View source for ECHL

{{Short description|Ice hockey league in North America}}
{{Distinguish|Eastern Collegiate Hockey League}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2024}}
{{Infobox hockey league
| name = ECHL
| logo = ECHL logo.svg
| pixels = 200
| caption = 
| country = United States (29 teams)<br>Canada (1 team)
| leader_title = Commissioner
| leader_name = Ryan Crelin
| leader_title2 = Commissioner Emeritus
| leader_name2 = Patrick J. Kelly
| former_names = 
| founded = 
| first = [[1988–89 ECHL season|1988–89]]
| divisions = 
| conferences = 
| teams = 30 (32 in 2027)
| feeds = [[American Hockey League|AHL]], [[NHL]]
| champ = [[Kelly Cup]]
| assc_champ = 
| champions = [[Trois-Rivières Lions]]
| season = [[2025 Kelly Cup playoffs|2025]]
| most successful club = [[Florida Everblades]] (4)
| TV = [[FloSports]]
| headquarters = [[Shrewsbury, New Jersey]]
| website = {{Official URL}}
| current_season = [[2025–26 ECHL season]]
}}
The '''ECHL''' (formerly the '''East Coast Hockey League''') is a minor professional [[ice hockey]] league based in [[Shrewsbury, New Jersey]], with teams across the United States and Canada. Competitively, it is a tier below the [[American Hockey League]] (AHL). The league serves as a [[farm system]] to the AHL and [[National Hockey League]] (NHL).

The ECHL and the AHL are the only minor leagues recognized by the [[collective bargaining agreement]] between the NHL and the [[National Hockey League Players' Association]] (NHLPA), meaning any player signed to an entry-level NHL contract and designated for assignment must report to a club in either the ECHL or the AHL.<ref name="MSBOG">{{cite web | title = Collective Bargaining Agreement between National Hockey League and National Hockey League Players' Association | publisher = NHL and NHLPA | date = July 22, 2005 | url = http://www.nhl.com/cba/2005-CBA.pdf | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080720173244/http://www.nhl.com/cba/2005-CBA.pdf | url-status = dead | archive-date = July 20, 2008 | access-date = November 19, 2010 }}</ref> Additionally, the league's players are represented by the [[Professional Hockey Players' Association]] (PHPA) in negotiations with the ECHL itself. At least 739 players have played at least one game in the NHL after appearing in the ECHL.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.echl.com/alumni-s12397 |title= The ECHL - Premier 'AA' Hockey League &#124; ECHL Alumni |access-date=October 23, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111102055209/http://echl.com/alumni-s12397 |archive-date=November 2, 2011 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

As of the [[2025–26 ECHL season|2025–26 season]], 30 of the 32 NHL teams held affiliations with an ECHL team,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.echl.com/en/pages/nhl-ahl-affiliations |title=NHL/AHL Affiliations |access-date=October 1, 2019 |website=ECHL}}</ref> with only the [[Columbus Blue Jackets]] and [[Utah Mammoth]] having no such franchise affiliation. NHL teams sometimes lend contracted players to ECHL teams with which they have no affiliation agreements for development and increased playing time.

The league's regular season typically begins in October and ends in April, followed by the [[Kelly Cup]] playoffs. The most recent playoff champions are the [[Trois-Rivières Lions]] in [[2024–25 ECHL season|2025]].

==History==
The league, formed by [[Vinton, Virginia]] oil man Henry Brabham, and for whom the regular season championship trophy, the Brabham Cup, was named, combined teams from the defunct [[Atlantic Coast Hockey League]] (ACHL) and [[All-American Hockey League]] (AAHL), began to play as the East Coast Hockey League in 1988 with five teams – the (Winston-Salem, North) [[Carolina Thunderbirds]] (now the [[Wheeling Nailers]]); the [[Erie Panthers]] (folded in 2011 as the [[Victoria Salmon Kings]]); the [[Johnstown Chiefs]] (now the [[Greenville Swamp Rabbits]]); the [[Knoxville Cherokees]] (ceased operations as the [[Pee Dee Pride]] in 2005; folded in 2009 following failed relocation efforts); and the [[Virginia Lancers]] (now the [[Utah Grizzlies]]).

In 2003, the [[West Coast Hockey League]] ceased operations, and the ECHL board of governors approved membership applications from the [[Alaska Aces (ECHL)|Anchorage/Alaska Aces]], the [[Bakersfield Condors (1998–2015)|Bakersfield Condors]], the [[Fresno Falcons]], the [[Idaho Steelheads]], the [[Las Vegas Wranglers]], the [[Long Beach Ice Dogs]] and the [[San Diego Gulls (1995–2006)|San Diego Gulls]] as well as from potential teams in [[Ontario, California]], and [[Reno, Nevada]]. Alaska, Bakersfield, Fresno, Idaho, Las Vegas, Long Beach and San Diego began play in the [[2003–04 ECHL season|2003–04 season]] as expansion teams. In a change reflective of the league's now-nationwide presence, the East Coast Hockey League shortened its name to the [[orphan initialism]] ECHL on May 19, 2003. The ECHL reached its largest size to date (31 teams) that season before being reduced to 28 teams for the [[2004&ndash;05 ECHL season|2004&ndash;05 season]].

The ECHL has attempted to be more tech-friendly to its fans. Some improvements on the league's website have included a new schedule and statistics engine powered by League Stat, Inc. (introduced in [[2006–07 ECHL season|2006]]), internet radio coverage for most teams, and pay-per view broadcasting of ECHL games through B2 Networks (a subsidiary of [[America One|America One Broadcasting]]). In 2008, the league introduced the ECHL [[toolbar]] for [[web browser]]s which gave users short cut access to statistics, scores, transactions, and news updates.<ref>{{cite web|last=Press release |title=ECHL Toolbar Available Now |publisher=ECHL |date=July 14, 2008 |url=http://www.echl.com/cgi-bin/mpublic.cgi?action=show_news&cat=1&id=15674 |access-date=July 15, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080719145632/http://www.echl.com/cgi-bin/mpublic.cgi?action=show_news&cat=1&id=15674 |archive-date=July 19, 2008 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

[[File:Third period opening face off (2339481260).jpg|right|thumb|300px|An ECHL game between the [[Bakersfield Condors]] and [[Alaska Aces (ECHL)|Alaska Aces]] in 2008]]
At the annual ECHL Board of Governors meeting on June 15, 2010, in Henderson, Nevada, the Board of Governors approved changes to the names of the conferences and divisions. The former American Conference (comprising eleven East Coast and Midwest teams) was renamed the Eastern Conference, while the National Conference (consisting of eight West Coast teams, including the league's only Canadian team at the time) was re-designated the Western Conference. Within the Eastern Conference, the East Division was renamed the Atlantic Division, and the Western Conference's former West Division was dubbed the [[Mountain Division]].<ref>{{cite web | title = Annual ECHL Board of Governors Meeting Concludes | publisher = ECHL | date = June 21, 2010 | url = http://echl.com/annual-echl-board-of-governors-meeting-concludes-p166135 | access-date = November 11, 2010 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110710165847/http://echl.com/annual-echl-board-of-governors-meeting-concludes-p166135 | archive-date = July 10, 2011 | url-status = dead }}</ref>

The league lost its only Canadian team with the folding of the [[Victoria Salmon Kings]] subsequent to the [[2010–11 ECHL season|2010–11 season]],<ref name="Victoria">{{cite news | last = Dheenshaw | first = Cleve | title = RG opts to fold Salmon Kings franchise | newspaper = [[Times Colonist]] | date = May 7, 2011 | url = http://www.timescolonist.com/sports/opts+fold+Salmon+Kings+franchise/4744719/story.html | access-date = May 19, 2011 }}{{Dead link|date=August 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> but increased to 20 teams for the [[2011–12 ECHL season|2011–12 season]] with the addition of the expansion franchise [[Chicago Express]]<ref name="Selvam">{{cite news | last = Selvam | first = Ashok | title = Sears Centre to house new hockey team | newspaper = [[Daily Herald (Arlington Heights)|Daily Herald]] | date = June 19, 2010 | url = http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=388932 | access-date = June 20, 2010}}</ref> and the [[Colorado Eagles]] who previously played in the [[Central Hockey League]].<ref name="Colorado">{{cite web | last = Press release | title = Board of Governors approves expansion membership for Colorado | publisher = ECHL | date = May 31, 2011 | url = http://echl.com/board-of-governors-approves-expansion-membership-for-colorado-p171230 | access-date = June 6, 2011 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110604180913/http://echl.com/board-of-governors-approves-expansion-membership-for-colorado-p171230 | archive-date = June 4, 2011 | url-status = dead }}</ref>

With the folding of the Chicago Express at the conclusion of the [[2011–12 ECHL season|2011–12 season]] and the announcement of expansion franchises the [[Orlando Solar Bears]], [[San Francisco Bulls]], [[Evansville IceMen]], and [[Fort Wayne Komets]] (the latter two both in Indiana and both from the [[Central Hockey League]] (CHL)) the league played the [[2012–13 ECHL season|2012–13 season]] with 23 teams. That number dropped to 22 for the [[2013–14 ECHL season|2013–14 season]] with the folding of the [[Trenton Titans]] and subsequently fell to 21 with the mid-season folding of the San Francisco Bulls on January 27, 2014.

