ECHL

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 and Canada, generally regarded as a tier below the American Hockey League. The ECHL's official website lists the league as "The Premier AA" league of hockey in North America, because most teams serve as feeder teams for American Hockey League teams. Hockey does not use letter-designations to define their league's levels, but the ECHL has tried for years to establish such a pecking order, with some success.

ECHL Logo

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.

Teams

Current

Notes

1. An asterisk (*) denotes a franchise move. See the respective team articles for more information.

Defunt and Relocated Teams

• Arkansas RiverBlades (1999–2003)
• Atlantic City Boardwalk Bullies (2001–2005; moved to Stockton, CA)
• Augusta Lynx (1998–2008; Suspended operations and relinquished their membership back to the ECHL after their ownership group were unable to continue to operate in 2008–09. The first ECHL team to fold in mid season.)
• Baton Rouge Kingfish (1996–2003; moved to Victoria, BC)
• Birmingham Bulls (1992–2001; moved to Atlantic City, NJ; now the Stockton Thunder)
• Carolina Thunderbirds (1988–1989:changed name to Winston-Salem Thunderbirds (1989-1992) Wheeling Thunderbirds (1992-1996) and currently the known as the Wheeling Nailers
• Charlotte Checkers (1993–2010; replaced by the Charlotte Checkers of the AHL)
• Chesapeake Icebreakers (played in Upper Marlboro, MD, 1997–1999; moved to Jackson, MS)
• Chicago Express (2011–12; membership relinquished to ECHL)
• Columbia Inferno (2001-2008; earliest return is the 2012–2013 ECHL season)
• Columbus Cottonmouths (2001–2004; team moved down to what is now the Southern Professional Hockey League; ECHL franchise moved to Bradenton-Sarasota, FL to play as Gulf Coast Swords, franchise revoked in summer 2006 after construction halted on proposed home arena)
• Columbus Chill (1991–1999; moved to Reading, PA)
• Dayton Bombers (1991–2009; relinquished their membership back to ECHL following failed drive for season tickets and managing partnership to resume play for the 2010-11 season)
• Erie Panthers (1988–1996; moved to Baton Rouge, LA)
• Fresno Falcons (2003–2008; Suspended operations and relinquished their membership back to the ECHL after their ownership group were unable to continue to operate in 2008–09. The second ECHL team to fold in mid season.)
• Greensboro Generals (1999–2004; team franchise revoked)
• Greensboro Monarchs (1989–1995; replaced by the Carolina Monarchs of the AHL)
• Greenville Grrrowl (1998–2006; franchise revoked)
• Hampton Roads Admirals (1989–2000; replaced by the Norfolk Admirals of the AHL)
• Huntington Blizzard (1993–2000; moved to Beaumont, TX, now the Ontario Reign)
• Huntsville Blast (1993–1994; moved to Tallahassee, FL)
• Jackson Bandits (1999–2003)
• Jacksonville Lizard Kings (1995–2000)
• Johnstown Chiefs (1988–2010; relocated to Greenville, SC)
• Knoxville Cherokees (1988–1997; moved to Florence, SC)
• Lexington Men O' War (2002–2003; moved to West Valley City, UT, now the Utah Grizzlies)
• Long Beach Ice Dogs (2003–2007; franchise revoked)
• Louisiana IceGators (1995–2005; franchise revoked)
• Louisville IceHawks (1990–1994; moved to Jacksonville, FL)
• Louisville River Frogs (1995–1998; moved to Miami, FL)
• Macon Whoopee (2001–2002; moved to Lexington, KY, now the Utah Grizzlies)
• Miami Matadors (1998–1999; moved to Cincinnati, OH)
• Mississippi Sea Wolves (1996–2009; now the Mississippi Surge)
• Mobile Mysticks (1995–2002; moved to Duluth, GA)
• Nashville Knights (1989–1996; moved to Pensacola, FL when NHL arrived)
• New Orleans Brass (1997–2002; team suspended operations after the arrival of the NBA's Hornets when arena lease was not given)
• Pee Dee Pride (1997–2005; team suspended operations after the 2004–05 season and planned to move to the Myrtle Beach, SC area, but relinquished their league membership after 2008–09 season.)
• Pensacola Ice Pilots (1996–2008) (franchise revoked.)
• Peoria Rivermen (1996–2005; replaced by the Peoria Rivermen of the AHL)
• Phoenix RoadRunners (2005–2009)
• Raleigh IceCaps (1991–1998; moved to Augusta, GA when NHL arrived)
• Richmond Renegades (1990–2003)
• Roanoke Express (1993–2004; franchise revoked)
• San Diego Gulls (2003–2006; franchise revoked)
• Tallahassee Tiger Sharks (1994–2001; moved to Macon, GA)
• Texas Wildcatters (2003–2008; Ceased operations at the end 2007–08 season due to a failure in securing a new arena lease and moved to Ontario, CA)
• Toledo Storm (1991–2007; The team suspended operations following the 2006–07 season after the franchise was sold to Toledo Arena Sports, Inc and would return in the 2009–10 season as the Toledo Walleye.
• Victoria Salmon Kings (2004–2011; replaced in market by WHL team)
• Virginia Lancers (1988–1993 in Vinton, VA; franchise later renamed the Roanoke Valley Rebels and Rampage; moved to Huntsville, AL)
• Wheeling Thunderbirds (1992-1996)
• Winston-Salem Thunderbirds (1989-1992)
  

Official ECHL Website: http://www.echl.com/

Since this is not a Wiki about the ECHL, go to its Wikipedia page for more detailed information about defunct ECHL teams and its trophies: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ECHL