ECHL's 30th Season Opens Friday
October 9, 2017 - ECHL (ECHL) News Release
The ECHL's 30th season begins on Friday with eight games, continues on Saturday with 12 games and concludes with one game on Sunday.
Began in 1988-89 with five teams in four states, the ECHL has grown into a coast-to-coast league that has 27 teams in 21 states and one Canadian province playing 972 games from Oct. 13, 2017 to April 8, 2018. The ECHL is the third-longest tenured professional hockey league behind only the National Hockey League and the American Hockey League.
Four of the eight games on Opening Night feature divisional match-ups, including the Colorado Eagles raising their first-ever Kelly Cup championship banner when they host Mountain Division rival Utah. Other divisional meetings on Friday include Florida hosting Atlanta, Toledo visiting Quad City and Rapid City entertaining Allen. Other games slated for Oct. 13 have Wheeling traveling to Greenville, Wichita hosting Indy, Kansas City visiting Tulsa and Norfolk opening a western swing at Idaho.
The ECHL's two newest teams both open their home schedules on Saturday as the Worcester Railers host Manchester and the Jacksonville Icemen entertain Orlando. Three other teams also host their home openers on Oct. 14 as Adirondack hosts Brampton, Fort Wayne hosts Toledo in a rematch of the 2017 Central Division Finals and Cincinnati welcomes Kalamazoo.
The lone game on Sunday's ECHL schedule has the Brampton Beast hosting their home opener against Manchester, in a rematch of the 2017 North Division Finals.
New faces behind the benches
Seven of the 27 ECHL teams will have a new coach in charge as the 2017-18 season gets underway.
In Reading, Kirk MacDonald enters his first full season as the club's head coach after taking over for the final three games of the 2017-18 regular season and the team's 2017 Kelly Cup Playoff run. MacDonald has been with the Royals as an assistant coach since 2014-15, and was a player on Reading's 2013 Kelly Cup championship team. Meanwhile in Rapid City, Daniel Tetrault enters his first season as a professional head coach after serving as the Rush's assistant coach last season.
Taking over as head coach in Adirondack is Brad Tapper, who spent the previous two seasons as an assistant coach in the American Hockey League. Tapper returns to the ECHL, where he was an assistant coach with Florida and Orlando from 2011-14.
In Atlanta, Chuck Weber returns to the ECHL coaching ranks for the first time since 2009-10, when he led Cincinnati to its second Kelly Cup title in three seasons. Weber's 45 career Kelly Cup Playoff wins is tied for fifth in ECHL history.
Jason Christie, the ECHL's all-time leader with 547 career wins in 14 seasons with Peoria, Utah, Ontario and Tulsa, enters his first season as head coach of Jacksonville while Rob Murray, who spent the previous six seasons as head coach of the Alaska Aces, including leading the team to the 2014 Kelly Cup title, replaces Christie behind the bench in Tulsa.
Jamie Russell is the first head coach of the Worcester Railers. Russell was head coach in Elmira from 2014-16, leading the Jackals to a 69-63-12 record in that span.
Approaching milestones
A pair of ECHL goaltenders look to continue their ascent up the league's all-time lists during the 2017-18 season.
Kalamazoo's Joel Martin ranks fifth among goaltenders in ECHL history with 345 games played. He trails 2016 ECHL Hall of Fame inductee Daniel Berthiaume for fourth place by 19 appearances and is 21 appearances behind 2013 ECHL Hall of Fame inductee Marc Magliarditi for third all-time.
Martin has 177 wins in eight ECHL seasons with the K-Wings, Columbus (Ga.), Trenton and Elmira. He is 23 wins shy of becoming just the fourth goaltender in league history to reach the 200-win plateau.
Allen's Riley Gill, who is the ECHL's all-time leader with 53 career postseason wins, enters the season eighth all-time with 145 career regular-season wins in eight seasons with the Americans, Reading, Kalamazoo and Victoria and he needs 21 wins to move into the top six in league history. Gill's 21 career ECHL shutouts rank third all-time in league history, and is just four shy of Magliarditi's all-time record of 25.
