2009 Kelly Cup Playoffs Preview
Published on April 8, 2009 under ECHL (ECHL) News Release
The top four finishers in the North Division advanced to the Kelly Cup
Playoffs where they were seeded based on regular season point totals.
Cincinnati became the No. 1 seed because it had more wins than Trenton. The
North Division Semifinals will be played Apr. 9-21 with No. 1 seed
Cincinnati meeting No. 4 seed Wheeling and the No. 2 seed Trenton meeting
No. 3 seed Elmira in best-of-seven series. The winners will advance to the
North Division Finals scheduled for Apr. 24-May 6
The top four finishers in the West Division and the Pacific Division
advanced to the Kelly Cup Playoffs where they were seeded based on regular
season winning percentage. The seeding was done by winning percentage
rather than points because Las Vegas and Ontario are each played one more
game than the other teams following Fresno ceasing operations. The West
Division Semifinals will be played Apr. 10-22 with No. 1 seed Alaska
meeting No. 4 seed Utah and No. 2 seed Idaho meeting No. 3 seed Victoria in
best-of-seven series. The winners will advance to the West Division Finals
scheduled for Apr. 24-May 6. The Pacific Division Semifinals will be played
Apr. 10-22 with No. 1 seed Ontario meeting No. 4 seed Stockton and No. 2
seed Las Vegas meeting No. 3 seed Bakersfield in best-of-seven series. The
winners will advance to the Pacific Division Finals scheduled for Apr.
24-May 6.
The top four finishers in the South Division advanced to the Kelly Cup
Playoffs where they were seeded based on regular season winning percentage.
The seeding is being done by winning percentage rather than points because
Gwinnett played one more game than the other teams following Augusta
ceasing operations. The South Division Semifinals will be played Apr. 9-22
with No. 1 seed Florida meeting No. 4 seed Gwinnett and No. 2 seed South
Carolina meeting No. 3 seed Charlotte in best-of-seven series. The winners
will advance to the South Division Finals scheduled for Apr. 24-May 6.
#1 Cincinnati Cyclones (41-26-5) vs. #4 Wheeling Nailers (36-28-8)
Click For Match-Up
Sheet
Defending Kelly Cup champion Cincinnati won its last four games to finish
atop the North Division for the second season in a row. The Cyclones are in
the Kelly Cup Playoffs for the third year in a row and the fifth time in
six seasons while the Nailers are back in the postseason for the first time
since 2006 and the ninth time since moving to Wheeling before the 1992-93
season.
Cincinnati won the last three meetings and is 2-3-0 at home and 5-6-0
overall in the season series while Wheeling was 3-1-1 on the road and 6-3-2
overall.
Barret
Ehgoetz led the Cyclones against Wheeling with six goals and 14 points
while T.J.
McElroy and Mark
Van Guilder each had nine assists and 12 points. ECHL
Rookie of the Year Bryan
Ewing led the Nailers against Cincinnati with 12 goals and 21 points
while Jordan
Morrison, who was named to the ECHL
All-Rookie Team and finished third in voting for Rookie
of the Year, had 12 assists and 17 points. Cincinnati's Ryan
Nie was 3-0-0 with a goals-against average of 3.89 against the Nailers
while Wheeling's David
Brown was 3-1-0 with a goals-against average of 2.52.
Thursday, Apr. 9 7:30 p.m.
Wheeling at Cincinnati
Friday, Apr. 10 7:30 p.m.
Wheeling at Cincinnati
Saturday, Apr. 11 7:35 p.m.
Cincinnati at Wheeling
Wednesday, Apr. 15 7:05 p.m.
Cincinnati at Wheeling
Friday, Apr. 17 7:35 p.m.
Cincinnati at Wheeling (if
necessary)
Saturday, Apr. 18 7:30 p.m.
Wheeling at
Cincinnati (if necessary)
Monday, Apr. 20 7:30 p.m.
Wheeling at Cincinnati (if necessary)
#2 Trenton Devils (40-25-7) vs. #3 Elmira Jackals (39-26-7)
Click For Match-Up Sheet
Trenton is in the Kelly Cup Playoffs for the eighth time in 10 years while
Elmira has advanced to the postseason both years since joining the league
as an expansion team in 2007-08.
