The ECHL is a professional ice hockey league with teams in the United States and Canada. It is considered a minor league team that plays in a tier lower than the American Hockey League.
ECHL's name was initially an acronym for the East Coast Hockey League, which was its official designation upon its founding in 1988. Entrepreneur Henry Brabham, who conceived the league, sought to create a stable and competitive platform for teams that had previously participated in leagues such as the Atlantic Coast Hockey League and the All-American Hockey League.
In its inaugural season, the league featured just five teams, including the Carolina Thunderbirds, the Erie Panthers, the Johnstown Chiefs, the Knoxville Cherokees, and the Virginia Lancers. Of these, the Carolina Thunderbirds are now the Wheeling Nailers, the Johnstown Chiefs are now the Greenville Swamp Rabbits, and the Virginia Lancers are now the Utah Grizzlies. The Erie Panthers folded in 2011 as the Victoria Salmon Kings, and the Knoxville Cherokees ceased operations as the Pee Dee Pride in 2005, only to fold in 2009 after relocation efforts failed.
Over the following decades, the ECHL broadened its geographic scope, evolving from its original East Coast roots to embrace teams from across the United States and Canada. In 2003, the East Coast Hockey League rebranded as what had initially been its acronym, ECHL, a move that reflects its wider influence.
The growth of the ECHL can be measured in the number of teams and markets it now serves, as well as its current role as a proving ground for future hockey talent. As one of the two minor leagues officially recognized within the National Hockey League's collective bargaining framework (the other being the American Hockey League), the ECHL has become an indispensable feeder system for professional hockey in North America. Many players begin their professional careers in the ECHL before graduating to the AHL and, eventually, the NHL. This unique relationship means that NHL franchises often affiliate with ECHL teams to develop emerging talent, lend experienced players for additional ice time, and provide a competitive setting that nurtures developing players.
Competition within the ECHL follows a rigorous schedule that mirrors the intensity of higher leagues. Its regular season typically spans from October through April, climaxing with the coveted Kelly Cup playoffs. The Kelly Cup itself, which was rechristened in honor of Patrick J. Kelly, a central figure in the league's formative years, represents the pinnacle of ECHL achievement. Complementing this postseason battle is the awarding of the Brabham Cup, named for the league's founder, Henry Brabham, which honors the team that best distinguishes itself during the regular season.
While the ECHL and the NHL share a fundamental adherence to the same rules of ice hockey and the game's emphasis on speed, skill, and strategy, the levels of experience differs markedly. The ECHL is primarily a developmental league where younger, less experienced players hone their craft. This tends to encourage a more experimental and somewhat less structured approach to the game. ECHL coaches might try out diverse strategies, accepting a degree of inconsistency as a trade-off for player development.
Conversely, the NHL's gameplay benefits from the experience and collective execution of veteran professionals, resulting in a game that is often more refined, strategic, and physically imposing. In essence, while the NHL features finely tuned systems and peak athletic performance, the ECHL offers a sometimes rougher, raw, and rapidly evolving style that may be exhilarating but less predictable.
The ECHL's contributions to local communities are considerable. By hosting games, the ECHL introduces a steady influx of fans into towns and cities, thereby boosting local businesses, including restaurants, hotels, and retail stores. Game nights not only create jobs within the teams, ranging from ticket sales and concessions to facility operations, but also provide a boost to economic activity in the hospitality and transportation sectors. ECHL teams frequently make financial contributions to local schools, hospitals, and charities, while also hosting youth hockey camps, conducting school visits, and participating in charity fundraisers.
ECHL teams are organized into two Conferences, each with two Divisions, the Eastern Conference including North and South Divisions, while the Western Conference has the Central and Mountain Divisions.
As of the 2024-25 season, the ECHL has 29 teams, with two additional teams planned. The Greensboro Gargoyles are slotted to begin play as an affiliate of the Carolina Hurricanes (NHL) and the Chicago Wolves (AHL) in the 2025-26 season, while the New Mexico Pro Hockey Club is planned to begin play in Rio Rancho, New Mexico, in the 2026-27 season, probably under another name.