Jacksonville forward Garet Hunt enters the season fifth all-time in ECHL history with 2,177 penalty minutes in 565 career games with Stockton and Alaska. He needs 77 penalty minutes to move into second place in league history.
In the coaching ranks, Christie will tie 2012 ECHL Hall of Fame inductee John Marks for the most games coached in league history in Jacksonville's season opener on Saturday when he coaches his 1,008th career ECHL game.
Allen head coach Steve Martinson and Wichita's Malcolm Cameron enter the season tied for seventh in ECHL history with 338 career wins. The two will look to enter the top six in league history this season, as they close in on the career marks of Matt Thomas (342) and Larry Courville (343).
Division Capsules
North Division
Location: Glens Falls, New York
Arena (Capacity): Cool Insuring Arena (4,794)
Coach: Brad Tapper, First Season
2017 Kelly Cup Playoffs: Lost North Division Semifinals to Manchester (4 games to 2)
NHL Affiliate: New Jersey Devils
AHL Affiliate: Binghamton Devils
2016-17 in review
Record: 41-20-11, 93 points
Division Finish: 1st, North
Overall ECHL Finish: 6th
Goals Per Game (Rank): 3.69 (4th)
Goals-Against Average (Rank): 3.03 (9th)
Power Play (Rank): 24.2% (4th)
Penalty Killing (Rank): 80.8% (21st)
Location: Brampton, Ontario
Arena (Capacity): Powerade Centre (5,000)
Coach: Colin Chaulk, Third Season (63-62-19)
2017 Kelly Cup Playoffs: Lost North Division Finals to Manchester (4 games to 2)
NHL Affiliate: Montreal Canadiens
AHL Affiliate: Laval Rocket
2016-17 in review
Record: 40-24-8, 88 points
Division Finish: 3rd, North
Overall ECHL Finish: 9th
Goals Per Game (Rank): 3.65 (8th)
Goals-Against Average (Rank): 3.56 (T20th)
Power Play (Rank): 19.5% (9th)
Penalty Killing (Rank): 84.9% (T3rd)
Location: Manchester, New Hampshire
Arena (Capacity): SNHU Arena (9,852)
Coach: Richard Seeley, Third Season (76-48-20)
2017 Kelly Cup Playoffs: Lost Eastern Conference Finals to South Carolina (4 games to 3)
NHL Affiliate: Los Angeles Kings
AHL Affiliate: Ontario Reign
2016-17 in review
Record: 37-24-11, 85 points
Division Finish: 4th, North
Overall ECHL Finish: 11th
Goals Per Game (Rank): 3.67 (T6th)
Goals-Against Average (Rank): 3.50 (T18th)
Power Play (Rank): 21.7% (5th)
Penalty Killing (Rank): 81.5% (18th)
Location: Reading, Pennsylvania
Arena (Capacity): Santander Arena (7,160)
Coach: Kirk MacDonald, Second Season (3-0-0)
2017 Kelly Cup Playoffs: Lost North Division Semifinals to Brampton (4 games to 2)
NHL Affiliate: Philadelphia Flyers
AHL Affiliate: Lehigh Valley Phantoms
2016-17 in review
Record: 41-25-6, 88 points
Division Finish: 2nd, North
Overall ECHL Finish: 8th
Goals Per Game (Rank): 3.54 (10th)
Goals-Against Average (Rank): 3.01 (8th)
Power Play (Rank): 17.8% (11th)
Penalty Killing (Rank): 83.4% (T9th)
Location: Wheeling, West Virginia
Arena (Capacity): WesBanco Arena (5,200)
Coach: Jeff Christian, Second Season (34-30-8)
2017 Kelly Cup Playoffs: Did Not Qualify
NHL Affiliate: Pittsburgh Penguins
AHL Affiliate: Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins
2016-17 in review
