ECHL: Cade Borchardt Heads Overseas

Stacey Grubich/InsideTheRink

The Kansas City Mavericks can’t win for losing this past week, suffering another loss. They first suffered a significant loss to the Toledo Walleye in the Kelly Cup Playoffs third round. Now, Cade Borchardt has signed a contract for the 2025-26 season with Kalevan Pallo (KalPa), part of the Finnish Liiga. The Liiga has 16 teams from all over Finland. Borchardt will be joining former teammate Patrick Curry in Kuopio, Finland, as Curry just renewed his contract for another year. 

His story

Cade Borchardt has been a key player in the Mavericks’ lineup. The 26-year-old forward joined the Mavericks at the end of the 2022-23 season under contract with the Coachella Valley Firebirds of the AHL, after finishing at Minnesota State University- Mankato. During his career at MSUM, Cade dressed for 121 NCAA games, scoring 29 goals, 56 assists, and 85 points, and served as Captain in his final year. Once signed to the Kansas City Mavericks, Borchardt would garner 137 games, 67 goals, 88 assists, 155 total points, and the Alternate Captain.

Over the past two seasons, Borchardt has achieved many notable accomplishments. In 2023-24, he was named part of the All-Rookie Team and received a nomination for Rookie of the Year. The 2024-25 season, he led the ECHL in goals with 40, was named to multiple award and teams including: ECHL Plus Performer of the Year, All-Second Team, Western Conference All-Star Team, and achieved Player of the Month and Player of the Week. During his time in KC, Cade was called up by the Firebirds for five AHL games. 

The loss of this elite player will undoubtedly be felt by the team next season. The last two seasons have been among the best the Mavericks have experienced. Borchardt was a large part of their 2024 Brabham Cup win and their 2025 Mountain Division Championship. His departure may lead to a reevaluation of the team’s strategies and recruitment plans for the upcoming season. 

ITR 46: Offseason Chaos – Inside The Rink

Join Chris & Conrad as they get you up-to-date on NHL Free Agency and the trade bonanza!
  1. ITR 46: Offseason Chaos
  2. ITR 45: Everything Is Happening
  3. ITR 44: We Have A Champion…Again
  4. ITR 43: It's Winning Time
  5. ITR 42: Ripe For Repeat?

Discover more from Inside The Rink

Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.

Stephanie DeLaFleur

Beat Writer covering the ECHL, AHL and NHL. Follow me on X @StephiDelafleur

Leave a Reply

ECHL: Toledo Walleye | Re-Sign Forward and Announce 2025-26 Qualifying Offers

As of early Tuesday morning, the Toledo Walleye had only announced the signing of forward Brandon Hawkins for the 2025-26 season. Finally, by midday, the Fish announced another. Sam Craggs, a key player for the Walleye, has re-signed for the upcoming campaign. Craggs played in all 72 regular-season games and all 20 postseason games during […]

Read More

ECHL: 2025-26 Qualifying Offers | Tahoe Knight Monsters

The Tahoe Knight Monsters have announced that they have given qualifying offers to four players. Any player with a qualifying offer can’t be traded, and players who have already signed a contract with the team don’t need a qualifying offer. Players Who Got Qualifying Offers Isaac Johnson- The 26-year-old forward is the most notable name […]

Read More

ECHL: 2025-26 Qualifying Offers | Indy Fuel

The Indy Fuel are wasting no time fueling up for 2025–26. On July 7, the team announced it has extended qualifying offers to eight players from its season-ending roster—the maximum allowed under ECHL rules. That means the Fuel aren’t just gearing up for next season—they’re making a clear statement about who they want to keep […]

Read More
© 2021-2025 Inside The Rink®
This website has no affiliation to any of the hockey leagues it reports on. All materials not owned by Inside The Rink LLC are used for editorial purposes only. Privacy Policy