Róbert Beran: a journey from Slovakia to Luxembourg’s Hockey Legacy
Robert Beran went to Luxembourg for a holiday: he became the protagonist of the development of hockey in the Grand Duchy Read more»
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13 Oct 2024 | | Jack Jeffers (F) | FPS Forssa | Rapid City Rush | |
13 Oct 2024 | | Ruslan Gazizov (F) | London Knights | Tulsa Oilers | |
11 Oct 2024 | | Gustavs Dāvis Grigals (G) | Atlanta Gladiators | Dukla Trencin | |
11 Oct 2024 | | Hudson Wilson (D) | Tauron Podhale | Allen Americans |
The league, because of geographical anomalies, has used unbalanced conferences and divisions, making for some extremely varied playoff formats and limited interconference play. Due to travel costs, the league has attempted to placate owners in keeping those costs down, which has led to the sometimes-odd playoff structures.
Kelly Cup playoff format
In the Western Conference, seven teams qualify: two division winners and the next five teams in the conference. The division winner with the best record (most points) receives a bye to the conference semifinal round while the other division winner is seeded second and plays the seventh ranked team in a best of five series. The third seed plays against the sixth while the fourth plays the fifth seed in a best of five series. The top seed then plays the winner of the fourth vs fifth seed series and the other two winners face each other in a best of seven series.
In the Eastern Conference, eight teams qualify: the three division winners plus the next five teams in the conference. Similar to the NHL the division winners are seeded as the top three seeds; the conference winner vs the eighth seed, second vs seventh, third vs sixth and fourth vs fifth in the best of five conference semifinal. The winner of the 1st/8th series plays the winner of the 4th/5th series while 2nd/7th winner plays against the 3rd/6th winner in a best of seven conference semifinal series.
The conference finals and the Kelly Cup final are best of seven serie
The ECHL (formerly the East Coast Hockey League) is a mid-level professional ice hockey league based in Princeton, New Jersey with teams scattered across the United States. It is generally regarded as a tier below the American Hockey League.
The ECHL, along with the AHL, are the only minor leagues recognized by the collective bargaining agreement between the National Hockey League and the National Hockey League Players' Association, meaning any player signed to an entry-level NHL contract and designated for assignment must report to a club either in the AHL or the ECHL. Additionally, the league's players are represented by the Professional Hockey Players' Association in negotiations with the ECHL itself.
26 of the 30 National Hockey League teams have affiliations with the ECHL
Jeff Pyle named new coach of Valpellice
American Jeff Pyle, 55, is the new headcoach of Valpellice. Pyle comes back to Europe where he closed player's career and began coaching in Germany. Last season he missed playoffs with Evansville Icemen in ECHL
(26 Aug 2014)San Francisco Bulls fold
The San Francisco Bulls cease operations immediately after failing to complete a change in ownership that they hoped would sustain the team. Team disappear after a season and a half in ECHL
"Bringing hockey to San Francisco was a dream; we have great talent on our team, and had a great vision for what the team could be. Things didn't pan out the way we had hoped. It's sad, and disconcerting, but we're unfortunately left with no other choice at this point." said President and Head Coach Pat Curcio
ECHL approves expansion team in Indianapolis
The ECHL announced that the Board of Governors has approved the Expansion Membership application of the Indianapolis Fuel for admission to the league.
Indianapolis will begin play in October, 2014 when the ECHL opens its 27th season.
"We are proud to welcome Indianapolis as the newest Member of the ECHL," Commissioner Brian McKenna said. "The city has a rich hockey tradition and is an ideal addition to our mid-west geography"
With the addition of Indianapolis, the ECHL will welcome 23 teams for the 2014-15 season.
(26 Nov 2013)Anaheim Ducks sign affiliation with Utah Grizzlies
NHL's Anaheim Ducks announced today that the team has reached an affiliation agreement with the ECHL's Utah Grizzlies.
The Grizzlies will serve as the ECHL affiliate of the Ducks and will also work with their AHL affiliate the Norfolk Admirals.
In last four years Grizzlies were affiliated with Calgary Flames
NY Islanders sign affiliation with Stockton Thunder
The New York Islanders and the Stockton Thunder of the ECHL and have reached a one year affiliation agreement for the 2013-14 season.
The Thunder previously had an NHL affiliation with the Edmonton Oilers (2006-13), San Jose Sharks (2010-12) and Phoenix Coyotes (2005-06).
Toronto Maple Leafs add Solar Bears as affiliate
The Toronto Maple Leafs announced today that they have added the Orlando Solar Bears and Toronto Marlies (AHL) as ECHL affiliates. The Solar Bears will enter the 2013-14 season with dual affiliates. Toronto will join the Minnesota Wild and Iowa Wild in supplying prospects to the Solar Bears roster.
"We are pleased to have reached an agreement with the Solar Bears," said Leafs Vice President and Assistant General Manager Claude Loiselle. "As an organization, we are confident that our Toronto Maple Leafs prospects will accelerate their professional development in Orlando."
Trenton Titans ceases operations
The ECHL announced on that the Trenton Titans Membership has ceased operations and the team will not compete in the 2013-14 season.
(23 Apr 2013)San Francisco Bulls become Sharks affiliate
New expansion ECHL team San Francisco Bulls announced they have been named the ECHL affiliate of the San Jose Sharks. The Bulls have also been named the ECHL affiliate of the American Hockey League's (AHL) Worcester Sharks. The Bulls will serve as the primary ECHL developmental team for the San Jose and Worcester Sharks.
(12 Jul 2012)Reading Royals become Capitals and Bears affiliate
The Reading Royals of the ECHL, the Washington Capitals of the National Hockey League and the Hershey Bears of the American Hockey League jointly announced that they have entered into an exclusive affiliation arrangement, under which the Royals will receive players designated for assignment within the professional hockey operations development systems of the Capitals and Bears
"We are very pleased to announce our new ECHL affiliation with the Reading Royals," said Capitals' General Manager George McPhee. "The Royals are a first-class organization where our prospects will be playing in an environment that will help them develop to their ultimate potential. We feel the proximity to both Washington and our AHL affiliate in Hershey will be beneficial to all three clubs."
Defender Bryan Rufenach died
Defenseman Bryan Rufenach, a seventh-round draft pick of the Detroit Red Wings in the 2007 NHL entry draft, currently at Toledo Walleye of ECHL, died this week while traveling in Switzerland. He was 23.
Details of Rufenach's death have not been released, but The Lindsay Post has learned he suffered a fatal electrocution.
Walleye coach Nick Vitucci said in statement: "The entire team's thoughts and prayers are with Bryan's family as they get through this difficult time. Bryan was a great teammate and would play any role asked of him."
Robert Beran went to Luxembourg for a holiday: he became the protagonist of the development of hockey in the Grand Duchy Read more»
The first month of the new season has been played, bringing a massive surprise! Read more»