The Professional Hockey Leagues of North America

This page attempts to list all teams at the pro level in North America. Teams regularly move or suspend play; and new teams take their place. The page is updated frequently, especially between the end of one season and the beginning of the next, when many changes are announced. New listings are in red. (When new stuff gets to be six months old it is no longer shown as new.) Feel free to send Email if you spot an error, have a question, or you have news about a team. Opinions expressed in the Notes are those of the webmaster, Dick Estel.

NHL      ECHL     AHL      CHL      IHL (formerly UHL)      SPHL     NEHL      MAHL

ACHL     WPHL     WCHL     WHA2     SEHL      IHL (original)

Defunct Leagues     Team Moves/Changes      Future Teams     Notes     Hockey Page Updates & Changes

Cup Winners for All Leagues                More Links

Notes

Listing Updates

Start of Archived Notes

New Notes
June 18, 2008
June 11, 2008
June 6, 2008

May 28, 2008

May 14, 2008
April 9, 2008

Battle Creek MI
Ontario CA

Toledo

Valley Forge
Mid Atlantic Hockey League
Jacksonville

 

New Notes

New notes appear here, and will be moved to the bottom whenever they build up to what I think is enough to move (or six months, whichever comes first).

6/18/08: The Jacksonville Barracudas have received permission from the Southern Pro League to suspend play for one year, while they search for a new, affordable arena. Players will be dispersed to the other six teams.

6/11/08: The Buffalo Sabres have changed their American Hockey League affiliate after signing a three-year deal with Maine's Portland Pirates. The Pirates take over after the Sabres ended a 29-year relationship with Rochester. Portland had spent the past three years as the Anaheim Ducks' affiliate. 

6/6/08: With the 2007-08 season concluded, some teams are re-thinking their affiliation arrangements. The Anaheim Ducks will place their prospects in Iowa, while the Stars make plans for an expansion or re-located team in Austin. There's no word yet on whether the Iowa team will retain the Stars name. Dallas hopes to have a team active in the Austin area in 2010; meanwhile they are seeking a place for their developing prospects, and will likely have to share an affiliation for the 2008-09 season.

5/28/08: There are several changes in the Mid Atlantic Hockey League (MAHL). Valley Forge Freedom no longer appears in the team listing; while the Battle Creek (MI) Revolution, Chelsea Tornadoes and South Shore Shooters have been added. The league listing has been updated to show these changes.

  

5/14/08: After a two-season absence, the ECHL returns to Toledo in 2009, with a new downtown arena, and a new name, the Walleye. Check out the team's website here.

4/9/08: This is not exactly league news, but it relates to happenings in two leagues. For some time I have created a file each year with the final standings and playoff scores for the NHL, and for my home team league, the ECHL. I have now made these files available on line as listed below. They're also listed in the Links section at the bottom of all my hockey pages. The current year's information will be updated daily during the playoffs unless I am away from home.

2005-06 ECHL Standings & Playoff Results

2006-07 ECHL Standings & Playoff Results

2007-08 ECHL Standings & Playoff Results

2005-06 NHL Standings & Playoff Results

2006-07 NHL Standings & Playoff Results

2007-08 NHL Standings & Playoff Results

 

National Hockey League

Eastern Conference

Northeast Division

Boston Bruins

Buffalo Sabres

Montreal Canadiens

Ottawa Senators

Toronto Maple Leafs


Atlantic Division

New Jersey Devils

New York Islanders

New York Rangers

Philadelphia Flyers

Pittsburgh Penguins


Southeast Division

Atlanta Thrashers

Carolina Hurricanes

Florida Panthers

Tampa Bay Lightning

Washington Capitals

Western Conference

Central Division

Chicago Blackhawks

Columbus Blue Jackets

Detroit Red Wings

Nashville Predators

St. Louis Blues

Pacific Division

Anaheim Ducks

Dallas Stars

Los Angeles Kings

Phoenix Coyotes

San Jose Sharks


Northwest Division

Calgary Flames

Colorado Avalanche

Edmonton Oilers

Minnesota Wild

Vancouver Canucks

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American Hockey League

Eastern Conference

East Division

Albany River Rats

Binghamton Senators

Bridgeport (CT) Sound Tigers

Hershey Bears

Norfolk Admirals

Philadelphia Phantoms

Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins

Atlantic Division

Hartford Wolf Pack

Lowell Devils (fomerly Lock Monsters)

Manchester (NH) Monarchs

Portland Pirates

Providence Bruins

Springfield Falcons

Worcester Sharks (former  Cleveland Barons)

Western Conference

North Division

Grand Rapids Griffins 

Hamilton Bulldogs

Lake Erie Monsters

Manitoba Moose

Rochester Americans

Syracuse Crunch

Toronto Marlies

West Division

Chicago Wolves

Houston Aeros 

Iowa Stars

Milwaukee Admirals 

Peoria Rivermen

Quad City Flames (formerly Omaha)

Rockford Icehogs (formerly UHL)

San Antonio Rampage (former Louisville Panthers franchise)

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ECHL (formerly East Coast Hockey League)
(includes former WCHL teams)

American Conference

North Division

Cincinnati Cyclones (new 06-07)

Dayton Bombers

Elmira Jackals

Johnstown Chiefs

Reading (PA) Royals

Trenton Devils (formerly Titans)

Wheeling Nailers

South Division

Augusta Lynx

Charlotte Checkers

Columbia (SC) Inferno

Florida Everblades

Gwinnett Gladiators

Mississippi Sea Wolves

Pensacola Ice Pilots

South Carolina Stingrays

Texas Wildcatters (Beaumont)



National Conference

Pacific Division

Bakersfield Condors

Fresno Falcons

Las Vegas Wranglers

Stockton Thunder


West Division

Alaska Aces

Idaho Steelheads

Phoenix Roadrunners

Utah Grizzlies

Victoria Salmon Kings

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Central Hockey League

Northern Conference

Northwest Division

Colorado Eagles

Oklahoma City Blazers

Rocky Mountain Rage (Broomfield)

Tulsa Oilers

Wichita Thunder

Northeast Division

Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs

Mississippi River Kings (Formerly Memphis)

Texas Brahmas (Formerly Fort Worth)

Youngstown Steelhounds


Southern Conference

Southwest Division

Amarillo Gorillas

Arizona Sundogs

New Mexico Scorpions

Odessa Jackalopes


Southeast Division

Austin Ice Bats

Corpus Christi Rayz

Laredo Bucks

Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees (Hidalgo TX)

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United Hockey League

Became the IHL in 2007-08

 

International Hockey League (formerly UHL)