Record: 34-30-8, 76 points
Division Finish: 5th, North
Overall ECHL Finish: 18th
Goals Per Game (Rank): 3.39 (12th)
Goals-Against Average (Rank): 3.32 (14th)
Power Play (Rank): 19.7% (8th)
Penalty Killing (Rank): 75.0% (27th)
Location: Worcester, Massachusetts
Arena (Capacity): DCU Center (5,600)
Coach: Jamie Russell, First Season with Worcester, Third Season in ECHL (69-63-12)
NHL Affiliate: New York Islanders
AHL Affiliate: Bridgeport Sound Tigers
South Division
Location: Duluth, Georgia
Arena (Capacity): Infinite Energy Arena (11,355)
Coach: Chuck Weber, First Season with Atlanta, Fifth Season in ECHL (177-92-19)
2017 Kelly Cup Playoffs: Did Not Qualify
NHL Affiliate: Boston Bruins
AHL Affiliate: Providence Bruins
2016-17 in review
Record: 27-37-8, 62 points
Division Finish: 6th, South
Overall ECHL Finish: 21st
Goals Per Game (Rank): 3.25 (T13th)
Goals-Against Average (Rank): 3.86 (T24th)
Power Play (Rank): 18.3% (10th)
Penalty Killing (Rank): 82.2% (15th)
Location: Estero, Florida
Arena (Capacity): Germain Arena (7,186)
Coach: Brad Ralph, Second Season with Florida, Fifth Season in ECHL (178-85-25)
2017 Kelly Cup Playoffs: Lost South Division Finals to South Carolina (4 games to 1)
NHL Affiliate: Carolina Hurricanes
AHL Affiliate: Charlotte Checkers
2016-17 in review
Record: 46-21-5, 97 points
Division Finish: 1st, South
Overall ECHL Finish: 5th
Goals Per Game (Rank): 3.82 (3rd)
Goals-Against Average (Rank): 3.04 (10th)
Power Play (Rank): 16.6% (16th)
Penalty Killing (Rank): 83.0% (12th)
Location: Greenville, South Carolina
Arena (Capacity): Bon Secours Wellness Arena (7,044)
Coach: Brian Gratz, Third Season (69-59-16)
2017 Kelly Cup Playoffs: Lost South Division Semifinals to South Carolina (4 games to 2)
NHL Affiliate: New York Rangers
AHL Affiliate: Hartford Wolf Pack
2016-17 in review
Record: 29-33-10, 68 points
Division Finish: 5th, South
Overall ECHL Finish: 23rd
Goals Per Game (Rank): 2.85 (17th)
Goals-Against Average (Rank): 3.38 (27th)
Power Play (Rank): 16.7% (16th)
Penalty Killing (Rank): 79.5% (26th)
Location: Jacksonville, Florida
Arena (Capacity): Veterans Memorial Arena (8,500)
Coach: Jason Christie, First Season with Jacksonville, 15th Season in ECHL (547-349-111)
NHL Affiliate: Winnipeg Jets
AHL Affiliate: Manitoba Moose
Location: Norfolk, Virginia
Arena (Capacity): Norfolk Scope (8,701)
Coach: Robbie Ftorek, Second Season (24-29-2)
2017 Kelly Cup Playoffs: Did Not Qualify
NHL Affiliate: Nashville Predators
AHL Affiliate: Milwaukee Admirals
2016-17 in review
Record: 26-40-6, 58 points
Division Finish: 7th, South
Overall ECHL Finish: 24th
Goals Per Game (Rank): 2.97 (22nd)
Goals-Against Average (Rank): 3.76 (23rd)
Power Play (Rank): 16.1% (T19th)
Penalty Killing (Rank): 80.0% (22nd)
Location: Orlando, Florida
Arena (Capacity): Amway Center (9,555)
Coach: Drake Berehowsky, Third Season (59-58-16)
2017 Kelly Cup Playoffs: Lost South Division Semifinals to Florida (4 games to 3)
NHL Affiliate: Toronto Maple Leafs
AHL Affiliate: Toronto Marlies
2016-17 in review
Record: 36-26-10, 82 points
Division Finish: 4th, South
