2014–15 ECHL season

Ice hockey league season January 2024 2014–15 ECHL season ECHL Ice hockey October 17, 2014 – April 11, 2015 Regular season Brabham Cup Toledo Walleye Jeff Jakaitis (South Carolina) CCM Most Valuable Player Chad Costello (Allen) ECHL Leading Scorer Award Playoffs 2015 Kelly Cup playoffs Eastern South Carolina Stingrays Toledo Walleye Western Allen Americans Ontario Reign Kelly Cup 2015 Kelly Cup playoffs#Kelly Cup Finals Allen Americans South Carolina Stingrays Greger Hanson (Allen) 2015–16 2013–14 ECHL The 2014–15 ECHL season was the 27th season of the ECHL. The regular season schedule ran from October 17, 2014, to April 11, 2015,"ECHL releases 2014-15 schedule" https://web.archive.org/web/20140903023300/http://www.echl.com/echl-releases-2014-15-schedule-p192442 2014-09-03 , ECHL, June 4, 2014. (accessed 15 June 2014) with the Kelly Cup playoffs following. Twenty-eight teams in 20 states and one Canadian province each played a 72-game schedule. Ten days prior to the start of the season, the league was significantly expanded on October 7, 2014, after the ECHL had accepted the Central Hockey League's remaining seven teams as members for the 2014–15 season."ECHL Accepts Seven New Members" https://web.archive.org/web/20141009113029/http://www.echl.com/echl-accepts-seven-new-members-p194005 2014-10-09 , ECHL, October 7, 2014. (accessed 13 October 2014) League business Team changes The expansion Indy Fuel began play at the Fairgrounds Coliseum in Indianapolis, Indiana.Wilson, Phillip B. "Indy Fuel sign affiliation deal with Chicago Blackhawks", The Indianapolis Star, April 1, 2014. (accessed 15 June 2014) The Las Vegas Wranglers voluntarily suspended operations in May 2014 to allow the team time to secure a new home arena. The team's lease with the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas was not renewed after the 2013–14 season.Guillermo, Matt. "Venue flux to sideline Las Vegas Wranglers next season" https://web.archive.org/web/20180321131655/http://www.fox5vegas.com/story/25569092/venue-flux-to-sideline-las-vegas-wranglers-next-season 2018-03-21 , KVVU-TV, May 20, 2014. (accessed 15 June 2014) In January 2015, the team announced that they would not be returning and had withdrawn their membership from the ECHL at the Mid-season Board of Governors Meeting.http://echl.com/echl-board-of-governors-announces-major-moves-p196041 The ECHL - Premier 'AA' Hockey League ECHL Board of Governors announces major moves 2015-01-30 https://web.archive.org/web/20150202021239/http://www.echl.com/echl-board-of-governors-announces-major-moves-p196041 2015-02-02 dead Shortly before the season began on October 17, 2014, the ECHL expanded with seven new teams as a result of accepting the Central Hockey League's remaining seven teams as members. The Allen Americans, Brampton Beast, Missouri Mavericks, Quad City Mallards, Rapid City Rush, Tulsa Oilers and Wichita Thunder formed a new Central Division in the Western Conference. This entirely replaced a previously planned Midwest Division, which in turn reassigned the Colorado Eagles to the Western Conference's Pacific Division and sent Evansville, Fort Wayne, Kalamazoo and Indy to the Eastern Conference's North Division. Within the Eastern Conference the Elmira Jackals and Reading Royals were reassigned to the former South Division, which was renamed the East Division. New affiliations and changes ECHL team New affiliates Former affiliates Alaska Aces Minnesota Wild (NHL)St. Louis Blues (NHL)Iowa Wild (AHL) Calgary Flames (NHL)Abbotsford Heat (AHL) Allen Americans San Jose Sharks (NHL)Worcester Sharks (AHL) Unaffiliated in CHL Brampton BeastUnaffiliated from CHL Colorado Eagles Calgary Flames (NHL)Adirondack Flames (AHL) Independent Elmira Jackals Buffalo Sabres (NHL)Rochester Americans (AHL) Ottawa Senators (NHL)Binghamton Senators (AHL) Evansville IceMen Ottawa Senators (NHL)Binghamton Senators (AHL) Columbus Blue Jackets (NHL)Springfield Falcons (AHL) Fort Wayne Komets Colorado Avalanche (NHL)Lake Erie Monsters (AHL) Independent Indy Fuel Chicago Blackhawks (NHL)Rockford IceHogs (AHL) Expansion team Kalamazoo Wings Columbus Blue Jackets (NHL)Springfield Falcons (AHL) St. Louis Blues (NHL) Missouri MavericksChicago Wolves (AHL) since 2011 in CHL Orlando Solar Bears Minnesota Wild (NHL)Iowa Wild (AHL) Quad City Mallards Minnesota