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ECHL Finalizes New Identity

May 19, 2003 - ECHL (ECHL) News Release


PRINCETON, N.J. – The East Coast Hockey League on Monday announced that effective immediately it will simply be known as ECHL.

The change is reflective of the nationwide presence of the ECHL which will continue its role as the leading professional developmental league for the American Hockey League and the National Hockey League.

The ECHL logo will continue to be used, but the words ‘East Coast Hockey League' will be removed from the top and bottom of the logo given the expanded national footprint with six new teams joining as expansion members from the current West Coast Hockey League.

"The retention of ECHL allows the expanded league to move forward under an identity that is well known within North American hockey circles," said ECHL President/CEO Brian McKenna. "The continued use of ECHL allows the best of both worlds. ECHL is an existing and recognizable mark by which to brand the expanded league while positioning the league to continue to entertain opportunities with potential naming-rights partners or other alternatives without the confusion of two changes."

Countless individuals have worked on and off the ice for 15 years to build the ECHL brand which is recognizable throughout the hockey world. The adaptation of corporate acronyms as stand-alone brands is seen both inside and outside of the sports industry, including such recognizable names as ESPN, 3M, MCI, AT&T, and CNN.

In addition to the name modification, the league will incorporate the tag line "America's Premier AA Hockey League". The tag line recognizes the national footprint as well as its position as the leader in attracting and developing talent for the AHL and the NHL.

"The addition of the six expansion teams, who just completed their season in the highly-regarded West Coast Hockey League, and the new Las Vegas membership brings strong operators in key Western markets that enhance the image of the expanded league," said McKenna.

Began in 1988-89 with five teams in three states, the ECHL will play its 16th season in 2003-04 with 32 teams in 18 states playing a record 1,152 games.

The ECHL welcomes nine new markets for 2003-04 with the addition of the Anchorage Aces, the Bakersfield Condors, the Fresno Falcons, the Gwinnett (Georgia) Gladiators, the Idaho (Boise) Steelheads, the Las Vegas Wranglers, the Long Beach Ice Dogs, the San Diego Gulls, and the Texas (Beaumont) Wildcatters.

In 2002-03, the 27 members of the ECHL had affiliations with 24 of the 30 teams in the National Hockey League and 22 of the 28 teams in the American Hockey League. There were 90 former ECHL players that played in the NHL in 2002-03, including 20 who made their NHL debut, and there have been 215 former ECHL players that have gone on to play in the NHL. There were more than 80 players in the ECHL on AHL contracts in 2002-03 and the ECHL had 450 call ups to the AHL in 2002-03, more than any other professional league.

The ECHL had 36 former players on the rosters and five former coaches behind the benches of the NHL teams in the 2003 Stanley Cup Playoffs. There was an ECHL representative on 15 of the 16 teams in the Stanley Cup Playoffs with the only team not having a former ECHL player or coach being Toronto. Peter Laviolette of the New York Islanders began his career with Wheeling in 1997-98 while Bruce Cassidy of the Washington Capitals coached Jacksonville from 1996-98 and Trenton from 1999-2000.

The ECHL was represented by 35 former players in the 2003 International Ice Hockey Federation Men's World Championships in Finland. There were former ECHL players on the rosters of 13 of the 16 teams, including Martin Biron, a member of Canada's gold medal winner.

What They Are Saying About The ECHL ...

Ken Holland, General Manager, Detroit Red Wings: "Our team has had a very good working relationship with the Toledo Storm for many years and I have found the ECHL in general to be an excellent training ground for young prospects. We have had many ECHL alumni graduate into our AHL affiliates over the years and many have played at the NHL level in Detroit. I'm very happy to see the ECHL expanding and wish the league itself as well as all the member clubs much success in the upcoming seasons."

David Poile, Executive Vice President/General Manager, Nashville Predators: "The ECHL has really broadened hockey's fan base in North America, creating a number of new 'hockey towns' out of non-traditional markets. The level of competition has gotten better and better, and the league continues to produce professionals that contribute and succeed in the National Hockey League."

Peter Laviolette, Head Coach, New York Islanders, Coach - Wheeling (1997-98): "My time in the ECHL was the first and most important step of my coaching career. I learned so much about coaching while with Wheeling and being a part of the league. Players and coaches looking to develop are certain to benefit by being in the ECHL."

David A. Andrews, President/Chief Executive Officer, American Hockey League: "The American Hockey League is proud to be associated with the ECHL. Throughout its 15-year history the ECHL has provided a steady flow of outstanding players, coaches and officials moving up to the American Hockey League, in pursuit of their NHL dreams. Our AHL clubs across North America have very positive working relationships with their ECHL affiliates, and on their behalf I wish Brian McKenna and the newly expanded ECHL a most successful future."

Jim Rutherford, CEO/President/General Manager, Carolina Hurricanes: "The ECHL has been an important part of our developmental system. We hope it continues to grow and develop players and have very entertaining hockey."

Larry Landon, Executive Director, Professional Hockey Players' Association: "The ECHL has proven to be the toast of AA hockey for those who aspire to advance in professional hockey, whether as players or coaches. The geographic expansion on the horizon will create a League which will be embraced by players, fans and the hockey community. As the Union representing the players, we look forward to the future with optimism. "

ECHL Moving Forward ...

* Largest developmental league in professional hockey

* Coast to coast presence

* Ability to attract top college and major junior players

* Three teams in Top 10 largest MSAs, including top-ranked Los Angeles-Long Beach

* Eight teams in the Top 50 and 17 teams in the Top 100 largest MSAs

* Three teams in Top Five MSAs ranked by growth, including top-ranked Las Vegas

ECHL Looking Back ...

* 36 ECHL players were on rosters in the 2003 Stanley Cup Playoffs and 15 of 16 teams had ECHL player with Toronto being only exception

* Five ECHL coaches were behind the benches of the 16 teams in the 2003 Stanley Cup Playoffs, including Washington head coach Bruce Cassidy and New York head coach Peter Laviolette

* ECHL player has been a member of the last three Stanley Cup Champions – Manny Legace (2002), David Aebischer and Nolan Pratt (2001) and Krzysztof Oliwa (2000)

* 215 ECHL players have advanced to the NHL

* 90 ECHL players played in the NHL in 2002-03, including 20 making NHL debut

* 24 of the 30 teams in the NHL had affiliations with ECHL teams in 2002-03

* ECHL alumnus Jamie McLennan won the 1998 Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy

* ECHL alumnus Olaf Kolzig won the 2000 Vezina Trophy

* Scott Gordon was the first ECHL player to play in the NHL making his debut with the Quebec Nordiques against the Buffalo Sabres on January 30, 1990

* 126 ECHL players were on rosters in the 2003 American Hockey League Calder Cup Playoffs and each of the 20 teams had at least two ECHL players

* 11 ECHL coaches and one ECHL MVP were behind the benches of the 20 AHL teams, including 2003 AHL Coach of the Year Geoff Ward in Hamilton

* 22 of the 28 teams in the AHL had affiliations with ECHL teams in 2002-03

* ECHL had 450 call ups to the 28 teams in AHL in 2002-03

* ECHL had more than 80 players on AHL contracts in 2002-03

* ECHL had a record 453 call ups to the 19 teams in the AHL and the 13 teams of the International Hockey League in 1999-2000

* Since 1998-99, ECHL has had 2,034 call ups to the AHL and the IHL

* Brian Martin of Hampton Roads becomes the first professional player to score three goals in three consecutive games, accomplishing the feat in 1989 (Dec. 9 vs. Nashville, Dec. 10 vs. Virginia and Dec. 12 vs. Knoxville)

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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.


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