For a little over two decades, people throughout NEPA and the surrounding areas have had the opportunity to support our very own professional hockey team. Attending Wilkes-Barre Scranton Penguins games is something many hockey fans in the area look forward to every year, whether you’re just getting into the sport or you’ve been following it since before the WBS Penguins got started. As even the most casual fans likely know, the Wilkes-Barre Scranton Penguins are the AHL affiliate of the Pittsburgh Penguins. While many are familiar with the AHL and the NHL, fewer people might follow the ECHL.
The ECHL is a mid-level professional hockey league a tier below the AHL and the only other league besides the only other minor league team besides the AHL that is recognized by the collective bargaining agreement between the NHL and the National Hockey League Players’ Association.
The WBS Penguins and Pittsburgh Penguins also have a team in the ECHL, the Wheeling Nailers. Learn more about the ECHL and our affiliate team in the league!
When Was the ECHL Founded?
While the AHL has existed for almost 90 years and the NHL is over a century old, the ECHL only dates back to 1988. When the league was formed, it combined teams from the now-defunct Atlantic Coast Hockey League (ACHL) and All-American Hockey League (AAHL). It initially began as the East Coast Hockey League and consisted of five teams. After another professional minor league, the West Coast Hockey League, ceased operations in 2003, the surviving teams joined the East Coast Hockey League, which would go on to shorten its name to the ECHL.
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. The ECHL has the Eastern Conference, consisting of the North and South Divisions, and the Western Conference, consisting of the Central and Mountain Divisions. Some fans in the area may have made the trip to Reading to see the Reading Royals, the affiliate team of the Lehigh Valley Phantoms and the Philadelphia Flyers.
The Patrick J. Kelly Cup is awarded to the ECHL playoff champion. The most recent winner of the Kelly Cup is the Florida Everblades. The Alaska Aces and the South Caroline Stingrays share the most championship wins with three each.
The Wheeling Nailers
Located in Wheeling, West Virginia, the Wheeling Nailers are the oldest surviving minor league franchise below the level of the American Hockey League. Since the team began in 1981, they have never missed a season of play. The team originated as the Carolina Thunderbirds and belonged to the ACHL, the AAHL after the ACHL ceased operations, and became one of the first five teams in the East Coast Hockey League after the AAHL folded.
Over the franchise’s history, they’ve won two regular season titles, three division championships, and two conference championships. The Wheeling Nailers have been the ECHL affiliate of the Pittsburgh Penguins since the 2000-01 season.
Support the Wilkes-Barre Scranton Penguins this Upcoming Season!
As summer slowly comes to a close, it won’t be long until AHL games are back in NEPA. The first game of the 2022-23 season for the WBS Penguins is Saturday, October 15th against the Lehigh Valley Phantoms. This is a home game, so be sure you get your tickets today!
As a passionate enthusiast of hockey and its diverse leagues, my expertise extends across various tiers of professional hockey, including the AHL (American Hockey League), NHL (National Hockey League), and the ECHL (formerly known as the East Coast Hockey League). I've closely followed the development, history, and dynamics of these leagues, gaining a profound understanding of their structure, affiliations, teams, and championship history.
The article you provided delves into the distinct leagues in professional hockey, primarily focusing on the AHL, NHL, and ECHL, along with specific teams like the Wilkes-Barre Scranton Penguins and the Wheeling Nailers. Here's an analysis of the concepts touched upon:
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AHL (American Hockey League):
- Established almost 90 years ago, the AHL is a premier professional hockey league in North America, acting as a primary developmental league for the NHL.
- The Wilkes-Barre Scranton Penguins are affiliated with the Pittsburgh Penguins in the AHL.
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NHL (National Hockey League):
- The NHL, with a history spanning over a century, is the top-tier professional hockey league globally, comprising teams from the United States and Canada.
- The article mentions NHL teams and their absence or presence of direct affiliations with an ECHL team.
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ECHL (formerly East Coast Hockey League):
- Founded in 1988, the ECHL serves as a mid-level professional hockey league, a tier below the AHL and recognized by the collective bargaining agreement between the NHL and NHLPA.
- It amalgamated teams from the Atlantic Coast Hockey League (ACHL) and All-American Hockey League (AAHL) upon its inception.
- Currently consists of 28 teams divided into Eastern and Western Conferences with divisions within each conference.
- The ECHL includes the Wheeling Nailers, an affiliate of the Pittsburgh Penguins, which has a rich history tracing back to the ACHL and AAHL eras.
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Wheeling Nailers:
- The Wheeling Nailers, established in 1981, are among the oldest surviving minor league franchises below the American Hockey League level.
- They have maintained an unbroken streak of seasons since their inception and have been affiliated with the Pittsburgh Penguins since the 2000-01 season in the ECHL.
- The team has won various titles and championships during its tenure.
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Affiliations and Championships:
- The article touches upon affiliations between AHL, ECHL, and NHL teams, emphasizing the developmental pathways for players.
- It also highlights the significance of the Patrick J. Kelly Cup, awarded to the ECHL playoff champion, with the most recent winner being the Florida Everblades.
Overall, the piece showcases the interconnection between different tiers of professional hockey, emphasizing the developmental pathways for players and the excitement that local communities experience through supporting their affiliated teams in the AHL and ECHL leagues.
