***Please note this piece is going to read rather mean towards the FHL and SPHL, and we don’t intend to take shots at the league or to demean its players, coaches, and staffs, but we are trying to be realistic in our assessment of where the two leagues sit in the hockey world. They are a ton of fun to watch and follow, but we also know what we’re watching when we take in a game in these leagues.***
One of the stranger things that a few FHL and SPHL fans seem to clamor for, with hopes that it would elevate the play in their respective leagues, is that a full baseball-like system could be put into place, with teams in the FHL and SPHL getting NHL affiliation.
It would be a chain with the NHL at the top, the AHL being Triple-A, the ECHL being Double-A, the SPHL being Single-A, and the FHL I guess being Rookie League or Short-Season.
But the reality is, that despite every NHL team having AHL Triple-A affiliations, and 26 NHL teams also having ECHL Double-A affiliations, the NHL system works more like the NFL systen does: Let other places develop your prospects and reap those benefits at the top.
And realistically, unless a few things drastically change, which we’ll get to in a bit, there is no way that the NHL is ever investing in SPHL or FHL teams, and here’s why.
Look how rare it is for an ECHL player to make the NHL
Before we can get to how much of a waste of time and money it would be for the NHL to invest in the SPHL or FHL, take a look at a league that bills itself as being affiliate with the NHL, and how rare it is for their players to make it to the top.
On its website, the ECHL touts that 651 players have made the NHL after playing in the ECHL. That’s all well and good and looks like a massive, impressive number that the league can tout to potential players who still have dreams of the NHL.
Well, let’s give them a dose of reality. The ECHL dates back to 1988, so 30 seasons, and 651 players, including 10 this season, over 30 seasons equates to an average of 21 players per season that played in the ECHL and played in the NHL. In case you forgot, there are 31 teams in the NHL, so not even one player per NHL team makes the NHL each year from the ECHL.
And who knows how many of that 651 played like one or two games as an emergency call-up, or an end of season tryout to see what they have, and never went back up again. I don’t have the time to research all 651 players, but I would bet it’s a fairly large chunk of them. And on top of that, most of the players who have made the NHL after playing in the ECHL and carved out nice, long careers are goalies, most notably Jonathan Quick and Devan Dubnyk. Honestly, go look at the list and tell me who the most famous skater, or at least best player who actually contributed to wins and losses, to play in the ECHL is, maybe Mark Streit?
Even if a player does stand a chance of making their mark in the NHL, it’s likely at goalie, because teams only have two goalies, versus 12 or more forwards and six or more defensem*n, so lots of good goalies get pushed down to the ECHL and even SPHL or FHL.
Now look how rare it is for SPHL players to reach the AHL, let alone the NHL
Since starting in 2004, the SPHL has had exactly one player play in the NHL. One. Goaltender Scott Darling, who really didn’t have impressive numbers in the SPHL, but worked his way up from the SPHL, got his life back on track, and signed a fairly big contract with Carolina, where he has struggled. One player in 15 seasons.
And if that’s not damning enough evidence that players in the SPHL and FHL have no prayer of making it to the NHL, and therefore no reason for the NHL to invest in the leagues with affiliation, guess how many players have gone from the SPHL to the AHL in a single season. Three, and that’s if you include one this year when Quad City goalie Eric Levine was called up to Cleveland, but didn’t appear in a game.
On its website, the SPHL touts sending more than 550 players to higher leagues since starting in 2004, 14-plus seasons, that’s an average of about 38 players per year to higher leagues. But those higher leagues include the now defunct CHL, UHL, and IHL. If your higher leagues you brag about sending players too weren’t all that great, folded, and almost never sent players to the NHL themselves, there’s almost no chance your current players are making the NHL.
Granted, the league has made strides and saw 97 players advanced to the ECHL from the league last year alone, but sort of like our ECHL argument above, how many were guys who played a couple of games and were sent back down and never came back up?
