ECHL Today

June 4, 2009 - ECHL (ECHL) News Release

Preview of ECHL Kelly Cup Playoff Games for Thursday, June 4, 2009

Kelly Cup Finals (Best of Seven)

American Conference Champion South Carolina at National Conference Champion Alaska Aces 7:15 p.m. AKT

South Carolina Leads Series 3-2

Click For Match-Up Sheet

- Alaska has had sellout crowds for every Kelly Cup Finals game in history, twice in 2006 and three times in 2009.
- Stingrays' Jeff Corey leads the Finals with seven points and is tied for the lead with five goals.
- Josh Soares leads the Aces in the Finals with four assists and four points.
- South Carolina's Trent Campbell leads the Kelly Cup Playoffs with 18 assists and is third with 23 points.
- Alaska's Colin Hemingway is second in the Kelly Cup Playoffs with 24 points and fifth with 15 assists.
- South Carolina is trying to become the first three-time Kelly Cup winner having won in 1997 and 2001.
- Alaska is trying to join South Carolina (1997 and 2001) and Idaho (2004 and 2007) as two-time Kelly Cup winner.
- Stingrays won decisive game at home in 2001 and at Louisiana in 1997 while Alaska won at Gwinnett in 2006.
- Aces are 7-1 and have outscored their opponents 26-8 at home in the Kelly Cup Playoffs.
- Stingrays would be second three-time ECHL champion as Hampton Roads won two Riley Cup and one Kelly Cup.
- Alaska is second in the Kelly Cup Playoffs on the penalty kill with 89.5 percent (85-for-95).
- South Carolina leads the Kelly Cup Playoffs on the power play with 21.4 percent (22-for-103).
- Alaska leads the Kelly Cup Playoffs with a goals-against average of 2.00.
- South Carolina is second in the Kelly Cup Playoffs with 3.71 goals per game.
- 4,517 miles between Anchorage and North Charleston is farthest distance ever between two playoff teams.
- Game 7, if necessary, will be Friday at 7:15 p.m. AKDT at Sullivan Arena in Anchorage, Alaska.

2009 Kelly Cup Finals (Best of Seven)

South Carolina Leads Series 3-2

Game 1 - SOUTH CAROLINA 4 at Alaska 2
Game 2 - South Carolina 1 at ALASKA 3
Game 3 - Alaska 2 at SOUTH CAROLINA 4
Game 4 - Alaska 0 at SOUTH CAROLINA 5
Game 5 - ALASKA 3 at South Carolina 2 (OT)
Game 6 - Thursday, June 4 at 7:15 p.m. AKT at Sullivan Arena in Anchorage, Alaska
Game 7 - Friday, June 5 at 7:15 p.m. AKT at Sullivan Arena in Anchorage, Alaska *
* - If Necessary

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Kelly Cup Champions

2008 - Cincinnati defeated Las Vegas, 4 games to 2
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

Other 2009 Kelly Cup Playoffs Series

National Conference Finals (Best of Seven)

West Division Champion Alaska Aces vs. Pacific Division Champion Las Vegas Wranglers
Alaska Wins Series 4-0

Game 1 - Las Vegas 0 at ALASKA 2
Game 2 - Las Vegas 1 at ALASKA 4
Game 3 - ALASKA 3 at Las Vegas 1
Game 4 - ALASKA 5 at Las Vegas 1

American Conference Finals (Best of Seven)

South Division Champion South Carolina vs. North Division Champion Cincinnati
South Carolina Wins Series 4-0
Game 1 - Cincinnati 4 at SOUTH CAROLINA 7
Game 2 - Cincinnati 1 at SOUTH CAROLINA 3
Game 3 - SOUTH CAROLINA 4 at Cincinnati 3
Game 4 - SOUTH CAROLINA 3 at Cincinnati 2

National Conference - West Division Finals (Best of Seven)

