Scott Darling became the first SPHL player to reach the NHL, winning the 2015 Stanley Cup as a member of the Chicago Blackhawks. Darling played in the SPHL from 2010-2012 with Louisiana and Mississippi (RiverKings) (Photo credit Jonathan Daniel / Getty Images)
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. Last season, 95 different players earned the opportunity to advance to the ECHL where they played a combined 1,545 games with 27 of the ECHL’s 28 teams. The 95 players called up were the third-most ever in a single season while the 1,545 games played represented the second-highest total in league history.
2022-2023 Development
| Team | Players Loaned | Games Played | Total Callups |
| Birmingham | 10 | 217 | 15 |
| Evansville | 9 | 124 | 15 |
| Fayetteville | 7 | 84 | 9 |
| Huntsville | 10 | 202 | 13 |
| Knoxville | 11 | 212 | 13 |
| Macon | 18 | 189 | 28 |
| Pensacola | 11 | 238 | 13 |
| Peoria | 4 | 14 | 7 |
| Quad City | 10 | 154 | 22 |
| Roanoke | 5 | 91 | 12 |
| Vermilion County | 4 | 20 | 18 |