And then there’s the FHL, which touts on its website that 173 former players have made it to the ECHL from the league since starting in 2010, about 20 players per season, but one that is steadily declining, seeing just five different players over the past season and a half reach the ECHL. It’s safe to say that the FHL has never had a player reach the NHL after playing in the league.
So, to make a long story short, it would be a massive waste of time and money for the NHL to invest in leagues that have almost 25 combined seasons and have a grand total of ONE player who played in the NHL.
But why couldn’t they turn the leagues into leagues for younger players to develop them?
Simple, because there are bigger, better leagues that do that job for free, without the NHL having to do anything other than send scouts to watch the game.
If the NHL drafts a player and they think he needs more time to develop, they keep him with his major junior team, or they let him keep playing college hockey, or they let them play in leagues in Europe. All three of which are MUCH better hockey than the SPHL and FHL, again, cost the NHL absolutely nothing to have their prospects in it.
Also, take a look at the roster of many ECHL teams, they only have 5-6 players on the roster who have AHL or NHL contracts, which means most of these ECHL (and their NHL affiliates), aren’t even utilizing their ECHL teams to the fullest. With only 5-6 players under NHL or AHL contract on each team, that’s 15-ish open spots that could be filled by NHL or AHL contract players, and THEN you would start sending to the SPHL or FHL. Long story short, if the NHL isn’t even fully using its ECHL team rosters, they aren’t adding 20+ more players to be able to send a few to the SPHL or FHL.
Again, it isn’t like baseball where you draft a player at 17 and send them to Single-A then hope that the next year they’re bigger and stronger and can play in a higher Single-A league, or maybe Double-A, then the next year in Triple-A, and then finally MLB. Hockey and basketball are the only two sports where 18- and 19-year-olds regularly make the league and stick, and again, if they don’t, there are TONS of better, free options that also might offer educational opportunities than playing in the FHL or SPHL.
The FHL and SPHL are leagues for players who aged out of juniors
Basically, for the SPHL or the FHL to even be thought of as possible affiliates to the NHL, it would require the collapse of the entire major junior, and junior (USHL, NAHL, and Junior A leagues in Canada) system. And even if that happened, players would likely go over to Europe and play in one of their leagues. I mean, the FHL just lost one of its leading scorers to a team in Hungary’s professional hockey league. HUNGARY. I’m Hungarian and didn’t know they had a hockey league that was good enough to poach players from the FHL.
So to make a long story short, no, the NHL is never going to invest in the SPHL and FHL and have affiliations all the way down to rookie league or even Single-A hockey. Legit NHL prospects would not need time in either league to hone their games, and the prospects who do need more time can get it free of charge to the NHL by playing major junior, college, or over in Europe.
So just take the FHL and SPHL for what it is: A bunch of guys who love the game and give their all every night for way too little money. And if a couple make it to the AHL or NHL, even better, and the league has a cool story to share. But they’re not getting to the NHL because the Maple Leafs suddenly decided they wanted a farm team in Macon, Georgia.
FAQs
Although SPHL clubs don't have direct affiliations with NHL clubs, the league has certainly helped players advance over the years.
Has anyone from the SPHL made it to the NHL? ›
Since starting in 2004, the SPHL has had exactly one player play in the NHL. One. Goaltender Scott Darling, who really didn't have impressive numbers in the SPHL, but worked his way up from the SPHL, got his life back on track, and signed a fairly big contract with Carolina, where he has struggled.
Is the SPHL better than FPHL? ›
Moving up from the FPHL, you have the SPHL. The level of hockey in the SPHL is higher than the Federal league and you'll commonly find players with stronger resumes. The Southern Professional Hockey League sits between the FPHL and the ECHL.
What is the average salary in the SPHL? ›
the s P H L. is a single a professional hockey league. it's the 4th level of pro hockey in North America. players there as a rookie will make about $250 a week, whereas veterans will make around 400. now they also get their housing paid for, as well as discounts at local stores.
Do all NHL teams have an ECHL affiliate? ›
While ECHL teams aren't required to have an affiliate NHL team, only four NHL teams are currently without an ECHL affiliate. That makes sense, though, since there are 32 NHL teams and only 28 ECHL teams and one of those teams was founded in 2022, the Savannah Ghost Pirates.