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Founded in 1990, the professional ice hockey team is based in Glens Falls, New York, and affiliated with the NHL's New Jersey Devils and the AHL's Utica Comets. They play their home games at the Cool Insuring Arena. The team roster, affiliations, and alumni are set forth, along with game schedules, ticket options, seating charts, and arena policies. Other resources include fan resources, a player Hall of Fame, job opportunities, and an online shopping area with branded apparel.
https://echlthunder.com/
Founded in 2009 in the Central Hockey League, the Americans became part of the ECHL after the CHL folded. The team is affiliated with the NHL's Utah Mammoth and the AHL's Tucson Roadrunners. Playing its home games at the Credit Union of Texas Event Center in Allen, Texas, the team is a member of the ECHL's Mountain Division of the Western Conference. The team history, roster, statistics, standings, schedules, ticket options, and sponsorship opportunities are posted.
https://allenamericans.com/
Based in Duluth, Georgia, the Gladiators are a professional ice hockey minor league team affiliated with the NHL's Nashville Predators and the AHL's Milwaukee Admirals. The franchise began as the Mobile Mysticks in 1995, relocating to Duluth in 2003, where they were originally known as the Gwinnett Gladiators before adopting their current name in 2015. Game schedules, a team roster, statistics, standings, ticket options, and a seating chart are featured on the official team website.
https://atlantagladiators.com/
The Bloomington Bison are a minor league ice hockey team based in Bloomington, Illinois. The team was founded in 2024 as an expansion team, and is affiliated with the NHL's New York Rangers and the AHL's Hartford Wolf Pack. A member of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the ECHL, the Bison plays its home games at Grossinger Motors Arena. The team roster, statistics, standings, hockey operations, schedules, ticket options, and game day information are posted on the team's website.
https://bloomingtonbisonhockey.com/
There have been three separate franchises known as the Cincinnati Cyclones, two of which were in the ECHL and one in the IHL. The current ECHL franchise was founded in 1995 as the Louisville RiverFrogs, playing in the International Hockey League. After the IHL folded, they became the Cyclones. However, the team was dormant from 2004 to 2006, when they resumed play. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the ECHL, playing home games at Heritage Bank Center.
http://www.cycloneshockey.com/
Formerly known as the East Coast Hockey League, the ECHL is a minor professional ice hockey league based in Shrewsbury, New Jersey, with teams located across the United States and Canada. Competitively, it is a tier below the American Hockey League (AHL) and serves as a farm system for the AHL and the National Hockey League (NHL). The ECHL and the AHL are the only minor leagues recognized by the collective bargaining agreement between the NHL and the National Hockey League Players' Association.
https://echl.com/
Playing home games at Hertz Arena in Estero, Florida, the Everblades are a professional minor league ice hockey team playing in the South Division of the Eastern Conference of ECHL. They are affiliated with the St. Louis Blues (NHL) and the Springfield Thunderbirds (AHL). The team roster, player statistics, standings, videos, game schedules, ticket options, and a seating chart are available on the team's official website, which includes an online shopping site.
https://www.floridaeverblades.com/
The Komets are a minor league ice hockey team that currently plays in the ECHL as a member of its Central Division, Western Conference. Two different hockey teams have been known as the Fort Wayne Komets. The original franchise was founded in 1952 in the International Hockey League. In 1990, they relocated to become the Albany Choppers, playing only one additional season before the team folded. The current team was founded in 1985 as the Flint Spirits, taking their current name in 2012.
https://komets.com/
The Greensboro Gargoyles are a future professional minor league ice hockey team based in Greensboro, North Carolina. They are slotted to play in the ECHL, filling a void left by the folding of the Greensboro Generals in 2004. Home games will be played at First Horizon Coliseum. They are affiliated with the National Hockey League's Carolina Hurricanes and the American Hockey League's Chicago Wolves. Team information, corporate partnerships, and a season schedule are posted.
https://www.gargoyleshockey.com/
Founded in the All-American Hockey League as the Johnstown Chiefs, the team became a founding member of the East Coast Hockey League (ECHL) the following season. The team relocated from Johnstown, Pennsylvania, to Greenville, South Carolina, in 2010, where they played as the Greenville Road Warriors from 2010 to 2015 before taking their current name. The team is a member of the South Division of the Eastern Conference of ECHL, playing home games at the Bon Secours Wellness Arena.
https://swamprabbits.com/
The Steelheads play in the Mountain Division of the ECHL's Western Conference. Based in Boise, Idaho, the team plays its home games at Idaho Central Arena. Promotional and game schedules, ticket options, venue information, and game notes are available on the team's official website, which also features a team roster, videos, statistics, standings, and the franchise's history. An online shopping area offers branded apparel, collectibles, and other merchandise.
https://idahosteelheads.com/
Affiliated with the National Hockey League's Chicago Blackhawks and the American Hockey League's Rockford IceHogs, the Indy Fuel is a minor league ice hockey team in the ECHL. Playing home games at the Fishers Event Center in Fishers, Indiana, the team is a member of the ECHL's Central Division of the Western Conference. A game day guide, parking information, and a venue guide are featured, along with schedules, a team roster, statistics, standings, and an online shopping page.
