East Coast Hockey League Changes Name
May 19, 2003 - ECHL (ECHL)
Arkansas RiverBlades News Release
Effective immediately, the East Coast Hockey League has changed its name to ECHL.
ECHL, the largest developmental league in professional hockey, will have a coast-to-coast presence beginning this fall. The league will add 9 new members to the mix in 2003-2004, including the Long Beach Ice Dogs, San Diego Gulls and Las Vegas Wranglers in the west, and the Gwinnett Gladiators and Texas Wildcatters in the east.
215 former ECHL players have advanced to the NHL, and 36 have played in the 2003 Stanley Cup Playoffs. With the exception of Toronto, 15 of the 16 playoff teams had players with ECHL experience.
The RiverBlades will compete in the Eastern Division of the Western Conference, a division that includes the Louisiana IceGators, Mississippi Sea Wolves, Pensacola Ice Pilots, Texas Wildcatters, and Columbus Cottonmouths.
The Blades open the 2003-2004 season on Saturday, October 18th, hosting the Louisiana IceGators. Season tickets will go on sale soon. For more information, call the RiverBlades' office at 501-907-2327.
• Discuss this story on the ECHL message board...
ECHL Stories from May 19, 2003
- Eagles to Unveil Mascot May 30 - Colorado Eagles
- Condors Visit School Career Day - Bakersfield Condors
- IceGators name Brian Kelley general manager - Louisiana IceGators
- ECHL Finalizes New Identity - ECHL
- East Coast Hockey League Changes Name - Arkansas RiverBlades
- Florio introduced as new Pride coach - Myrtle Beach Thunderboltz
- ECHL - America's Premier AA Hockey League - Greenville Grrrowl
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.
Other Recent Arkansas RiverBlades Stories
- Arkansas RiverBlades to Relocate or be Sold
- Cichocki Not to Return in 2003-04
- Stanley Cup Party Tonight
- RiverBlades To Host Stanley Cup Party
- East Coast Hockey League Changes Name