Elmira was 5-2-1 at home and 7-5-1 overall in the season series while
Trenton was 3-2-0 at home and 6-6-1 overall. The Devils won the Kelly Cup
in 2005 while reaching the Kelly Cup Finals in 2001 and the conference
finals in 2000.
Eric
Castonguay led the Devils with 14 points (3g-11a) while defenseman Ryan
Gunderson had a team-high 12 assists and 13 points. Benoit
Doucet led the Jackals against Trenton with five goals and 11 points
while Steve
Yetman (4g-5a) and Chris
Korchinski (1g-8a) had nine points each. Trenton's Gerald
Coleman was 5-2-0 with a goals-against average of 2.42 against the
Jackals while Elmira's Michael
Teslak was 3-3-0 with a goals-against average of 3.20 against the
Devils.
Friday, Apr. 10 7 p.m.
Elmira at Trenton
Saturday,
Apr. 11 7 p.m.
Elmira at Trenton
Wednesday, Apr. 15 7:05
p.m.
Trenton at Elmira
Thursday, Apr. 16 7:05 p.m.
Trenton at Elmira
Saturday, Apr. 18 7:35 p.m.
Trenton at Elmira (if necessary)
Sunday, Apr. 19 6 p.m.
Elmira at Trenton (if necessary)
Tuesday, Apr. 21 7 p.m.
Elmira at Trenton (if necessary)
#1 Florida Everblades (49-17-5) vs. #4 Gwinnett Gladiators
(31-35-6)
Click For Match-Up
Sheet
The Everblades have qualified for the Kelly Cup Playoffs in every one of
their 11 seasons while the Gladiators have not missed the postseason in the
six years since moving to Gwinnett. Florida advanced to the Kelly Cup
Finals in 2004 and 2005 and the conference finals in 2007 while Gwinnett
reached the Kelly Cup Finals in 2006 and the conference finals in 2004.
The Everblades were 5-1-0 at home and 10-4-0 overall in the season series
against Gwinnett while the Gladiators were 3-4-1 at home and 4-9-1 overall.
Kevin
Baker led the Everblades against Gwinnett with 16 goals and 24 points
while Ernie
Hartlieb had nine assists and 13 points. Jordan
Fox led Gwinnett with seven assists and 10 points while Dirk
Southern had four goals and nine points. David
Leggio was 4-1-0 with a goals-against average of 2.52 against Gwinnett
while Anton
Khudobin was 6-3-0 with a goals-against average of 1.88. Josh
Johnson was 1-1-0 with a goals-against average of 2.94 against Florida
while Joe
Fallon was 1-4-1 with a goals-against average of 4.23.
Friday, Apr. 10 7:30 p.m.
Gwinnett at Florida
Saturday, Apr. 11 7:30 p.m.
Gwinnett at Florida
Thursday, Apr. 16 7:05 p.m.
Florida at Gwinnett
Friday, Apr. 17 7:35 p.m.
Florida at Gwinnett
Sunday, Apr. 19 4:05 p.m.
Florida at Gwinnett (if
necessary)
Tuesday, Apr. 21 7:30 p.m.
Gwinnett at
Florida (if necessary)
Wednesday, Apr. 22 7:30 p.m.
Gwinnett at Florida (if necessary)
#2 South Carolina Stingrays (42-23-6) vs. #3 Charlotte Checkers (34-29-8)
Click For Match-Up Sheet
The Stingrays have qualified for the Kelly Cup Playoffs a league record 15
times in 16 seasons while Charlotte is making its 12th appearance in 16
years. The Stingrays won the first Kelly Cup and became the first team to
win both the regular season and postseason titles in the same year in 1997.
The Stingrays, who are the all-time leader with 116 postseason games and 61
postseason wins, became the first two-time winner in 2001 and advanced to
the conference finals in 2008. The Checkers, who won the Riley Cup in 1996
and reached the conference finals in 2005, are in the postseason for the
fifth season in a row tying the team record for consecutive appearances set
during their first five seasons from 1994-98.