Wild (NHL)Iowa Wild (AHL) Wild affiliation in CHL since 2013 Rapid City RushUnaffiliated from CHL Reading Royals Philadelphia Flyers (NHL)Lehigh Valley Phantoms (AHL) Washington Capitals (NHL)Hershey Bears (AHL) South Carolina Stingrays Washington Capitals (NHL)Hershey Bears (AHL) Toledo Walleye Detroit Red Wings (NHL) Grand Rapids Griffins (AHL) Chicago Blackhawks (NHL)Rockford IceHogs (AHL) Tulsa OilersUnaffiliated from CHL Wichita ThunderUnaffiliated from CHL Annual Board of Governors meeting The annual ECHL Board of Governors meeting was held at the Monte Carlo Resort and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada, in June 2014. Conferences were significantly re-aligned in light of recent team changes. In the Eastern Conference, the three-team Atlantic Division was eliminated while the Mountain Division in the Western Conference was eliminated to make way for a new Midwest Division. The Evansville IceMen, Fort Wayne Komets and Kalamazoo Wings were moved to the Western Conference to compete in the Midwest Division with the Colorado Eagles and expansion Indy Fuel."Annual ECHL Board of Governors Meeting concludes" https://web.archive.org/web/20140625204931/http://echl.com/annual-echl-board-of-governors-meeting-concludes-p192602 2014-06-25 , ECHL, June 24, 2014. (accessed 24 June 2014) This was significantly revised after the CHL merger in October 2014, with the newly created Midwest Division eliminated in favor of a Central Division consisting of the former CHL teams. Along with Indy, Evansville, Fort Wayne and Kalamazoo were moved back to the Eastern Conference. The ECHL Board of Governors also re-elected Gwinnett Gladiators president Steve Chapman as chairman and approved changes to the icing rule similar to those previously implemented by the National Hockey League. All-star game The annual ECHL All-Star Classic was held on January 21, 2015, at the Amway Center in Orlando, Florida. The format for the 2015 All-star Game featured the Orlando Solar Bears taking on the ECHL All-stars."2015 CCM/ECHL ALL-STAR CLASSIC PRESENTED BY VISIT ORLANDO" https://web.archive.org/web/20140809210120/http://orlandosolarbearshockey.com/news/081213-allstargame.php 2014-08-09 , Orlando Solar Bears. (accessed 15 June 2014) The ECHL All-stars won the game with a score of 8-4 and the game had the largest ECHL all-star game attendance since 2000.http://echl.com/echl-all-stars-defeat-orlando-8-4-p195901 The ECHL - Premier 'AA' Hockey League ECHL All-Stars defeat Orlando 8-4 2015-01-30 https://web.archive.org/web/20150124195826/http://www.echl.com/echl-all-stars-defeat-orlando-8-4-p195901 2015-01-24 dead 2015 Kelly Cup Playoffs format At the end of the regular season the top four teams in each division qualified for the 2015 Kelly Cup Playoffs. The first two playoff rounds were played entirely within the divisions, with the divisional playoff champions facing each other in the conference championships. The Kelly Cup final pitted the Eastern Conference champion against the Western Conference champion. All four rounds were a best-of-seven format. Standings Due to accepting the Central Hockey League's remaining seven teams as members, the league's conference alignment changed on October 9, 2014, moving the Colorado Eagles to the Pacific Division and moving the seven former CHL squads into the Western Conference as the Central Division. The Midwest Division dissolved, with its remaining teams joining the North Division. To make room for the four Midwest teams, the Reading Royals and Elmira Jackals left the North Division for the South, which was then renamed the East Division. Final Regular Season Standings2014-15 Regular Season - Division http://echl.com/stats/statdisplay.php?type=standings&subType=0&season_id=33&tournament_id=0&leagueId=1&division_id=3&confId=0 ECHL dead https://web.archive.org/web/20141109213826/http://echl.com/stats/statdisplay.php?type=standings&subType=0&season_id=33&tournament_id=0&leagueId=1&division_id=3&confId=0 2014-11-09 Eastern Conference North Division GP Games played W Wins L Losses OTL Overtime losses SOL Shootout loss GF Goals for GA Goals against PTS Points z – Toledo Walleye (DET) 72 50 15 5 2 281 182 107 x – Fort Wayne Komets (COL) 72 48 18 2 4 251 200 102 x – Kalamazoo Wings (CBJ/VAN) 72 36 30 3 3 226 233 78 x – Wheeling Nailers (MTL/PIT) 72 37 33 1 1 210 213 