Bloomington PrairieThunder

Flint Generals

Fort Wayne Komets

Kalamazoo Wings

Muskegon Fury

Port Huron Icehawks

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Southern Professional Hockey League

Columbus Cottonmouths

Fayetteville (NC) FireAntz (Formerly Cape Fear)

Huntsville Havoc (formerly Channel Cats)

Jacksonville Barracudas (former ACHL)

Knoxville Ice Bears

Twin Cities Cyclones (Winston-Salem) (formerly Pee Dee)

Richmond Renegades

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North East Hockey League

Danville Pounders

Findlay Freedom

Mohawk Valley IceCats

New England Stars

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Mid Atlantic Hockey League

Battle Creek Revolution

Chelsea (MI) Tornadoes

Indiana (PA) Ice Miners

Lake Erie Vikings (Jamestown NY) 

Mon Valley Thunder (Belle Vernon, Pennsylvania)

South Shore Shooters

Trenton (MI) Warriors (formerly Wooster OH)

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Defunct Leagues

West Coast Hockey League

Merged with ECHL 2003-04


Western Professional Hockey League

Merged with Central League 2001-02


International Hockey League

Suspended play after 2000-01 (some teams joined AHL)

Atlantic Coast Hockey League

Dissolved after one season (2002-03); most teams moved to SEHL.

World Hockey Association 2  

(new 03-04, now defunct)

South East Hockey League (new 03-04)

(Suspended for 2004-05 (most teams gone to the SPHL)

Team Changes

Folded, suspended, moved

Teams of the future

Teams that never materialized

Teams that folded, suspended, or moved with a name change (all leagues)

97-98  98-99  99-00  00-01  01-02  02-03  03-04   04-05   05-06   06-07   07-08

 

 

Teams that played in 97-98:

Quebec Rafales (IHL)

San Antonio Dragons (IHL)

Louisville River Frogs (became Miami Matadors 98-99 ECHL; Cincinnati Cyclones 01-02; Texas Wildcatters 03-04)

Raleigh IceCaps (became Augusta Lynx 98-99 ECHL)

Nashville Ice Flyers (ECHL)

Binghamton Rangers (United)

Reno Rage (WCHL)

Teams that played in 98-99:

Chesapeake Icebreakers (became Jackson Bandits 99-00) (ECHL)

Columbus Chill (ECHL)

Miami Matadors (ECHL) (became Cincinnati Cyclones 01-02; Texas Wildcatters 03-04)

Fort Wayne Komets (IHL)

Indianapolis Ice (IHL)

Las Vegas Thunder (IHL)

Fredericton Canadiens (became Quebec City Citadelles 99-00) (AHL)

Beast of New Haven (AHL)

Adirondack Red Wings (AHL)

Tucson Gila Monsters (WCHL)

Winston-Salem Icehawks (United)

Thunder Bay Thunder Cats (United)

Fort Worth Fire (Central)


Teams that played in 99-00

Alexandria Warthogs (WPHL)

Saginaw Gears (moved to Canton 12/99) (UHL)

Ohio Gears (inactive for 00-01 due to construction of new building) (UHL)

Waco Wizards (WPHL) (Suspended play during season) 

Abilene Aviators (WPHL) (Suspended play during season) 

Arkansas Glaciercats (WPHL) (Suspended play after 99-00)

Michigan K-Wings (Suspended play after 99-00)

Hampton Roads Admirals (Suspended play after 99-00)

Jacksonville Lizard Kings (Suspended play after 99-00) (Expected to return in 02-03)

Madison Kodiaks (formerly Monsters) (UHL)

Louisville Panthers (AHL) (unknown)


Teams that played in 00-01

Tucson Scorch (new 00-01) (suspended after one game) (WPHL)

Central Texas Stampede (shut down January 2001) (WPHL)

Mohawk Valley Prowlers (Utica) (United) (suspended February 2001)

Border City Bandits (Texarkana) (Central) (suspended February 2001)

Kansas City Blades (IHL) (suspended play after 00-01)

Detroit Vipers (IHL) (suspended play after 00-01)

Cleveland Lumberjacks (IHL) (suspended play after 00-01)

Cincinnati Cyclones (IHL) (suspended play after 00-01)

Orlando Solar Bears  (IHL) (suspended play after 00-01)

Kentucky Thoroughblades (AHL) (moved to Cleveland as the Barons)

Topeka Scare Crows (moving to US Hockey League in 01-02 (a junior amateur league))

Tallahassee Tiger Sharks (shut down 5/01)

Birmingham Bulls (ECHL) moved to Atlantic City as Boardwalk Bullies

Fayetteville Force (UHL)

Huntsville Tornado (formerly Channel Cats) (UHL)

Lake Charles Ice Pirates (WPHL)

Monroe Moccasins (WPHL)

Tupelo T-Rex (WPHL) (will become a junior hockey program; joined SEHL in  02-03 but folded; may resume in 04-05)

Phoenix Mustangs (WCHL)


Teams that played in 01-02

Quebec Citadelles (AHL)

Asheville Smoke UHL; folded)

Knoxville Speed (UHL; folded) 

New Haven Knights (UHL; suspended)

Port Huron Border Cats (UHL; suspended)

B.C. Icemen (Broome Co./Binghamton) (UHL; suspended)

Tacoma Saber Cats (WCHL)

Colorado Gold Kings (WCHL)

Macon Whoopie (ECHL) moved to Lexington KY; suspended play in 02-03

New Orleans Brass (ECHL) suspended play

Mobile Mysticks (plan to move to Duluth, Georgia in 03-04)

San Antonio Iguanas (CHL)


Teams that played in 02-03

Richmond Renegades (ECHL) suspended play

Lexington Men O'War (ECHL) suspended play

Baton Rouge Kingfish (ECHL) suspended play

Jackson Bandits (ECHL) suspended play

Saint John Flames (AHL) (franchise will most likely move to Omaha in 04-05)

Arkansas RiverBlades (ECHL) shut down

El Paso Buzzards (CHL) shut down

Pee Dee Pride became Florence Pride (ECHL)

Tupelo T-Rex (SEHL; folded before season started due to legal issues) (may resume play in 04-05)


Teams that played in 03-04

Columbus (OH) Stars (UHL)

Columbus (GA) Cottonmouths (ECHL) (Suspended play for 04-05; will move to Bradenton FL in 05-06)

Greensboro Generals (suspended due to financial reasons)

Roanoke Express (suspended due to financial reasons)

Florence Pride (changed back to Pee Dee)

Cincinnati Cyclones

(These next four teams played or were scheduled to play in the WHA2 and/or the SEHL, both of which are apparently defunct as of July 27, 2004)

Pelham (AL) (inactive for 2004-05)

Alabama Slammers

Lakeland Loggerheads

Miami Manatees


Teams that played in 04-05

Atlantic City Boardwalk Bullies (AHL) (moving to Stockton CA)

St. John's Maple Leafs (AHL) (moving to Toronto)

Port Huron Beacons (UHL) (suspending play after 04-05 pending a move or permanent shut-down) (click here for an update)

Kansas City Outlaws (UHL) (suspending play after 04-05 pending a move or permanent shut-down)

San Angelo Saints (CHL) (Franchise rights to be moved in 06-07)

Cincinnati Mighty Ducks (AHL) (Suspended for 05-06 due to loss of NHL affiliation)

Utah Grizzlies (AHL) (Suspended for 2005-06) (click here for an update)

Macon Trax (SPHL)

Atlantic City Boardwalk Bullies (ECHL) (moving to Stockton CA as the Thunder)

Winston-Salem Polar Twins (SPHL) (Folded due to lack of support)

New Mexico Scorpions (CHL) (Suspended for 2005-06 pending move to a new building.

