East Coast Hockey League

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The ECHL is a professional ice hockey league based in Princeton, New Jersey, with teams scattered across the United States and Canada, generally regarded as a tier below the American Hockey League.

The league, which combined teams from the defunct Atlantic Coast Hockey League and All-American Hockey League, began play as the East Coast Hockey League in 1988 with 5 teams.

Since that time, the ECHL has met with great success, reaching its largest size in 2003 of 31 teams before being reduced to 28 teams for the 2004 season. In September 2002, the West Coast Hockey League ceased operations, and the ECHL Board of Governors approved membership applications from the Anchorage (now Alaska) Aces, the Bakersfield Condors, the Fresno Falcons, the Idaho Steelheads, the Las Vegas Wranglers, the Long Beach Ice Dogs and the San Diego Gulls as well as from teams in Ontario, California and Reno, Nevada. Alaska, Bakersfield, Fresno, Idaho, Las Vegas, Long Beach and San Diego began play in 2003-04 season as expansion teams.

National Conference

American Conference

Future Teams

Mississippi Sea Wolves(2007-08)
Myrtle Beach Thunderboltz (2007-08)
Reno Raiders (2008-09)

Defunct Teams

ArkansasRiverBlades (1999-2003)
AtlanticCityBoardwalkBullies (2001-2005)
BatonRougeKingfish (1996-2003)
BirminghamBulls (1992-2001)
ChesapeakeIcebreakers (1997-1999)
ColumbusChill(1991-1999)
ColumbusCottonmouths (2001-2004)
EriePanthers (1988-1996)
GreensboroGenerals (1999-2004)
GreensboroMonarchs (1989-1995)
GreenvilleGrrrowl (1998-2006)
GulfCoastSwords (2004)
HamptonRoadsAdmirals (1989-2000)
HuntingtonBlizzard (1993-2000)
HuntsvilleBlast (1993-1994)
JacksonBandits (1999-2003)
JacksonvilleLizardKings (1995-2000)
KnoxvilleCherokees (1988-1997)
LexingtonMenOWar (2002-2003)
LouisianaIceGators (1995-2005)
LouisvilleIcehawks (1990-1994)
LouisvilleRiverFrogs (1995-1998)
MaconWhoopee (2001-2002)
MiamiMatadors (1998-1999)
MobileMysticks (1995-2002)
NashvilleKnights (1989-1996)
NewOrleansBrass (1997-2002)
OntarioCalifornia (2003-2004)
PeeDeePride (1997-2005)
PeoriaRivermen (1996-2005)
RaleighIcecaps (1991-1998)
RichmondRenegades (1990-2003)
RoanokeExpress (1993-2004)
SanDiegoGulls (2003-2006)
TallahasseeTigerSharks (1994-2001)
VirginiaLancers (1988-1993)
WinstonSalemThunderbirds (1988-1992)

Awards

Patrick J. Kelly Cup- Beginning with the 1996-97 season, the Patrick J. Kelly Cup is awarded annually to the playoff champion of the ECHL.

Henry Brabham Cup- Beginning with the inaugural season in 1988-89, the Henry Brabham Cup is awarded annually to the regular-season point champion of the ECHL.

E.A. “Bud” Gingher Memorial Trophy- The club that advances to the Kelly Cup Finals as the winner of the American Conference Championship is presented with the E.A. "Bud" Gingher Memorial Trophy

Bruce Taylor Trophy- The club that advances to the Kelly Cup Finals as the winner of the National Conference Championship is presented with the Bruce Taylor Trophy.

John Brophy Award- An annual award “to the ECHL coach adjudged to have contributed the most to his team’s success” as voted by the coaches of each of the ECHL teams.

CCM Vector Most Valuable Player- An annual award “to the player adjudged to be the most valuable to his team” as voted by the coaches of each of the ECHL teams.

Kelly Cup Playoffs Most Valuable Player- An annual award “to the most valuable player for his team in the playoffs” as selected by members of the media at the conclusion of the final game of the Kelly Cup Finals.

Rbk Hockey Goaltender of the Year- An annual award “to the goaltender adjudged to be the best at his position” as voted by the coaches of each of the ECHL teams.

John A. Daley Memorial Trophy- An annual award “to the player selected as the most proficient in his first year of competition in the ECHL as voted by the coaches of each of the ECHL teams. The winner receives the John A. Daley Memorial Trophy.

DefensemanoftheYear- An annual award “to the defenseman who demonstrates throughout the season the greatest ability at the position” as voted by the coaches of each of the ECHL teams.

LeadingScorer- An annual award presented “to the player who leads the league in scoring at the end of the regular season”.

Rbk Hockey Plus Performer Award- An annual award presented “to the player who leads the league in plus-minus rating at the end of the regular season

SportsmanshipAward- An annual award “to the player adjudged to have exhibited the best type of sportsmanship and gentlemanly conduct combined with a high standard of playing ability” as voted by the coaches of each of the ECHL teams.