ECHL: NHL Teams Without An ECHL Affiliate

With two new teams on the horizon for the ECHL, Bloomington Bison and Tahoe Knight Monsters, it leaves those in the hockey world, wondering, who are the NHL affiliates of these two teams?

Here is the thing, five teams in the NHL DO NOT have an ECHL affiliate.

• Carolina Hurricanes
• Arizona/Utah
• Columbus Blue Jackets
• St. Louis Blues
• Toronto Maple Leafs

Having an NHL affiliate helps those teams in the ECHL gain access to more players and resources. With the loss of the Newfoundland Growlers in the North Division, there is likely to be some league re-alignment due to the location of the two new teams. Newfoundland Growlers were affiliated with the Toronto Maple Leafs. This now leaves Toronto with only an AHL affiliate. When a team does not have an ECHL affiliate, a player has no spot to play if they do not make the AHL or NHL roster. Players can choose to go back to Juniors if they have not aged out, or play overseas.

Bloomington Bison are making their NHL affiliate announcement on May 30th. Tahoe Knight Monsters have yet to announce when they are making their NHL affiliate known. When the 2024-2025 season begins, there will be 29 teams in the ECHL.

The ECHL teams with their NHL affiliations are listed below:

Adirondack Thunder —> New Jersey Devils

Allen Americans —> Ottawa Senators

Atlanta Gladiators —> Nashville Predators

Cincinnati Cyclones —> New York Rangers

Florida Everblades —> Florida Panthers

Fort Wayne Komets —> Edmonton Oilers

Greenville Swamp Rabbits —> Los Angeles Kings

Idaho Steelheads —> Dallas Stars

Indy Fuel —> Chicago Blackhawks

Iowa Heartlanders —> Minnesota Wild

Jacksonville Icemen —> Buffalo Sabres

Kalamazoo Wings —> Vancouver Canucks

Kansas City Mavericks —> Seattle Kraken

Maine Mariners —> Boston Bruins

Norfolk Admirals —> Winnipeg Jets

Orlando Solar Bears —> Tampa Bay Lightning

Rapid City Rush —> Calgary Flames

Reading Royals —> Philadelphia Flyers

Savannah Ghost Pirates —> Vegas Golden Knights

South Carolina Stingrays —> Washington Capitals

Toledo Walleye —> Detroit Red Wings

Trois- Rivières Lions —> Montréal Canadiens

Tulsa Oilers —> Anaheim Ducks

Utah Grizzlies —> Colorado Avalanche

Wheeling Nailers —> Pittsburgh Penguins

Wichita Thunder —> San Jose Sharks

Worcester Railers —> New York Islanders