Edmonton Roadrunners (AHL) (Suspended play for 2005-06 due to concerns over competition with the NHL Oilers)

Louisiana IceGators (ECHL) (No official word, but they're not on the realigned ECHL team list for 2005-06.)

Mississippi Sea Wolves (Voluntary suspension extended through 06-07 due to hurricane damage to arena)

Teams that played in 05-06

Topeka Tarantulas (CHL)

Ashville (SPHL)

Cleveland Barons (AHL; will move to Worcester MA and become the Sharks in 06-07)

Richmond RiverDogs (UHL); franchise will move to Hoffman Estates IL; team will be called the Chicago Hounds

Missouri River Otters (UHL) (will suspend play unless a buyer is found)

Motor City Mechanics (UHL) suspended operations for at least one season

Roanoke Valley Vipers (UHL)  suspended operations for at least one season

Adirondack Frostbite (UHL) ownership has walked away from the team

Danbury (CN) Trashers (UHL)

San Diego Gulls (ECHL)

Greenville Grrrowl (ECHL)

Fort Worth Brahmas (CHL) suspended play due to arena dispute


Teams that played in 06-07

Florida Seals (SPHL)

Rockford Ice Hogs (Moving from UHL to AHL)

Elmira Jackals (moving from UHL to ECHL)

Quad City Mallards (UHL) (replaced by AHL Quad City Flames)

Long Beach Ice Dogs (ECHL; shutting down)

Omaha Ak-Sar-Ben Knights (AHL) moves to Quad Cities as the Flames

Chicago Hounds (UHL) - shutting down due to excessive lease costs

Toledo Storm (ECHL) - voluntary suspension

Port Huron Flags become the Beacons (former UHL; now IHL)

Lubbock Cotton Kings (CHL) - one year voluntary suspension

Pee Dee Pride (SPHL) - moving to Winston-Salem as the Twin City Cyclones

Teams that played in 07-08

Valley Forge Freedom (Oaks, Pennsylvania) (MAHL)

Jacksonville Barracudas (SPHL) - suspended play for one year to find a new arena

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Teams of the Future (and pending moves)

(If teams actually start play, they will be shown as new teams in their respective leagues. Teams that never materialize are listed below.


2003-04

Hamilton Bulldogs (AHL) to move to Toronto (an AHL team, the Roadrunners, did play in Toronto, but Hamilton remains in business. The Roadrunners are moving to Edmonton for 2004-05).

2004-05

Victoria (BC) Salmon Kings (former Baton Rouge Kingfish) (ECHL)

Danbury (CN) Trashers (UHL)

Kansas City Outlaws (UHL)

Motor City Mechanics (Fraser MI) (UHL)

Edmonton Roadrunners (formerly Toronto)


2005-06

Sarasota (ECHL)

Gulf Coast Swords (Bradenton FL) (ECHL) former Columbus Cottonmouths

Bloomington (IL) (ECHL) former WCHL Tacoma franchise

Reno (ECHL)

Burlington (VT) (ECHL)

Topeka Tarantulas (CHL) (this team is playing in 04-05)

Des Moines (AHL)

Iowa Stars (AHL)

Florida Seals (formerly Orlando; SPHL)

Peoria (former Ice Cats; moving from Worcester; AHL)

Roanoke Valley Vipers (UHL) (Expansion team)  

Youngstown (OH) Steelhounds (CHL)

Stockton Thunder (CA) (ECHL) (former Boardwalk Bullies, moving from Atlantic City) 

Omaha Ak-Sar-Ben Knights (AHL)

Toronto Marlies (AHL) (former St. John's Maple Leafs)

Port Huron, MI Flags (UHL)

Florence, SC (SPHL)

Phoenix Roadrunners (ECHL)

Pee Dee Cyclones (SPHL)


2006-07

Broomfield CO (CHL)

New Mexico Scorpions (CHL)

Arizona Sundogs (Prescott Valley AZ) (CHL)

Bloomington (IL) Prairie Thunder (UHL)

Cincinnati RailRiders (AHL)

Hoffman Estates IL (UHL) (to be known as the Chicago Hounds)

Worcester MA Sharks (former Cleveland Barons, AHL)

Richmond (VA) Renegades (SPHL)

Cincinnati Cyclones (ECHL)

2007-08

Williamsport PA (UHL)

Cleveland (Lake Erie Monsters) (AHL)

Rockford Ice Hogs (moving from UHL to AHL)

Elmira Jackals (moving from UHL to ECHL)

Quad City Flames (AHL) (replacing UHL Mallards)

Twin City Cyclones (Winston-Salem) (SPHL) (formerly Pee Dee)

 

2008-09

Windsor (Ontario) (former Cincinnati AHL franchise)

Battle Creek (MI) Revolution (MAHL)

Ontario (CA) Reign (ECHL)

2009-10

Toledo Walleye (ECHL)

Possible Teams

Lehigh Valley Xtreme (Allentown PA) (UHL)

Asheville NC (WHA2) (Played briefly in Southern Pro league)

Tallahassee FL (WHA2)

Possibilities that Never Materialized

Ontario (CA) (WCHL) (this became the franchise planned for Bloomington IL)

Huntington Blizzard (inactive in 2000-2001; moving to Memphis 2001-2002) (ECHL) 

Savanna (GA) (AHL)

Cincinnati RailRiders (AHL)

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Notes

Inter-league Play: In 2000-01 the WCHL and the CHL played 16 inter-league games which counted in the standings.

2001-02 Major Changes: Team moves and league realignments for the 2001-02 season were major and dramatic. Although they are listed under Moves/Changes, they are summarized here. 

