By John Sellars, Head Equipment Manager, Florida Everblades
As the 2025–26 season quickly comes to a close, we find ourselves approaching the excitement of the Kelly Cup Playoffs. It feels like the season has just begun, yet here we are in its final stretch.
First, I would like to extend my sincere thanks to the Allen Americans organization for hosting this year’s ECHL All-Star Game. A big thank you to everyone involved! Across the league, we all navigate the daily challenges and demands of our schedules, and it’s a reflection of everyone’s commitment that our standards continue to reach new heights each season.
As we look ahead to the 2026–27 season, I encourage anyone with suggestions or ideas for improvement to reach out to your divisional representative. These contributions are valuable and will be discussed at our upcoming league meetings.
We also want to acknowledge the Iowa Heartlanders, who have announced they will voluntarily suspend operations for the 2026–27 season. We wish everyone in the organization the very best in their future endeavors.
There are also exciting developments on the horizon. The Utah Grizzlies will relocate to Trenton, New Jersey, and rebrand as the Trenton Ironhawks, marking the return of professional hockey to the area for the first time since 2013. Additionally, the ECHL will welcome a new franchise, the New Mexico Goatheads, who will begin play in Rio Rancho, New Mexico. This marks the return of professional hockey to the region for the first time since 2009.
Best of luck to everyone as we finish out the regular season, and safe travels to all teams—especially those competing in the playoffs. I look forward to seeing everyone on Marco Island, Florida, for this year’s Hockey Summit.
By John Sellars, Head Equipment Manager, Florida Everblades
Here we go, set to kick off another season in the ECHL. It was great to see everyone in Orlando for another successful annual meeting! Thank you to all the ladies and everyone who work behind the scenes to help make the annual meeting such a great success, your hard work and dedication do not go unnoticed!
With the ECHL kicking off its 38th season, congratulations to the Trois-Rivieres Lions on winning the 2024-25 Kelly Cup by defeating the Toledo Walleye 4 games to 1.
The ECHL will now be represented by 30 franchises, which is up from 29 for the 2025-26 season. We are welcoming the Greensboro Gargoyles. The Gargoyles will play in the North Division, out of Greensboro, NC. They will be playing out of the First Horizon Coliseum, which hasn’t been home to professional hockey since 2004!
Last season the ECHL did not have an All-Star Game for the first time since 2016. This season the All-Star Game will be returning and hosted in Allen, TX by the Allen Americans.
It was announced that two new franchises will be joining the ECHL, one of them starting in the 2026-27 season located in Rio Rancho, New Mexico. The second team is a returning ECHL franchise, located in Augusta, GA. They will be joining the league in 2027-28, upon the completion of their new arena located in downtown Augusta. This will put the ECHL at 32 member teams heading into the 2027-28 season, which would equal the amount of NHL franchises. This will be a league first, something to look forward to in the near future!
Once again, there has been quite a bit of movement in the ECHL amongst equipment managers & athletic trainers. Congratulations to all of those who moved up and on to better opportunities, and welcome to all the new faces around the league! Wishing everyone a safe and successful season, best of luck and safe travels!
By John Sellars, Head Equipment Manager, Florida Everblades
As teams begin to make their final push for the remaining spots in the Kelly Cup Playoffs and the 37th ECHL season nears its conclusion, I’d like to thank everyone for their professionalism and hard work this season! We all deal with the same ups and downs that our league can throw at us, day in and day out. Our standards set across the league are the best they’ve ever been and can only get better! If anyone has any suggestions on making any changes going into the 2025-26 season, please don’t hesitate to reach out to your divisional rep, so these ideas can be brought up to the league during our next meeting. During the season, the ECHL announced that it will be welcoming its 30th franchise playing in Greensboro, NC at the start of the 2025-26 season, the team will be the Greensboro Gargoyles. Best of luck and safe travels for the rest of the regular season, and to those who make the playoffs, have fun and enjoy the ride! Looking forward to seeing everyone at the World Center Marriott in Orlando, FL!
By John Sellars, Head Equipment Manager, Florida Everblades
It’s that time again to kick off another season in the ECHL! It was great to see everyone in Orlando for another successful Annual Meeting! Thank you to all the ladies and people who work behind the scenes to help make the annual meeting such a great success, your hard work and dedication does not go unnoticed!
With the ECHL kicking off its 37th season, congratulations to the Florida Everblades on making league history and winning back-to-back-to-back Kelly Cup Championships, by defeating the Kansas City Mavericks, 4 games to 1.
The ECHL will be represented by 29 franchises for the 2024-25 season. We are welcoming two new franchises to the league for this season, the Tahoe Knight Monsters and Bloomington Bison.
The Knight Monsters are in South Lake Tahoe, NV and will be playing out of the Tahoe Blue Event Center. The Bison are in Bloomington, IL and will be playing out of the Grossinger Motors Arena, located in downtown Bloomington.
Unfortunately, towards the end of the 23-24 campaign the Newfoundland Growlers ceased operations. We wish the best to everyone that was involved with the organization and the great people of St. John’s, Newfoundland, as it was always a great place to visit and play!
Last season the ECHL All-Star game was hosted in Savannah, GA. This upcoming season the league does not have an All-Star game scheduled.
Once again, there has been quite a bit of movement in the ECHL amongst equipment managers & athletic trainers. Congratulations to all of those who moved up and on to better opportunities, and welcome to all the new faces around the league! Wishing everyone a safe and successful season, best of luck and safe travels!