Overall ECHL Finish: 14th
Goals Per Game (Rank): 3.61 (9th)
Goals-Against Average (Rank): 3.58 (22nd)
Power Play (Rank): 17.1% (13th)
Penalty Killing (Rank): 75.9% (26th)
Location: North Charleston, South Carolina
Arena (Capacity): North Charleston Coliseum (7,250)
Coach: Ryan Warsofsky, Second Season (40-28-4)
2017 Kelly Cup Playoffs: Lost Kelly Cup Finals to Colorado (4 games to 0)
NHL Affiliate: Washington Capitals
AHL Affiliate: Hershey Bears
2016-17 in review
Record: 40-28-4, 84 points
Division Finish:2nd, South
Overall ECHL Finish: 12th
Goals Per Game (Rank): 3.15 (17th)
Goals-Against Average (Rank): 2.93 (7th)
Power Play (Rank): 17.3% (12th)
Penalty Killing (Rank): 84.9% (T3rd)
Central Division
Location: Cincinnati, Ohio
Arena (Capacity): U.S. Bank Arena (6,955)
Coach: Matt Macdonald, Fourth Season (103-86-27)
2017 Kelly Cup Playoffs: Did Not Qualify
NHL Affiliate: Buffalo Sabres
AHL Affiliate: Rochester Americans
2016-17 in review
Record: 36-29-7, 79 points
Division Finish: 5th, South
Overall ECHL Finish: 17th
Goals Per Game (Rank): 2.78 (23rd)
Goals-Against Average (Rank): 2.90 (5th)
Power Play (Rank): 16.7% (15th)
Penalty Killing (Rank): 81.3% (20th)
Location: Fort Wayne, Indiana
Arena (Capacity): Memorial Coliseum (10,500)
Coach: Gary Graham, Fifth Season (169-84-35)
2017 Kelly Cup Playoffs: Lost Central Division Finals to Toledo (4 games to 1)
NHL Affiliate: Arizona Coyotes
AHL Affiliate: Tucson Roadrunners
2016-17 in review
Record: 45-19-8, 98 points
Division Finish: 2nd, Central
Overall ECHL Finish: 4th
Goals Per Game (Rank): 3.67 (T6th)
Goals-Against Average (Rank): 2.92 (6th)
Power Play (Rank): 21.4% (6th)
Penalty Killing (Rank): 82.3% (14th)
Location: Indianapolis, Indiana
Arena (Capacity): Indiana Farmers Coliseum (6,145)
Coach: Bernie John, Third Season (28-48-9)
2017 Kelly Cup Playoffs: Did Not Qualify
NHL Affiliate: Chicago Blackhawks
AHL Affiliate: Rockford IceHogs
2016-17 in review
Record: 23-42-7, 53 points
Division Finish: 6th, Central
Overall ECHL Finish: 25th
Goals Per Game (Rank): 2.72 (24th)
Goals-Against Average (Rank): 4.03 (27th)
Power Play (Rank): 14.8% (22nd)
Penalty Killing (Rank): 81.4% (19th)
Location: Kalamazoo, Michigan
Arena (Capacity): Wings Event Center (5,113)
Coach: Nick Bootland, 10th Season with Kalamazoo; Ninth Season in ECHL (308-210-58)
2017 Kelly Cup Playoffs: Lost Central Division Semifinals to Toledo (4 games to 3)
NHL Affiliate: Vancouver Canucks
AHL Affiliate: Utica Comets
2016-17 in review
Record: 38-30-4, 80points
Division Finish: 4th, Central
Overall ECHL Finish: 15th
Goals Per Game (Rank): 3.08 (19th)
Goals-Against Average (Rank): 3.29 (13th)
Power Play (Rank): 14.3% (24th)
Penalty Killing (Rank): 81.9% (17th)
Location: Independence, Missouri
Arena (Capacity): Silverstein Eye Centers Arena (5,800)
Coach: John-Scott Dickson, Second Season (33-30-9)
2017 Kelly Cup Playoffs Did Not Qualify
NHL Affiliate: Calgary Flames
AHL Affiliate: Stockton Heat
2016-17 in review
Record: 33-30-9, 75 points
Division Finish: 5th, Mountain
Overall ECHL Finish: 19th
Goals Per Game (Rank): 3.24 (15th)