The International Hockey League ceased operations after 56 years. From a high of 19 teams in 1997, the league dropped to 11 in 2000-01. Six IHL teams moved to the American Hockey League: Chicago Wolves, Manitoba Moose, Houston Aeros, Grand Rapids Griffins, Milwaukee Admirals and Utah Grizzlies. The Kansas City Blades, Detroit Vipers, Orlando Solar Bears and Cleveland Lumberjacks are no more. The former Miami Matadors franchise will move to Cincinnati under the Cyclones name in the East Coast Hockey League. San Jose folded the AHL Kentucky Thoroughblades, and established a new franchise, the Barons, in Cleveland. The AHL, long focused in the northeast, is now be scattered across a huge area with Texas, Utah, Manitoba, Newfoundland and Virginia at its extremes.

Meanwhile, the five-year old Western Professional Hockey League and the nine-year old Central Hockey League merged, retaining the CHL name. Lake Charles LA, Monroe LA and Tupelo MS of the WPHL were not included, while CHL teams in Huntsville AL and Fayetteville NC also became defunct. The CHL's Macon Whoopie and Columbus Cottonmouths joined the ECHL.

New League for 2002-03: The Atlantic Coast League started play in October with six teams, and is now included in our listings.

Shrinkage: Instead of planned expansion, the WCHL will lose a team, the Tacoma Sabrecats, which folded at the end of the season after losing to Idaho in the second round of the playoffs. In their short history the 'Cats claimed one Taylor Cup. The Colorado Gold Kings also suspended play.

WCHL to be Folded into ECHL: The ECHL has accepted the application of all current and two future WCHL teams to join the league. With other scheduled eastern expansion teams, the 27 team ECHL will balloon to 37 teams spread across both coasts by 2004-05. A joint meeting to discuss a name change and other issues will take place some time in the winter of 02-03.

Other 2002-03 Changes: The UHL B.C. (Binghamton NY) Iceman have  been forced into suspension due to the AHL team coming to that city. The new San Antonio Stampede had to change their nickname to Rampage because the Stampede name is owned by a semi-pro football team. 

On the Move: The AHL Hamilton Bulldogs will reportedly move to Toronto at the end of the 2002-03 season. Toronto will become the second city to have both NHL and AHL teams (the other is Philadelphia, with the AHL Phantoms).

Changes for 2003-04: An organization is preparing to bring back the long-defunct World Hockey Association, supposedly at or near the level of the NHL, in 2004-05. An affiliated minor league, WHA2, is planned for 2002-03, with ten to twelve teams.

Also scheduled to start play in the fall of 2003 is a new all-Canadian pro league, the Federal Hockey League. 

How likely are these leagues to succeed, or even launch play? The Federal league has not announced any cities. The WHA is advertising franchises available in 25 cities, with commitments in place for 7 other locations. Meanwhile the struggles of several NHL clubs have been well documented (Pittsburgh, Buffalo, Ottawa), and as many as ten NHL teams may be for sale. Where will the players, fans and money come from?


The East Coast Hockey League has decided to retain it's current name (more or less), despite the addition of the entire West Coast league. The league will be called the ECHL, and will drop the text spelling out the name in its logo. 

Teams set to play in the World Hockey Association 2 include Pelham (AL), a suburb of Birmingham. 

The all-Canadian Federal League has plans for teams in Vancouver, Edmonton, Regina, Saskatoon, Thunder Bay, North Bay, Hamilton, Quebec, Montreal and Saint John. The league will take a radical approach to revenue sharing, with 100% of gate revenues spread among teams, players, coaches and the league according to a pre-set scale.

The AHL has realigned into two conferences, with two divisions each containing six or seven teams. This replaces the three division alignment in each conference that was used in 2002-03. The new alignment is now shown under the AHL section.  

The ECHL has announced its new conference and division lineups, to incorporate teams formerly belonging to the WCHL. The new alignment is now shown under the ECHL Section.

The September 1, 2003 update includes the first official listing of the World Hockey Association 2. Meanwhile, all but one team in the Atlantic League pulled out to form the new South East Hockey League (also added to our list, at least until the next shakeup) Does that mean that Winston-Salem, the sole team left in the old league, is a lock for the ACHL cup?

ECHL players went on strike in late August. Teams vowed to start the season on time, with or without the strikers, recruiting from colleges and Europe. (PS: The strike was settled before opening day.)

The ACHL appears to be officially dead; it's no longer listed in The Hockey News, and in its place is the SEHL. With this update, the the ACHL is shown as dissolved.

Before the start of the season, the ECHL re-named its Western Conference Divisions to Central and Pacific. The Gwinnet Gladiators and the Augusta Lynx moved from the Southern Division to the Central. These designations are reflected in the league listings. The players strike was settled in late September, prior to the start of training camps.

The SEHL's Tupelo T-Rex (formerly of the defunct WPHL) was forced to fold before the season started, due to a non-compete clause relating to their former league. This leaves four teams active in the new league.

The SEHL's Winston-Salem team, which has played without a nickname, is now officially the Thunderbirds.

The Columbus (OH) Stars have shut down as of January 9 (oops - we never put this team in the active list). The UHL team cited poor attendance. Players become free agents, and many are expected to join the ECHL.

02/19/04: Please don't ask how or why, but we erroneously listed the Portland Pirates (AHL) as a team that had stopped playing. In fact, the Pirates have been going strong since 1993 and we have never seen any reports to indicate any changes.   

04/02/04: Another mea culpa - we've had two CHL teams listed as "teams of the future," although they have been playing all season long. We have now added the Colorado Eagles and the Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees (Hidalgo TX) to the Central League section. I swear I checked the CHL website or the Hockey News standings near the start of the season, but maybe it was before the lineups were set. The addition of these teams caused a couple of division moves for other teams. Don't hesitate to send Email if you spot any other errors.

5/11/04: The World Hockey Association 2 has announced that its member teams, including the Orlando Seals, Jacksonville Barracudas, Asheville Aces, Lakeland Loggerheads, Macon Trax, and Alabama Slammers will be leaving the league to align with the reincarnated Eastern Hockey League of North Carolina. The Miami Manatees franchise has been granted a temporary one year suspension of operations while it looks to relocate for the 2005-2006 season. The Cape Coral Florida franchise has agreed to follow the former WHA2 member teams to the new league (but see below for updates).

In the ECHL, teams are planned in 2005-06 for Burlington VT; Reno NV; and Bloomington IL. The latter is the former WCHL franchise in Tacoma, which once planned to move to Ontario CA. There is a possibility the Atlantic City Boardwalk Bullies will move to New Orleans.

05/15/04: The ECHL Peoria Rivermen are in negotiations to move up to the AHL next season. In the Central League, the Indianapolis Ice will likely move to a junior status, while the Junior A U.S. League Danville IL Wings could replace them.

