ECHL: 2024-25 End of Season Review | Savannah Ghost Pirates

Savannah Ghost Pirates fans endured a roller-coaster 2024–25 season—one that didn’t end the way anyone hoped, but featured enough flashes of promise to keep optimism alive. Finishing with a 31–34–6 record and 69 points (15 shy of a playoff spot), the Ghost Pirates fell short of expectations, yet several individual performances and team traits suggest that better days are on the horizon. In this article, we’ll break down exactly what worked and what didn’t for Savannah, highlighting areas of strength that can be built upon as well as the key weaknesses that must be addressed before the puck drops on 2025–26.

Throughout the season, certain players and systems shone when it mattered, proving that the organization’s affiliation with the Florida Panthers can—and should—translate into sustainable success. At the same time, nagging issues—most notably on special teams and in goal—undermined many efforts. By examining “What Worked” and “What Didn’t” on both offense and defense (including a separate look at goaltending), fans will gain a clear picture of where this club stands and how it can flip the script next fall. Let’s begin by celebrating the positives before diving into the areas that need the most attention.

Offense

What Worked

Devon Paliani emerged as a true scoring force, potting 32 goals (fourth in the ECHL) and contributing 27 assists for a 59-point season. Reece Vitelli also excelled as a playmaker, racking up 40 assists in only 57 games—fueling much of Savannah’s offense. Despite missing the playoffs, the Ghost Pirates still managed 226 total goals (13th in the league), showing that their top-end talent can compete with anyone. Finally, six of this year’s playoff teams had missed the postseason a season earlier—proof that offensive turnarounds can happen quickly.

What Needs Help

Savannah’s power play struggled mightily, converting just 18.8% of opportunities (52 goals). In tight games, those missed man-advantage chances cost valuable points. Depth scoring was also an issue: only nine skaters reached double-digit goals, and just two eclipsed 15 tallies. To challenge for a playoff spot next season, the Ghost Pirates must add more consistent secondary scoring beyond their top two forwards and vastly improve the efficiency of their power play.

Defense

What Worked

Savannah’s discipline was a major bright spot: the team amassed only 862 penalty minutes (12th-fewest in the ECHL) and killed off 83.9% of their penalties. That combination of few infractions and a stout penalty kill kept them competitive, even when down a skater. Dennis Cesana anchored the blue line, finishing tied for fifth among ECHL defensemen with 50 points (14 goals, 36 assists) and posting a +20 plus/minus—far ahead of any teammate. Being part of the Florida Panthers organization (alongside Charlotte) also bodes well for defensive depth; a winning culture and steady pipeline of prospects give Savannah every reason to believe its defense can grow stronger.

What Needs Help

While the overall penalty minutes were reasonable, team captain Logan Drevitch spent 119 minutes in the box—14% of Savannah’s total PIM. When your leader is shorthanded that often, it forces the penalty kill into overdrive and undermines defensive momentum. Next season, cleaner play from Drevitch will help ensure the penalty kill can focus on limiting goals rather than merely surviving.

By pairing improved goaltending with a cleaner, more efficient power play and deeper secondary scoring, the Ghost Pirates can turn their “good” offensive and defensive elements into a legitimate playoff push. If Drevitch can cut down his penalty minutes and Savannah lands a reliable starter between the pipes, close losses will convert into wins. With Paliani, Vitelli, Cesana, and a disciplined penalty kill as building blocks—and the Panthers’ pipeline fueling roster upgrades—Savannah has all the ingredients for a significantly better 2025–2026 campaign. Fans will get their first look at the revamped squad on October 17th against Norfolk—prepare for a fresh start and renewed optimism.

Goaltending

Goaltending proved to be Savannah’s Achilles heel: no Ghost Pirates netminder posted a .900+ save percentage, joining only Maine and Allen in that unfortunate category. Keith Kinkaid finished with a 3.17 GAA and .893 SV%—ranking 16th-worst among ECHL goalies with at least ten appearances—while Evan Cormier ended with the ninth-worst SV% under the same criteria. Even with occasional defensive breakdowns accounted for, neither goalie could bail the team out when needed. Until Savannah secures a netminder capable of at least league-average numbers (roughly .910 SV% and sub-3.00 GAA), another missed postseason remains likely.

Looking Ahead

As the Ghost Pirates prepare for the summer, the path forward is clear: build on the offensive sparks, tighten up defensive discipline, and, above all, secure reliable goaltending. If the top end—Paliani, Vitelli, Cesana, and Drevitch—continues to lead by example, and if the organization leverages its Panthers pipeline effectively, Savannah can transform its promise into a bona fide playoff contender. The challenges of 2024–25 are now lessons to be learned rather than burdens to carry. When the puck drops on October 17th against Norfolk, expect a team that has refined its weaknesses, amplified its strengths, and is ready to rewrite its story.

Keep an eye on the ECHL protected lists, which typically come out in early June; those designations will give the first glimpse of which players the Ghost Pirates will secure heading into training camp.