew Hutchinson, Raitis Ivanans and Joey MacDonald

Wheeling Nailers

18th Season

Location: Wheeling, West Virginia
Arena (Opened): WesBanco Arena (1977)
Capacity: 5,406
Conference: American
Division: North
Coach: Greg Puhalski, Third Season (49-51-12)
NHL Affiliate: Pittsburgh Penguins
AHL Affiliate: Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins
Alumni In NHL In 2008-09: Paul Bissonnette, Francis Bouillon, John Curry, Daniel Carcillo, Jason Jaffray, David Koci, Zenon Konopka, Peter Laviolette (Head Coach), Kurtis McLean, Michel Ouellet, Cam Paddock, Dany Sabourin, Tomas Vokoun and Tim Wallace

2009 Kelly Cup Playoffs
Lost North Division Semifinals to Cincinnati (3 games to 4)

2008-09 In Review
Record: 36-28-8
Points: 80
Division Finish: 4th
Conference Finish: 6th
Overall Finish: 10th
Goals-Per Game: 3.65 (2nd)
Goals-Against Average: 3.61 (T-19th)
Power Play: 22.0% (T-1st)
Penalty Kill: 81.1% (T-16th)

American Conference - South Division

Charlotte Checkers

17th Season

Location: Charlotte, North Carolina
Arena (Opened): Time Warner Cable Arena (2005)
Capacity: 6,800
Conference: American
Division: South
Coach: Derek Wilkinson, Seventh Season (194-161-34)
NHL Affiliate: New York Rangers
AHL Affiliate: Hartford Wolf Pack
Alumni In NHL In 2008-09: Eric Boulton, Daniel Girardi, Chris Holt, Jason LaBarbera, Steve MacIntyre, Al Montoya, Jakub Petruzalek, Thomas Pock, Corey Potter, Bryan Rodney and Craig Weller

2009 Kelly Cup Playoffs
Lost South Division Semifinals To South Carolina (2 games to 4)

2008-09 In Review
Record: 34-29-8
Points: 76
Division Finish: 3rd
Conference Finish: 8th
Overall Finish: 12th
Goals-Per Game: 3.06 (T-13th)
Goals-Against Average: 3.15 (10th)
Power Play: 14.6% (18th)
Penalty Kill: 84.4% (4th)

Florida Everblades

12th Season

Location: Estero, Florida
Arena (Opened): Germain Arena (1998)
Capacity: 7,080
Conference: American
Division: South
Coach: Malcolm Cameron, Second Season (49-17-5)
NHL Affiliate: Carolina Hurricanes / Florida Panthers
AHL Affiliate: Albany River Rats / Rochester Americans
Alumni In NHL In 2008-09: Eric Boulton, Brett Carson, Matt Hendricks, Shane Hnidy, Kenndal McArdle, Chad LaRose

2009 Kelly Cup Playoffs
Lost South Division Finals To South Carolina (2 games to 4)

2008-09 In Review
Record: 49-17-5
Points: 103
Division Finish: 1st
Conference Finish: 1st
Overall Finish: 1st
Goals-Per Game: 3.79 (1st)
Goals-Against Average: 2.63 (T-3rd)
Power Play: 21.8% (3rd)
Penalty Kill: 86.4% (2nd)

Gwinnett Gladiators

Seventh Season

Location: Duluth, Georgia
Arena (Opened): The Arena at Gwinnett Center (2003)
Capacity: 11,355
Conference: American
Division: South
Coach: Jeff Pyle, Seventh Season (248-143-41)
NHL Affiliate: Atlanta Thrashers / Columbus Blue Jackets
AHL Affiliate: Chicago Wolves / Syracuse Crunch
Alumni In NHL In 2008-09: Mike Dunham (coach), Chris Durno, Pat Dwyer, Scott Lehman, Pascal Pelletier, Jared Ross and Colin Stuart