05/22/04: The Huntsville Channel Cats are moving from the South East League to the Eastern League (leaving just three teams in the SEHL). However, the WHA2 Alabama Slammers may go to the SEHL instead of the EHL, and Columbus GA may ice a team in SEHL.

07/22/04: The ECHL has realigned and re-named its conferences and divisions. The new combinations are shown under the ECHL listing above.

As of July 2004 the Eastern Hockey League has changed its name to the Southern Hockey League, although things are in such a state that it may be the non-existent league by the time the season starts. We haven't tried to include this league in the league/team listings yet. No official web site for the league could be found.

The SEHL in June announced that Pelham AL will join the league; the Tupelo T-Rex also may return.

A correspondent reports new teams for Kansas City and Fraser, Michigan. I have not been able to get any other information on these yet.

Lots of today's updates (7/22/04) are because I have added follow-up notes to some of the team changes from previous years.

07/24/04: As of July 24 the Kansas City and Fraser (Motor City Mechanics) teams have been confirmed as members of the UHL. The league has reconfigured into three divisions, and the new team lineups are shown in the listings above.

On July 23 the American Hockey league announced that the Toronto Roadrunners would move to Edmonton for 2004-05. 

07/27/04: Mass shuffling continues in the Southeast and the again-renamed Southern Professional Hockey League (which is now honored with a listing above). Several teams have pulled out of the SEHL, and it's expected to fold. This leaves the SPHL with nine teams, mostly from the former WHA2/EHL/SHL/SEHL leagues.

8/09/04: The revived World Hockey Association (WHA) remains a bit insubstantial, despite the presence of former Blackhawk star Bobby Hull as commissioner. The league lists the following as cities that will play in the first season: Dallas or Vancouver, Detroit, Halifax, Hamilton, Miami, Quebec, and Toronto. Ownership groups have reportedly paid the franchise fee for four of these. They've conducted a draft, picking Sidney Crosby, next year's 99% certain number one in the NHL draft. Observers doubt that he'll sign. Detroit has a coach, and Quebec has a team name (the Nordiks).

Far less likely is the Northern League of Professional Hockey (NLPH), which seems to be little more than a hopeful ad that appeared in a recent issue of the Hockey News, seeking team owners. The listed website is not operational.

8/10/04: Yet another new hockey league has come to our attention - the International Hockey Association. Unlike the elusive WHA and the vaporous NLPH, the league has six teams complete with names and logos, and lists plans for future expansion. The 2004-05 schedule link on their website brings up a list of days with no dates or teams yet, but after all, it's still only August. We'll list this league above when the schedule appears. Teams for 2004 are Buffalo, Jamestown, Harrisburg, Pittsburgh, Troy OH, and Sault St. Marie. I'm guessing that's Jamestown NY; individual team information is not provided.

8/25/04: The tentative Iowa team for the AHL has been confirmed for 2005 and is now listed under teams of the future for 05-06. Based in Des Moines, they will be known as the Stars, and have signed an affiliation agreement with Dallas.

9/1/04: The St. John's Maple Leafs will end a 14 year run in Newfoundland after the 2004-05 season, and will move to Toronto. The team is affiliated with the NHL Maple Leafs.

The WHA is down to five cities: Detroit, Halifax, Vancouver, Dallas and Quebec. In its issue of August 24, The Hockey News declares the league's survival unlikely.

9/2/04: The Southeast Hockey League clings to life, or at least to hope, with a spokesman declaring that the league will be "dormant" for 2004-05. Three teams are said to be committed for 2005-06, but only Pelham and Tupelo are named.

9/23/04: The Hockey News compares them to "spoiled kids [squabbling] over a candy bar" (a candy bar worth two billion dollars, as the writer notes). The NHL and the NHLPA met a few times in late summer, but seemed only to harden their already diametrically opposed positions. Bottom line - no hockey till further notice, and the league speaks of trashing the entire season. While the league's claim of losses seems to be valid, it's still millionaire vs. millionaire, and who knows what the long-term costs of their intransigence will be? Like many fans, I'm just as mad as can be at both parties, but I'm a hard core fanatic, so I'll be watching the local ECHL Fresno Falcons and waiting anxiously for the return of the big time.

Meanwhile, what about the Original Stars Hockey League? Unlike the even more elusive WHL, the OSHL is intended only as a fill-in and plans to suspend operations once the NHL is back in business. A Google search did not produce a website for the league. In the latest story found, the league says it has cancelled some preseason games, but denies that the league has folded. They claim they will start their regular season on October 7. This story from the Toronto Star puts things in pretty good perspective. Stay tuned.

As for the WHA, on their website is a denial that they are selling the league to the NHL. The latest update prior to that dates back to August 27. Don't hold your breath waiting for this circus to provide hockey either. 

9/29/04: The Orlando Seals of the Southern Professional Hockey League have been forced to suspend operations for the 2004-05 season, due to loss of their arena lease. We've left them in the league listing, since they expect to return on 05-06.

10/9/04: Someone asked me if there is a way to locate a particular player, to see what team he now plays for. The Joy of Hockey attempts to do just this. Log on to the site, then scroll down to the alpha links under "Joy of Hockey's Player Index." Each player's page lists his career statistics by year.

10/11/04: The Cape Fear FireAntz (SPHL), based in Fayetteville, have adopted the city name instead of the regional name, and will now be the Fayetteville FireAntz. This change has been made in the listings above. 

11/1/04: The WHA has finally thrown in the towel, admitting it will not get off the ground this year. There are still big plans for next year, and the organization is for sale, with a wealthy lumberman reportedly interested.

12/2/04: Another apparent towel toss comes from the Original Stars Hockey League. The Hockey News issue of November 23, 2004, player paychecks have bounced and games have been cancelled. The league still claims it will resume play in December, but many high-profile players have given up on the experiment.

The Orlando Seals, suspended for the 04-05 season due to the loss of their arena, have lined up a venue for 05-06 - the Silver Spurs Arena in nearby Kissimmee. They will become the Florida Seals.

12/4/04: The St. Louis Blues are selling the Worcester Ice Cats (AHL) to the owners of the Peoria Rivermen (ECHL), who plan to move the AHL team to Peoria. No word yet on the fate of the Rivermen.

12/18/04: The Exhibition Hockey League (EHL) is the latest in a long line of leagues and tours attempting to provide hockey during the NHL lockout. It planned a December launch, but the latest information on the Internet now says the end of January. The Federal League fizzled out before any franchises were established.

Referring back to the December 4 update, the latest word is that the former Worcester AHL franchise will move to Peoria and take the Rivermen name. The ECHL Rivermen franchise will either be sold or folded.