On October 7, 2014, the ECHL announced that the seven remaining active members of the CHL (the [[Allen Americans]], [[Brampton Beast]], [[Quad City Mallards]], [[Missouri Mavericks]], [[Rapid City Rush]], [[Tulsa Oilers]] and [[Wichita Thunder]]) would be admitted as new members for the 2014–15 season. The addition of the former CHL teams plus the expansion [[Indy Fuel]] raised the number of teams to 28 and placed a team in Canada for the first time since 2011.<ref name="echladdschl">{{cite web | url=http://www.echl.com/echl-accepts-seven-new-members-p194005 | title=ECHL Accepts Seven Members | publisher=ECHL | date=October 7, 2014 | access-date=October 7, 2014 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141009113029/http://www.echl.com/echl-accepts-seven-new-members-p194005 | archive-date=October 9, 2014 | url-status=dead }}</ref>

Before the [[2015–16 ECHL season|2015–16 season]], the [[American Hockey League]] (AHL) created a Pacific Division, which led the three California ECHL teams to relocate to former AHL cities with the Bakersfield Condors, [[Ontario Reign (ECHL)|Ontario Reign]], and [[Stockton Thunder]] relocating to become the [[Norfolk Admirals (ECHL)|Norfolk Admirals]], [[Manchester Monarchs (ECHL)|Manchester Monarchs]], and [[Adirondack Thunder]], respectively.<ref name="2015 ECHL Moves">{{Cite web|url=http://www.echl.com/echl-board-of-governors-announces-major-moves-p196041|title=ECHL Board of Governors Announces Major Moves|publisher=ECHL|date=January 30, 2015|access-date=February 2, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150202021239/http://www.echl.com/echl-board-of-governors-announces-major-moves-p196041|archive-date=February 2, 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref> By the [[2018–19 ECHL season|2018–19 season]], the ECHL lost both the Quad City Mallards and Manchester Monarchs to folding, and the ECHL kept the Quad City Mallards name as a trademark. But the ECHL expanded into other markets recently vacated by the AHL with the [[Maine Mariners (ECHL)|Maine Mariners]], [[Newfoundland Growlers]], and [[Worcester Railers]].

There were two expansion teams added in [[2021–22 ECHL season|2021–22]], the [[Iowa Heartlanders]] and the [[Trois-Rivières Lions]], with Iowa going into the Central Division and Trois-Rivières going into the North. This brought the league up to 27 teams.<ref>{{cite web |title=ECHL Approves Two Expansion Memberships |url=https://www.echl.com/en/news/2021/1/echl-approves-two-expansion-memberships |website=echl.com |access-date=April 22, 2023}}</ref> The league added the [[Savannah Ghost Pirates]], bringing the league to 28 teams, and balancing the divisions for the [[2022–23 ECHL season|2022–23 season]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Introducing the Savannah Ghost Pirates |url=https://www.echl.com/en/news/2021/10/introducing-the-savannah-ghost-pirates |website=echl.com |access-date=April 22, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Savannah Ghost Pirates Unveiled As the New Pro-Hockey Team in Savannah |date=26 October 2021 |url=https://www.ghostpirateshockey.com/en/news/october-2021/savannah-ghost-pirates-unveiled-as-the-new-pro-hockey-team-in-savannah |website=ghostpirateshockey.com |access-date=April 22, 2023}}</ref>

Two expansion teams were added for the [[2024–25 ECHL season|2024–25 season]]; the [[Tahoe Knight Monsters]], and the [[Bloomington Bison]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Introducing the Tahoe Knight Monsters |url=https://echl.com/news/2023/11/introducing-the-tahoe-knight-monsters |access-date=January 16, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Introducing the Bloomington Bison|url=https://echl.com/news/2024/01/introducing-the-bloomington-bison |website=echl.com |access-date=January 24, 2024}}</ref> The Knight Monsters were placed in the Mountain division, with the Bison placed in the Central division.<ref>{{cite web |title=ECHL releases 2024-25 schedule |url=https://echl.com/news/2024/06/echl-releases-2024-25-schedule |website=echl.com |access-date=June 5, 2024}}</ref> These additions were intended to bring the ECHL to 30 teams before the Newfoundland Growlers folded late in the [[2023–24 ECHL season]], but the league plans to expand 32 in the future to match the number of teams in the NHL and the AHL.<ref>{{cite web |title=ECHL Approves Expansion Team In Bloomington, Illinois |url=https://www.flohockey.tv/articles/11898797-echl-approves-expansion-team-in-bloomington-illinois |website=flohockey.tv |date=January 16, 2024 |access-date=January 16, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=ECHL Aims For 32 Teams But Must Be Cautious As It Grows |url=https://www.flohockey.tv/articles/11660302-echl-aims-for-32-teams-but-must-be-cautious-as-it-grows |website=flohockey.tv |date=December 12, 2023 |access-date=January 16, 2024}}</ref> On April 2, 2024, the league announced that following the termination of the Growlers' membership for failing to fulfill its obligations under league bylaws, the [[Wheeling Nailers]] would move to the North Division.<ref>{{Cite web |title=ECHL's Newfoundland Growlers terminated by league |url=https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/echls-newfoundland-growlers-terminated-by-league/ |access-date=April 2, 2024 |website=Sportsnet.ca}}</ref>

On October 18, 2024, the league announced a new expansion team for [[Greensboro, North Carolina]] set to begin play for the 2025–26 ECHL season,<ref>{{cite web |last1=Egan |first1=Elizabeth |title=Florida group that bought Charlotte Checkers appears to be behind Greensboro's new minor-league hockey team |url=https://www.bizjournals.com/triad/news/2024/10/16/east-coast-hockey-league-greensboro-zawyer-sports.html |publisher=Triad Business Journal |access-date=17 October 2024}}</ref><ref name="gboechl">{{Cite web |date=2024-10-18 |title=Expansion Membership approved for Greensboro |url=https://echl.com/news/2024/10/expansion-membership-approved-for-greensboro |access-date=2024-10-18 |website=ECHL.com}}</ref> which became the [[Greensboro Gargoyles]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-01-14 |title=Introducing the Greensboro Gargoyles |url=https://echl.com/news/2025/01/introducing-the-greensboro-gargoyles |access-date=2025-01-14 |website=ECHL}}</ref>

Two expansion teams were announced in 2025: the [[New Mexico Goatheads]] will begin play in [[Rio Rancho, New Mexico]], for the 2026–27 ECHL season,<ref>{{cite news |url=https://echl.com/news/2025/09/introducing-the-new-mexico-goatheads |title=Introducing the New Mexico Goatheads |accessdate=September 29, 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Expansion Membership approved for New Mexico |url=https://echl.com/news/2025/05/expansion-membership-approved-for-new-mexico |access-date=2 May 2025}}</ref> and an unnamed team in [[Augusta, Georgia]], will begin play in the 2027–28 ECHL season.<ref>{{cite web |title=ECHL approves Expansion Membership for Augusta |url=https://echl.com/news/2025/08/echl-approves-expansion-membership-for-augusta |access-date=20 August 2025}}</ref>

On September 9, 2025, the [[Utah Grizzlies]] announced that they will relocate to [[Trenton, New Jersey]], for the 2026–27 season with a name yet to be finalized.<ref name=UtahToTrenton>{{cite press release|title=ECHL returning to Trenton with Transfers of Controlling Interest and Home Territory of Utah Membership |url=https://echl.com/news/2025/09/echl-returning-to-trenton-with-transfers-of-controlling-interest-and-home-territory-of-utah-membership |access-date=9 September 2025|publisher=ECHL}}</ref>

