ECHL Board Of Governors Recap and Rule Changes For the 2024-25 Season

The ECHL recently had its Summer Meetings and the Board of Governors last week in Las Vegas, Nevada, and earlier this afternoon, the league announced two new changes for the league heading into the 2024-25 season as well as Utah Grizzlies CEO Kevin Bruder being re-elected as the Chairman of the Board for the fourth straight season.

Increase To The Two Referee System

After two seasons of the league running with the two-referee system for 25% of the games, it will increase to 50% beginning next season. There’s no doubt that the league wants to eventually be able to go to a two-referee system for every game, but this is a gradual step in the right direction for the ECHL. The AHL and NHL are currently running a two-referee system for all of the games in the two leagues above the ECHL. As the ECHL is a development league for the AHL and NHL, having a two-man system will also allow the players to get used to what they will be seeing when they get called up from the ECHL.

Increase in Roster Size

The ECHL is expanding its roster from 17 skaters to 18 skaters for next season, which is the roster size in the NHL as well. This is huge for the ECHL, as prior to this change, teams weren’t allowed to have four full lines of forwards and three defensive pairings, but now they will. This will allow more players to get playing time and will be a huge asset to the AHL teams, which will be sending players down to their ECHL affiliates over the course of the season. It’s going to be very interesting to see how ECHL coaches adapt to having an extra player in their lineup for the 2024-25 season.

insidetherink.com/join-us

Discover more from Inside The Rink

Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.

Armand Klisivitch

Inside The Rink ECHL Manager | Senior Editor Credentialed Reporter for the Adirondack Thunder & Worcester Railers.

Leave a Reply

Kishaun Gervais Celebrates a game-winning goal vs Worcester

ECHL Game Recap: Adirondack Thunder vs Worcester Railers | 04/06/2025

The Adirondack Thunder and Worcester Railers met for the eighth and final time of the 2024-25 season, with Worcester winning five of the first seven games. For the Thunder, they would come out slow, but Jeremy Brodeur would bail them out early, making some big saves early to keep Adirondack in the game. Adirondack’s PK, […]

Read More
ECHL Fines and Transactions

ECHL: Suspensions and Fines to Nachbaur, Portillo, and Aragon Following April 5th Incidents

The ECHL Department of Player Safety announced a series of disciplinary actions stemming from games played on April 5, 2025. South Carolina’s Justin Nachbaur, Cincinnati’s Justin Portillo, and Utah’s Aaron Aragon have each received suspensions and fines for their on-ice conduct. Justin Nachbaur South Carolina Stingrays forward Justin Nachbaur has been suspended for five games […]

Read More

ECHL Game Recap: Toledo Walleye vs. Cincinnati Cyclones | 04/05/2025

Despite the Cincinnati Cyclones’ playoff chances remaining slim, hanging on by a thread, they pulled off an entertaining 5-4 overtime win over the Toledo Walleye on Saturday. It was likely their final home game of the season at Heritage Bank Center, with their last four games coming on the road — three against Iowa and […]

Read More