Goals-Against Average (Rank): 3.25 (T16th)
Power Play (Rank): 16.4% (T17th)
Penalty Killing (Rank): 84.0% (6th)
Location: Moline, Illinois
Arena (Capacity): TaxSlayer Center (5,100)
Coach: Phil Axtell, Second Season (21-12-2)
2017 Kelly Cup Playoffs: Lost Central Division Semifinals to Fort Wayne (4 games to 1)
NHL Affiliate: Vegas Golden Knights
AHL Affiliate: Chicago Wolves
2016-17 in review
Record: 40-28-4, 84 points
Division Finish: 3rd, Central
Overall ECHL Finish: 13th
Goals Per Game (Rank): 3.22 (16h)
Goals-Against Average (Rank): 3.06 (11th)
Power Play (Rank): 12.4% (26th)
Penalty Killing (Rank): 83.5% (8th)
Location: Toledo, Ohio
Arena (Capacity): Huntington Center (7,431)
Coach: Dan Watson, Third Season (56-30-7)
2017 Kelly Cup Playoffs: Lost Western Conference Finals to Colorado (4 games to 1)
NHL Affiliate: Detroit Red Wings
AHL Affiliate: Grand Rapids Griffins
2016-17 in review
Record: 51-17-4, 106 points
Division Finish: 1st, Central
Overall ECHL Finish:1st
Goals Per Game (Rank): 4.19 (1st)
Goals-Against Average (Rank): 2.65 (1st)
Power Play (Rank): 25.1% (1st)
Penalty Killing (Rank): 86.8% (1st)
Mountain Division
Location: Allen, Texas
Arena (Capacity): Allen Event Center (6,200)
Coach: Steve Martinson, Fourth Season with Allen, Ninth Season in ECHL (338-170-68)
2017 Kelly Cup Playoffs: Lost Mountain Division Finals to Colorado (4 games to 2)
NHL Affiliate: San Jose Sharks
AHL Affiliate: San Jose Barracuda
2016-17 in review
Record: 49-17-6, 104 points
Division Finish: 1st, Mountain
Overall ECHL Finish: 2nd
Goals Per Game (Rank): 4.08 (2nd)
Goals-Against Average (Rank): 2.82 (2nd)
Power Play (Rank): 24.4% (3rd)
Penalty Killing (Rank): 84.4% (5th)
Location: Loveland, Colorado
Arena (Capacity): Budweiser Events Center (5,289)
Coach: Aaron Schneekloth, Second Season (47-20-5)
2017 Kelly Cup Playoffs: Won Kelly Cup title by defeating South Carolina (4 games to 0)
NHL Affiliate: Colorado Avalanche
AHL Affiliate: San Antonio Rampage
2016-17 in review
Record: 47-20-5, 99 points
Division Finish: 2nd, Mountain
Overall ECHL Finish: 3rd
Goals Per Game (Rank): 3.68 (5th)
Goals-Against Average (Rank): 2.86 (T3rd)
Power Play (Rank): 24.8% (2nd)
Penalty Killing (Rank): 83.4% (T9th)
Location: Boise, Idaho
Arena (Capacity): CenturyLink Arena (5,006)
Coach: Neil Graham, Third Season (81-46-17)
2017 Kelly Cup Playoffs: Lost Mountain Division Semifinals to Colorado (4 games to 1)
NHL Affiliate: Dallas Stars
AHL Affiliate: Texas Stars
2016-17 in review
Record: 43-22-7, 93 points
Division Finish: 3rd, Mountain
Overall ECHL Finish: 7th
Goals Per Game (Rank): 3.25 (T13th)
Goals-Against Average (Rank): 2.86 (T3rd)
Power Play (Rank): 21.3% (7th)
Penalty Killing (Rank): 85.8% (2nd)
Location: Rapid City, South Dakota
Arena (Capacity): Rushmore Plaza Civic Center (5,119)
Coach: Daniel Tetrault, First Season
2017 Kelly Cup Playoffs: Did Not Qualify
NHL Affiliate: Minnesota Wild
AHL Affiliate: Iowa Wild
2016-17 in review
Record: 26-38-8, 60 points
Division Finish: 5th, Mountain
Overall ECHL Finish: 23rd
Goals Per Game (Rank): 2.99 (21st)
Goals-Against Average (Rank): 3.56 (T20th)