2009 Kelly Cup Playoffs
Lost South Division Semifinals To Florida (1 game to 4)

2008-09 In Review
Record: 31-35-6
Points: 68
Division Finish: 4th
Conference Finish: 10th
Overall Finish: 18th
Goals-Per Game: 2.97 (15th)
Goals-Against Average: 3.42 (T-15th)
Power Play: 15.7% (14th)
Penalty Kill: 82.6% (13th)

South Carolina Stingrays

17th Season

Location: North Charleston, South Carolina
Arena (Opened): North Charleston Coliseum (1993)
Capacity: 6,712
Conference: American
Division: South
Coach: Cail MacLean, First Season
NHL Affiliate: Washington Capitals
AHL Affiliate: Hershey Bears
Alumni In NHL In 2008-09: Martin Biron, Sean Collins, Jamie Fraser, Andrew Gordon, Michal Neuvirth, Rich Peverley

2009 Kelly Cup Playoffs
Won Kelly Cup
Defeated Alaska Aces (4 games to 3)

2008-09 In Review
Record: 42-23-6
Points: 90
Division Finish: 2nd
Conference Finish: 2nd
Overall Finish: 4th
Goals-Per Game: 3.51 (4th)
Goals-Against Average: 2.63 (T-3rd)
Power Play: 22.0% (T-1st)
Penalty Kill: 84.3% (T-5th)



Here is a look at how the Kelly Cup finalists did the following season and how the Kelly Cup winner began the season that it won the championship.

Key
DNQ - Did Not Qualify
DQF - Division Quarterfinals
DSF - Division Semifinals
DF - Division Finals
CWC - Conference Wild Card
CQF - Conference Quarterfinals
CF - Conference Finals
KCF - Kelly Cup Finals

2009 Finalists - South Carolina defeated Alaska, 4 games to 3

2008 Finalists - Cincinnati defeated Las Vegas, 4 games to 2
The Next Year - Cincinnati 41-26-5 (1st North, CF), Las Vegas 34-31-8 (2nd Pacific, CF)

2007 Finalists - Idaho defeated Dayton, 4 games to 1
The Next Year - Idaho 40-22-10 (2nd West, CQF), Dayton 29-31-12 (5th North, DSF)

2006 Finalists - Alaska defeated Gwinnett, 4 games to 1
The Next Year - Alaska 49-16-7 (1st West, CF), Gwinnett 41-24-7 (3rd South, DSF)

2005 Finalists - Trenton defeated Florida, 4 games to 2
The Next Year - Trenton 31-36-5 (5th North, DQF), Florida 48-20-4 (2nd South, DF)

2004 Finalists - Idaho defeated Florida, 4 games to 1
The Next Year - Idaho 42-23-7 (3rd West, DSF), Florida 42-20-10 (2nd South, KCF)

2003 Finalists - Atlantic City defeated Columbia, 4 games to 1
The Next Year - Atlantic City 47-19-6 (2nd Northern, DSF), Columbia 44-20-8 (1st Southern, DSF)

2002 Finalists - Greenville defeated Dayton, 4 games to 0
The Next Year - Greenville 28-36-8 (5th Southeast, DSF), Dayton 24-38-10 (7th Northwest, DNQ)

2001 Finalists - South Carolina defeated Trenton, 4 games to 1
The Next Year - South Carolina 39-26-7 (4th Southeast, CWC), Trenton 46-16-10 (1st Northeast, DF)

2000 Finalists - Peoria defeated Louisiana, 4 games to 2
The Next Year - Peoria 45-17-10 (1st Northwest, CF), Louisiana 42-24-6 (1st Southwest, CF)

1999 Finalists - Mississippi defeated Richmond, 4 games to 3
The Next Year - Mississippi 35-27-8 (4th Southwest, CQF), Richmond 44-21-5 (2nd Northeast, CQF)

1998 Finalists - Hampton Roads defeated Pensacola, 4 games to 2
The Next Year - Hampton Roads 38-24-8 (2nd Northeast, CQF), Pensacola 25-41-4 (8th Southwest, DNQ)

1997 Finalists - South Carolina defeated Louisiana, 4 games to 1
The Next Year - South Carolina 41-23-6 (1st Southeast, CQF), Louisiana 43-17-10 (1st Southwest, CF)

