What is the ECHL?
The ECHL is the third tier of North American professional hockey’s development structure, below the NHL and the AHL, and describes itself as the premier “AA” hockey league. It is an independent league — ECHL, Inc., under commissioner Ryan Crelin, its fourth, appointed in 2018–19 — whose clubs hold affiliation agreements with NHL and AHL clubs: 29 of the 30 for 2026–27, the Florida Everblades with Pittsburgh and Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, the new Trenton Ironhawks with the Islanders and Hamilton, and the Norfolk Admirals still to be assigned.[1] [2]
How does it work?
The 2026–27 regular season runs from 16 October 2026 to 11 April 2027, 1,080 games for 30 clubs in two conferences and five divisions, with the expansion New Mexico Goatheads and the Trenton Ironhawks the newcomers. The top four in each division reach the Kelly Cup Playoffs, every round a best-of-seven through division semi-finals and finals, conference finals and the Kelly Cup Finals. Players under NHL or AHL contract are assigned or loaned down under an assignment provision, with the NHL or AHL affiliate paying a weekly fee for them; clubs operate under a weekly salary cap — USD 18,610 for the first 30 days and 18,000 thereafter — and may carry no more than four veterans of 260 or more professional games on their rosters.[3] [5] [6]
Since when does it exist?
The East Coast Hockey League began in 1988–89 with five teams — the Carolina Thunderbirds, Erie Panthers, Johnstown Chiefs, Knoxville Cherokees and Virginia Lancers — and became simply the ECHL on 19 May 2003 after absorbing former West Coast Hockey League clubs took it to 31 teams. The Kelly Cup has been awarded since 1997, replacing the Jack Riley Cup. The Florida Everblades won four Cups in five seasons from 2022, the 2026 title on a 5–4 double-overtime win in Game 6.[1] [3] [4]
| Season | Pool / Format | Host cities |
|---|---|---|
| 2025–26 | Florida Everblades | Kelly Cup Finals: 4–2 vs Kansas City Mavericks — Game 6 5–4 in double overtime, 16 June 2026; record fifth title |
| 2024–25 | Trois-Rivières Lions | Kelly Cup Finals: 4–1 vs Toledo Walleye |
| 2023–24 | Florida Everblades | Kelly Cup Finals: 4–1 vs Kansas City Mavericks |
| 2022–23 | Florida Everblades | Kelly Cup Finals: 4–0 vs Idaho Steelheads |
| 2021–22 | Florida Everblades | Kelly Cup Finals: 4–1 vs Toledo Walleye |
| 2020–21 | Fort Wayne Komets | Kelly Cup Finals: 3–1 vs South Carolina Stingrays |
| 2019–20 | Not awarded | Playoffs cancelled during the pandemic |
| 2018–19 | Newfoundland Growlers | Kelly Cup Finals: 4–2 vs Toledo Walleye |
| 2017–18 | Colorado Eagles | Kelly Cup Finals: 4–3 vs Florida Everblades |
| 2016–17 | Colorado Eagles | Kelly Cup Finals: 4–0 vs South Carolina Stingrays |
Kelly Cup champions of the last ten seasons; the 2019–20 playoffs were cancelled.
Why does it matter?
By the league’s count 782 former ECHL players have gone on to the NHL, 526 of them making their debuts in the last 21 seasons, and the 2025–26 regular season drew a record 5,419,756 spectators. For a petition the distinction to draw is that the ECHL is the third tier: its clubs are affiliated with NHL franchises, but through and alongside the AHL affiliates that sit between them.[1] [2]
References
- ECHL — History. Accessed September 2026.
- ECHL — NHL and AHL affiliations. Accessed September 2026.
- ECHL — Kelly Cup Playoffs. Accessed September 2026.
- ECHL — Florida claims 2026 Kelly Cup title. Accessed September 2026.
- ECHL — ECHL releases 2026–27 schedule. Accessed September 2026.
- ECHL — FAQ. Accessed September 2026.