#3 Victoria Salmon Kings (38-27-7) vs. #1 Alaska Aces (45-24-3)
Alaska Wins Series 4-1
Game 1 - Victoria 0 at ALASKA 2
Game 2 - Victoria 2 at ALASKA 8
Game 3 - ALASKA 5 at Victoria 2
Game 4 - Alaska 0 at VICTORIA 4
Game 5 - ALASKA 6 at Victoria 4

National Conference - West Division Semifinals (Best of Seven)

#4 Utah Grizzlies (32-30-10) vs. #1 Alaska Aces (45-24-3)
Alaska Wins Series 4-1
Game 1 - Utah 0 at ALASKA 2
Game 2 - Utah 0 at ALASKA 2
Game 3 - Alaska 2 at UTAH 3 (OT)
Game 4 - ALASKA 5 at Utah 2
Game 5 - ALASKA 5 at Utah 2

National Conference - Pacific Division Semifinals (Best of Seven)

#2 Las Vegas Wranglers (34-31-8) vs. #4 Stockton Thunder (32-33-7)
Las Vegas Wins Series 4-3
Game 1 - Las Vegas 3 at STOCKTON 4
Game 2 - Stockton 2 at LAS VEGAS 4
Game 3 - Las Vegas 1 at STOCKTON 5
Game 4 - LAS VEGAS 3 at Stockton 2 (OT)
Game 5 - Stockton 2 at LAS VEGAS 4
Game 6 - STOCKTON 3 at Las Vegas 1
Game 7 - Stockton 1 at LAS VEGAS 5

National Conference - Pacific Division Semifinals

#2 Las Vegas Wranglers (34-31-8) vs. #3 Bakersfield Condors (33-31-8)
Las Vegas Wins Series 4-3
Game 1 - Bakersfield 1 at LAS VEGAS 3
Game 2 - BAKERSFIELD 3 at Las Vegas 2
Game 3 - Las Vegas 5 at BAKERSFIELD 6 (OT)
Game 4 - LAS VEGAS 4 at Bakersfield 0
Game 5 - Las Vegas 3 at BAKERSFIELD 4
Game 6 - Bakersfield 1 at LAS VEGAS 3
Game 7 - Bakersfield 1 at LAS VEGAS 5

American Conference - South Division Finals (Best of Seven)

#2 South Carolina Stingrays (42-23-6) vs. #1 Florida Everblades (49-17-5)
South Carolina Wins Series 4-2
Game 1 - SOUTH CAROLINA 2 at Florida 1 (OT)
Game 2 - South Carolina 3 at FLORIDA 4
Game 3 - Florida 3 at SOUTH CAROLINA 4
Game 4 - FLORIDA 3 at South Carolina 2 (2 OT)
Game 5 - Florida 3 at SOUTH CAROLINA 4
Game 6 - SOUTH CAROLINA 4 at Florida 3 (OT)

American Conference - South Division Semifinals (Best of Seven)

#3 Charlotte Checkers (34-29-8) vs. #2 South Carolina Stingrays (42-23-6)
South Carolina Wins Series 4-2
Game 1 - South Carolina 3 at CHARLOTTE 5
Game 2 - South Carolina 3 at CHARLOTTE 5
Game 3 - Charlotte 2 at SOUTH CAROLINA 4
Game 4 - Charlotte 1 at SOUTH CAROLINA 4
Game 5 - Charlotte 3 at SOUTH CAROLINA 8
Game 6 - SOUTH CAROLINA 4 at Charlotte 2

American Conference - North Division Finals (Best of Seven)

#3 Elmira Jackals (39-26-7) vs. #1 Cincinnati Cyclones (41-26-5)
Cincinnati Wins Series 4-0
Game 1 - Elmira 3 at CINCINNATI 8
Game 2 - Elmira 4 at CINCINNATI 5 (OT)
Game 3 - CINCINNATI 4 at Elmira 2
Game 4 - CINCINNATI 2 at Elmira 0

American Conference - North Division Semifinals (Best of Seven)