Kelly Cup Champions In October

1996-97 - South Carolina, 4-0-1
1997-98 - Hampton Roads, 4-2-1
1998-99 - Mississippi, 2-3-1
99-2000 - Peoria, 4-0-1
2000-01 - South Carolina, 3-3-2
2001-02 - Greenville, 5-4-1
2002-03 - Atlantic City, 5-2-1
2003-04 - Idaho, 4-4-0
2004-05 - Trenton, 3-1-0
2005-06 - Alaska, 4-1-1
2006-07 - Idaho, 4-1-0
2007-08 - Cincinnati, 2-2-0
2008-09 - South Carolina, 3-1-0

ECHL Hall of Fame

In conjunction with the celebration of its 20th Anniversary in 2007-08, the ECHL announced the formation of the ECHL Hall of Fame.

The third-longest tenured professional hockey league, behind only the National Hockey League and the American Hockey League, the Premier 'AA' Hockey League has grown from five teams in four states in 1988-89 into a coast-to-coast league with 20 teams playing in 15 states and British Columbia in 2009-10.

The inaugural class of inductees were league founder Henry Brabham, first league commissioner Patrick J. Kelly, five-time ECHL champion Nick Vitucci and seven-time All-Star defenseman Chris Valicevic.

The Class of 2009 is legendary coach John Brophy, owner Blake Cullen, three-time ECHL Defenseman of the Year Tom Nemeth and ECHL career goal leader Rod Taylor.

Each class will be inducted as part of the league's annual All-Star event.

Hall of Fame members will be selected in four categories: Player, Developmental Player, Builder, and Referee/Linesman. Players must have concluded their career as an active player for a minimum of three playing seasons, though not continuous or full seasons. Development Players must have begun their career in the ECHL and went on to a distinguished career in the NHL, playing a minimum of 260 regular season games in the NHL, AHL and ECHL. Builders may be active or inactive whereas Referee/Linesman must have concluded their active officiating career for a minimum of three playing seasons.

No more than five candidates may be elected to the ECHL Hall of Fame each year with no more than three Players, one Developmental Player, two Builders and one Referee/Linesman. The Builder and the Referee/Linesman categories are dependent upon the number of candidates in the Player category.

The nomination and/or selection of candidates will be determined by the Hall of Fame Selection Committee and its Chairman Patrick J. Kelly.

Only members of the Selection Committee, the Board of Governors, teams or persons affiliated with the ECHL may submit official nominations which must be made in writing to the league office. Fans are encouraged to contact their team to propose names for nomination.

Keep Up With The ECHL

ECHL Scores On Mobile Devices

ECHL Press Releases On Twitter

ECHL Scores On Twitter

Watch Games Live On B2 Networks, the "Official Broadband Provider of the ECHL"

Listen To Games Live

Watch ECHL Games Anytime On ECHLTV

B2 Networks Allows Fans To Watch Their Favorite Teams

For the fifth season in a row, ECHL fans can watch their favorite team on B2 Networks, the "Official Broadband Broadcast Provider of the ECHL."

Fans can watch games individually for $7 or purchase a Power-Play Season Pass for their favorite team for only $160, a savings of more than 60 percent off the individual game purchase price while not missing a minute of their favorite team live at home and on the road. To purchase the Power-Play Season Pass visit B2LiveTV.com.

Games are broadcast using the B2 Triangulation Interactive Player which provides viewers a more complete and interactive viewing experience. In order to utilize the technology, fans will need Microsoft Internet Explorer 6 or higher, a current version of Microsoft Windows Media Player 11 and a high-speed internet connection.

B2 Networks has broadcast more than 2,000 regular season ECHL games and over 400 Kelly Cup Playoff games, including every Finals game, around the globe the last six years including the ECHL All-Star Game. The first hockey game broadcast by B2 Networks was the Las Vegas Wranglers in February 2004 and the first hockey championship carried by B2 Networks was the 2004 Kelly Cup Playoffs.