The Stingrays beat Charlotte in the division quarterfinals in 2006 and in
the first round in 1997 while the Checkers beat South Carolina in the
second round in 1996. The Stingrays have won the last four meetings and
were 6-2-1 on the road and 10-5-1 overall in the season series against
Charlotte while the Checkers were 3-2-2 on the road and 6-8-2 overall.
Michael
Dubuc led the Stingrays against Charlotte with eight goals and 15
points in eight games while Travis
Morin had a team-high 11 assists and 14 points. Mike
Bayrack led the Checkers against South Carolina with 11 assists and 15
points while Brad
Ralph had a team-leading five goals and nine points in five games.
South Carolina's Jonathan
Boutin is 3-1-0 with a goals-against average of 1.93 against Charlotte
while rookie James
Reimer is 1-0-0 with a shutout. Charlotte's Maxime
Daigneault was 4-4-0 with a goals-against average of 2.76 against South
Carolina while Jeff
Jakaitis was 2-4-2 with a goals-against average of 3.28.
Thursday, Apr. 9 7 p.m.
South Carolina at Charlotte
Saturday, Apr. 11 7 p.m.
South Carolina at Charlotte
Tuesday, Apr. 14 7:05 p.m.
Charlotte at South Carolina
Thursday, Apr. 16 7:05 p.m.
Charlotte at South Carolina
Friday, Apr. 17 7:05 p.m.
Charlotte at South Carolina
(if necessary)
Sunday, Apr. 19 7 p.m.
South Carolina at
Charlotte (if necessary)
Monday, Apr. 20 7:05 p.m.
Charlotte at South Carolina (if
necessary)
#1 Alaska Aces (45-24-3) vs. #4 Utah Grizzlies (32-30-10)
Click For Match-Up Sheet
Alaska is in the Kelly Cup Playoffs for the sixth time in six years while
Utah is making its second straight trip to the postseason and its third
appearance in four years. The Aces finished first in the division for the
fourth time in the last five seasons and atop the National Conference for
the third time. The Aces became the second team to win the Kelly Cup and
the Brabham Cup, the trophy presented to the regular season champion, in
the same season in 2006 and they have advanced at least one round every
year reaching the conference finals in 2007 and 2005. Utah advanced to the
conference finals a year ago after losing to Alaska in the division
semifinals in 2006.
The Aces are 5-0-0 at home and 7-2-0 overall against Utah while the
Grizzlies are 2-2-0 at home and 2-7-0 overall against Alaska.
Cam
Keith leads the Aces against Utah with eight assists and 10 points
while defenseman Matt
Shasby has six assists and nine points. Vladimir
Nikiforov leads the Grizzlies against Alaska with seven assists and
eight points while rookie Dan
McDonald has four goals and four points in two games. Alaska rookie Jean-Philippe
Lamoureux is 6-1-0 with three shutouts and a goals-against average of
1.86 against Utah.
Friday, Apr. 10 7:15 p.m.
Utah at Alaska
Saturday,
Apr. 11 7:15 p.m.
Utah at Alaska
Wednesday, Apr. 15 7:05
p.m.
Alaska at Utah
Friday, Apr. 17 7:05 p.m.
Alaska at Utah
Saturday, Apr. 18 7:05 p.m.
Alaska at Utah (if necessary)
Tuesday, Apr. 21 7:15 p.m.
Utah at Alaska (if necessary)
Wednesday, Apr. 22 7:15
p.m.
Utah at Alaska (if necessary)
# 2 Idaho Steelheads (44-24-4) vs. #4 Victoria Salmon Kings (38-27-7) Click For Match-Up Sheet
Idaho has advanced to the Kelly Cup Playoffs in each of its six seasons
while Victoria is making its third straight appearance. The Steelheads
became only the second expansion team in history, joining the Greensboro
Monarchs who beat Winston-Salem in 1990, to win the ECHL championship
capturing the first-ever 'AA' national title in 2004. They added their
names to the record book again in 2007 when they became the second team to
win two Kelly Cups.
Idaho won the last two meetings and is 3-0-0 at home and 6-1-0 overall in
the season series while the Salmon Kings are 1-2-1 at home.