76 Cincinnati Cyclones (FLA/NSH) 72 31 30 2 9 195 212 73 Indy Fuel (CHI) 72 31 30 4 7 197 221 73 Evansville IceMen (OTT) 72 15 48 6 3 169 271 39 East Division GP Games played W Wins L Losses OTL Overtime losses SOL Shootout loss GF Goals for GA Goals against PTS Points y – Florida Everblades (CAR/TB) 72 49 16 2 5 267 208 105 x – South Carolina Stingrays (BOS/WSH) 72 45 20 1 6 224 163 97 x – Reading Royals (PHI) 72 45 21 4 2 259 210 96 x – Orlando Solar Bears (TOR) 72 37 25 6 4 236 215 84 Greenville Road Warriors (NYR) 72 39 29 1 3 216 215 82 Elmira Jackals (BUF) 72 32 33 0 7 186 217 71 Gwinnett Gladiators (ARZ) 72 20 45 3 4 174 263 47 Western Conference Central Division GP Games played W Wins L Losses OTL Overtime losses SOL Shootout loss GF Goals for GA Goals against PTS Points y – Allen Americans (SJ) 72 48 14 6 4 292 203 106 x – Rapid City Rush (Ind. Independent/unaffiliated) 72 37 28 2 5 218 206 81 x – Quad City Mallards (MIN) 72 37 28 4 3 205 186 81 x – Tulsa Oilers (Ind. Independent/unaffiliated) 72 37 29 3 3 248 244 80 Wichita Thunder (Ind. Independent/unaffiliated) 72 32 31 2 7 213 240 73 Missouri Mavericks (AHL-CHI) 72 28 35 5 4 192 231 65 Brampton Beast (Ind. Independent/unaffiliated) 72 23 46 3 0 181 298 49 Pacific Division GP Games played W Wins L Losses OTL Overtime losses SOL Shootout loss GF Goals for GA Goals against PTS Points y – Idaho Steelheads (DAL) 72 48 18 2 4 258 187 102 x – Ontario Reign (LA/WPG) 72 43 19 4 6 239 184 96 x – Colorado Eagles (CGY) 72 41 23 4 4 236 209 90 x – Utah Grizzlies (ANA) 72 37 27 5 3 213 219 82 Alaska Aces (MIN/STL) 72 35 30 3 4 237 233 77 Bakersfield Condors (EDM) 72 26 38 3 5 202 265 60 Stockton Thunder (NYI) 72 21 49 1 1 199 296 44 #bbffbb x darkgray - clinched playoff spot, #ffeeaa y darkgray - clinched regular season division title, #FFFF00 z darkgray - Brabham Cup (regular season) champion Postseason 2015 Kelly Cup playoffs Awards ECHL awards Award Winner Patrick Kelly Cup: Allen Americans Henry Brabham Cup: Toledo Walleye Gingher Memorial Trophy: South Carolina Stingrays Bruce Taylor Trophy: Allen Americans John Brophy Award: Derek Lalonde, Toledo Walleye CCM Most Valuable Player: Jeff Jakaitis, South Carolina Stingrays Kelly Cup Playoffs Most Valuable Player: Greger Hanson, Allen Americans Warrior Hockey Goaltender of the Year: Jeff Jakaitis, South Carolina Stingrays CCM Rookie of the Year: Tyler Barnes, Toledo Walleye CCM Defenseman of the Year: Mike Little, Florida Everblades Leading Scorer: Chad Costello, Allen Americans AMI Graphics Plus Performer Award: Drew Daniels, Fort Wayne KometsMike Little, Florida Everblades Sportsmanship Award: Chad Costello, Allen Americans Community Service Award: Cal Wild, Brampton Beast Birmingham Memorial Award: Scott Senger All-ECHL Teams All-First Teamhttp://www.echl.com/all-echl-first-team-announced-p197294 ALL-ECHL FIRST TEAM ANNOUNCED ECHL April 9, 2015 April 23, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150419153204/http://www.echl.com/all-echl-first-team-announced-p197294 April 19, 2015 dead Jeff Jakaitis (G) – South Carolina Stingrays Mike Little (D) – Florida Everblades Matthew Register (D) – Ontario Reign Chad Costello (F) – Allen Americans Wade MacLeod (F) – Idaho Steelheads Shawn Szydlowski (F) – Fort Wayne Komets All-Second Teamhttp://www.echl.com/all-echl-second-team-announced-p197295 ALL-ECHL SECOND TEAM ANNOUNCED ECHL April 9, 2015 April 23, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150412223923/http://www.echl.com/all-echl-second-team-announced-p197295 April 12, 2015 dead Jeff Lerg (G) – Toledo Walleye Cameron Burt (D) – Florida Everblades Aaron Gens (D) – Allen Americans Adam Brace (F) – Florida Everblades Brendan Connolly (F) – Alaska Aces Gary Steffes (F) – Allen Americans All-Rookie Teamhttp://www.echl.com/echl-announces-2014-15-all-rookie-team-p197273 ECHL ANNOUNCES 2014-15 ALL-ROOKIE TEAM ECHL April 8, 2015 April 23, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150412023919/http://www.echl.com/echl-announces-2014-15-all-rookie-team-p197273 April 12, 2015 dead Roman Will (G) – Fort Wayne Komets Justin Baker (D) – Allen Americans Steven Shamanski (D) – Elmira Jackals Derek Army (F) – Wheeling Nailers Tyler Barnes (F) – Toledo Walleye Jason Bast (F) – Idaho Steelheads See also List of ECHL seasons 2014 in sports 2015 in sports References 2014-15 3 3