https://indyfuelhockey.com/
The professional minor league ice hockey team in the ECHL is based in Coralville, Iowa, where it plays its home games at Xtream Arena. Founded in 2021, the team is a member of the ECHL's Central Division in the Western Conference. Schedules, theme nights, ticket options, a team roster, statistics, standings, and an overview of its special programs for children and college students, as well as videos and fan resources, are highlighted on the official team website.
https://iowaheartlanders.com/
Affiliated with the NHL's Buffalo Sabres, the Icemen are a professional minor league ice hockey team in Jacksonville, Florida. They are a member of the South Division of the Eastern Conference in the ECHL, playing home games at VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena. Founded in the CoHL in 1992, they were known as the Muskegon Fury from 1992-2008, the Muskegon Lumberjacks from 2008-2010, and the Evansville IceMen from 2010-2016, joining the ECHL and relocating to Jacksonville.
https://jacksonvilleicemen.com/
The K-Wings are a minor league professional ice hockey team in Kalamazoo, Michigan. A member of the ECHL's Western Conference, Central Division, they play their home games at Wings Event Center. They are an affiliate of the Vancouver Canucks of the National Hockey League and the Abbotsford Canucks of the American Hockey League. The team was founded as the United Hockey League's Madison Kodiaks in 1999, taking its current name after moving to Kalamazoo after only one season.
https://kwings.com/
Founded as the Missouri Mavericks in 2009, the team originally played in the Central Hockey League before joining the ECHL in 2014. Playing home games at the Cable Dahmer Arena in Independence, a suburb of Kansas City, Missouri, the Mavericks are members of the ECHL's Mountain Division in the Western Conference. Its corporate partners, community partners, game schedules, seating chart, game day guide, team roster, ticket options, and team history are featured.
http://kcmavericks.com/
Based in Portland, Maine, the Mariners are a professional ice hockey team that plays home games at Cross Insurance Arena, as part of the North Division of the Eastern Conference in the ECHL. The team replaced the AHL's Portland Pirates after the franchise became the Springfield Thunderbirds in 2016. The operators of the Cross Insurance Arena and the NHL's Philadelphia Flyers purchased the franchise rights of the recently dormant Alaska Aces of the ECHL, relocating the team to Portland.
https://www.marinersofmaine.com/
Temporarily known as The New Mexico Pro Hockey Club, the future professional minor league ice hockey team is based in Rio Rancho, New Mexico. They will play in the ECHL as New Mexico's first professional ice hockey team since the New Mexico Scorpions folded in 2009. Home games will be played at Rio Rancho Events Center. Founded as an expansion team, they are expected to begin play in the 2026-27 ECHL season. Partnerships, job opportunities, and an online shopping page are featured.
https://www.nmprohockey.com/
Based in Norfolk, Virginia, the Admirals are a professional ice hockey team in the ECHL. Beginning play in the 2015-16 season, the Admirals replaced the AHL team of the same name, which played from 2000 to 2015, after which they moved to San Diego, California, becoming the San Diego Gulls. The team is a member of the North Division of the Eastern Conference. Game schedules, ticket options, the team roster, statistics, standings, and media credentials are set forth.
https://norfolkadmirals.com/
Playing in the South Division of the ECHL's Eastern Conference, the Solar Bears are affiliated with the NFL's Tampa Bay Lightning. The team was created as an expansion franchise in 2011, reviving the name of the original Orlando Solar Bears, who played in the International Hockey League from 1995 to 2001. The team roster, statistics, standings, affiliations, and alumni are highlighted, along with game schedules, ticket options, an online shopping area, and contacts.
https://orlandosolarbearshockey.com/
The Rapid City Rush is a professional minor league ice hockey team in the ECHL's Mountain Division in the Western Conference. The franchise was founded as an expansion team for the Central Hockey League in 2008 and joined the ECHL in the 2014-15 season. The Rush are an affiliate of the NHL's Calgary Flames. The team roster, statistics, standings, corporate partners, game schedules, and ticket options are featured on the team's official website, which also includes an online team store.
https://rapidcityrush.com/
The Reading Royals are a professional ice hockey team that plays in the ECHL, participating in the North Division of the Eastern Conference. Founded in 1991 as the Columbus Chill, the Royals play their home games at the Santander Arena in downtown Reading, Pennsylvania. A team roster, statistics, standings, and ticket options are set forth, along with sponsorship opportunities, corporate partners, and an online shopping site offering branded apparel and other merchandise.