Which NHL team doesn't have an ECHL affiliate? ›
What Teams Are in the ECHL? The ECHL currently has 28 teams and at its largest had 31 teams in the league. The only NHL teams that don't currently have an ECHL affiliate are the Calgary Flames, Los Angeles Kings, Nashville Predators, St. Louis Blues, San Jose Sharks, Vancouver Canucks, and Winnipeg Jets.
Could Alaska get an NHL team? ›
Anchorage has about 40 percent of the Alaskan total, so if a team were put anywhere it would be there, but that's highly unlikely. The next Canadian city to get an NHL franchise is likely to be either Quebec City or Hamilton. But there are also much larger U.S. candidates, most prominently Houston.
How many players go from ECHL to NHL? ›
There have been 727 players who have played in the NHL after playing in the ECHL including 29 who have made their NHL debuts in the 2021-22 season. The ECHL has had 535 players reach the NHL since 2002-03 when it changed its focus to become the primary developmental league for the NHL and the AHL.
What is the salary of an ECHL player? ›
The estimated total pay for a Professional Hockey Player at Echl is $75,621 per year. This number represents the median, which is the midpoint of the ranges from our proprietary Total Pay Estimate model and based on salaries collected from our users.
Do ECHL players get free housing? ›
Their collective-bargaining agreement also guarantees ECHL players a furnished bedroom within a furnished, utilities-paid apartment — a benefit that varies in value based on the cost of living in each city. Married players are entitled to their own furnished, utilities-paid apartment.
the F P H L. is a single a professional hockey league. it is the 5th level of pro hockey in North America. and the average player makes about $150 a week. now top players can make between 2 and $300.
What is the ECHL minimum salary? ›
The weekly salary floor is $10,750. What is the minimum salary for an ECHL player? Teams are required in 2022-23 to pay rookie players a minimum salary of $510 per week and returning players a minimum salary of $555 per week.
Is the KHL better than the NHL? ›
Statistical differences between NHL and KHL
The game of ice hockey is played very differently on different continents and different leagues – and KHL makes no exception. While there are undoubtedly world-class players in the league, the overall quality of the players is significantly lower than in the NHL.
What is the highest salary in the ECHL? ›
How Much Do ECHL Players Get Paid? The ECHL has a weekly salary floor of $10,600 per week—around $40,000 per month (or $500,000 per year). For a 20-man ECHL roster, this means players will make, on average, about $25,000 per year.
Can any NHL player be sent to the AHL? ›
Regular waivers are the waivers an NHL team exercises when they want to send a player to the minor leagues. When a player is reassigned from the NHL to the AHL, he must pass through waivers (unless exempt). Waivers allow any of the other teams to claim the rights of the player.
Can players fight in the ECHL? ›
In the NHL, American Hockey League (AHL), ECHL, Southern Professional Hockey League, and other notable minor leagues, officials punish combatants with five-minute major penalties for fighting (hence the phrase "five for fighting").
Have an NHL team and their AHL affiliate ever won? ›
On three occasions an AHL club and its NHL affiliate won their league championships in the same year: In 1976 and 1977, the Montreal Canadiens won the Stanley Cup while their AHL affiliate, the Nova Scotia Voyageurs, won the Calder Cup, and in 1995, the Stanley Cup champion New Jersey Devils saw their AHL affiliate, ...
What is lower than ECHL? ›
In addition, there are three low-level minor leagues: the Federal Prospects Hockey League (FPHL), the Ligue Nord-Américaine de Hockey (LNAH), and the Southern Professional Hockey League (SPHL).
Does the NHL have a farm system? ›
Ice hockey
The teams of the National Hockey League also have their own farm teams in the American Hockey League (AHL). For example, the Cleveland Monsters are the farm team for the Columbus Blue Jackets.