B2 Television broadcast Games 4 and 7 of the 2009 Kelly Cup Finals to more than 33 million households in over 125 markets. The first event broadcast by B2 Television was Game 4 of the Kelly Cup Finals from the North Charleston Coliseum in South Carolina on May 29, 2009.

B2 Television, a network designed to broadcast live sports and entertainment, is powered by One World Sports. One World Sports airs on America One which has broadcast the ECHL All-Star Game and ECHL Game of Week. For station information visit America One.com.



The first channel on B2CableTV.com, a free 24-hour cable-style network dedicated to broadcasting sports and entertainment to viewers worldwide, was ECHL TV which allows fans to watch the biggest games from the previous week for free. B2CableTV.com also offers ECHLALLSTARTV which broadcasts ECHL All-Star Games 24 hours a day for free.

To watch ECHL TV and ECHLALLSTARTV fans can go to B2CableTV.com and click on the "Hockey" tab. Viewers will need a high-speed internet connection and a current version of Microsoft Windows Media Player to watch the Network. All events on ECHL TV and ECHLALLSTARTV are free of charge and available 24 hours a day.

2010 ECHL Kelly Cup Playoffs Format

The ECHL Board of Governors unanimously approved the format for the 2010 Kelly Cup Playoffs as follows:

The conference quarterfinals will be a best-of-five game series with the remaining rounds being best-of-seven game series. The best-of-five series will be a 2-3 format with the higher seed choosing if it wishes to host Games 1-2 or Games 3-5. Teams that are less than 350 miles apart may choose to play a 2-2-1 format.

In the National Conference, postseason berths will be awarded to the first-place team in each division and the next five teams in the conference, based on points. The division winner with the best record in the conference will receive a bye in the first round. The other division winner will be seeded second and meet the team that finishes seventh in the conference in the first round. The other first round matchups will be the third-place finisher in the conference against the sixth-place finisher in the conference and the fourth-place finisher in the conference against the fifth-place finisher in the conference. The conference semifinals will have the first-place finisher meeting the winner of the fourth-place and fifth-place matchup and the winner of the second-place finisher and seventh-place finisher against the winner of the third-place finisher against the sixth-place finisher.

In the American Conference, postseason berths will be awarded to the first-place team in each division and the next five teams in the conference, based on points. The division winners will be seeded first, second and third and will play the eighth-place finisher, the seventh-place finisher and the sixth-place finisher, respectively, while the fourth-place finisher and the fifth-place finisher will meet. The conference semifinals will have the winner of the first-place and eighth-place matchup will meet the winner of the fourth-place and fifth-place game while the winner of the second-place and seventh-place game will face the winner of the third-place and sixth-place matchup.

The Board approved the following schedule for the 2010 Kelly Cup Playoffs: Conference Quarterfinals (Apr. 5-12, 2010), Conference Semifinals (Apr. 14-28, 2010), Conference Finals (Apr. 30-May 12, 2010) and Kelly Cup Finals (May 14-28, 2010).

Did You Know?

The ECHL and the American Hockey League are the only two minor professional hockey leagues that are recognized in the Collective Bargaining Agreement between the National Hockey League and the National Hockey League Players' Association.

The CBA states that any player on an NHL entry-level contract designated for assignment to a minor league must report if assigned to a team in the ECHL or the AHL. A player on an NHL entry-level contract assigned to a minor professional league other than the ECHL or the AHL is not required to report and can request reassignment to a team in the ECHL or the AHL.