#1 Cincinnati Cyclones (41-26-5) vs. #4 Wheeling Nailers (36-28-8)
Cincinnati Wins Series 4-3
Game 1 - WHEELING 4 at Cincinnati 1
Game 2 - WHEELING 3 at Cincinnati 1
Game 3 - CINCINNATI 7 at Wheeling 3
Game 4 - CINCINNATI 4 at Wheeling 3
Game 5 - CINCINNATI 2 at Wheeling 1
Game 6 - WHEELING 6 at Cincinnati 0
Game 7 - Wheeling 1 at CINCINNATI 2 (2 OT)

Premier 'AA' Hockey League Fast Facts
* 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 21 teams in 16 states and British Columbia in 2008-09.
* The league officially changed its name from East Coast Hockey League to ECHL on May 19, 2003.
* Affiliations with 24 of the 30 teams in the National Hockey League marking 12th consecutive season that the league has had affiliations with at least 20 teams in the NHL.
* 407 former ECHL players have played in NHL.
* 151 have played their first NHL game in the last four seasons.
* Record 52 former ECHL players made their NHL debut in 2008-09: former Idaho Steelheads right wing Jay Beagle (Washington on Feb. 11), former Wheeling Nailers and ECHL All-Star defenseman Paul Bissonnette (Pittsburgh on Oct. 4), former Stockton Thunder and ECHL All-Star right wing Troy Bodie (Anaheim on Jan. 16), former Bakersfield Condors center Alexandre Bolduc (Vancouver on Nov. 27), former Florida Everblades defenseman Brett Carson (Carolina on Dec. 7), former Idaho Steelheads goaltender Matt Climie (Dallas on Apr.4), former South Carolina Stingrays defenseman Sean Collins (Washington on Dec. 6), former Las Vegas Wranglers and Wheeling Nailers goaltender John Curry (Pittsburgh on Nov. 26), former Greenville Grrrowl goaltender Jeff Drouin-Deslauriers (Edmonton on Oct. 17), former Johnstown Chiefs center Andre Deveaux (Toronto on Nov. 27), former Dayton Bombers center Philippe Dupuis (Colorado on Dec. 12), former Gwinnett Gladiators left wing Chris Durno (Colorado on Jan. 18), former Gwinnett Gladiators right wing Pat Dwyer (Carolina on Nov. 2), former South Carolina Stingrays defenseman Jamie Fraser (New York Islanders on Apr. 4), former Columbus Cottonmouths and Tallahassee Tiger Sharks left wing Mitch Fritz (New York Islanders on Oct. 30), former South Carolina Stingrays right wing Andrew Gordon (Washington on Dec. 23), former Augusta Lynx and Mississippi Sea Wolves goaltender Riku Helenius (Tampa Bay on Jan. 30), former Charlotte Checkers center Dwight Helminen (Carolina on Oct. 28), former Florida Everblades and ECHL All-Star center Matt Hendricks (Colorado on Mar. 10), former Las Vegas Wranglers goaltender Brent Krahn (Dallas on Feb. 14), former Trenton Devils right wing Pierre-Luc Letourneau-Leblond (New Jersey on Oct. 22), former Baton Rouge Kingfish left wing Per Ledin (Colorado on Apr. 9), former Gwinnett Gladiators defenseman Scott Lehman (Atlanta on Dec. 18), former Johnstown Chiefs defenseman Raymond Macias (Colorado on Apr. 1), former Utah Grizzlies defenseman Andrew MacDonald (New York Islanders on Feb. 28), former Charlotte Checkers defenseman Steve MacIntyre (Edmonton on Oct. 15), former Florida Everblades left wing Kenndal McArdle (Florida on Dec. 2), two-time All-Star and former Las Vegas Wranglers goaltender Mike McKenna (Tampa Bay on Feb. 3), former All-Star and Wheeling Nailers center Kurtis McLean (New York Islanders on Jan. 19), former Charlotte Checkers goaltender Al Montoya (Phoenix on Apr. 1), former South Carolina Stingrays and ECHL All-Star goaltender Michal Neuvirth (Washington on Feb. 14), former Johnstown Chiefs