Is the ECHL considered pro? ›
The ECHL (formerly the East Coast Hockey League) is a mid-level professional ice hockey league based in Shrewsbury, New Jersey, with teams scattered across the United States and Canada.
Alaska: Seattle Seahawks. Arizona: Arizona Cardinals. Arkansas: Dallas Cowboys. California: San Francisco 49ers.
Which city is most likely to get an NHL team? ›
NHL: Potential Cities for Expansion or Relocation
- Portland, Oregon. 1 of 10. ...
- Hamilton, Ontario. 2 of 10. ...
- Kansas City, Missouri. 3 of 10. ...
- Milwaukee, Wisconsin. 4 of 10. ...
- Houston, Texas. 5 of 10. ...
- Quebec City, Quebec. 6 of 10. ...
- Salt Lake City, Utah. 7 of 10. ...
- Halifax, Nova Scotia. 8 of 10.
Alaska: University of Alaska-Anchorage Ice Hockey
So is hockey and the Division II Seawolves of Alaska-Anchorage. Alaska is a sports state dominated by interest in cold weather sports such as skiing and snowboarding.
Is ECHL better than CHL? ›
I have heard from several coaches that the top lines in the CHL and ECHL are comparable but the ECHL has more depth. Because of its stronger ties to the NHL, the ECHL is stocked with players typically younger and faster than those in the CHL, though they may be less polished.
What's the average AHL salary? ›
What league does the SPHL feed? ›
Since its inception in 2004, nearly 950 Southern Professional Hockey League players have been called up during the season to the ECHL or other 'AA' level (or higher) league, combining for over 15,200 games played.
How much does an NHL ref make? ›
According to FanBuzz, on average, a full-time NHL referee gets paid anywhere from $165,000 - $360,000 annually. This is approximately 10 percent of the average annual salary of an NHL player, who makes about $3 million per year.
What is the age limit for ECHL? ›
All new players coming into the NHL must be signed to an entry-level contract (ELC) if they are under 25 years old. The term of an ELC is one to three years, based on age at signing.
What percent of ECHL players make it to the NHL? ›
However, it is generally estimated that only a small fraction of minor hockey players will ever make it to the NHL, with most estimates falling somewhere between 1 and 2 percent. As a general rule, 49 percent of the players drafted by an NHL team make the league.
Are there girls in the ECHL? ›
This week, Norway was promoted to the world juniors, four women were named to the ECHL All-Star Classic and more.
As for the ECHL, McKenna confirmed Lukin's suspension, pointing out that even though the league does not have a drug testing policy, the league can suspend a player if he is has been convicted of possession, distribution or use of an illegal drug or if they're found to have had a positive test for an illegal drug.
How much is the average ticket for ECHL? ›
ECHL Playoffs Ticket Prices
ECHL Playoffs tickets will be priced similarly to the rest of the league with tickets starting at $22.00. The average price for a ticket throughout the season is around $108.33, while a $287.00 price point will get you into the best seats in the arena.
Do AHL players have other jobs? ›
Side jobs: Because the salaries for AHL players can vary, some of these athletes decide to make additional money through side jobs, such as private ice hockey training or sports writing.
How much does the FPHL franchise cost? ›
Most SPHL teams have an operating budget of $1.1 million while the FPHL budgets about $750k.
How much do Toledo walleye get paid? ›
Toledo Walleye pays an average hourly rate of $201 and hourly wages range from a low of $174 to a high of $231.
How many FPHL teams are there? ›
Federal Prospects Hockey League
| Current season, competition or edition: 2022–23 FPHL Season |
|---|
| Federal Prospects Hockey League |
|---|
| Divisions | 2 |
| No. of teams | 10 |
| Country | United States |
7 more rowsHow much does a College Lacrosse Coach make in the United States? The average College Lacrosse Coach salary in the United States is $41,982 as of May 25, 2023, but the salary range typically falls between $34,087 and $51,447.
How much do Carolina Thunderbird players make? ›
The average weekly salary of a league player is about $150, which is why several Thunderbirds have part-time jobs.
