Wikipedia

2018–19 ECHL season

The 2018–19 ECHL season was the 31st season of the ECHL. The regular season was scheduled to run from October 12, 2018, to April 7, 2019, with the Kelly Cup playoffs to follow. Twenty-seven teams in 20 states and two Canadian provinces each play a 72-game schedule. The Kelly Cup was won by the Newfoundland Growlers in their inaugural season over the Toledo Walleye.

2018–19 ECHL season
LeagueECHL
SportIce hockey
DurationOctober 12, 2018 – April 7, 2019
Regular season
Brabham CupCincinnati Cyclones
Season MVPJesse Schultz (Cincinnati)
Top scorerJesse Schultz (Cincinnati)
Playoffs
Eastern championsNewfoundland Growlers
  Eastern runners-upFlorida Everblades
Western championsToledo Walleye
  Western runners-upTulsa Oilers
Playoffs MVPZach O'Brien (Newfoundland)
Kelly Cup
ChampionsNewfoundland Growlers
  Runners-upToledo Walleye
ECHL seasons

League business

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League changes

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After serving as league commissioner for 16 seasons, Brian McKenna, stepped down from the position following the 2017–18 season.[1] He was replaced by Ryan Crelin, who had most recently been serving as the ECHL's chief operating officer.[2]

Team changes

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Conference realignment

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As the new ECHL teams in Portland, Maine, and St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, were added to the North Division of the Eastern Conference, the Wheeling Nailers were moved to the Western Conference and Central Division. With the Colorado Eagles joining the American Hockey League, the Kansas City Mavericks moved back to the Mountain Division from the Central.[7]

Affiliation changes

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ECHL team New affiliates Former affiliates
Allen Americans Minnesota Wild (NHL)
Iowa Wild (AHL) 		San Jose Sharks (NHL)
San Jose Barracuda (AHL)
Brampton Beast[9] Ottawa Senators (NHL)
Belleville Senators (AHL) 		Montreal Canadiens (NHL)
Laval Rocket (AHL)
Fort Wayne Komets Vegas Golden Knights (NHL)
Chicago Wolves (AHL)[10] 		Arizona Coyotes (NHL)
Tucson Roadrunners (AHL)[11]
Greenville Swamp Rabbits Independent New York Rangers (NHL)
Hartford Wolf Pack (AHL)
Maine Mariners New York Rangers (NHL)
Hartford Wolf Pack (AHL)[12] 		Dormant
Newfoundland Growlers Toronto Maple Leafs (NHL)
Toronto Marlies (AHL)[13] 		Expansion team
Norfolk Admirals Arizona Coyotes (NHL)
Tucson Roadrunners (AHL) 		Independent
Orlando Solar Bears Tampa Bay Lightning (NHL)
Syracuse Crunch (AHL) 		Toronto Maple Leafs (NHL)
Toronto Marlies (AHL)
Tulsa Oilers San Antonio Rampage (AHL) No AHL affiliate
Rapid City Rush Independent[14] Minnesota Wild (NHL)
Iowa Wild (AHL)[15]
Utah Grizzlies Colorado Avalanche (NHL)
Colorado Eagles (AHL)[16] 		Anaheim Ducks (NHL)
San Diego Gulls (AHL)

Annual Board of Governors meeting

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The annual ECHL Board of Governors meeting was held at the New York-New York Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada, from June 18 to 22, 2018.[17]

All-star game

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The 2019 CCM/ECHL All-Star Classic was held on January 21, 2019, at the Huntington Center in Toledo, Ohio.[18] The All-Star Classic retained the four team, 3-on-3 player tournament style used the previous season, but featured two teams made from the Toledo Walleye (named Team Hooks and Team Fins) and one team for each conference's All-Star players. In the round-robin, the Western Conference and Team Fins each went 2–1, while the Eastern Conference and Team Hooks went 1–2. In the semifinal round, the Eastern Conference defeated the Western Conference 4–3 and Team Fins defeated the Team Hooks 3–1. The Eastern Conference All-Star team then defeated Team Fins 2–1 following a shootout. The Brampton Beast's David Pacan was named the tournament's Most Valuable Player.[19]

The skills competition took place in between rounds of the tournament. The Toledo Walleye's Bryan Moore won the fastest skater event, the Walleye's A.J. Jenks won the hardest shot event, and the Brampton Beast's David Pacan won the accuracy shooting event.[19]

Standings

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Final standings:[20]