By John Sellars, Head Equipment Manager, Florida Everblades
As the 36th ECHL season nears its conclusion, the push for the 2024 Kelly Cup Playoffs is in full swing! Big thank you to the Savannah Ghost Pirates and staff for their hospitality and hosting the 2023-24 ECHL All-Star game. Also, thank you to Warrior Hockey as the majority sponsor and their continued hard work with the teams across the league as the primary equipment provider.
Year in and year out we continue to succeed with increasing our league standards across the board, hoping we can make even more progress this summer. Please feel free to reach out to any league reps with any suggestions on changes we could make for next season. Good luck to all of you the rest of the season and to those who make the playoffs. Thank you to everyone for your hard work this season, every little bit helps throughout the year. Looking forward to seeing everyone at The Walt Disney World Dolphin Resort in Orlando, FL!
By John Sellars, Head Equipment Manager, Florida Everblades
And…Here…..We…Go! It’s that time again to kick off another season in the ECHL, it was great to see everyone out in Phoenix for the annual meeting! Thank you to all of the ladies and people who work behind the scenes to help make the annual meeting such a great success, your hard work and dedication does not go unnoticed!
With the ECHL kicking off its 36th season, congratulations to the Florida Everblades on winning back-to-back Kelly Cup Championships, by defeating the Idaho Steelheads, 4 games to none.
The ECHL will be represented by 28 franchises for the 2023-24 season but will be welcoming a 29th franchise in the 2024-25 campaign. The newest organization will be located in South Lake Tahoe, Nevada and playing in the newly built Tahoe Blue Event Center.
Looking ahead, with only being in the league for their second season, the Savannah Ghost Pirates will be hosting the 2024 ECHL All-Star Game at Enmarket Arena in Savannah, GA.
Once again, there has been quite a bit of movement in the ECHL amongst equipment managers & athletic trainers. Congratulations to all of those who moved up and on to better opportunities, and welcome to all of the new faces around the league!
Wishing everyone a safe and successful season, best of luck and safe travels!
By John Sellars, Head Equipment Manager, Florida Everblades
As the 35th ECHL season nears its conclusion, the push for the 2023 Kelly Cup Playoffs is in full swing! A big thank you to the Norfolk Admirals and staff for their hospitality and hosting the 2022-23 ECHL All-Star game. Also, thank you to Warrior Hockey as the majority sponsor and their continued hard work with the teams across the league as the primary equipment provider.
Year in and year out we continue to succeed with increasing our league standards across the board, hoping we can make even more progress this summer. Please feel free to reach out to any league reps with any suggestions on changes we could make for next season.
Good luck to all of you the rest of the season and to those who make the playoffs. Thank you to everyone for your hard work this season, every little bit helps throughout the year. Looking forward to seeing everyone at the JW Marriott Desert Ridge in Phoenix!
By John Sellars, Head Equipment Manager, Florida Everblades
After a two-year hiatus it was great to see everyone at the annual meetings this Summer down on Marco Island, FL. It was an amazing venue and location! A huge thank you to everyone that helps organize the annual meetings, all of you don’t get enough credit for the amazing work and dedication that you put in to getting everything set up to perfection, so thank you! As the ECHL is about to kickoff it’s 35th season, congratulations to the Florida Everblades on capturing the 2021-22 Kelly Cup Championship over the Toledo Walleye, 4 games to 1. Coming into this season the league welcomes it’s 28th franchise, the Savannah Ghost Pirates. Who will be playing out of Savannah, GA at the newly built Enmarket Arena. After the last two seasons of managing Covid-19, the league has relinquished the majority of its Covid protocols which is a huge relief to all of us. Thank you to all of the medical staff, athletic trainers, and equipment managers for your efforts last season in combatting Covid-19, I know it was a battle for all of us. Looking ahead, the Norfolk Admirals will be hosting the 2023 ECHL All-Star Game at The Scope in Norfolk, VA. There was quite a few positions available in the league during the off-season, congratulations to those who moved up and welcome to all of the new faces! Wishing everyone a safe and successful season!
By Scott Allison Head Athletic Trainer, Kalamazoo Wings
Spring has sprung and the playoff pushes are in full effect. Been a great season with all staffs grinding for a complete season this year. Great work by all to make things happen to keep protocols rolling.
Special shout out to the Jacksonville Iceman organization for hosting a great All-Star game and Hall of Fame event in the sunshine. Also to the Toledo Walleye for another well hosted and run Outdoor series at the ball park. A lot of extra work needed by them to put on an awesome event.
Next year we welcome the Savannah Ghost Pirates to the league and the Norfolk Admirals will be hosting the 2023 All-Star game.
Here’s to a great playoff push and runs for all involved.
Be safe and best of luck.
By Scott Allison Head Athletic Trainer, Kalamazoo Wings
Another season of ECHL hockey is upon us. Congratulations to the Ft. Wayne Komets on taking the 2020-2021 Championship home to Ft Wayne. Last year was a crazy season due to the pandemic. Honors given to all the Athletic Trainers and Equipment Managers that helped make that season happen. This season we welcome two teams to the League in the Iowa Heartlanders and the Trois-Riviers Lions. Exciting to see all 27 teams back in action and looking forward to another exciting year of ECHL hockey.