As the ECHL season inches closer, the league officially announced the critical dates for the 2024-25 season. Here are each of the important dates broken down by Month
October
10/3– Players can report to training camp for meetings, registration, and physicals.
10/4– Training Camp Opens; teams may begin on-ice activities.
10/16– Season Opening Rosters Due to League Office (3 pm Eastern)
10/18– ECHL Regular Season Begins
November
11/17– Teams must reduce rosters active rosters from 21 to 20. (Active Rosters stay the same this season despite teams being able to dress 18 skaters as opposed to 17 last season)
December
12/22– Christmas Waiver/Trade Freeze Begins 3 pm EST (Players can not be traded or waived during this period)
12/23– Christmas Break (No Games)
12/26- Christmas Waiver/Trade Freeze Ends (12 pm Eastern)
January 2025
1/17-18– 2025 Hockey Heritage Weekend in Kalamazoo
1/21-1/23– ECHL All-Star Break (No Games)
1/24– Jersey Reversal Date (Teams will wear their home jerseys for road games and road jerseys for home games)
February 2025
2/17– Overseas Deadline (3pm Eastern) & IIHF Transfer Deadline (6pm Eastern)
March 2025
3/19– Recall/Assignment Deadline 11:59 EST
3/20– ECHL Trade Deadline
April 2025
4/11– Last Day to put players on Waivers (5 pm EST)
4/13– Last Day of 2024-25 Regular Season
4/14– Kelly Cup Playoff Rosters Due to the league (3 pm EST)
4/16– Kelly Cup Playoffs Begin
June 2025
6/8– Protected Lists Due (3 pm EST)
6/20– Future Considerations Trade Deadline (3 pm EST)
6/22- Season-Ending Rosters Due (3 pm EST)
6/23– First Day players can start signing contracts for the 2025-26 season
July 2025
7/7– Qualifying Offers due to Players (11:59 EST)
7/22– Qualifying Offers Expire 11:59 EST (Players have from the 7th till the 22nd to accept or reject their qualifying offers)
August 2025
8/8– Restricted Free Agency Ends