The 2024-25 season kicks off today, with the first puck is poised to touch fresh ice this evening. The ECHL announced the Season Opening Rosters yesterday, so let’s take a moment to review last season’s league standings. We’ll explore the strengths and weaknesses of each team based on last year’s stats, and contemplate the potential outcomes for the upcoming season.
ECHL Season Opening Rosters [per ECHL]
North Division
Adirondack Thunder
- Strengths: Balanced with solid goaltending and a strong offense (3.35 goals per game, 7th) and defense (2.94 goals-against average, T8th). Effective penalty kill (82.4%, 5th).
- Weaknesses: Power play could be more consistent (19.5%, 16th).
Maine Mariners
- Strengths: Potent offense (3.47 goals per game, 5th) and decent power play (20.4%, 12th).
- Weaknesses: Struggled defensively (3.61 goals-against average, 21st).
Norfolk Admirals
- Strengths: Strong offense (3.55 goals per game, 4th) and defense (2.88 goals-against average, 7th). Effective special teams.
- Weaknesses: There is a need for greater discipline throughout the season, as the team accumulated a total of 1,490 penalty minutes, the highest in the league, while also leading in minor penalties with 395.
Reading Royals
- Strengths: The team boasted a robust penalty kill rate of 83.4% last season, ranking 3rd, and features a dependable group of goaltenders in net.
- Weaknesses: Struggled offensively (2.75 goals per game, 25th) and defensively (3.43 goals-against average, 19th).
Trois-Rivières Lions
- Strengths: Solid overall performance. The strength of their goaltending provides the team with reliable and impressive play in the net.
- Weaknesses: Inconsistent offense (2.96 goals per game, 23rd) and defense (3.32 goals-against average, 16th).
Wheeling Nailers
- Strengths: Strong offense (3.27 goals per game, 11th) and defense (2.87 goals-against average, 6th). Effective power play (20.5%, T10th).
- Weaknesses: Penalty kill needs improvement (77.7%, 21st).
Worcester Railers
- Strengths: Potential for improvement with new coaching.
- Weaknesses: Struggled both offensively (2.92 goals per game, 24th) and defensively (3.31 goals-against average, 15th).
South Division
Atlanta Gladiators
- Strengths: Solid penalty kill (80.1%, T10th). Their capacity to adjust and excel in high-pressure situations was a notable strength.
- Weaknesses: Weak offense (2.60 goals per game, 26th) and defense (3.67 goals-against average, T23rd).
Florida Everblades
- Strengths: Best goals-against average (2.58) and top penalty kill (85.3%, T1st). Balanced attack.
- Weaknesses: Sustaining their exceptional past performance will be tough as every team is now determined to prevent them from achieving four consecutive Cup victories.
Greenville Swamp Rabbits
- Strengths: Balanced offense and defense. Strong division finish.
- Weaknesses: Power play needs improvement (18.0%, 22nd).
Jacksonville Icemen
- Strengths: Strong offense (3.31 goals per game, 8th) and defense (2.71 goals-against average, 2nd). Effective special teams.
- Weaknesses: Need to maintain consistency.
Orlando Solar Bears
- Strengths: Strong defense (2.86 goals-against average, 5th) and penalty kill (85.3%, T1st).
- Weaknesses: Weak power play (15.4%, 27th).
Savannah Ghost Pirates
- Strengths: Potential for improvement with new coaching.
- Weaknesses: Struggled both offensively (3.03 goals per game, 21st) and defensively (3.38 goals-against average, 18th).
Central Division
Bloomington Bison[*New Team to ECHL]
Cincinnati Cyclones
- Strengths: Consistently strong team. The Cyclones scored a total of 236 goals, with multiple goal scorers contributing throughout the season.
- Weaknesses: Need to maintain high performance levels.
Fort Wayne Komets
- Strengths: Strong offensive capabilities. The Komets’ competitiveness in tight matches, highlighted by their 0-4 shootout record, demonstrates their resilience and tenacity.
- Weaknesses: Defensive consistency needs improvement.
Indy Fuel
- Strengths: Balanced team with strong special teams. This strong offensive performance was fueled by key players who consistently scored, establishing the team as a formidable contender in terms of scoring prowess.