==Teams==
Alignment, affiliations, and locations for the [[2025–26 ECHL season|2025–26 season]].<ref name="ECHL Division Standings">{{cite web |title=ECHL Standings - Division |url=https://www.echl.com/standings#tab_standings-groups-competitions=division&select_standings-groups-seasons=0 |access-date=November 26, 2021 |website=ECHL}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders"
! scope="col" | Conference
! scope="col" | Division
! scope="col" | Team
! scope="col" | City
! scope="col" | Arena
! scope="col" | Capacity
! scope="col" | Founded
! scope="col" | Joined
! scope="col" | Head coach
! scope="col" | [[National Hockey League|NHL]] affiliate
! scope="col" | [[American Hockey League|AHL]] affiliate
|-
|rowspan="15" style="background-color: #004785 ; text-align:center; color:#ffffff"|'''Eastern'''
|rowspan="8" style="background-color: #7281d6 ; text-align:center; color:#ffffff"|'''North'''
!scope="row"|[[Adirondack Thunder]]
| [[Glens Falls, New York]]
| [[Harding Mazzotti Arena]]
| 4,794
| colspan="2" align="center" | 1990*
| [[Sylvain Cloutier]]
| [[New Jersey Devils]]
| [[Utica Comets]]
|-
!scope="row"|[[Greensboro Gargoyles]]
|[[Greensboro, North Carolina]]
|[[First Horizon Coliseum]]
| 22,000
| align=center |2024
| align=center |2025
|Scott Burt
|[[Carolina Hurricanes]]
|[[Chicago Wolves]]
|-
!scope="row"|[[Maine Mariners (ECHL)|Maine Mariners]]
| [[Portland, Maine]]
| [[Cross Insurance Arena]]
| 6,206
| align="center" | 1989*
| align="center" | 2003
| [[Rick Kowalsky]]
| [[Boston Bruins]]
| [[Providence Bruins]]
|-
!scope="row"|[[Norfolk Admirals (ECHL)|Norfolk Admirals]]
| [[Norfolk, Virginia]]
| [[Norfolk Scope]]
| 8,701
| align="center" | 1995*
| align="center" | 2003
| Jeff Carr
| [[Winnipeg Jets]]<ref name="Winnipeg">{{cite web |title=Admirals Extend Affiliation With NHL's Winnipeg Jets And AHL's Manitoba Moose |url=https://www.nhl.com/jets/news/jets-and-moose-extend-affiliation-agreement-with-norfolk-admirals |website=Winnipeg Jets |access-date=June 18, 2024 |date=June 19, 2024}}</ref>
| [[Manitoba Moose]]<ref name="Winnipeg" />
|-
!scope="row"|[[Reading Royals]]
| [[Reading, Pennsylvania]]
| [[Santander Arena]]
| 6,500
| colspan="2" align="center" | 1991*
| Anthony Peters
| [[Philadelphia Flyers]]
| [[Lehigh Valley Phantoms]]
|-
!scope="row"|[[Trois-Rivières Lions]]
| [[Trois-Rivières, Quebec]]
| [[Colisée Vidéotron]]
| 4,390
| colspan="2" align="center" | 2021
| Ron Choules
| [[Montreal Canadiens]]<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.tsn.ca/montreal-canadiens-name-trois-rivieres-their-echl-affiliate-1.1579604 |title=Habs name Trois-Rivieres ECHL affiliate |website=[[The Sports Network]] |date=January 19, 2021}}</ref>
| [[Laval Rocket]]
|-
!scope="row"|[[Wheeling Nailers]] 
| [[Wheeling, West Virginia]]
| [[WesBanco Arena]]
| 5,406
| align="center" | 1981*
| align="center" | 1988
| Ryan Papaioannou
| [[Pittsburgh Penguins]]
| [[Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins]] 
|-
!scope="row"|[[Worcester Railers]]
| [[Worcester, Massachusetts]]
| [[DCU Center]]
| 12,135
| colspan="2" align="center" | 2017
| Nick Tuzzolino
| [[New York Islanders]]
| [[Bridgeport Islanders]]
|-
|rowspan="7" style="background-color: #24e059 ; text-align:center; color:#ffffff"|'''South'''
!scope="row"|[[Atlanta Gladiators]]
| [[Duluth, Georgia]]
| [[Gas South Arena]]
| 11,355
| colspan="2" align="center" | 1995*
| Matt Ginn
| [[Nashville Predators]]
| [[Milwaukee Admirals]]
|-
!scope="row"|[[Florida Everblades]]
| [[Estero, Florida]]
| [[Hertz Arena]]
| 7,084
| colspan="2" align="center" | 1998
| [[Brad Ralph]]
| [[St. Louis Blues]]<ref name=":1">{{cite press release|url=https://www.nhl.com/blues/news/blues-enter-multi-year-affiliation-agreement-with-florida-everblades|date=July 10, 2024|title=Blues enter multi-year affiliation agreement with Florida Everblades|publisher=St. Louis Blues}}</ref>
| [[Springfield Thunderbirds]]<ref name=":1" />
|-
!scope="row"|[[Greenville Swamp Rabbits]]
| [[Greenville, South Carolina]]
| [[Bon Secours Wellness Arena]]
| 13,951
| align="center" | 1987*
| align="center" | 1988
| Kyle Mountain
| [[Los Angeles Kings]]
| [[Ontario Reign]]
|-
!scope="row"|[[Jacksonville Icemen]]
| [[Jacksonville, Florida]]
| [[VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena]]
| 13,141
| align="center" | 1992*
| align="center" | 2012
| Sean Teakle
| [[Buffalo Sabres]]<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Reporter |first=Lance Lysowski News Sports |date=July 13, 2013 |title=Sources: Sabres complete affiliation agreement with ECHL's Jacksonville Icemen |url=https://buffalonews.com/sports/sabres/sources-sabres-complete-affiliation-agreement-with-echls-jacksonville-icemen/article_d36c4814-20df-11ee-9c9b-43bd6b595080.html |access-date=July 13, 2013 |website=Buffalo News}}</ref>
| [[Rochester Americans]]<ref name=":0" />
|-
!scope="row"|[[Orlando Solar Bears]]
| [[Orlando, Florida]]
| [[Kia Center]]
| 17,353
| colspan="2" align="center" | 2012
| [[Matt Macdonald]]
| [[Tampa Bay Lightning]]
| [[Syracuse Crunch]]
|-
!scope="row"|[[Savannah Ghost Pirates]]
| [[Savannah, Georgia]]
| [[Enmarket Arena]]
| 7,485
| colspan="2" align="center" | 2022
| [[Jared Staal]]
| [[Florida Panthers]]<ref name="Florida">{{cite web | url=https://ghostpirateshockey.com/news/2024/06/ghost-pirates-announce-affiliation-with-florida-panthers-and-charlotte-checkers | title=Savannah Ghost Pirates &#124; GHOST PIRATES ANNOUNCE AFFILIATION WITH FLORIDA PANTHERS AND CHARLOTTE CHECKERS }}</ref>
| [[Charlotte Checkers]]<ref name="Florida" />
|-
!scope="row"|[[South Carolina Stingrays]]
| [[North Charleston, South Carolina]]
| [[North Charleston Coliseum]]
| 10,537
| colspan="2" align="center" | 1993
| [[Jared Nightingale]]
| [[Washington Capitals]]
| [[Hershey Bears]]
|-
|rowspan="15" style="background-color: #e03a3e ; text-align:center; color:#ffffff"|'''Western'''
|rowspan="7" style="background-color: #f7746a ; text-align:center; color:#ffffff"|'''Central'''
!scope="row"|[[Bloomington Bison]] 
|[[Bloomington, Illinois]]
|[[Grossinger Motors Arena]]
| 7,000
| colspan="2;" align="center" |2024
|Phillip Barski
|[[New York Rangers]]
|[[Hartford Wolf Pack]] 
|-
!scope="row"|[[Cincinnati Cyclones]]
| [[Cincinnati, Ohio]]
| [[Heritage Bank Center]]
| 14,453
| colspan="2" align="center" | 1995*
| [[Riley Weselowski]]
| [[Toronto Maple Leafs]]<ref name="Toronto affiliation">{{cite web | url=https://www.nhl.com/mapleleafs/news/toronto-maple-leafs-announce-new-echl-affiliation | title=Toronto Maple Leafs Announce New ECHL Affiliation | date=July 3, 2024 }}</ref>
| [[Toronto Marlies]]<ref name="Toronto affiliation" />
|-
!scope="row"|[[Fort Wayne Komets]]
| [[Fort Wayne, Indiana]]
| [[Allen County War Memorial Coliseum]]
| 10,480
| align="center" | 1985*
| align="center" | 2012
| Jesse Kallechy 
| [[Edmonton Oilers]]
| [[Bakersfield Condors]]
|-
!scope="row"|[[Indy Fuel]]
| [[Fishers, Indiana]]
| [[Fishers Event Center]]
| 7,500
| colspan="2" align="center" | 2014
| [[Duncan Dalmao]]
| [[Chicago Blackhawks]]
| [[Rockford IceHogs]]
|-
!scope="row"|[[Iowa Heartlanders]]
| [[Coralville, Iowa]]
| [[Xtream Arena]]
| 4,878
| colspan="2" align="center" | 2021
| [[Chuck Weber (ice hockey)|Chuck Weber]]
| [[Minnesota Wild]]
| [[Iowa Wild]]
|-
!scope="row"|[[Kalamazoo Wings]]
| [[Kalamazoo, Michigan]]
| [[Wings Event Center]]
| 5,113
| align="center" | 1999*
| align="center" | 2009
| Joel Martin
| [[Vancouver Canucks]]
| [[Abbotsford Canucks]]
|-
!scope="row"|[[Toledo Walleye]]
| [[Toledo, Ohio]]
| [[Huntington Center (Toledo, Ohio)|Huntington Center]]
| 7,389
| colspan="2" align="center" | 1991
| Pat Mikesch
| [[Detroit Red Wings]]
| [[Grand Rapids Griffins]]
|-
|rowspan="8" style="background-color: #edb56f ; text-align:center; color:#ffffff"|'''Mountain'''
!scope="row"|[[Allen Americans]]
| [[Allen, Texas]]
| [[Credit Union of Texas Event Center]]
| 6,275
| align="center" | 2009
| align="center" | 2014
| [[Steve Martinson]]
| [[Ottawa Senators]]
| [[Belleville Senators]]
|-
!scope="row"|[[Idaho Steelheads]]
| [[Boise, Idaho]]
| [[Idaho Central Arena]]
| 5,002
| align="center" | 1997
| align="center" | 2003
| Everett Sheen
| [[Dallas Stars]]
| [[Texas Stars]]
|-
!scope="row"|[[Kansas City Mavericks]]
| [[Independence, Missouri]]
| [[Cable Dahmer Arena]]
| 5,800
| align="center" | 2009
| align="center" | 2014
| Tad O'Had
| [[Seattle Kraken]]
| [[Coachella Valley Firebirds]]
|-
!scope="row"|[[Rapid City Rush]]
| [[Rapid City, South Dakota]]
| [[The Monument (Rapid City, South Dakota)|The Monument]]
| 7,500
| align="center" | 2008
| align="center" | 2014
| [[Dave Smith (ice hockey)|Dave Smith]]
| [[Calgary Flames]]
| [[Calgary Wranglers]]
|-
!scope="row"|[[Tahoe Knight Monsters]] 
| [[Stateline, Nevada]]
| [[Tahoe Blue Event Center]]
| 4,200
| colspan="2;" align="center" |2024
| Alex Loh
| [[Vegas Golden Knights]]
| [[Henderson Silver Knights]]
|-
!scope="row"|[[Tulsa Oilers]]
| [[Tulsa, Oklahoma]]
| [[BOK Center]]
| 17,096
| align="center" | 1992
| align="center" | 2014
| [[Rob Murray]]
| [[Anaheim Ducks]]
| [[San Diego Gulls]]
|-
!scope="row"|[[Utah Grizzlies]]{{efn|Will relocate to [[Trenton, New Jersey]], for 2026–27 season.<ref name=UtahToTrenton/>}}
| [[West Valley City, Utah]]
| [[Maverik Center]]
| 10,100
| align="center" | 1981*
| align="center" | 1988
| John Becanic
| [[Colorado Avalanche]]
| [[Colorado Eagles]]
|-
!scope="row"|[[Wichita Thunder]]
| [[Wichita, Kansas]]
| [[Intrust Bank Arena]]
| 13,450
| align="center" | 1992
| align="center" | 2014
| Bruce Ramsay
| [[San Jose Sharks]]
| [[San Jose Barracuda]]
|}