How much do FHL hockey players make? ›
As of May 13, 2023, the average annual pay for a Federal Hockey League in the United States is $55,070 a year.
Do players in the Nahl get paid? ›
Under USA Hockey Tier II sanctioning, NAHL teams do not charge players to play and also provide players with uniforms, team clothing and select equipment such as sticks, gloves and helmets. Players without local family live with billet families in their area and pay a monthly stipend that covers food and other costs.
Players playing in the AHL on an AHL Standard Player's Contract shall receive minimum compensation as follows: 2019-20 - $50,000 U.S. 2020-21 - $51,000 U.S. 2021-22 - $52,000 U.S.
Are there any Americans in the KHL? ›
According to Elite Prospects, which tracks player movement around hockey, 13 Americans and 43 Canadians have either signed a new contract or re-signed to play in the KHL since Russia invaded Ukraine on Feb.
Are there Americans in the KHL? ›
The KHL is made up mostly of Russian players, plus a few from Eastern European countries but there are a number of Canadian and American players, most with NHL experience, joining the league. The top team in the KHL today is Ufa Salavat Yulayev which has Alexander Radulov, who was considered a rising star in the NHL.
Do any Canadians play in KHL? ›
48 Canadians remain on KHL teams, more than any country besides Russia. Canadians continue to play hockey for Kontinental Hockey League teams in Russia and Belarus despite the Canadian government's warning to get out of those countries.
How much does a rookie ECHL make? ›
ECHL rookies make an average of $42,000 per year. However, the average salary for an ECHL player is $52,000 per year. ECHL rookies make less than the average salary because they are still developing their skills and are not yet established stars.
Are all AHL teams affiliated with NHL teams? ›
The American Hockey League (AHL) is a professional ice hockey league based in the United States and Canada that serves as the primary developmental league for the National Hockey League (NHL). Since the 2010–11 season, every team in the league has an affiliation agreement with one NHL team.
Who is the Golden Knights ECHL affiliate? ›
The ECHL is a 28-team league that serves as the third pillar of professional hockey. The hierarchy is that of the Golden Knights (NHL), Henderson Silver Knights (AHL), and now the Ghost Pirates (ECHL).
Who is the stars ECHL affiliate? ›
Who is the Texas Stars ECHL affiliate? ›
Will the Chicago Wolves shed NHL affiliation? ›
WGN News has confirmed that the Chicago Wolves will be independent starting with the 2023-2024 season as the team will play without an affiliation with an NHL team. Elliotte Friedman of Hockey Night in Canada was the first to report the move on The Jeff Marek Show.
In the United States and Canada, the standard size of a hockey rink is 200 feet by 85 feet or, as expressed in metric terms, 61 meters by 26 meters, with a corner radius of 28 feet or 8.5 meters. This is the standard size used in the NHL, the AHL, college hockey, and junior hockey.
Do the LA Kings have an ECHL affiliate? ›
The LA Kings today announced a new two-year ECHL affiliation agreement with the Greenville Swamp Rabbits.
Do the St Louis Blues have an ECHL affiliate? ›
Current season, competition or edition:
For the 2022–23 season, 28 of the 32 NHL teams have affiliations with an ECHL team with only the Nashville Predators, St. Louis Blues, Vancouver Canucks, and Winnipeg Jets having no official ECHL affiliations.
Who is Fort Wayne Komets affiliated with? ›
Who went from ECHL to NHL? ›
Since 1988, hundreds of players have made a jump from the ECHL to the NHL, including Alex Burrows, David Desharnais and Dan Girardi, among others.
How much are ECHL teams worth? ›
What's an ECHL team worth? As late as 2008, the franchise fee was around $1.5 million. The annual budget for a typical ECHL team is anywhere from $2-4 million.
What team is the Florida Everblades affiliated with? ›
The Everblades will serve as a developmental affiliate for the Panthers and their primary developmental affiliate, the American Hockey League's Charlotte Checkers, starting with the 2022-23 season.
Who is the ECHL affiliate for the Columbus Blue Jackets? ›