- Weaknesses: Need to improve overall consistency.
Iowa Heartlanders
- Strengths: Potential for growth. With goaltenders like Kyle McClellan and William Rousseau, the Heartlanders have reliable options in net.
- Weaknesses: Need to improve both offensively and defensively.
Kalamazoo Wings
- Strengths: Strong team chemistry. The team had multiple players contributing significantly to the scoreboard netting 214 goals last season .
- Weaknesses: Need to improve special teams.
Toledo Walleye
- Strengths: Strong offensive and defensive play. They were second in the ECHL in scoring, highlighting their offensive prowess and had the top-ranked power-play unit and the third-best penalty kill in the league.
- Weaknesses: Maintaining consistency throughout the season.
Mountain Division
Allen Americans
- Strengths: Strong offensive team. With 233 goals scored, the Americans demonstrated strong offensive capabilities
- Weaknesses: Defensive play needs improvement.
Idaho Steelheads
- Strengths: Consistently strong team. Ranked as one of the league’s top-scoring teams, establishing themselves as a formidable offensive force through their consistent ability to find the back of the net.
- Weaknesses: Need to maintain high performance levels.
Kansas City Mavericks
- Strengths: A well-rounded team with robust special teams. The Mavericks demonstrated their ability to adapt their power play strategies in response to the opposing team’s penalty kill methods. This adaptability enabled them to identify weaknesses and modify their tactics accordingly.
- Weaknesses: Need to improve overall consistency.
Rapid City Rush
- Strengths: Potential for growth. The Rush displayed effective moments in their special teams play, especially during power play situations.
- Weaknesses: Need to improve both offense and defense.
Tahoe Knight Monsters[*New Team to ECHL]
Tulsa Oilers
- Strengths: Strong team chemistry. The Oilers wrapped up the season with 30 victories and 69 points, marking a notable improvement compared to the prior season’s 22 wins and 53 points.
- Weaknesses: Need to improve special teams.
Utah Grizzlies
- Strengths: Strong offensive and defensive play. Skilled in taking advantage of power plays and efficiently handling penalties which was vital during closely contested matches.
- Weaknesses: Maintaining consistency throughout the season.
Wichita Thunder
- Strengths: Although the Thunder concluded the season with a record of 27-35-9, they showcased remarkable resilience by fiercely competing in every game. They also held strong attendance rates among fans throughout the season, ranking 13th overall. Strong power play percentage (23%), ended 5th in the league.
- Weaknesses: Need to improve overall consistency and improve on the penalty kill.
Top Playoff Contenders
Our top contenders for the 2024-25 ECHL season are the Florida Everblades, Adirondack Thunder, and Idaho Steelheads. The Everblades, fresh off a Kelly Cup championship, boast the league’s best defense and penalty kill, making them formidable opponents. The Thunder, who finished first in the North Division, have a balanced team with strong offensive and defensive play, positioning them as strong contenders. The Steelheads, consistently strong with a balanced attack and defense, are expected to be top competitors in the Mountain Division. These teams have shown exceptional performance and are poised to lead the league this season.
New Coaching Staff
Nine of the 29 ECHL teams will have new head coaches for the 2024-25 season:
- B.J. Adams joins the Allen Americans from the Erie Otters in the OHL.
- Phillip Barski takes the helm as the first head coach of the Bloomington Bison after serving as an assistant in Greenville.
- Kyle Mountain replaces Andrew Lord in Greenville, marking his inaugural role as a head coach.
- Brandon Mashinter assumes the head coaching position in Jacksonville, succeeding Nick Luukko.
- Jason Binkley begins his first full season as head coach of the Reading Royals after previously serving as interim head coach.
- Jared Staal, a former ECHL player, is appointed as head coach in Savannah, transitioning from his role in Charlotte.
- Jared Nightingale takes over the coaching duties in South Carolina following two seasons as an assistant in the AHL.
- Alex Loh becomes Tahoe’s inaugural head coach, bringing with him over 100 victories in the ECHL.
- Bob Deraney steps into the head coaching role in Worcester after being a member of the coaching staff since the 2019-20 season.
