Welcome to our in-depth look at the South Division, where high-scoring teams and disciplined defensive squads battle for supremacy. In this article, we break down the latest standings, team profiles, and key player stats, providing insights on stats and what is needed by each team if they wish to stay ahead in this fiercely competitive division.

Division and League Standings Overview

In the Eastern Conference’s South Division, the standings showcase a competitive mix of high-scoring teams and disciplined, defensively sound squads. At the top, the Florida Everblades and South Carolina Stingrays lead the pack. The Everblades boast one of the best goal differentials in the league, while the Stingrays have emerged as an offensive powerhouse, averaging 3.75 goals per game—even if that aggressive style comes with a higher penalty minute total. Not far behind, the Jacksonville Icemen display a balanced approach, combining a strong scoring attack with solid defensive numbers that help maintain one of the division’s best goals-against averages.

Midway in the standings, the Orlando Solar Bears have managed nearly even goals for and against over 56 games, and the Savannah Ghost Pirates leverage speed and skill on offense to offset some defensive challenges. The Atlanta Gladiators emphasize disciplined play, highlighted by the lowest penalty minute total (513 PIM) in the division, while the Greenville Swamp Rabbits continue working on their defensive consistency to support key scorers.

South Division Standings

• Florida Everblades: 36–10–5–1 (52 GP) – 78 points
• South Carolina Stingrays: 33–13–3–2 (51 GP) – 71 points
• Jacksonville Icemen: 32–16–3–1 (52 GP) – 68 points
• Orlando Solar Bears: 27–19–10–0 (56 GP) – 64 points
• Atlanta Gladiators: 23–24–5–2 (54 GP) – 53 points
• Savannah Ghost Pirates: 24–24–2–0 (50 GP) – 50 points
• Greenville Swamp Rabbits: 21–23–5–2 (51 GP) – 49 points

Team Profiles & Key Insights

Atlanta Gladiators

The Atlanta Gladiators have played 54 games with a record of 23–24–5–2. They have scored 138 goals (an average of 2.56 per game) while allowing 175 goals (around 3.24 per game). Their standout discipline is evident with the lowest penalty minute total in the division at 513 PIM.

Key Players:

• Cody Sylvester (F): 41 points (19 goals, 22 assists) in 50 games with a +23 rating.
• Derek Topatigh (D): 34 points (7 goals, 27 assists) in 53 games.
  Additional depth is provided by Blake Murray, and on defense, Jeremy Hanzel and Anthony Firriolo contribute significantly. The goaltending duo, led by Drew DeRidder and Ethan Haider, has kept Atlanta competitive in tight contests.
  • Player Highlight: Chad Nychuk is on a three-game goal streak.
  • Team Performance: Atlanta is 16-4-3 when scoring first.
  • Upcoming Games: Hosting Savannah on Saturday and Sunday.

Milestone

200th ECHL Game – Blake Murray – 02/19/2025

ECHL Saves of the Week – Ethan Haider

Florida Everblades

The Florida Everblades continue to dominate offensively with a season total of 481 points (176 goals and 306 assists) and a remarkable overall team rating of +296. Their penalty minutes total 794.

Key Players:

• Carson Gicewicz (F): 41 points (19 goals, 22 assists) in 52 games.
• Colin Theisen (F) & Colton Hargrove (F): Provide balanced scoring support.
  Defensively, Jordan Sambrook shined with a +30 rating earning himself a call up to the Henderson Silver Knights (AHL). The team was also complemented by Connor Doherty’s physical play. In goal,
• Cam Johnson leads a tandem that consistently posts low goals-against averages (between 2.00 and 2.50).
  • Player Highlight: Tarun Fizer has six goals in his last six games.
  • Team Performance: Outscored opponents 64-35 in the third period.
  • Upcoming Games: Hosting South Carolina on Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday.

Greenville Swamp Rabbits

The Greenville Swamp Rabbits have a mixed season record of 21–23–5–2 in 51 games, with an average of 2.73 goals scored per game and a defensive challenge evident in conceding 290 goals. They have 647 penalty minutes and a power play that has contributed 30 goals and 60 assists.

Key Players:

• Bryce Brodzinski (F): 40 points (17 goals, 23 assists) in 51 games.
• Parker Berge (D): 35 points (6 goals, 29 assists) in 49 games.
• Carter Savoie adds additional scoring. While the team needs to tighten up its defense, improved goaltending and continued offensive depth are promising.
  • Player Highlight: Quinn Olson has 11 points in his last seven games.
  • Team Performance: 13-3-7 in one-goal games.
  • Upcoming Games: At Orlando on Friday and Jacksonville on Saturday and Sunday.

Milestones

First Professional Goal – Chandler Romeo – 02/3/2025

First Professional Win – Kolby Hay – 02/3/2025

Jacksonville Icemen

The Jacksonville Icemen boast a balanced season with a 32–16–3–1 record in 52 games. They average 3.19 goals per game (166 GF) while allowing about 2.63 goals (137 GA). Their 732 penalty minutes reflect a physical edge, but their scoring attack and strong goaltending have kept them competitive.

Key Players:

• Chris Grando (F): 34 points (15 goals, 19 assists) in 51 games.
• Davis Koch (F): 33 points (11 goals, 22 assists) in 52 games.
• Defensive contributions from Garrett Van Wyhe and Noah Laaouan help maintain their favorable goals-against average.
  • Player Highlight: Brendan Harris has 11 points in his last eight games.
  • Team Performance: An impressive 11-0-4 record in games decided in overtime or a shootout.
  • Upcoming Games: At Orlando on Wednesday, hosting Savannah on Friday, and playing Greenville on Saturday and Sunday.