{{Location map+|USA|width=700|float=left
 |alt=ECHL 2024–25.
 |caption=Teams in the ECHL as of the [[2024–25 ECHL season|2024–25 season]]. Dot colors correspond to the divisional alignment.
 {{hlist
| [[File:Blue pog.svg|8px]] North Division
| [[File:Red pog.svg|8px]] South Division
| [[File:Orange pog.svg|8px]] Central Division
| [[File:Pink pog.svg|8px]] Mountain Division
| [[File:Yellow pog.svg|8px]] Future
}}
|places=
{{Location map~|USA|lat=43.31 |long=-73.64 |mark= blue pog.svg |label_size=75 |position=left |label=[[Adirondack Thunder|Adirondack]]}}
{{Location map~|USA|lat=32.86 |long=-97.20 |mark= pink pog.svg |label_size=75 |position=right |label=[[Allen Americans|Allen]]}}
{{Location map~|USA|lat=33.99 |long=-84.09 |mark= red pog.svg |label_size=75 |position=left |label=[[Atlanta Gladiators|Atlanta]]}}
{{Location map~|USA|lat=40.47 |long=-88.99 |mark= orange pog.svg |label_size=75 |position=left |label=[[Bloomington Bison|Bloomington]]}} 
{{Location map~|USA|lat=39.10 |long=-84.50 |mark= orange pog.svg |label_size=75 |position=bottom |label=[[Cincinnati Cyclones|Cincinnati]]}}
{{Location map~|USA|lat=26.44 |long=-81.78 |mark= red pog.svg |label_size=75 |position=bottom |label=[[Florida Everblades|Florida]]}}
{{Location map~|USA|lat=41.12 |long=-85.12 |mark= orange pog.svg |label_size=75 |position=left |label=[[Fort Wayne Komets|Fort Wayne]]}}
{{Location map~|USA|lat=34.85 |long=-82.39 |mark= red pog.svg |label_size=75 |position=top |label=[[Greenville Swamp Rabbits|Greenville]]}}
{{Location map~|USA|lat=43.61 |long=-116.20 |mark= pink pog.svg |label_size=75 |position=top |label=[[Idaho Steelheads|Idaho]]}}
{{Location map~|USA|lat=39.79 |long=-86.15 |mark= orange pog.svg |label_size=75 |position=left |label=[[Indy Fuel|Indy]]}}
{{Location map~|USA|lat=41.68 |long=-91.56 |mark= orange pog.svg |label_size=75 |position=left |label=[[Iowa Heartlanders|Iowa]]}}
{{Location map~|USA|lat=30.33 |long=-81.65 |mark= red pog.svg |label_size=75 |position=right |label=[[Jacksonville Icemen|Jacksonville]]}}
{{Location map~|USA|lat=42.25 |long=-85.54 |mark= orange pog.svg |label_size=75 |position=top |label=[[Kalamazoo Wings|Kalamazoo]]}}
{{Location map~|USA|lat=39.04 |long=-94.36 |mark= pink pog.svg |label_size=75 |position=left |label=[[Kansas City Mavericks|Kansas City]]}}
{{Location map~|USA|lat=43.65 |long=-70.25 |mark= blue pog.svg |label_size=75 |position=right |label=[[Maine Mariners (ECHL)|Maine]]}}
{{Location map~|USA|lat=36.91 |long=-76.28 |mark= blue pog.svg |label_size=75 |position=right |label=[[Norfolk Admirals (ECHL)|Norfolk]]}}
{{Location map~|USA|lat=28.54 |long=-81.38 |mark= red pog.svg |label_size=75 |position=right |label=[[Orlando Solar Bears|Orlando]]}}
{{Location map~|USA|lat=44.09 |long=-103.23 |mark= pink pog.svg |label_size=75 |position=top |label=[[Rapid City Rush|Rapid City]]}}
{{Location map~|USA|lat=40.33 |long=-75.92 |mark= blue pog.svg |label_size=75 |position=left |label=[[Reading Royals|Reading]]}}
{{Location map~|USA|lat=32.07 |long=-81.11 |mark= red pog.svg |label_size=75 |position=bottom |label=[[Savannah Ghost Pirates|Savannah]]}}
{{Location map~|USA|lat=32.87 |long=-80.02 |mark= red pog.svg |label_size=75 |position=right |label=[[South Carolina Stingrays|South Carolina]]}}
{{Location map~|USA|lat=38.96 |long=-119.93 |mark= pink pog.svg |label_size=75 |position=right |label=[[Tahoe Knight Monsters|Tahoe]]}} 
{{Location map~|USA|lat=41.65 |long=-83.54 |mark= orange pog.svg |label_size=75 |position=right |label=[[Toledo Walleye|Toledo]]}}
{{Location map~|USA|lat=46.35 |long=-72.56 |mark= blue pog.svg |label_size=75 |position=left |label=[[Trois-Rivières Lions (ECHL)|Trois-Rivières]]}}
{{Location map~|USA|lat=36.16 |long=-96.00 |mark= pink pog.svg |label_size=75 |position=right |label=[[Tulsa Oilers|Tulsa]]}}
{{Location map~|USA|lat=40.70 |long=-111.95 |mark= pink pog.svg |label_size=75 |position=top |label=[[Utah Grizzlies|Utah]]}}
{{Location map~|USA|lat=39.66 |long=-80.72 |mark= blue pog.svg |label_size=75 |position=bottom |label=[[Wheeling Nailers|Wheeling]]}}
{{Location map~|USA|lat=37.68 |long=-97.33 |mark= pink pog.svg |label_size=75 |position=left |label=[[Wichita Thunder|Wichita]]}}
{{Location map~|USA|lat=42.26 |long=-71.79 |mark= blue pog.svg |label_size=75 |position=right |label=[[Worcester Railers|Worcester]]}}
{{Location map~|USA|lat=36.34 |long=-79.49 |mark= blue pog.svg |label_size=75 |position=right |label=[[Greensboro Gargoyles|Greensboro]]}}