2009-10 Conference/Division Alignment

American Conference

East Division
Elmira Jackals
Johnstown Chiefs
Reading Royals
Trenton Devils

North Division
Cincinnati Cyclones
Kalamazoo Wings
Toledo Walleye
Wheeling Nailers

South Division
Charlotte Checkers
Florida Everblades
Gwinnett Gladiators
South Carolina Stingrays

National Conference

Pacific Division
Bakersfield Condors
Las Vegas Wranglers
Ontario Reign
Stockton Thunder

West Division
Alaska Aces
Idaho Steelheads
Utah Grizzlies
Victoria Salmon Kings

2009-10 ECHL Time Zones

Eastern
Charlotte Checkers
Cincinnati Cyclones
Elmira Jackals
Florida Everblades
Gwinnett Gladiators
Johnstown Chiefs
Kalamazoo Wings
Reading Royals
South Carolina Stingrays
Toledo Walleye
Trenton Devils
Wheeling Nailers

Mountain
Idaho Steelheads

Utah Grizzlies

Pacific
Bakersfield Condors

Las Vegas Wranglers

Ontario Reign

Stockton Thunder

Victoria Salmon Kings

Alaska
Alaska Aces



2009-2010 ECHL Critical Dates

Oct. 14
Opening Day Rosters due at 3 p.m. ET

Oct. 15
22nd ECHL Regular Season Begins

Nov. 1
ECHL Hall of Fame nominations due

Nov. 30
ECHL Hall of Fame candidate selection

Dec. 21-26
For all players on ECHL rosters as of 5 p.m. ET on Dec. 21, a roster freeze shall apply through 9 a.m. ET on Dec. 26 with respect to waivers, trades and other player assignments

Jan. 19-21
All-Star Break

Jan. 19
13th Annual ECHL Skills Competition presented by Reebok Hockey at Ontario, Calif.

Jan. 20
18th Annual ECHL All-Star Game presented by Reebok Hockey at Ontario, Calif.

Jan. 22
Jersey Reversal

Feb. 1
NHL/AHL player bought out of his contract after this date may not appear on Protected List

Feb. 2
Overseas Deadline at 5 p.m. ET

Feb. 15-28
National Hockey League Olympic Break

Mar. 3
National Hockey League Trade Deadline

Mar. 10
American Hockey League Clear Day List

Mar. 11
Recall/Assignment Deadline at 11:59 p.m. ET

Mar. 12
ECHL Trade Deadline at 3 p.m. ET

Apr. 3
Regular Season Ends

Apr. 5
Kelly Cup Playoff rosters due at 3 p.m. ET
Kelly Cup Playoffs begin

June 1
Protected List due

June 13
Future considerations trades must be completed

June 15
Season-Ending Rosters due

Premier 'AA' Hockey League Fast Facts
- Watch games live on B2 Networks, the "Official Broadband Broadcast Provider" of the ECHL.
- Watch ECHL games around the clock on ECHL TV on B2CableTV.com.
- The ECHL celebrated its 20th Anniversary in 2007-08 and is the third-longest tenured professional hockey league behind only the National Hockey League and the American Hockey League.
- ECHL began in 1988-89 with five teams in four states and has grown to be a coast-to-coast league with 20 teams in 15 states and British Columbia in 2009-10.
- The league officially changed its name from East Coast Hockey League to ECHL on May 19, 2003.
- ECHL had 78 players on National Hockey League opening-day rosters, surpassing the record 71 players in 2008, and marking the seventh season in a row there have been more than 50 former ECHL players on opening-day rosters.
- ECHL has affiliations with 27 of the 30 teams in the NHL, marking the 13th consecutive season that the league has had affiliations with at least 20 teams in the NHL. - 26 coaches with an ECHL background are working behind the benches of teams in the NHL including Washington Capitals head coach Bruce Boudreau and New York Islanders head coach Scott Gordon of the New York Islanders while former ECHL player Dan Bylsma is head coach of the Stanley Cup champion Pittsburgh Penguins. It is the fifth consecutive season that there have been 11 or more coaches with an ECHL background working in the NHL. Boudreau, who coached Mississippi for three seasons winning the Kelly Cup championship in 1999, was named NHL Coach of the Year in 2007-08 becoming the first former ECHL coach to receive the award.
- 20 former ECHL officials are working as part of the NHL officiating team in 2009-10 with referees David Banfield, Francis Charron, Chris Ciamaga, Ghislain Herbert, Marc Joannette, Mike Leggo, Wes McCauley, Dean Morton, Dan O'Rourke, Brian Pochmara, Kevin Pollock, Kyle Rehman, Chris Rooney, Justin St. Pierre and Ian Walsh, and linesmen Steve Barton, Bryan Pancich, Brian Mach, Tim Nowak and Jay Sharrers.