Bryan
McGregor leads the Steelheads against Victoria with eight goals and 13
points while defenseman Darrell
Hay, who was a member of both of Idaho's Kelly Cup winners, has five
assists and seven points. Wes
Goldie leads the Salmon Kings against Idaho with three goals and his
five points tie him for the team lead with Matt
Kelly and Chris
St. Jacques, who are tied for the team lead with four assists each.
Idaho rookie Matt
Climie, who won his NHL debut with the Dallas Stars on Saturday, is
4-1-0 with a goals-against average of 1.98 against Victoria while Rejean
Beauchemin is 2-0-0 with a goals-against average of 3.00.
Saturday, Apr. 11 7:10 p.m.
Victoria at Idaho
Sunday,
Apr. 12 5:10 p.m.
Victoria at Idaho
Wednesday, Apr.
15 7:05 p.m.
Idaho at Victoria
Friday, Apr. 17 7:05 p.m.
Idaho at Victoria
Saturday, Apr. 18 7:05 p.m.
Idaho at Victoria (if necessary)
Tuesday, Apr. 21 7:10
p.m.
Victoria at Idaho (if necessary)
Wednesday, Apr.
22 7:10 p.m.
Victoria at Idaho (if necessary)
#1 Ontario Reign (38-29-6) vs. #4 Stockton Thunder (32-33-7)
Click For Match-Up
Sheet
The Reign are making their first Kelly Cup Playoffs appearance while the Thunder are back in the postseason for the third year in a row. Ontario coach Karl Taylor led Reading into the postseason three times in four years. Stockton's Matt Thomas has never missed the Kelly Cup Playoffs in five seasons and in 2006 he led Fresno to the conference finals.
The Reign are 4-0-0 on the road and 6-3-1 in the season series while the Thunder are 4-1-1 on the road and 4-5-1 overall.
Geoff Walker leads the Reign against Stockton eight points (3g-5a) while PJ Atherton and Tim Kraus each have five assists and seven points. Ryan Huddy leads the Thunder against Ontario with seven assists and 10 points in eight games. Stockton's Andrew Perugini is 3-4-1 with a goals-against average of 2.59 against Ontario while Bryan Pitton is 1-1-0 with a goals-against average of 2.50. Ontario's Jeff Zatkoff is 2-2-1 with a goals-against average of 2.36 against Stockton.
Friday, Apr. 10 7 p.m.
Stockton at Ontario
Saturday,
Apr. 11 7 p.m.
Stockton at Ontario
Wednesday, Apr. 15 7
p.m.
Ontario at Stockton
Friday, Apr. 17 7:30 p.m.
Ontario at Stockton
Sunday, Apr. 19 4 p.m.
Ontario at Stockton (if necessary)
Tuesday, Apr. 21 7 p.m.
Stockton at Ontario (if necessary)
Wednesday, Apr. 22 7 p.m.
Stockton at Ontario (if necessary)
#2 Las Vegas Wranglers (34-31-8) vs. #3 Bakersfield Condors (33-31-8)
Click For Match-Up Sheet
Las Vegas is in the Kelly Cup Playoffs for the fourth year in a row and the
fifth time in six years while Bakersfield went 20-10-3 after the All-Star
break to advance to Kelly Cup Playoffs for fifth season in a row. Wranglers
have lost to the Kelly Cup winner the four times that they have reached the
postseason with Idaho in 2004 and 2007, Alaska in 2006 and Cincinnati in
the Kelly Cup Finals in 2008.
Condors won the last two meetings and are 3-2-0 at home and 4-5-0 overall
in season series with Las Vegas while the Wranglers are 3-1-1 at home and
5-2-1 overall.
Adam
Miller leads the Wranglers against Bakersfield with five goals while
his nine points tie him for the team lead. Mark
Derlago leads the Condors against Las Vegas with five goals while his
10 points are tied for the team lead with Dave
Bonk, who has a team-high six assists. Las Vegas' John
DeCaro is 2-0-0 with a goals-against average of 1.00 against
Bakersfield while Glenn
Fisher is 1-1-0 with a goals-against average of 4.00. Bakersfield's Yutaka
Fukufuji is 2-3-0 with a goals-against average of 3.95 against Las
Vegas.