<!--- Future teams --->
{{Location map~|USA|lat=35.31 |long=-106.69 |mark= yellow pog.svg |label_size=75 |position=right |label=[[New Mexico Goatheads|New Mexico]] ('26–27)}}
{{Location map~|USA|lat=33.4577 |long=-81.9644 |mark= yellow pog.svg |label_size=75 |position=bottom |label=[[Augusta Pro Hockey team|Augusta]] ('27–28)}}
}}
{{Clear}}

===Future teams===
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders"
|+Announced Future ECHL teams
|-
! scope="col" | Team
! scope="col" | City
! scope="col" | Arena
! scope="col" | Capacity
! scope="col" | Founded
! scope="col" | Joining
! scope="col" | Head coach
! scope="col" | NHL affiliate
! scope="col" | AHL affiliate
|-
!scope="row"|[[New Mexico Goatheads]]
|[[Rio Rancho, New Mexico]]
|[[Rio Rancho Events Center]]
| 6,000
| align=center |2025
| align=center |2026
|TBD
|TBD
|TBD
|-
!scope="row"|[[Augusta Pro Hockey Club]]
|[[Augusta, Georgia]]
|[[New Augusta Arena]]
| 8,720
| align="center" |2025
| align="center" |2027
|TBD
|TBD
|TBD
|}

Representatives from all potential expansion franchises, markets that have been granted expansion franchises and franchises that have suspended operations must attend the league's annual Board of Governors Meeting between seasons and provide progress reports on their situations in order to keep their ECHL franchise rights. For dormant and existing franchises, the Board of Governors votes whether or not to extend a franchise's league license until the next Board of Governors Meeting.

At the 2012 Board of Governors meeting, the Board elected to limit the league to 26 teams, with an emphasis on adding teams to the Western Conference.<ref name="BOG2012">{{cite web |title=Annual ECHL Board of Governors Meeting Concludes |url=http://echl.com/annual-echl-board-of-governors-meeting-concludes-p178094 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121022063432/http://www.echl.com/annual-echl-board-of-governors-meeting-concludes-p178094 |archive-date=October 22, 2012 |access-date=June 25, 2012 |publisher=ECHL}}</ref> However, it was decided at the 2015 Board of Governors meeting that the cap should be expanded to 30 teams, hoping to eventually match the NHL and AHL's (then) 30-team totals.<ref name="2015 ECHL Moves" /> In 2023, ECHL commissioner Ryan Crelin commented that the eventual goal was to match the AHL and NHL expansion to 32 teams.<ref>{{cite web |last=Klisivitch |first=Armand |date=March 17, 2023 |title=ECHL: A Chat With Commissioner Ryan Crelin |url=https://insidetherink.com/echl-a-chat-with-commissioner-ryan-crelin/ |website=Inside the Rink}}</ref>

===Defunct and relocated teams===
{{Main|List of defunct ECHL teams}}

Since starting with five franchises in its inaugural season, the ECHL has had dozens of franchises join and leave the league. Typically, these teams fold or relocate due to operation issues or financial losses. The [[Johnstown Chiefs]] became the last remaining founding franchise of the East Coast Hockey League to remain in its original city until it relocated to Greenville, South Carolina, following the completion of the [[2009–10 ECHL season|2009–10 season]].<ref name="Greenville">{{cite news |last=Mastovich |first=Mike |date=February 15, 2010 |title=Chiefs plan to move franchise to South Carolina |url=http://www.tribdem.com/local/local_story_045202110.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130111102546/http://www.tribdem.com/local/local_story_045202110.html |archive-date=January 11, 2013 |access-date=February 15, 2010 |newspaper=[[Tribune-Democrat]]}}</ref>

While the ECHL has stated in recent years they would not grant voluntary suspensions of franchises for more than one year, both the Toledo Storm (now the [[Toledo Walleye]]) and [[Mississippi Sea Wolves]] (now defunct) were granted two-year suspensions—the Sea Wolves because of [[Hurricane Katrina]] and the Storm in order to demolish their present arena and construct a new one in downtown Toledo. The Mississippi Sea Wolves resumed play for the 2007–08 season, while the Toledo Walleye resumed play in their new arena for the 2009–10 season.

Seven former ECHL franchises have been directly replaced in their respective markets by [[American Hockey League]] franchises. The [[Greensboro Monarchs]] were the first, being replaced by the [[Carolina Monarchs]] in [[1995-96 AHL season|1995]]. The [[Hampton Roads Admirals]] were the second, giving way to the [[Norfolk Admirals (AHL)|Norfolk Admirals]] in [[2000–01 AHL season|2000]]. The [[Peoria Rivermen (ECHL)|Peoria Rivermen]] were the third. In their case, the replacement franchise retained the [[Worcester IceCats]] history but assumed the [[Peoria Rivermen (AHL)|Rivermen identity]] for their first AHL season of [[2005–06 AHL season|2005–06]]. The [[Charlotte Checkers (ECHL)|Charlotte Checkers]] were the fourth, yielding to a franchise that retained the [[Albany River Rats]] history following the club's move to Charlotte following the [[2009–10 AHL season|2009–10 season]] and assumed the [[Charlotte Checkers|Checkers identity]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Scott |first=David |date=February 11, 2010 |title=Checkers moving up in world |url=http://www.charlotteobserver.com/checkers/story/1238524.html |access-date=February 11, 2010 |newspaper=[[The Charlotte Observer]]}}{{Dead link|date=August 2018|bot=InternetArchiveBot|fix-attempted=yes}}</ref> In each of these cases, the ECHL franchise was relinquished to the league by its respective ownership group. In 2015, the three California franchises ([[Bakersfield Condors (1998–2015)|Bakersfield Condors]], [[Ontario Reign (ECHL)|Ontario Reign]], and [[Stockton Thunder]]) were displaced by the formation of an AHL Pacific Division. Each ECHL franchise involved in the territorial shift was either owned or purchased by their NHL affiliate prior to being relocated.<ref name="2015 ECHL Moves" />

