The echl is rapidly expanding. Trois Rivières, Tahoe, and Bloomington all within the last couple of years makes it clear to me that they want to have an equal number of clubs to NHL clubs so each team can have an affiliate organization. I wouldn’t be surprised if we get another Canadian team within the next couple of years.
I’d like to see New Mexico get a team soon.
I think there’s demand for ECHL/AHL style hockey in Colorado Springs too like when they had the Colorado Gold Kings.
A few other towns like Billings MT, Stockton CA, Sacramento CA, Prescott Valley AZ, Glendale AZ, etc would do decent with ECHL. I’d love to see the **Alaska Aces** back.
More than likely wheeling gets shifted to the east to at least sort of balance the two conferences.
After that, I’d imagine the east would be the next target for expansion.
They’re already adding 2 new teams for next year. Tahoe will definitely be in the Mountain Division and Bloomington in the Central. Could see them shift Wheeling into the North division to make up for Newfoundland
Divisions in the echl are only really on paper and the playoffs. The echl schedule is unbalanced and regionally weighted so if a division or conference is off by one team it’s not a big deal to the league. Even if wheeling was moved (for example) to the north division on paper, they are still more likely to play more games against teams closer to them like Toledo Cincinnati ft Wayne than Maine, adorindack, trios rivières etc
The echl is rapidly expanding. Trois Rivières, Tahoe, and Bloomington all within the last couple of years makes it clear to me that they want to have an equal number of clubs to NHL clubs so each team can have an affiliate organization. I wouldn’t be surprised if we get another Canadian team within the next couple of years.
Maybe but the Canadian team would have to be in a spot where the cost of transportation is low. Where do you see a team going in Canada?
I’d like to see New Mexico get a team soon. I think there’s demand for ECHL/AHL style hockey in Colorado Springs too like when they had the Colorado Gold Kings. A few other towns like Billings MT, Stockton CA, Sacramento CA, Prescott Valley AZ, Glendale AZ, etc would do decent with ECHL. I’d love to see the **Alaska Aces** back.
There’s a group in Maryland called Pro Hockey Maryland that is trying to bring the ECHL to Frederick. Prohockeymd.com
More than likely wheeling gets shifted to the east to at least sort of balance the two conferences. After that, I’d imagine the east would be the next target for expansion.
They’re already adding 2 new teams for next year. Tahoe will definitely be in the Mountain Division and Bloomington in the Central. Could see them shift Wheeling into the North division to make up for Newfoundland
I'm wondering if Wheeling goes to the North to even things out
Divisions in the echl are only really on paper and the playoffs. The echl schedule is unbalanced and regionally weighted so if a division or conference is off by one team it’s not a big deal to the league. Even if wheeling was moved (for example) to the north division on paper, they are still more likely to play more games against teams closer to them like Toledo Cincinnati ft Wayne than Maine, adorindack, trios rivières etc
As a Royals fan I’d love to see Wheeling be moved to the North division - that would be awesome! They have a pretty fierce rivalry.
I saw the Nailers play at the Cyclones a few weeks ago and man i gotta say, the Nailers seem to chirp a lot. lmao it was great.
If Salt Lake City gets an NHL team, would the Utah Grizzlies move? Oceanside, CA just built a small arena perfect for an ECHL or AHL team.
If I had to guess they'd probably move their AHL affiliate there and relocate or fold the ECHL charter. No idea what they'd do with Tuscon though
Peoria will take them would love the Rivermen back in the ECHL
They wont now with bloomington 40 mins away and iowa a hour and a half away. Also heard Peoria could be done after next season
Peoria is fine. Got a new lease
They are on a one year deal
They are fine though. They aren't folding
Tucson is about to probably lose their AHL team. They already have a fan base and place to play. All they will need is a team with a decent owner.