Eastern Conference
North Division GP W L OTL SOL GF GA PTS
y – Newfoundland Growlers (TOR) 72 43 21 4 4 258 207 94
x – Adirondack Thunder (NJD) 72 37 26 6 3 234 220 83
x – Manchester Monarchs (LAK) 72 39 29 2 2 233 232 82
x – Brampton Beast (OTT) 72 36 29 5 2 241 217 79
Reading Royals (PHI) 72 34 28 4 6 229 229 78
Maine Mariners (NYR) 72 37 32 2 1 221 247 77
Worcester Railers (NYI) 72 32 29 7 4 196 226 75
South Division GP W L OTL SOL GF GA PTS
y – Florida Everblades (CAR) 72 50 16 5 1 276 181 106
x – Orlando Solar Bears (TBL) 72 41 25 5 1 251 238 88
x – South Carolina Stingrays (WSH) 72 35 31 5 1 221 223 76
x – Jacksonville Icemen (WPG) 72 36 32 2 2 198 217 76
Atlanta Gladiators (BOS) 72 31 30 8 3 197 211 73
Norfolk Admirals (ARI) 72 27 36 6 3 218 278 63
Greenville Swamp Rabbits (Ind.) 72 25 41 3 3 192 254 56
Western Conference
Central Division GP W L OTL SOL GF GA PTS
z – Cincinnati Cyclones (BUF) 72 51 13 5 3 282 176 110
x – Toledo Walleye (DET) 72 40 23 6 3 237 221 89
x – Fort Wayne Komets (VGK) 72 36 26 4 6 233 248 82
x – Kalamazoo Wings (VAN) 72 36 31 2 3 229 254 77
Indy Fuel (CHI) 72 35 32 2 3 230 247 75
Wheeling Nailers (PIT) 72 31 31 6 4 239 240 72
Mountain Division GP W L OTL SOL GF GA PTS
y – Tulsa Oilers (STL) 72 42 24 4 2 236 198 90
x – Idaho Steelheads (DAL) 72 41 25 4 2 241 203 88
x – Utah Grizzlies (COL) 72 37 26 4 5 232 218 83
x – Kansas City Mavericks (CGY) 72 36 30 4 2 234 228 78
Wichita Thunder (EDM) 72 29 31 9 3 224 251 70
Rapid City Rush (Ind.) 72 30 33 5 4 168 225 69
Allen Americans (MIN) 72 25 41 4 2 208 269 56

 x  - clinched playoff spot,  y  - clinched regular season division title,  z  - Brabham Cup (regular season) champion

Statistical leaders

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Scoring leaders

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The following players are sorted by points, then goals.

'GP = Games played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points; PIM = Penalty minutes

Player Team GP G A Pts PIM
Jesse Schultz Cincinnati Cyclones 71 22 58 80 20
Adam Pleskach Tulsa Oilers 72 38 37 75 74
Chris McCarthy Reading Royals 72 20 54 74 23
Caleb Herbert Utah Grizzlies 60 32 39 71 88
David Pacan Brampton Beast 72 28 41 70 42
James Henry Adirondack Thunder 72 15 54 69 63
Zach O'Brien Newfoundland Growlers 53 28 40 68 6
Andrew Cherniwchan South Carolina Stingrays 72 29 38 67 129
Zac Lynch Wheeling Nailers 67 17 50 67 100
Myles Powell Cincinnati Cyclones 57 31 35 66 24

Leading goaltenders

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The following goaltenders with a minimum 1500 minutes played lead the league in goals against average.

GP = Games played; TOI = Time on ice (in minutes); SA = Shots against; GA = Goals against; SO = Shutouts; GAA = Goals against average; SV% = Save percentage; W = Wins; L = Losses; OTL = Overtime/shootout loss

Player Team GP TOI SA GA SO GAA SV% W L OTL
Matt Tomkins Indy Fuel 54 3221 1713 163 2 3.04 .905 32 19 5
Ty Reichenbach Norfolk Admirals 51 2974 1761 184 1 3.71 .896 22 22 6
Sean Bonar Atlanta Gladiators 48 2742 1358 110 4 2.41 .919 25 17 6
Jake Hildebrand Kalamazoo Wings 46 2447 1328 146 1 3.58 .890 23 18 2
Charles Williams Manchester Monarchs 45 2609 1465 118 3 2.71 .919 28 14 3

Postseason

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Playoffs format

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At the end of the regular season, the top four teams in each division qualifies for the 2019 Kelly Cup playoffs and be seeded one through four based on highest point total earned in the season. Then the first two rounds of the playoffs are held within the division with the first seed facing the fourth seed and the second seed facing the third. The division champions then play each other in a conference championship. The Kelly Cup finals pits the Eastern Conference champion against the Western Conference champion. All four rounds are a best-of-seven format.[21]

Bracket

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Division Semifinals Division Finals Conference Finals Kelly Cup Finals
            
N1 Newfoundland Growlers 4
N4 Brampton Beast 2
N1 Newfoundland Growlers 4
North Division
N3 Manchester Monarchs 2
N2 Adirondack Thunder 1
N3 Manchester Monarchs 4
N1 Newfoundland Growlers 4
Eastern Conference
S1 Florida Everblades 1
S1 Florida Everblades 4
S4 Jacksonville Icemen 2
S1 Florida Everblades 4
South Division
S2 Orlando Solar Bears 1
S2 Orlando Solar Bears 4
S3 South Carolina Stingrays 1
N1 Newfoundland Growlers 4
C2 Toledo Walleye 2
C1 Cincinnati Cyclones 4
C4 Kalamazoo Wings 2
C1 Cincinnati Cyclones 1
Central Division
C2 Toledo Walleye 4
C2 Toledo Walleye 4
C3 Fort Wayne Komets 2
C2 Toledo Walleye 4
Western Conference
M1 Tulsa Oilers 3
M1 Tulsa Oilers 4
M4 Kansas City Mavericks 3
M1 Tulsa Oilers 4
Mountain Division
M2 Idaho Steelheads 2
M2 Idaho Steelheads 4
M3 Utah Grizzlies 1