{{col-begin}}
{{col-break|width=50%}}
*[[Alaska Aces (ECHL)|Alaska Aces]] (2003–2017; purchased and relocated to [[Maine Mariners (ECHL)|Portland, Maine]], for the 2018–19 season.)
*[[Arkansas RiverBlades]] (1999–2003)
*[[Atlantic City Boardwalk Bullies]] (2001–2005; moved to [[Stockton Thunder|Stockton, California]].)
*[[Augusta Lynx]] (1998–2008; suspended operations and relinquished their membership back to the ECHL after their ownership group was unable to continue to operate in 2008–09. The first ECHL team to fold mid-season.)
*[[Bakersfield Condors (1998–2015)|Bakersfield Condors]] (2003–15; the team moved to Norfolk, Virginia, to become the [[Norfolk Admirals (ECHL)|Norfolk Admirals]] and was replaced in the market by [[Bakersfield Condors|an AHL team of the same name]].)
*[[Baton Rouge Kingfish]] (1996–2003; moved to Victoria, British Columbia, as the [[Victoria Salmon Kings]].)
*[[Birmingham Bulls (ECHL)|Birmingham Bulls]] (1992–2001; moved to [[Atlantic City Boardwalk Bullies|Atlantic City, New Jersey]]; now the [[Adirondack Thunder]].)
*[[Brampton Beast]] (2014–2020; folded during the [[COVID-19 pandemic]].)<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.bramptonbeast.com/en/brampton-beast-a-casualty-of-covid-19 |title=Brampton Beast a Casualty of COVID-19 |website=Brampton Beast |date=February 18, 2021 |access-date=February 18, 2021 |archive-date=February 18, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210218193645/https://www.bramptonbeast.com/en/brampton-beast-a-casualty-of-covid-19 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
*[[Carolina Thunderbirds|Carolina/Winston-Salem Thunderbirds]] (1988–1992; moved to [[Wheeling, West Virginia]], as the Wheeling Thunderbirds before being renamed as the [[Wheeling Nailers]].)
*[[Charlotte Checkers (1993–2010)|Charlotte Checkers]] (1993–2010; replaced by the [[Charlotte Checkers]] of the AHL.)
*[[Chesapeake Icebreakers]] (1997–1999; moved to [[Jackson Bandits|Jackson, Mississippi]].)
*[[Chicago Express]] (2011–2012; membership relinquished to ECHL.)
*[[Colorado Eagles]] (2011–2018; organization obtained an expansion franchise in the AHL.)
*[[Columbia Inferno]] (2001–2008; voluntarily suspended operations.)
*[[Columbus Chill]] (1991–1999; suspended operations due to the then-impending entry of the [[Columbus Blue Jackets]] into the NHL; franchise purchased and relocated to [[Reading Royals|Reading, Pennsylvania]].)
*[[Columbus Cottonmouths]] (2001–2004; the team moved down to the [[Southern Professional Hockey League]]; ECHL franchise moved to Bradenton-Sarasota, Florida, to play as [[Gulf Coast Swords]], franchise revoked in summer 2006 after construction halted on the proposed home arena.)
*[[Dayton Bombers]] (1991–2009; relinquished their membership back to ECHL.)
*[[Elmira Jackals]] (2007–2017)
*[[Erie Panthers]] (1988–1996; moved to [[Baton Rouge Kingfish|Baton Rouge, Louisiana]].)
*[[Evansville IceMen]] (2012–2016; moved to [[Jacksonville Icemen|Jacksonville, Florida]], after a one-year hiatus.)
*[[Fresno Falcons]] (2003–2008; suspended operations and relinquished their membership back to the ECHL after their ownership group was unable to continue to operate in 2008–09. The second ECHL team to fold mid-season.)
*[[Greensboro Generals]] (1999–2004)
*[[Greensboro Monarchs]] (1989–1995; replaced by the [[Carolina Monarchs]] of the [[American Hockey League|AHL]].)
*[[Greenville Grrrowl]] (1998–2006)
*[[Hampton Roads Admirals]] (1989–2000; replaced by the [[Norfolk Admirals (AHL)|Norfolk Admirals]] of the AHL; ECHL franchise purchased in 2001 and moved to Columbus, Georgia, to become the Cottonmouths.)
*[[Huntington Blizzard]] (1993–2000; moved to [[Beaumont, Texas]], to become the [[Texas Wildcatters]].)
*[[Huntsville Blast]] (1993–1994; moved to [[Tallahassee Tiger Sharks|Tallahassee, Florida]].)
*[[Jackson Bandits]] (1999–2003)
*[[Jacksonville Lizard Kings]] (1995–2000)
{{col-break|width=50%}}
*[[Johnstown Chiefs]] (1988–2010; relocated to Greenville, South Carolina, as the [[Greenville Road Warriors]].)
*[[Pee Dee Pride|Knoxville Cherokees]] (1988–1997; moved to Florence, South Carolina, as the [[Pee Dee Pride]].)
*[[Las Vegas Wranglers]] (2003–2014; suspended operations for the 2014–15 season and later relinquished their membership.)
*[[Lexington Men O' War]] (2002–2003; moved to West Valley City, Utah, to become the [[Utah Grizzlies]])
*[[Long Beach Ice Dogs]] (2003–2007)
*[[Louisiana IceGators (ECHL)|Louisiana IceGators]] (1995–2005)
*[[Louisville IceHawks]] (1990–1994; moved to [[Jacksonville Lizard Kings|Jacksonville, Florida]].)
*[[Louisville RiverFrogs]] (1995–1998; moved to [[Miami Matadors|Miami, Florida]].)
*[[Macon Whoopee (ECHL)|Macon Whoopee]] (2001–2002; moved to Lexington, Kentucky, to become the [[Lexington Men O' War]].)
*[[Manchester Monarchs (ECHL)|Manchester Monarchs]] (2015–2019)
*[[Miami Matadors]] (1998–1999; moved to [[Cincinnati Cyclones|Cincinnati, Ohio]].)
*[[Mississippi Sea Wolves]] (1996–2009; replaced in the market by the [[Mississippi Surge]] of the SPHL.)
*[[Mobile Mysticks]] (1995–2002; moved to [[Gwinnett Gladiators|Duluth, Georgia]].)
*[[Nashville Knights]] (1989–1996; moved to Pensacola, Florida.)
*[[Newfoundland Growlers]] (2018–2024; ceased operations for failure to fulfill obligations under ECHL bylaws. The fourth ECHL team to fold mid-season.)
*[[New Orleans Brass]] (1997–2002; team relinquished their league membership after the arrival of the NBA's [[New Orleans Hornets]].)
*[[Ontario Reign (ECHL)|Ontario Reign]] (2008–2015; the team moved to Manchester, New Hampshire, to become the [[Manchester Monarchs (ECHL)|Manchester Monarchs]].)
*[[Pee Dee Pride]] (1997–2005; suspended operations after the 2004–05 season and planned to move to the Myrtle Beach area but later relinquished their membership.)
*[[Pensacola Ice Pilots]] (1996–2008; replaced in the market by the [[Pensacola Ice Flyers|Ice Flyers]] of the SPHL.) 
*[[Peoria Rivermen (ECHL)|Peoria Rivermen]] (1996–2005; replaced by the [[Peoria Rivermen (AHL)|Peoria Rivermen]] of the [[American Hockey League|AHL]].)
*[[Phoenix Roadrunners (ECHL)|Phoenix RoadRunners]] (2005–2009)
*[[Quad City Mallards]] (2014–2018)
*[[Raleigh IceCaps]] (1991–1998; moved to [[Augusta Lynx|Augusta, Georgia]].)
*[[Richmond Renegades]] (1990–2003)
*[[Roanoke Express]] (1993–2004)
*[[San Diego Gulls (1995–2006)|San Diego Gulls]] (2003–2006)
*[[San Francisco Bulls]] (2012–2014; ceased operations and relinquished their membership back to the ECHL after their ownership group was unable to continue to operate in 2013–14. The third ECHL team to fold mid-season.)
*[[Stockton Thunder]] (2005–2015; team moved to Glens Falls, New York, to become the [[Adirondack Thunder]].)
*[[Tallahassee Tiger Sharks]] (1994–2001; moved to [[Macon Whoopee (ECHL)|Macon, Georgia]].)
*[[Texas Wildcatters]] (2003–2008; moved to [[Ontario Reign (ECHL)|Ontario, California]].)
*[[Trenton Titans|Trenton Titans/Devils]] (1999–2013)
*[[Victoria Salmon Kings]] (2004–2011; replaced in market by the [[Western Hockey League|WHL]]'s [[Victoria Royals]].)
*[[Virginia Lancers]]/[[Roanoke Valley Rebels (ECHL)|Roanoke Valley Rebels]]/[[Roanoke Valley Rampage|Rampage]] (1988–1993; moved to [[Huntsville Blast|Huntsville, Alabama]].)
{{col-end}}

===Timeline===

{{Font color||{{RGB|100|204|169}}|Current member}} {{Font color||{{RGB|203|203|205}}|Former member}} {{Font color||{{RGB|60|204|228}}|Future member}} {{Font color||{{RGB|190|154|228}}|Opted out of [[2020–21 ECHL season|season]] due to [[COVID-19 pandemic]]}}

<timeline>
DateFormat = mm/dd/yyyy

ImageSize = width:1100 height:auto barincrement:20

Period = from:01/01/1988 till:01/01/2028

TimeAxis = orientation:horizontal

PlotArea = right:5 left:5 bottom:50 top:5

Colors = 
 id:line value:black
 id:Now value:rgb(0.4,0.80,0.67) # current member
 id:Past value:rgb(0.8,0.8,0.8) # former member
 id:Future value:rgb(0.25,0.8,0.9) # future member
 id:Suspended value:rgb(0.75,0.6,0.9) # suspended member

PlotData =
 width:15 textcolor:black shift:(5,-5) anchor:from fontsize:s

 bar:1 color:Past from:09/01/1988 till:06/01/1992 text:[[Carolina Thunderbirds|Carolina/Winston-Salem Thunderbirds]] (1988–92)
 bar:1 shift:(120) color:Now from:09/01/1992 till:end text:[[Wheeling Nailers|Wheeling Thunderbirds/Nailers]] (1992–present)

 bar:2 color:Past from:09/01/1988 till:06/01/1996 text:[[Erie Panthers]] (1988–96)
 bar:2 color:Past from:09/01/1996 till:06/01/2003 text:[[Baton Rouge Kingfish]] (1996–2003)
 bar:2 color:Past from:09/01/2004 till:06/01/2011 text:[[Victoria Salmon Kings]] (2004–2011)

 bar:3 color:Past from:09/01/1988 till:06/01/2010 text:[[Johnstown Chiefs]] (1988–2010)
 bar:3 color:Now from:09/01/2010 till:end text:[[Greenville Swamp Rabbits|Greenville Road Warriors/Swamp Rabbits]] (2010–present)

 bar:4 color:Past from:09/01/1988 till:06/01/1997 text:[[Knoxville Cherokees]] (1988–1997)
 bar:4 color:Past from:09/01/1997 till:06/01/2005 text:[[Pee Dee Pride]] (1997–2005)
 