Power Play (Rank): 15.4% (21st)
Penalty Killing (Rank): 83.3% (11th)
Location: Tulsa, Oklahoma
Arena (Capacity): BOK Center (17,096)
Coach: Rob Murray, First Season with Tulsa, Seventh Season in ECHL (231-150-50)
2017 Kelly Cup Playoffs: Did Not Qualify
NHL Affiliate: St. Louis Blues
2016-17 in review
Record: 27-37-8, 62 points
Division Finish: 5th, Central
Overall ECHL Finish: 22nd
Goals Per Game (Rank): 2.69 (25th)
Goals-Against Average (Rank): 3.35 (T16th)
Power Play (Rank): 10.6% (27th)
Penalty Killing (Rank): 77.5% (25th)
Location: West Valley City, Utah
Arena (Capacity): Maverik Center (10,207)
Coach: Tim Branham, Fifth Season (150-107-30)
2017 Kelly Cup Playoffs: Lost Mountain Division Semifinals to Allen (4 games to 1)
NHL Affiliate: Anaheim Ducks
AHL Affiliate: San Diego Gulls
2016-17 in review
Record: 36-29-7, 79 points
Division Finish: 4th, Mountain
Overall ECHL Finish: 16th
Goals Per Game (Rank): 3.13 (18th)
Goals-Against Average (Rank): 3.33 (15th)
Power Play (Rank): 16.4% (T17th)
Penalty Killing (Rank): 83.7% (7th)
Location: Wichita, Kansas
Arena (Capacity): INTRUST Bank Arena (13,400)
Coach: Malcolm Cameron, Second Season with Wichita, 10th Season in ECHL (3338-216-73)
2017 Kelly Cup Playoffs: Did Not Qualify
NHL Affiliate: Edmonton Oilers
AHL Affiliate: Bakersfield Condors
2016-17 in review
Record: 21-44-7, 49 points
Division Finish: 7th, Central
Overall ECHL Finish: 26th
Goals Per Game (Rank): 2.63 (26th)
Goals-Against Average (Rank): 3.86 (T24th)
Power Play (Rank): 14.6% (23rd)
Penalty Killing (Rank): 78.9% (24th)
ECHL Stories from October 9, 2017
- Thunder Deals Melindy's Rights to Utah - Wichita Thunder
- Thunder Deals Melindy's Rights to Utah - Wichita Thunder
- Mallards Make Roster Moves - Quad City Mallards
- Oilers Trim Roster by Three - Tulsa Oilers
- Mallards Weekly Update: October 9, 2017 - Quad City Mallards
- ECHL's 30th Season Opens Friday - ECHL
- Indy Fuel Media Day Tomorrow - Indy Fuel
- Eagles Win Special Teams Battle - Rapid City Rush
- Solar Bears Fall to Everblades in Preseason Finale - Orlando Solar Bears
- Blades Close Preseason with 5-2 Win over Solar Bears - Florida Everblades
- Nailers See Double, Earn Second Straight 5-4 Win - Wheeling Nailers
- Training Camp Schedule, Monday, October 9 - Norfolk Admirals
- Mallards Trim Roster - Quad City Mallards
- Orlando Solar Bears at Florida Everblades - Orlando Solar Bears
- Party Dates at Marlow's Taver - Atlanta Gladiators
- Oilers Top Thunder in Lone Preseason Game - Tulsa Oilers
- A Thrilling Way to Start - Wheeling Nailers
- Game Recap --- Specialty Teams Take over in Eagles 5-3 Win - Colorado Eagles
- Thunder Drops Exhibition Contest 5-2 to Tulsa - Wichita Thunder
- Blades Shine in Preseason Opener with 4-1 Win over Solar Bears - Florida Everblades
- Oilers Top Thunder in Lone Preseason Game - Tulsa Oilers
- Fuel Settle for Preseason Split with Komets - Indy Fuel
- Railers HC Saving Their Wins for the Regular Season - Worcester Railers HC
- Monarchs Complete Sweep with 5-1 Win - Manchester Monarchs
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