3/12/05: Add another hopeful minor pro league - the Northern League of Professional Hockey, which plans to start play in October. The configuration is expected to include five to eight teams in Ontario and the northeastern U.S. Possible locations include North Bay, Niagara Falls, Welland, St. Catherine's, LaSalle, Cornwall and Brantford in Ontario; and Danville IL, Roanoke VA, Hampton Roads VA, Huntington WV, and Utica NY in the U.S.

The Calgary Flames are planning to place their AHL affiliate in Omaha next season. The Flames suspended play of their long-standing team in Saint John N.B after 2002-03.

The AHL's Portland Pirates are considering a move to Massachusetts. A new arena in Portland could forestall the move. There's also a rumor the Hartford Wolf Pack may move to Rye, NY.

The latest chapter in the long-running soap opera that is the revived (or still moribund?) World Hockey Association has the league aiming for an October start, with at least six North American franchises.

3/30/05: In  the possible but hopefully not probable category, the Cleveland Barons could move if attendance does not improve. Quad Cities, which hosts a UHL team, is interested in the Sharks AHL affiliate. Note: As of June 23, the franchise will remain in Cleveland.

Toronto's AHL affiliate, the St. John's Maple Leafs, will move to Toronto for the 2005-06 season, and will be known as the Marlboros (see an update here).

4/12/05: The UHL's Port Huron Beacons, after losing a million and a half dollars since 2002, will either relocate, suspend play, or shut down when the season ends. Any move would not take place until 2006-07.

4/21/05: The Omaha AHL franchise (former Saint John Flames) will be known as the Knights. (Click here for an update)

We've received notice that the Port Huron Beacon (UHL) will move to Roanoke VA, and will be known as the Roanoke Valley Vipers. However, hockey will continue in the Michigan city with a new franchise known as the Port Huron Flags.

There is a rumor that the Quad City Mallards might be moving from the UHL to the AHL. Note: As of June 23, the Mallards will remain in the UHL.

5/1/05: The Toronto AHL team will actually be known as the Marlies, a reference to the junior team. the Marlboros, which played there in the past.

5/12/05: The Omaha AHL team will be known as the Ak-Sar Ben Knights (no, it's not Arabic; ask Stan Freberg for an explanation).

6/1/05: OK, there's confusion in Omaha, or bad info coming out, or something. The latest word is that the Omaha team will be just plain Omaha Knights (thank goodness) (but click here for the latest).

The latest from the ghostly World Hockey League says that the three-city, six-team tournament scheduled for late May is on hold till early June. Promoter Phil Esposito has ended his association with the league, saying he hasn't been paid. League president Ricky Smith says he fired Phil. Everyone who still believes in the WHA, send in $500 for this bridge in Brooklyn that I'm selling.

The San Angelo Saints suspended operations after an eight-year CHL run. The license rights for the franchise will be moved for the 2006-07 season. 

Also suspending play, at least for 2005-06, is the Cincinnati Mighty Ducks, who have lost their affiliation with the Anaheim Mighty Ducks of the NHL.

Another AHL suspension is the Utah Grizzlies, whose announcement gives no reason, but says "Exciting details regarding hockey in Utah and in the E Center will be revealed in the near future."

In the SPHL, the Macon Trax have suspended operations. Several other teams are said to be on shaky ground, but the web site doesn't have any information on this. Nothing is said of the Trax either, but they are no longer listed as a member of the league. 

The new ECHL franchise in Stockton will be known as the Thunder.

6/3/05: We've now received confirmation that the Winston-Salem Polar Twins of the SPHL have suspended operations. This is the city's 7th hockey franchise to take a fatal slip on the ice.

6/23/05: The Utah Grizzlies will resume play in the coming season as an ECHL team. Edmonton will suspend play of their AHL affiliate Roadrunners over concerns about competition with the NHL team (both were scheduled to play in the same arena in Edmonton). A possible move of the Sharks AHL team from  Cleveland to Quad Cities will not occur; the UHL Mallards will continue their successful run in the Iowa-Illinois border area. By the way, in case you're wondering, the Quad Cities are Rock Island and Moline in Illinois, and Bettendorf and Davenport in Iowa.

6/25/05: With three new teams for 2005-06 (Phoenix Roadrunners, Stockton Thunder, and the Utah Grizzlies) the ECHL will have 27 teams playing in 16 states and British Columbia, and has done a major realignment of divisions and conferences. The new alignments are shown in the ECHL team listing above.

7/19/05: OK, we're putting this to rest once and for all. The AHL team in Omaha is the Ak-Sar-Ben Knights (it's Nebraska spelled backwards). Someone else owns the rights to the name "Omaha Knights."

9/19/05: Due to Hurricane Katrina, which has been called the worst natural disaster in the history of the United States, Mississippi Sea Wolves operating owner Mike Rogers has announced that the team would not be able to operate in 2005-06 but that it would return to action at the Mississippi Coast Coliseum in 2006-07.

What's up with the elusive World Hockey Association? We haven't seen any news lately on line or in The Hockey News, but the WHA web site has a message that reads "WHA SUPER JUNIOR LEAGUE - TRYOUT CAMP 2005-2006 Season to consist of six teams in Florida division."

10/11/05: In addition to the Mississippi Sea Wolves, the Texas Wildcatters will also not play during 2005-06 because of hurricane damage to their arena in Beaumont.

1/19/06: The name of the new CHL team in Prescott Valley AZ will be the Arizona Sundogs.

1/31/06: Robbie Nichols, the popular coach of the Richmond RiverDogs is being shipped by the team's owners to Hoffman Estates, Ill., to help start up their new UHL franchise there. Although there are hints the 'Dogs will move or fold, the team has said no decision will be made till the end of the season. With a projected loss of $400,000 for the team this season, a bet on the team's survival doesn't look like a good investment.

2/28/06: The Bloomington IL UHL franchise will be known as the Prairie Thunder.

3/19/06: As projected above (1/31), the Richmond RiverDogs franchise is moving to Hoffman Estates, Illinois in 2006-07. Local businessman Allan B. Harvie is trying to bring in a Southern Pro League franchise to fill the void.

4/3/06: There's a possibility the Quad City Mallards (UHL) may move to the American League and become the Edmonton Oilers top farm team. Some observers question whether the team can generate the necessary revenue to move up.

The New Jersey Devils have ended their relationship with the AHL Albany River Rats, and will purchase the AHL team in Lowell MA, where they will place their prospects. The Rats are exploring possible affiliation with other clubs.

4/9/06: The proposed new AHL team for Cincinnati, the Railriders, have been unable to sell enough season tickets for 2006-07 and will not play next year. The team ownership continues to hold the rights for an AHL franchise in Cincinnati, but no further plans have been announced.