 bar:6 color:Past from:09/01/1988 till:06/01/1993 text:[[Virginia Lancers|Virginia]](88–93)
 bar:6 color:Past from:09/01/1993 till:06/01/1994 shift:-40 text:[[Huntsville Blast|Huntsville]](93–94)
 bar:6 color:Past from:09/01/1994 till:06/01/2001 shift:15 text:[[Tallahassee Tiger Sharks|Tallahassee]](94–01)
 bar:6 color:Past from:09/01/2001 till:06/01/2002 shift:-40 text:[[Macon Whoopee (ECHL)|Macon]](01–02)
 bar:6 color:Past from:09/01/2002 till:06/01/2003 text:[[Lexington Men O' War|Lex.]](02–03)
 bar:6 color:Now from:09/01/2005 till:06/01/2026 text:[[Utah Grizzlies]] (2005–2026)
 bar:6 color:Future from:06/01/2026 till:end shift:(-75) text:Trenton (2026–onwards)

 bar:10 color:Past from:09/01/1989 till:06/01/1995 text:[[Greensboro Monarchs]] (1989–95)
 bar:11 color:Past from:09/01/1989 till:06/01/2000 text:[[Hampton Roads Admirals]] (1989–2000)
 bar:11 color:Past from:09/01/2001 till:06/01/2004 text:[[Columbus Cottonmouths]] (2001–04)
 bar:12 color:Past from:09/01/1989 till:06/01/1996 text:[[Nashville Knights]] (1989–1996)
 bar:12 color:Past from:09/01/1996 till:06/01/2008 text:[[Pensacola Ice Pilots]] (1996–2008)

 bar:14 color:Past from:09/01/1990 till:06/01/1992 shift:-20 text:[[Cincinnati Cyclones|Cincinnati]](90–92)
 bar:14 color:Past from:09/01/1992 till:06/01/2001 text:[[Birmingham Bulls (ECHL)|Birmingham Bulls]] (1992–2001)
 bar:14 color:Past from:09/01/2001 till:06/01/2005 text:[[Atlantic City Boardwalk Bullies|Atlantic City]](01–05)
 bar:14 color:Past from:09/01/2005 till:06/01/2015 text:[[Stockton Thunder]] (2005–2015)
 bar:14 color:Now from:09/01/2015 till:09/01/2020 text:[[Adirondack Thunder]] (2015–present)
 bar:14 color:Suspended from:09/01/2020 till:07/01/2021
 bar:14 color:Now from:07/01/2021 till:end

 bar:17 color:Past from:09/01/1990 till:06/01/1994 text:[[Louisville IceHawks]] (1990–94)
 bar:17 color:Past from:09/01/1995 till:06/01/2000 text:[[Jacksonville Lizard Kings]] (1995–2000)
 
 bar:18 color:Past from:09/01/1990 till:06/01/2003 text:[[Richmond Renegades]] (1990–2003)

 bar:19 color:Past from:09/01/1991 till:06/01/1999 text:[[Columbus Chill]] (1991–99)
 bar:19 color:Now from:09/01/2001 till:09/01/2020 text:[[Reading Royals]] (2001–present)
 bar:19 color:Suspended from:09/01/2020 till:07/01/2021
 bar:19 color:Now from:07/01/2021 till:end

 bar:20 color:Past from:09/01/1991 till:06/01/2009 text:[[Dayton Bombers]] (1991–2009)

 bar:21 color:Past from:09/01/1991 till:06/01/1998 text:[[Raleigh IceCaps]] (1991–98)
 bar:21 color:Past from:09/01/1998 till:12/02/2008 text:[[Augusta Lynx]] (1998–2008)

 bar:22 color:Past from:09/01/1991 till:06/01/2007 text:[[Toledo Storm]] (1991–2007)
 bar:22 color:Now from:09/01/2009 till:09/01/2020 text:[[Toledo Walleye]] (2009–present)
 bar:22 color:Suspended from:09/01/2020 till:07/01/2021
 bar:22 color:Now from:07/01/2021 till:end

 bar:23 color:Past from:09/01/1993 till:06/01/2010 text:[[Charlotte Checkers (1993–2010)|Charlotte Checkers]] (1993–2010)

 bar:24 color:Past from:09/01/1993 till:06/01/2000 text:[[Huntington Blizzard]] (1993–2000)
 bar:24 color:Past from:09/01/2003 till:06/01/2005 text:[[Texas Wildcatters]] (2003–08)
 bar:24 color:Suspended from:06/01/2005 till:09/01/2006
 bar:24 color:Past from:09/01/2006 till:06/01/2008
 bar:24 color:Past from:09/01/2008 till:06/01/2015 text:[[Ontario Reign (ECHL)|Ontario Reign]] (2008–2015)
 bar:24 color:Past from:09/01/2015 till:06/01/2019 shift:0 text:[[Manchester Monarchs (ECHL)|Manchester Monarchs]] (2015–2019)
 
 bar:25 color:Past from:09/01/1993 till:06/01/2004 text:[[Roanoke Express]] (1993–2004)

 bar:26 color:Now from:09/01/1993 till:end text:[[South Carolina Stingrays]] (1993–present)

 bar:27 color:Past from:09/01/1995 till:06/01/2005 text:[[Louisiana IceGators (ECHL)|Louisiana IceGators]] (1995–2005)

 bar:28 shift:(-60) color:Past from:09/01/1995 till:06/01/1998 text:[[Louisville RiverFrogs]] (1995–98)
 bar:28 color:Past from:09/01/1998 till:06/01/1999 text:[[Miami Matadors]] (1998–99)
 bar:28 shift:(60) color:Now from:09/01/2001 till:06/01/2004 text:[[Cincinnati Cyclones]] (2001–04, 2006–present)
 bar:28 color:Now from:09/01/2006 till:09/01/2020
 bar:28 color:Suspended from:09/01/2020 till:07/01/2021
 bar:28 color:Now from:07/01/2021 till:end

 bar:29 color:Past from:09/01/1995 till:06/01/2002 text:[[Mobile Mysticks]] (1995–2002)
 bar:29 color:Now from:09/01/2003 till:09/01/2020 text:[[Atlanta Gladiators|Gwinnett/Atlanta Gladiators]] (2003–present)
 bar:29 color:Suspended from:09/01/2020 till:07/01/2021
 bar:29 color:Now from:07/01/2021 till:end

 bar:30 color:Past from:09/01/1996 till:06/01/2009 text:[[Mississippi Sea Wolves]] (1996–2009)
 
 bar:31 color:Past from:09/01/1996 till:06/01/2005 text:[[Peoria Rivermen (ECHL)|Peoria Rivermen]] (1996–2005)

 bar:32 shift:(-100) color:Past from:09/01/1997 till:06/01/1999 text:[[Chesapeake Icebreakers]] (1997–99)
 bar:32 color:Past from:09/01/1999 till:06/01/2003 text:[[Jackson Bandits]] (1999–2003)

 bar:33 color:Past from:09/01/1997 till:06/01/2002 text:[[New Orleans Brass]] (1997–2002)
 
 bar:34 color:Now from:09/01/1998 till:end text:[[Florida Everblades]] (1998–present)

 bar:35 color:Past from:09/01/1998 till:06/01/2006 text:[[Greenville Grrrowl]] (1998–2006)
 
 bar:36 color:Past from:09/01/1999 till:06/01/2003 text:[[Arkansas RiverBlades]] (1999–2003)

 bar:37 color:Past from:09/01/1999 till:06/01/2004 text:[[Greensboro Generals]] (1999–2004)
 
 bar:38 color:Past from:09/01/1999 till:06/01/2013 text:[[Trenton Titans|Trenton Titans/Devils]] (1999–2013)

 bar:39 color:Past from:09/01/2001 till:06/01/2008 text:[[Columbia Inferno]] (2001–2008)

 bar:41 color:Past from:09/01/2003 till:06/01/2017 text:[[Alaska Aces (ECHL)|Alaska Aces]] (2003–17)
 bar:41 color:Now from:09/01/2018 till:09/01/2020 text:[[Maine Mariners (ECHL)|Maine Mariners]] (2018–present)
 bar:41 color:Suspended from:09/01/2020 till:07/01/2021
 bar:41 color:Now from:07/01/2021 till:end

 bar:42 color:Past from:09/01/2003 till:06/01/2015 text:[[Bakersfield Condors (1998–2015)|Bakersfield Condors]] (2003–2015)
 bar:42 color:Now from:09/01/2015 till:09/01/2020 text:[[Norfolk Admirals (ECHL)|Norfolk Admirals]] (2015–present)
 bar:42 color:Suspended from:09/01/2020 till:07/01/2021
 bar:42 color:Now from:07/01/2021 till:end

 bar:43 color:Past from:09/01/2003 till:12/22/2008 text:[[Fresno Falcons]] (2003–2008)
 bar:44 color:Now from:09/01/2003 till:09/01/2020 text:[[Idaho Steelheads]] (2003–present)
 bar:44 color:Suspended from:09/01/2020 till:07/01/2021
 bar:44 color:Now from:07/01/2021 till:end