Friday, Apr. 10 7:30 p.m.
Bakersfield at Las Vegas
Saturday, Apr. 11 7:30 p.m.
Bakersfield at Las Vegas
Wednesday, Apr. 15 7 p.m.
Las Vegas at Bakersfield
Friday, Apr. 17 7 p.m.
Las Vegas at Bakersfield
Saturday, Apr. 18 7 p.m.
Las Vegas at Bakersfield (if necessary)
Tuesday, Apr. 21 7:30 p.m.
Bakersfield at Las Vegas (if necessary)
Wednesday, Apr. 22 7:30 p.m.
Bakersfield at Las Vegas (if necessary)
PRINCETON, N.J. - The ECHL announced that B2 Networks, the "Official
Broadband Broadcast Provider of the ECHL," is scheduled to broadcast over
50 games in the opening round of the 2009 Kelly Cup Playoffs beginning
Thursday with Wheeling at Cincinnati.
B2
Networks has broadcast ECHL games around the globe the last six years
including the Kelly Cup Finals and 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.
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.
B2
Networks is a premier provider of reliable and secure international
television and pay-per-view broadcasting systems. B2's installed
technologies and worldwide network of arenas, stadiums, local venues and
data centers are currently in use to distribute live sports and
entertainment programming to personal computers, television screens, mobile
devices and commercial venues around the world. Working with professional
sports leagues, teams, NCAA and NAIA institutions and producers of
entertainment programming, B2 Networks has established itself as a leader
in innovative global direct to home, mobile and television broadcasting.
The B2 Networks LIVE Programming Guide is available at B2TV.com while
B2CableTV.com provides 24-hour cable-style programming.
Five of the 16 teams in the Kelly Cup Playoffs have won the Kelly Cup with
Alaska, Cincinnati, Idaho, South Carolina and Trenton. The five have won
the trophy seven of the 12 times it has been presented as Idaho (2004 and
2007) and South Carolina (1997 and 2001) have each won it twice. The field
includes the last five champions with Cincinnati, Idaho, Alaska and
Trenton.
Charlotte won the Riley Cup in 1996 which was the last season it was the
trophy presented to the ECHL champion.
The Kelly Cup trophy is named for Patrick J. Kelly, who was one of the
founding fathers of the ECHL and the second inductee into the ECHL Hall of
Fame in 2008. Kelly served as Commissioner for the league's first eight
seasons and was named Commissioner Emeritus in 1996, a title that he
continues to hold. Kelly, who celebrated his 55th season in professional
hockey in 2007-08, coached 1,900 career games and had 935 wins. Kelly
coached in the Eastern Hockey League, the Southern Hockey League and the
National Hockey League where he was the only coach to ever lead the
Colorado Rockies to the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Cincinnati
is the defending champion and one of only three teams to win both the
Brabham Cup, the trophy awarded to the regular season champion and the
Kelly Cup in the same season. The Cyclones had 71 combined wins in the
regular season and postseason breaking the ECHL record of 69 wins by Alaska
when it won the Kelly Cup in 2006. Cincinnati was the third team to finish
the regular season with 100 points and win the Kelly Cup joining Alaska
(113 points in 2005-06) and South Carolina (100 points in 1996-97).
South Carolina captured the first Kelly Cup in 1997 and became the first
repeat champion in 2001 when it defeated Trenton. The Stingrays were the
first team in history to win both the Brabham Cup and the Kelly Cup in the
same season in 1996-97. Stingrays head coach Jared Bednar was a member of
both championship teams.
Idaho is the other ECHL team that has won two Kelly Cups beating Florida to
win the first-ever 'AA'
national title in 2004
and Dayton in 2007.
The Steelheads became only the second expansion team in history to win the
ECHL title joining the Greensboro Monarchs who beat Winston-Salem in 1990.
Darrell
Hay was a member of both championship teams and is one of the 13
players/coaches to have his name engraved twice on the Kelly Cup.