4/21/06: The ECHL announced on Friday that the Cincinnati Cyclones have informed the Board of Governors that they will return to the ice at US Bank Arena for the 2006-07 season. The team told the Board that preparations are already underway and playing dates have previously been submitted to the League office.

5/18/06: The annual change partners dance has begun as some NHL teams change their AHL affiliates. The Carolina Hurricanes will join forces with the Albany River Rats, severing ties with the Lowell Loch Monsters. The Rats end a lengthy partnership with the New Jersey Devils. Colorado will share the Albany affiliation, also ending a relationship with Lowell. Click here to see the latest listing of NHL farm teams.

The Mississippi Sea Wolves (ECHL) have received permission to extend their voluntary suspension through the 2006-07 season, pending completion of repairs to their hurricane-damaged rink.

5/31/06: The Missouri River Otters (UHL) may be finished for good. The current owner has closed down the team office, and unless someone steps in to buy the team, it will not return next season.

With the Richmond RiverDogs moving to Hoffman Estates, IL, the former Richmond ECHL team the Renegades will be revived as a SPHL team for 2006-07. 

6/20/06: The UHL may drop from 14 teams to 11 for the 2006-07 season. The Bloomington (IL) Prairie Thunder is a new expansion team, but the league may lose the Roanoke Valley Vipers, Motor City Mechanics, Missouri River Otters and Adirondack Frostbite. The Vipers and Mechanics are a definite "no," while it would take new ownership to saved the Otters and the Frostbite.

6/29/06: The Lowell Lock Monsters (AHL), now affiliated with the New Jersey Devils, have adopted the parent team's nickname.

There's a rumor, unconfirmed by the league but reported in The Hockey News, that the owners of the ECHL Greenville Grrowl have folded the team. Meanwhile reports that the UHL Danbury Trashers will suspend operations for the 2006-07 season have been confirmed.

6/30/06: The ECHL San Diego Gulls stopped operations today. A pending sale could not be finalized in time for the team to compete in the 2006-07 season. The Gulls have operated in the now defunct International and West Coast Hockey Leagues as well as the ECHL for many years. A personal note: Since my local Fresno Falcons joined the WCHL in 1996, the Gulls have been our most loved and hated rivals. They will be missed.

7/22/06: Although the ECHL has not made an official announcement, the Greenville Grrrowl are not listed in the recently-released 2006-07 schedule; therefore we're listing them as a defunct or suspended team that played in 05-06.

8/8/06: It's two in and two out for the ECHL. The final team lineup includes the Cincinnati Cyclones and the Texas Wildcatters (Beaumont), who return after suspending play last year due to Hurricane Rita. Greenville and San Diego are out for now.

The Central League's Fort Worth Brahmas are suspending play for the 2006-07 season due to a dispute with the city over their arena lease.

8/14/06: The Chicago Blackhawks will share an ECHL affiliation with the Toledo Storm. The Storm are also affiliated with Detroit.

The 2006-07 season might be called the year of going back. A half dozen or more players are returning to teams they played for in the past. Perhaps the biggest move was Colorado's Rob Blake returning to the L.A. Kings. Blake won a Stanley Cup with the Avalanche. Other moves: Jeremy Roenick back to Phoenix, Travis Green to the Anaheim Ducks, Dominik Hasek to the Detroit Red Wings, Mark Recchi to the Pittsburgh Penguins, and Doug Weight to the St. Louis Blues.

Big name moves to new teams include Brendan Shanahan to the Rangers, Chris Pronger to the Ducks, Eric Lindros to the Stars, Alex Tanguay to the Flames, Michael Peca to the Maple Leafs.

9/28/06: It appears that the ECHL has done away with divisions for the 2006-07 season. Nothing has been said about it, but the team listings show conference line-ups only, so we're making that assumption till we hear otherwise. (See the next note for the latest.)

10/21/06: Finally the ECHL has revealed the division lineups, and we've made the changes in the league listing above.

11/2/06: A Windsor, Ontario organization, Ice Track Corp., plans to purchase the AHL Cincinnati franchise, and establish a team in a new arena in Winsdor, starting in 2008-09.

12/6/06: The Chicago Blackhawks would like to place their prospects in an AHL affiliate in Rockford IL, much closer than their present location with the Norfolk Admirals. The plan is complicated by the fact that Rockford has a UHL team, the IceHogs, and that the Admirals have no interest in moving.

2/16/07: The SPHL Florida Seals have folded after the arena locked them out due to unpaid bills. As a result, the league will base final standings on win percentage, since it's now mathematically impossible for all teams to play an equal number of games.

2/26/07: Hockey is heading back to Cleveland once again. The owner of the NBA's Cleveland Cavaliers and their arena will run the operation, to be known as the Lake Erie Monsters. The AHL team is expected to play next season (2007-08) and will be affiliated with the Colorado Avalanche.

3/30/07: Officials in Glens Falls NY are exploring the level of support for getting an AHL team back in the city. The Adirondack Red Wings flourished there for many years until financial problems forced them to shut down after the 1998-99 season. A United League team, the Adirondack Frostbite, ceased operations last June.

According to a March 19 news release, the Chicago Blackhawks will move their AHL affiliation to Rockford IL, and the UHL Ice Hogs will apparently move up to the higher level league (see update below). Chicago ends its seven-year affiliation with the Norfolk Admirals, who are expected to partner with Tampa Bay.

4/14/07: The Blackhawks have signed a 10-year affiliation agreement with the new AHL team in Rockford. The Hawks had been affiliated with Norfolk for seven years, but wanted a team closer to Chicago.

Tampa Bay will end its agreement with Springfield; the likely new relationship is with Norfolk. Springfield will be the AHL farm team for Edmonton, which has not had it's own affiliate for two years.

The ECHL has approved the application of the Elmira Jackals to move from the United League effective October 2007.

4/23/07: The Rockford AHL team is actually the former Cincinnati AHL franchise, but will retain the Ice Hogs name.

4/29/07: The ECHL stands to lose two American Conference teams for the 2007-08 season. The Pensacola Ice Pilots lease has expired, apparently ending ten years of hockey in that Florida city. The Toledo Storm has requested a voluntary suspension of operations (more below).

5/18/07: The Peedee Cyclones of the Southern Professional Hockey League are looking for a home in a new city. The team has been unable to make a profit in their present location.

The International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) will launch a European championship league in 2008-09. Talks are in progress about having the Euro champion play the Stanley Cup champion each September. If this comes about, winners of these prizes will be listed on our Hockey Cup Winners page.