 bar:45 color:Past from:09/01/2003 till:06/01/2014 text:[[Las Vegas Wranglers]] (2003–2014)
 bar:46 color:Past from:09/01/2003 till:06/01/2007 text:[[Long Beach Ice Dogs]] (2003–2007)
 bar:47 color:Past from:09/01/2003 till:06/01/2006 text:[[San Diego Gulls (1995–2006)|San Diego Gulls]] (2003–2006)
 
 bar:48 color:Past from:09/01/2005 till:06/01/2009 text:[[Phoenix Roadrunners (ECHL)|Phoenix RoadRunners]] (2005–2009)
 
 bar:49 color:Past from:09/01/2007 till:06/01/2017 text:[[Elmira Jackals]] (2007–2017)

 bar:50 color:Now from: 09/01/2009 till:09/01/2020 text:[[Kalamazoo Wings]] (2009–present)
 bar:50 color:Suspended from:09/01/2020 till:07/01/2021
 bar:50 color:Now from:07/01/2021 till:end

 bar:51 color:Past from:09/01/2011 till:06/01/2012 text:[[Chicago Express]] (2011–12)
 bar:52 color:Past from:09/01/2011 till:06/01/2018 text:[[Colorado Eagles]] (2011–2018)
 bar:53 color:Past from:09/01/2012 till:06/01/2016 text:[[Evansville IceMen]] (2012–2016)
 bar:53 color:Now from:09/01/2017 till:end text:[[Jacksonville Icemen]] (2017–present)
 bar:54 color:Now from:09/01/2012 till:end text:[[Fort Wayne Komets]] (2012–present)
 bar:55 color:Now from:09/01/2012 till:end text:[[Orlando Solar Bears]] (2012–present)
 bar:56 color:Past from:09/01/2012 till:01/27/2014 text:[[San Francisco Bulls]] (2012–14)
 bar:57 color:Now from:09/01/2014 till:end text:[[Allen Americans]] (2014–present)
 bar:58 color:Past from:09/01/2014 till:09/01/2020 text:[[Brampton Beast]] (2014–2020)
 bar:59 color:Now from:09/01/2014 till:end text:[[Indy Fuel]] (2014–present)
 bar:60 color:Now from:09/01/2014 till:end text:[[Kansas City Mavericks|Missouri/Kansas City Mavericks]] (2014–present)
 bar:61 color:Past from:09/01/2014 till:06/30/2018 text:[[Quad City Mallards]] (2014–2018)
 bar:62 color:Now from:09/01/2014 till:end text:[[Rapid City Rush]] (2014–present)
 bar:63 color:Now from:09/01/2014 till:end text:[[Tulsa Oilers]] (2014–present)
 bar:64 color:Now from:09/01/2014 till:end text:[[Wichita Thunder]] (2014–present)
 bar:65 color:Now from:09/01/2017 till:09/01/2020 text:[[Worcester Railers]] (2017–present)
 bar:65 color:Suspended from:09/01/2020 till:07/01/2021
 bar:65 color:Now from:07/01/2021 till:end
 bar:66 color:Past from:09/01/2018 till:04/02/2024 text:[[Newfoundland Growlers]] (2018–2024)
 bar:66 color:Suspended from:09/01/2020 till:07/01/2021
 bar:66 color:Past from:07/01/2021 till:04/02/2024

 bar:67 color:Now from:09/01/2021 till:end shift:(-50) text:[[Iowa Heartlanders]] (2021–present)
 bar:68 color:Now from:09/01/2021 till:end shift:(-50) text:[[Trois-Rivières Lions]] (2021–present)
 bar:69 color:Now from:09/01/2022 till:end shift:(-50) text:[[Savannah Ghost Pirates]] (2022–present)
 bar:70 color:Now from:09/01/2024 till:end shift:(-70) text:[[Bloomington Bison]] (2024–present)
 bar:71 color:Now from:09/01/2024 till:end shift:(-90) text:[[Tahoe Knight Monsters]] (2024–present)
 bar:72 color:Now from:09/01/2025 till:end shift:(-110) text:[[Greensboro Gargoyles]] (2025–present)
 bar:73 color:Future from:09/01/2026 till:end shift:(-130) text:[[New Mexico Goatheads]] (2026–onwards)
 bar:74 color:Future from:09/01/2027 till:end shift:(-150) text:[[Augusta Pro Hockey Club|Augusta]] (2027–onwards)

ScaleMajor = gridcolor:line unit:year increment:5 start:1990
</timeline>

==Kelly Cup playoff format==
For the [[2012–13 ECHL season|2012–13 season]], eight teams still qualify in the Eastern Conference: the three division winners plus the next five teams in the conference. With the addition of the expansion franchise in [[San Francisco Bulls|San Francisco]], the Board of Governors changed the Western Conference seeding such that eight teams qualify: two division winners and the next six teams in the conference. This eliminated the Western Conference first-round bye.<ref name="BOG preseason 2012">{{cite web |last=Press release |date=September 27, 2012 |title=Board of Governors approves playoff format, reserve list |url=http://echl.com/board-of-governors-approves-playoff-format-reserve-list-p179383 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120930232132/http://www.echl.com/board-of-governors-approves-playoff-format-reserve-list-p179383 |archive-date=September 30, 2012 |publisher=ECHL}}</ref>

Similar to the [[National Hockey League]] (NHL) at the time, the division winners were seeded as the top three seeds in the Eastern Conference and the top two seeds in the Western Conference; the conference winner faced the eighth seed, second faces seventh, third faces sixth and fourth faces fifth in the conference quarterfinal round. The winner of the 1st/8th series played the winner of the 4th/5th series while the 2nd/7th winner played against the 3rd/6th winner in the conference semifinal series. The Board of Governors also elected to change the playoff format such that all rounds of the playoffs are now best of seven series.<ref name="BOG preseason 2012" /> For 2012–13, the Conference Finals and Kelly Cup Finals used a two-referee system.<ref name="BOG2012" />

Because of the late addition of the CHL teams for the [[2014–15 ECHL season|2014–15 season]] and its subsequent conference alignment, the top four teams in each division qualified for the playoffs and the first two playoff rounds were played within the divisions.<ref name="2014meeting">{{cite web |title=Annual ECHL Board of Governors Meeting Concludes |url=http://echl.com/annual-echl-board-of-governors-meeting-concludes-p192602 |website=ECHL |access-date=June 24, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140625204931/http://echl.com/annual-echl-board-of-governors-meeting-concludes-p192602 |archive-date=June 25, 2014 |date=June 24, 2014}}</ref>

For the realignment prior to the [[2015–16 ECHL season|2015–16 season]], the playoffs changed once again to a six-division format. At the end of the regular season, the top team in each division qualified for the playoffs and be seeded either 1, 2, or 3 based on the highest point total earned in the season. Then the five non-division winning teams with the highest point totals in each conference qualified for the playoffs and be seeded 4 through 8. All four rounds will be a best-of-seven format.<ref name="2015 ECHL Alignment">{{Cite web |date=February 3, 2015 |title=Alignment, Playoff Format Announced for 2015-16 SEASON |url=http://www.echl.com/alignment-playoff-format-announced-for-2015-16-season-p196093 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150507151643/http://www.echl.com/alignment-playoff-format-announced-for-2015-16-season-p196093 |archive-date=May 7, 2015 |access-date=June 29, 2015 |publisher=ECHL}}</ref>

The alignment changed back to four divisions for the [[2016–17 ECHL season|2016–17 season]], but the playoffs kept the divisional format. The top four teams in each division qualify for the playoffs and play in the division for the first two rounds. After the division finals, the winners then play the conference finals, which are followed by the Kelly Cup finals.

==ECHL Hall of Fame==
{{Main|ECHL Hall of Fame}}
In celebration of the league's 20th year of play, the ECHL Board of Governors created the ECHL Hall of Fame in 2008, to recognize the achievements of players, coaches, and personnel who dedicated their careers to the league.

==See also==
*[[Kelly Cup]]
*[[ECHL All-Star Game]]
*[[List of ECHL seasons]]
*[[List of developmental and minor sports leagues]]
*[[List of ice hockey leagues]]

==Notes==
{{notelist}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
{{commons category}}
* {{Official website}}

{{ECHL}}
{{ECHL seasons}}
{{ECHL Arenas}}
{{NAProHockey}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Echl}}
[[Category:ECHL| ]]
[[Category:Minor league ice hockey]]
[[Category:Professional ice hockey leagues in Canada]]
[[Category:Ice hockey in New Jersey]]
[[Category:Organizations based in Princeton, New Jersey]]
[[Category:Sports leagues established in 1988]]
[[Category:1988 establishments in North America]]
[[Category:Professional ice hockey leagues in the United States]]
[[Category:Multi-national sports leagues]]
[[Category:Third-tier ice hockey leagues]]
[[Category:Multi-national ice hockey leagues in North America]]