Cincinnati is the first Kelly Cup winner from Ohio, but not the first ECHL
champion from the state as the Toledo Storm won the Riley Cup in 1993 and
1994. Ohio has hosted the Kelly Cup Finals three times and the ECHL Finals
five times.
Trenton won the Kelly Cup in 2005
and advanced to the Kelly Cup Finals in 2001 with Devils and ECHL
Coach of the Year Rick Kowalsky as a member of both teams.
Since becoming a national league in 2003-04, the ECHL has seen the Kelly
Cup Champion come from Alaska (Alaska Aces in 2006), Ohio (Cincinnati
Cyclones in 2008), Idaho (Steelheads in 2004 and 2007) and New Jersey
(Trenton Titans in 2005) while the runner-ups have come from Nevada (Las
Vegas Wranglers in 2008), Ohio (Dayton Bombers in 2007), Georgia (Gwinnett
Gladiators in 2006) and Florida (Everblades in 2004 and 2005).
Alaska became the second team to win both the Brabham Cup and the Kelly Cup
in 2005-06
when it finished first in the regular season with 113 points and defeated
Gwinnett in five games. The Aces have reached the conference finals three
times in the last four years, tying them for the second-most conference
finals appearances since 1997 with Florida, Mississippi and Peoria.
Louisiana holds the record with four conference finals appearances.
Four teams have won the ECHL championship after not finishing in the Top
Five in the regular season standings. Idaho in 2006-07 and Trenton in
2004-05 each finished sixth overall while the Steelheads were 11th in
2003-04. Hampton Roads finished 19th and qualified for the postseason on
the last day of the 1997-98 regular season before winning the Kelly Cup.
There have been only six teams that have finished with 100 points who have
advanced to the Kelly Cup Finals: Alaska (113 points in 2005-06),
Cincinnati (115 points in 2007-08), Gwinnett (107 points in 2005-06), Las
Vegas (106 points in 2007-08), South Carolina (100 points in 1996-97) and
Trenton (104 points in 2000-01). The only teams to finish with 100 points
and win the Kelly Cup are Alaska with 113 points in 2005-06 and South
Carolina with 100 points in 1996-97. Only twice in 20 years have two
100-point teams met in the Kelly Cup Finals with Cincinnati (115 points)
beating Las Vegas (106 points) in 2008 and Alaska (113 points) beating
Gwinnett (107 points) in 2006.
The biggest postseason upset in ECHL history was in 1994 when Louisville
beat Knoxville in three games in the first round. Louisville was 16-44-8
and had 40 points while Knoxville was 44-18-6 and the regular season
champion with 94 points.
The Brabham Cup winner has lost in the first round nine times, in the
second round three times, in the conference finals two times, and in the
Kelly Cup Finals three times. The last winner to lose in the first round
was Pensacola in 2005. Cincinnati won the Kelly Cup in 2008, Alaska won in
2006 and South Carolina won in 1997.
South Carolina (Stingrays in 1997 and 2001 and Greenville in 2002) has
produced three of the 12 winners of the Kelly Cup while Idaho (Idaho
Steelheads in 2004 and 2007) and New Jersey (Atlantic City Boardwalk
Bullies in 2003 and Trenton Titans in 2005) have each produced two
champions. The other four champions have been from Alaska (Alaska Aces in
2006), Illinois (Peoria Rivermen - 1999), Mississippi (Mississippi Sea
Wolves - 1999), Ohio (Cincinnati Cyclones - 2008) and Virginia (Hampton
Roads Admirals - 1998).
In the first 20 years of the ECHL, Virginia has been home to the most
champions with four (Hampton Roads Admirals in 1991, 1992 and 1998 and
Richmond Renegades in 1995). North Carolina (Carolina Thunderbirds in 1989,
Greensboro Monarchs in 1990 and Charlotte Checkers in 1996), Ohio (Toledo
Storm in 1993 and 1994 and Cincinnati Cyclones in 2008) and South Carolina
(Stingrays in 1997 and 2001 and Greenville Grrrowl in 2002) have each had
three champions. Idaho (Idaho Steelheads in 2004 and 2007) and New Jersey
(Atlantic City Boardwalk Bullies in 2003 and Trenton Titans in 2005) have
each produced two champions while Alaska (Alaska Aces in 2006), Illinois
(Peoria Rivermen in 1999) and Mississippi (Mississippi Sea Wolves in 1999)
each have one winner.