Orlando Solar Bears

The Orlando Solar Bears have a record of 27–19–10–0 over 56 games, scoring 152 goals (about 2.71 per game) and allowing 157 (roughly 2.80 per game). With 751 penalty minutes, they display a balanced performance both home and away.

Key Players:

• Aaron Luchuk (F): 47 points (19 goals, 28 assists).
• Spencer Kersten (F): 46 points (22 goals, 24 assists), earning a contract with the Syracuse Crunch (AHL)
• Anthony Bardaro also provides depth with 34 points. Although their defense keeps scoring nearly even, there is room for improvement, especially on the road.
  • Player Highlight: Ryan Fanti was 10-1-3 in his last 15 starts
  • Team Performance: League-leading 21 games decided in overtime or a shootout.
  • Upcoming Games: Hosting Jacksonville on Wednesday and Greenville on Friday.

Savannah Ghost Pirates

The Savannah Ghost Pirates are balancing their 50-game season with a 24–24–2–0 record, averaging 3.28 goals per game and conceding 3.50. With the lowest penalty minutes among forwards at 596 PIM, their game is driven by speed and skill rather than physicality.

Key Players:

• Reece Vitelli (F): 47 points (12 goals, 35 assists) in 49 games.
• Devon Paliani (F): 39 points (22 goals, 17 assists) in 50 games.
  Dennis Cesana (D) shines on defense with 45 points.
  • Player Highlight: Logan Drevitch has 10 points in his last nine games.
  • Team Performance: Averaging 33.36 shots per game.
  • Upcoming Games: At Jacksonville on Friday and Atlanta on Saturday and Sunday.

South Carolina Stingrays

The South Carolina Stingrays are currently the division’s offensive leader, boasting a 33–13–3–2 record in 51 games while averaging an impressive 3.75 goals per game (191 GF) and conceding only 2.37 goals per game (121 GA). With a physical style of play reflected in 959 penalty minutes, they rely on dynamic two-way play and strong defensive support to maintain their edge.Garin Bjorklund has been a standout netminder for the Stingrays, posting 14 wins in 21 games with a 2.00 GAA and a .928 save percentage, earning Goaltender of the Week for the week of February 17th-23rd.

Key Players:

• Josh Wilkins (F): 38 points (16 goals, 22 assists) in 40 games.
• Erik Middendorf (F): 36 points (16 goals, 20 assists) in 46 games.
• Austin Magera (F): 35 points (7 goals, 28 assists) in 51 games.
• Micah Miller (F): 34 points (14 goals, 20 assists) in 48 games.
  • Player Highlight: Tyler Weiss has scored five goals in his last six games.
  • Team Performance: Averaging 2.37 goals against per game.
  • Upcoming Games: At Florida on Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday.

News

Garin Bjorklund has been a standout netminder for the Stingrays, posting 14 wins in 21 games with a 2.00 GAA and a .928 save percentage. His performance this past week earned him the ECHL Goaltender of the Week honors for the week of February 17th-23rd.

Shots For and Shots Against Overview

Florida leads the pack with a strong offense, recording 31.37 shots for per game while also boasting the best defense by limiting opponents to just 25.46 shots against per game. Both South Carolina and Savannah display impressive offensive numbers, averaging 32.75 and 33.36 shots for per game respectively, with respectable defensive stats at 27.18 and 28.60 shots against per game. In contrast, Greenville shows defensive vulnerabilities with a moderate 29.69 shots for per game but conceding the highest at 34.14 shots against per game. Atlanta and Jacksonville maintain balanced performances in both categories, while Orlando, despite having the lowest offensive output at 26.59 shots for per game, records a mid-range defensive statistic of 32.07 shots against per game.

The Week in Transactions

During the week of February 17–23, 2025, several key transactions impacted several teams in the division. Notably, the Atlanta Gladiators saw defenseman Christian Hausinger traded to Utah on February 22, while Dysen Skinner was released from SPC on February 18. In Greenville, the Swamp Rabbits bolstered their lineup by signing defenseman Tristan De Jong on February 23 and adding emergency backup goalie Dominic Rodrigue, as well as seeing both Dru Krebs and Dryden McKay recalled from loan on February 20 by Ontario (AHL). The Jacksonville Icemen acquired Cameron Supryka in a trade with the Fort Wayne Komets.

The South Carolina Stingrays saw forward Kyler Kupka loaned to Calgary and had saw the Washington Capitals reassign forward Alexander Suzdalev to the team from Hershey (AHL). The Florida Everblades were busy as well, with defenseman Jordan Sambrook being loaned to Henderson, and multiple recalls and reassignments—including those Will Cranley, Anton Malmström, and Stephen Mundinger—occurring between February 19 and 20. Lastly, the Orlando Solar Bears saw goalie Ryan Fanti recalled from his loan on February 21 by Syracuse (AHL). Reece Newkirk was also loaned to Syracuse (AHL) on February 23.

Fines & Suspensions

Picks of the Week – Game Highlights

Overall Division Trends & Conclusion

Across the South Division, teams exhibit a wide range of playing styles. The Atlanta Gladiators’ disciplined approach, marked by the lowest penalty minutes, contrasts with the high-powered offenses of the Florida Everblades and South Carolina Stingrays, who combine scoring prowess with stellar goaltending. The Greenville Swamp Rabbits are focusing on improving their defensive systems, while the Jacksonville Icemen, Orlando Solar Bears, and Savannah Ghost Pirates offer balanced and competitive play. As the season progresses, each team will look to fine-tune their defensive strategies and capitalize on key offensive and goaltending contributions to climb the standings in this highly competitive division.