Awards

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See also: ECHL awards
Award Winner
Patrick Kelly Cup: Newfoundland Growlers
Henry Brabham Cup: Cincinnati Cyclones
Gingher Memorial Trophy: Newfoundland Growlers
Bruce Taylor Trophy: Toledo Walleye
John Brophy Award: Matt Thomas, Cincinnati
CCM Most Valuable Player: Jesse Schultz, Cincinnati
Kelly Cup Playoffs Most Valuable Player: Zach O'Brien, Newfoundland
Warrior Hockey Goaltender of the Year: Michael Houser, Cincinnati
CCM Rookie of the Year: Chris Collins, Kalamazoo
CCM Defenseman of the Year: Eric Knodel, Cincinnati
Leading Scorer: Jesse Schultz, Cincinnati
AMI Graphics Plus Performer Award: Joe Cox, Florida
Sportsmanship Award: Zach O'Brien, Newfoundland
Community Service Award: James Henry, Adirondack
Birmingham Memorial Award: Patrick Richardson

All-ECHL teams

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First Team[22]

Second Team[22]

Rookie Team[23]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "ECHL COMMISSIONER BRIAN MCKENNA TO STEP DOWN FOLLOWING 2017-18 SEASON". ECHL. February 7, 2018. Archived from the original on May 30, 2018. Retrieved May 29, 2018.
  2. ^ "Crelin to Succeed McKenna as ECHL Commissioner". OurSportsCentral.com. May 29, 2018.
  3. ^ "Colorado Eagles moving to AHL to become top Avalanche affiliate". Fort Collins Coloradoan. October 10, 2017.
  4. ^ "AHL Awards Expansion Membership to Colorado Eagles" (Press release). American Hockey League. October 10, 2017.
  5. ^ "Alaska Aces to Cease Operations at Conclusion of 2016-17 Season". KTUU-TV. February 23, 2017. Retrieved February 23, 2017.
  6. ^ "Portland lands a pro hockey team for the fall of 2018". Portland Press Herald. June 15, 2017.
  7. ^ a b "BOARD OF GOVERNORS APPROVES CHANGES FOR 2018-19 SEASON". ECHL. March 13, 2018. Retrieved February 8, 2019.
  8. ^ "Quad-City Mallards to cease operations at end of season". Quad-City Times. March 13, 2018.
  9. ^ "Senators announce affiliation agreement with ECHL's Brampton Beast". NHL.com. September 25, 2018.
  10. ^ "Fort Wayne Komets Named Golden Knights ECHL Affiliate". NHL.com. August 21, 2018. Retrieved August 21, 2018.
  11. ^ "Fort Wayne Komets, Arizona Coyotes and Tucson Roadrunners end affiliation". The News-Sentinel. June 18, 2018.
  12. ^ "Maine Mariners announce affiliation with New York Rangers". Marinersofmaine.com. April 9, 2018.
  13. ^ "Newfoundland Growlers Announce Affiliation with Toronto Maple Leafs & Toronto Marlies". The Newfoundland Herald. June 14, 2018.
  14. ^ "Rush hit the track to start training camp". Rapid City Journal. October 1, 2018.
  15. ^ "Rush and Wild Part Ways". OurSportsCentral.com. June 29, 2018.
  16. ^ "GRIZZLIES TO ANNOUNCE COLORADO AVALANCHE AFFILIATION THURSDAY". Utah Grizzlies. June 25, 2018.
  17. ^ "2018 ECHL HOCKEY SUMMER MEETINGS PRESENTED BY FEVO TO BE HELD JUNE 18-22 IN LAS VEGAS". ECHL. April 16, 2018. Archived from the original on April 17, 2018. Retrieved April 16, 2018.
  18. ^ "TOLEDO WALLEYE TO HOST 2019 CCM/ECHL ALL-STAR CLASSIC". ECHL. April 8, 2017. Archived from the original on March 14, 2018. Retrieved March 13, 2018.
  19. ^ a b "EASTERN CONFERENCE WINS 2019 CCM/ECHL ALL-STAR CLASSIC CHAMPIONSHIP". ECHL. January 21, 2019.
  20. ^ "ECHL Standings - Division". ECHL. Retrieved April 8, 2019.
  21. ^ "Kelly Cup Playoffs". ECHL. Retrieved February 8, 2019.
  22. ^ a b "2017–18 All-ECHL First and Second Teams Announced". ECHL. April 4, 2019.
  23. ^ "ECHL Announces 2018-19 All-Rookie Team". ECHL. April 3, 2018.
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