Kelly Cup Champions
2008 - Cincinnati defeated Las Vegas, 4 games to 1
2007 - Idaho defeated Dayton, 4 games to 1
2006 - Alaska defeated Gwinnett, 4 games to 1
2005 - Trenton defeated Florida, 4 games to 2
2004 - Idaho defeated Florida, 4 games to 1
2003 - Atlantic City defeated Columbia, 4 games to 1
2002 - Greenville defeated Dayton, 4 games to 0
2001 - South Carolina defeated Trenton, 4 games to 1
2000 - Peoria defeated Louisiana, 4 games to 2
1999 - Mississippi defeated Richmond, 4 games to 3
1998 - Hampton Roads defeated Pensacola, 4 games to 2
1997 - South Carolina defeated Louisiana, 4 games to 1
The Florida Everblades finished first in the regular season with 103 points (49-17-5) to win their second Brabham Cup trophy.
The Brabham Cup is the trophy awarded annually to the ECHL team that finishes with the most points in the regular season. The recipient is guaranteed home-ice advantage throughout its participation in the Kelly Cup Playoffs.
The award is named in recognition of Henry Brabham, who founded the ECHL in 1988-89 with five teams in four states. Brabham, who was the first inductee into the ECHL Hall of Fame in 2008, owned three of the original five teams, including the legendary Johnstown Chiefs who are celebrating their 20th season in 2007-08. The dedication of the Virginia businessman was crucial to the league surviving to span from coast-to-coast while advancing 353 players and countless coaches, on-ice officials and front office personnel to the National Hockey League.
The Everblades are the fifth team to win the Brabham Cup twice joining
Knoxville (1990-91 and 1993-94), Louisiana (1997-98 and 2001-02), Toledo
(1991-92 and 2002-03), and Wheeling (1992-93 and 1994-95). The Everblades
won the Brabham Cup in 1999-2000 and set ECHL records with 53 wins and 108
points. The 53 wins are now tied for the third most in league history while
the 108 points are tied for sixth. Twenty-six teams have finished with 100
points in a season.
Brabham Cup Trophy Winners
2008-09 Florida Everblades (103 points)
2007-08 Cincinnati Cyclones (115 points)
2006-07 Las Vegas Wranglers (106 points)
2005-06 Alaska Aces (113 points)
2004-05 Pensacola Ice Pilots (107 points)
2003-04 San Diego Gulls (108 points)
2002-03 Toledo Storm (104 points)
2001-02 Louisiana IceGators (116 points)
2000-01 Trenton Titans (104 points)
1999-00 Florida Everblades (108 points)
1998-99 Pee Dee Pride (106 points)
1997-98 Louisiana IceGators (96 points)
1996-97 South Carolina Stingrays (100 points)
1995-96 Richmond Renegades (105 points)
1994-95 Wheeling Thunderbirds (97 points)
1993-94 Knoxville Cherokees (94 points)
1992-93 Wheeling Thunderbirds (88 points)
1991-92 Toledo Storm (95 points)
1990-91 Knoxville Cherokees (97 points)
1989-90 Winston-Salem Thunderbirds (82 points)
1988-89 Erie Panthers (77 points)
Kelly Cup Playoffs Schedule By Team
ECHL Stories from April 8, 2009
- ECHL Transactions - ECHL
- Defenseman Bina Returns From Springfield - Stockton Thunder
- Thunder Set For Playoff Duel With Ontario - Stockton Thunder
- Stingrays Kelly Cup Quest Daily - South Carolina Stingrays
- Lamoureux Named ECHL Goalie of the Year - Alaska Aces
- Alaska's Lamoureux Named Reebok Goaltender Of The Year - ECHL
- Nailers Ready To Battle Cyclones In Kelly Cup Playoffs - Wheeling Nailers
- 2009 Kelly Cup Playoffs Preview - ECHL
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