defenseman Wes O'Neill (Toronto on Mar. 9), former Columbia Inferno defenseman Phil Oreskovic (Toronto on Mar. 9), former Phoenix RoadRunners and Wheeling Nailers center Cam Paddock (St. Louis on Nov. 14), former Las Vegas Wranglers defenseman Adam Pardy (Calgary on Oct. 9), former Idaho Steelheads left wing Warren Peters (Calgary on Dec. 7), former Charlotte Checkers center Jakub Petruzalek (Carolina on Feb. 5), former Charlotte Checkers defenseman Corey Potter (New York Rangers on Dec. 7), former Augusta Lynx defenseman Kevin Quick (Tampa Bay on Jan. 13), former Utah Grizzlies right wing Joel Rechlicz (New York Islanders on Mar. 4), former Charlotte Checkers, Columbia Inferno and Elmira Jackals defenseman Bryan Rodney (Carolina on Dec. 11), former Gwinnett Gladiators center Jared Ross (Philadelphia on Oct. 11), former Alaska Aces goaltender Marek Schwarz (St. Louis on Oct. 25), former Greenville Grrrowl and Stockton Thunder center Tim Sestito (Edmonton on Nov. 26), former Augusta Lynx defenseman Brett Skinner (New York Islanders on Oct. 27), former Dayton Bombers and Las Vegas Wranglers defenseman Tyler Sloan (Washington on Oct. 21), former Utah Grizzlies and ECHL All-Star center Trevor Smith (New York Islanders on Dec. 31), former Johnstown Chiefs and Mississippi Sea Wolves forward Radek Smolenak (Tampa Bay on Dec. 2), former Las Vegas Wranglers and ECHL All-Star defenseman Tyson Strachan (St. Louis on Dec. 18), former Phoenix RoadRunners goaltender Josh Tordjman (Phoenix on Mar. 8), former Wheeling Nailers right wing Tim Wallace (Pittsburgh on Dec. 10) and former Idaho Steelheads center Tom Wandell (Dallas on Dec. 10).
* Eight players played in the ECHL and the NHL in 2008-09: goaltenders Matt Climie (Idaho and Dallas), Riku Helenius (Mississippi and Tampa Bay), Michal Neuvirth (South Carolina and Washington) and Marek Schwarz (Alaska and St. Louis), defensemen Raymond Macias (Johnstown and Colorado), Wes O'Neill and Kevin Quick (Augusta and Tampa Bay) and right wing Joel Rechlicz (Utah and New York Islanders).
* There were 72 former ECHL players on NHL opening-day rosters.
* ECHL is represented for the eighth consecutive year on the National Hockey League championship team in 2008 by Aaron Downey of the Detroit Red Wings.
* Former ECHL coaches working as head coaches in the NHL are Bruce Boudreau of the Washington Capitals and Scott Gordon of the New York Islanders while former ECHL player Dan Bylsma is head coach of the Pittsburgh Penguins. 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. Peter Laviolette, who began his coaching career with the Wheeling Nailers, led Carolina Hurricanes to the Stanley Cup in 2006.
* There are 18 assistant coaches in the NHL who were players or coaches in the ECHL.
* There are 18 former ECHL officials scheduled to work as part of the NHL officiating team in 2008-09 with referees David Banfield, Chris Ciamaga, Ghislain Hebert, 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, Brian Mach, Tim Nowak and Jay Sharrers. Barton, Joannette, Leggo, McCauley, Nowak, Pollock, Rooney and Sharrers all worked the 2008 Stanley Cup Playoffs.
* ECHL has affiliations with 23 of the 29 teams in the American Hockey League and for the past 19 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 2,000 call-ups involving more than 1,000 players since 2002-03.
* Further information on the ECHL is available from its website at ECHL.com.

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