https://royalshockey.com/
Founded in 2022, the Ghost Pirates are affiliated with the NHL's Florida Panthers and the AHL's Charlotte Checkers. Team news, roster, statistics, standings, promotional schedules, game schedules, ticket options, and the team's history are available on its official website. Other resources include information on media requests, a mobile application, and details on the organization's programs and activities for fans and the community. An online store is included.
https://ghostpirateshockey.com/
The Stingrays play their home games at the North Charleston Coliseum, while the Carolina Ice Palace, also located in North Charleston, serves as a practice facility and backup arena. Established in 1993, the team has been owned by a group of local businesses since 1995. The team is affiliated with the Washington Capitals (NHL) and the Hershey Bears (AHL). The team roster, hockey operations, standings, statistics, game notes, schedules, and ticket options are featured on the site.
https://stingrayshockey.com/
Affiliated with the Vegas Golden Knights of the NHL and the Henderson Silver Knights of the AHL, the Knight Monsters are a minor league professional ice hockey franchise playing its home games at Tahoe Blue Event Center in Stateline, Nevada. The team was established as an expansion team of the ECHL in 2024, and is a member of its Mountain Division in the Western Conference. Game schedules, venue information, a team roster, ticket options, and partnership opportunities are posted.
https://knightmonstershockey.com/
Members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the ECHL, the Walleye are a professional minor league ice hockey team in Toledo, Ohio. Founded as the Toledo Storm in 1991, the team took its current name in 2009. The Walleye are affiliated with the NHL's Detroit Red Wings and the AHL's Grand Rapids Griffins. Directions, parking information, and a seating map are featured, along with a game schedule, ticket options, a local dining guide, a team roster, and statistics.
https://www.toledowalleye.com/
The Lions (Lions de Trois-Rivières) are a professional minor league ice hockey team in the ECHL, based in Trois-Rivières, Quebec. The team began play in the 2021-22 season, with home games held at Colisée Vidéotron. They are affiliated with the Montreal Canadiens of the National Hockey League and the Laval Rocket of the American Hockey League. A team roster, history, and career opportunities are posted, along with standings, statistics, partnership opportunities, and ticket options.
https://lions3r.com/
Formerly a member of the Central Hockey League, the Oilers became part of the ECHL after the CHL folded in 2014. For several years, the Tulsa Oilers name was shared with Tulsa's former minor league baseball team, which predated the Tulsa Drillers. To reduce confusion, the hockey team was often referred to as the Ice Oilers. Team news, roster, statistics, standings, game schedules, and ticket options are posted on the website, which also features a team history.
https://www.tulsaoilers.com/
Playing home games at Maverick Center in West Valley City, Utah, the Grizzlies are a professional ice hockey minor league team playing in the ECHL's Mountain Division of its Western Conference. The current Utah Grizzlies franchise began in 1981 as the Nashville South Stars in the Central Hockey League. Henry Brabham took over the team in 1983 and relocated them to Virginia as the Virginia Lancers, which became one of the founding members of the East Coast Hockey League in 1988.
https://utahgrizzlies.com/
An ECHL affiliate of the NHL Pittsburgh Penguins and the AHL Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, the Nailers were formed in the Atlantic Coast Hockey League (ACHL) as the Carolina Thunderbirds. In 1987, the ACHL folded, and the team joined the All-American Hockey League for the 1987-88 season, then became a founding member of the ECHL. After a trademark dispute with the Seattle Thunderbirds of the Western Hockey League, the team was renamed Nailers for the 1996-97 season.
https://wheelingnailers.com/
The Thunder are the ECHL affiliate of the NHL's San Jose Sharks. Playing its home games at Intrust Bank Arena in Wichita, Kansas, the franchise is a minor league ice hockey team in the ECHL's Mountain Division in the Western Conference. The team was one of the original six teams in the second iteration of the Central Hockey League, joining the ECHL in 2014. Game schedules, ticket options, team rosters, statistics, standings, and information on listening to or watching games live are featured.
https://wichitathunder.com/
Also known as the Worcester Railers HC, the Railers are a professional ice hockey team based in Worcester, Massachusetts. The team began play in the 2017-18 ECHL season, and is a member of the North Division of the Eastern Conference, playing its home games at the DCU Center. The team filled a void left by the AHL's Worcester Sharks, who relocated to San Jose, California, in 2015. Game schedules, a team roster, standings, statistics, and ticket options are featured.
https://railershc.com/
