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