- 408 players have played in the NHL after playing in the ECHL including a record 52 in 2008-09. The ECHL has had 216 players reach the NHL since 2002-03 when it changed its focus to become the primary developmental league for the NHL and the AHL. The ECHL had 97 players reach the NHL in its first 10 seasons and 215 in the first 15 years. There have been 152 ECHL players who have played their first game in the last four seasons for an average of more than 30 per year.
- ECHL was represented for the ninth year in a row on the Stanley Cup champion with Pittsburgh Penguins head coach Dan Bylsma, player Ruslan Fedotenko, equipment managers Dana Heinze and Dave Zeigler, athletic trainers Chris Stewart and Scott Adams and scout Derek Clancey. There were 43 former players and 14 former coaches on 15 of the 16 teams competing in the National Hockey League's Stanley Cup Playoffs, marking the fourth year in a row that there have been at least 30 former ECHL players and the sixth consecutive season that over 25 players with ECHL experience have competed in the NHL postseason.
- Former ECHL and current Boston Bruins goaltender Tim Thomas was the recipient of the Vezina Trophy as the top goaltender in the NHL and was also presented the William Jennings Trophy with teammate Manny Fernandez as the goaltenders finishing the season having surrendered the fewest goals. Thomas was also named First Team All-NHL after registering a career-high 36 wins while leading the NHL with a goals-against average of 2.10 and a save percentage of .933 to help the Bruins finish with the most wins (53) and points (116) since 1971-72.

- ECHL was represented in the 2009 NHL All-Star Game by Mark Streit of the New York Islanders and Tim Thomas of the Boston Bruins while former ECHL players Dan Ellis, Jonathan Quick and Tomas Vokoun were all selected as recipients of the NHL's "Three Stars" award in 2008-09.
- Former ECHL broadcasters working in the NHL include John Ahlers and Steve Carroll of the Anaheim Ducks, Tom Callahan of the Nashville Predators, Dave Goucher of the Boston Bruins, Chris Kerber of the St. Louis Blues, Dave Mishkin of the Tampa Bay Lightning, Bob McElligott and John Michael of the Columbus Blue Jackets and Rob Simpson, who is a producer/host for The NHL Network.

- Ryan Stanzel and Jeremy Zager, who were both recipients of the ECHL Media Relations Director of the Year award, are working in the communications department for the Minnesota Wild and the Los Angeles Kings, respectively. Former ECHL assistant director of communications Joe Siville and Kelly Murray are now with the Philadelphia Flyers and the Washington Capitals, respectively, while former ECHL director of communications Jason Rothwell is the creative director for the Columbus Blue Jackets.
- ECHL has affiliations with 25 of the 29 teams in the American Hockey League and for the past 20 years there has been an ECHL player on the Calder Cup Champion.
- In the last six seasons the ECHL has had more call-ups to the AHL than all other professional leagues combined with over 2,500 call-ups involving more than 1,300 players and in 2008-09 there were 10 times as many call-ups from the ECHL to the AHL than all other professional leagues.
- The ECHL averaged 4,258 fans per game in 2008-09 and is the only minor professional hockey league to increase average attendance each of the last two seasons. It is the fifth consecutive season and the 17th time in the last 19 years that the ECHL has averaged over 4,000 fans and the league drew over 3 million fans for the 16th year in a row and reached the 3 million mark in the fewest number of games since 2005-06.

- There have been more than 74 million fans who have attended almost 17,000 games since the ECHL began in 1988-89 with five teams in three states.
- The Ontario Reign, the City of Ontario and Citizens Business Bank Arena will host the 18th Annual ECHL All-Star Game presented by Reebok Hockey on Jan. 20, 2010 and the 13th Annual All-Star Skills Competition on Jan. 19, 2010.

- Further information on the ECHL is available from its website at ECHL.com.

Check out the ECHL Statistics



ECHL Stories from October 12, 2009


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