5/19/07: The New Jersey Devils' ECHL affiliate in Trenton has changed their name from the Titans to the Devils, thus completing the "devilish" hat trick (the AHL affiliate, Lowell changed to the Devils last season)

6/2/07: More changes in the hockey world - The ECHL loses another team with the shut-down of the Long Beach Ice Dogs. According to an official with another ECHL team, the Dogs were playing in front of "crowds" of 600 near the end of the season.

Meanwhile, the UHL loses another team to higher ambition. The Quad City Mallards, one of the more successful low minor league teams, will become Calgary's American League affiliate, and will be known as the Quad City Flames. 

There has been no confirmation regarding shut-down of the Toledo Storm or Pensacola Ice Pilots. The Storm are promoting season ticket sales on their web site and the Ice Pilots introduced a new coach on May 31 (more below).

6/8/07: The new Quad City Flames team will actually be Calgary's former Omaha Knights. Omaha proved to be the wrong market for an AHL team. Fans remained loyal to the US League's Lancers and the University of Nebraska team.

After sharing the Albany River Rats with Carolina, Colorado will have an exclusive franchise with the Lake Erie Monsters (Cleveland), coached by former NHL journeyman Joe Sacco. The New York Islanders will have an ECHL affiliate for the first time, the Utah Grizzlies.

6/9/07: After a week or two of rumors, the UHL has officially announced that the Chicago Hounds are shutting down. The reason given is lack of a reasonable lease costs.

6/18/07: We have received confirmation via Email from an official with the Pensacola Ice Pilots that the team will definitely play in 2007-08. We had no response to an inquiry to the Storm. However, the team no longer has a link on the ECHL home page, and the Storm page is "under construction." A look at the schedule for one of the American conference team shows no games scheduled with Toledo. Therefore we're listing the Toledo Storm as a team that no longer plays. 

6/19/07: One of our faithful hockey fans has brought to our attention two new minor pro leagues. The  4-team North Eastern Hockey League has completed its second year, and provides the following information on its website (http://www.northeasternhockeyleague.com/): "The North Eastern Hockey League is a second year minor hockey league. We use NHL rules with a few variations. The NEHL is a high scoring, fast paced league. In the first season games averaged 15 goals per game between both teams. The NEHL is based on affordability for both the owner and the fans." Teams have been added to the league listings above.

The Mid-Atlantic Hockey League is new and is hiring staff and holding team tryouts. The league's web site (http://www.mahlhockey.com/) lists two teams in one area and three in another (Mon Valley PA, Wooster OH and Indiana PA). This team will be added to the listings when play starts this fall. (More below)

6/21/07: The United League has changed its name to the International Hockey League, taking the name of the former triple A league that operated for 56 years with a high of 19 teams. The new IHL will start play with six team, The Bloomington PrairieThunder, Flint Generals, Fort Wayne Komets, Kalamazoo Wings, Muskegon Fury, and the Port Huron Icehawks. The fate of the other UHL teams are as follows: Elmira Jackals and Rockford IceHogs are moving to the ECHL; the Port Huron Flags become the Icehogs; the Chicago Hounds are shutting down, and the Quad City Mallards are replaced by the AHL Quad City Flames. The new lineup is now included in the team listings above

7/8/07: Division alignments for the AHL Western Conference have changed with the addition of two teams and the movement of another. Colorado's AHL franchise, the Cleveland based Lake Erie Monsters will join the North Division. The Rockford Icehogs (moving from UHL) and the Quad City Flames (formerly Nebraska) will be in the West Division. The new alignments have been entered in the AHL listings above.

7/18/07: The Central Hockey League Lubbock  Cotton Kings will suspend play for a year. There's a chance the team could move to nearby San Angelo, where the Saints suspended operations at the end of the 2004-05 season.

In the Southern Professional Hockey League, the Pee Dee Cyclones, having experienced many ups and downs through the years, will move to Winston-Salem as the Twin City Cyclones.

8/7/07: The new Mid-Atlantic Hockey League has announced its 2007-08 schedule, to begin November 2, as well as the teams that will play. The league is now included in the listings above.

The new Europeans Champions Hockey League will begin play in September, 2008 with 24 clubs from seven countries participating. The 60-game format will conclude in January, 2009 with a two-game, home and away final. The Champions League winner will play in the Victoria Cup, a new annual tournament between three European teams and an NHL challenger, starting in the fall of 2008. 

3/20/08: Effective today new notes will appear here at the top of the page, and will be moved to the bottom whenever they build up to what I think is enough to move (or six months, whichever comes first). And they won't be in red.

We haven't had much going on in the way of changes this season; the last new item was last October. Teams folding, moving, starting up, etc., usually happen late in the season or during the summer, but still, the hockey world seems remarkably stable this year.

Someone asked a question which may be of interest to others, so I present it here:

Q: I was just wondering which NHL team acquires players from the Knoxville Ice Bears of the SPHL. I realize it's not a direct move, but if a player from the Ice Bears were good enough, what would his exact path to the NHL be? Just curious as to which stepping stones he would take and which NHL team Knoxville is affiliated with.

A: Usually the NHL teams do not have a formal agreement with minor league teams other than the AHL and ECHL. (If anyone knows different, please Email me.)  However, players from lower leagues do often move up to higher leagues, either by being signed, or temporarily on loan. If they shine during the loan period, they might get a contract from the higher team next season.

Our local ECHL team, Fresno Falcons, has no current NHL/AHL affiliate, but two or three players were loaned to different AHL teams during the season. Although we wish them well in the future, we hope they come back soon, with the playoffs coming up.

So a long answer to a simple question:

1. Be one of the best players in the SPHL

2. Put out feelers to ECHL and/or AHL teams (via an agent if possible) 

3. Get signed and be one of the better players in that league 

4. Get called up to the NHL

Although a lot of NHL players have spent brief periods in the ECHL and lower leagues, you can usually assume that a long-term (two seasons or more) minor league player is not likely to move up permanently.

We had one player, Greg Spenrath, who was a heavy hitter, goal scorer, leader, fighter, responsible defensively, who spent most of one season with an IHL team (back in the old IHL days). At that time we were in the West Coast league and had no affiliation. But even though he scored ten or more goals, he didn't get invited back.

The Mid-Atlantic Hockey League (MAHL) announced that the Jamestown VIkings (Jamestown, NY) will relocate for their 2nd Season starting in the fall 2008.

The team will now be known as the Lake Erie Vikings and will return to Ohio for the upcoming season. Where in Ohio? you might ask? I checked both the league and Vikings web sites without finding an answer. But I'd look for it somewhere in the northern part of the state.

An expansion team, the South Shore Shooters, located in Dyer IN, will join the league for the 2008-09 season.

3/28/08: There's a reference in a brief item in The Hockey News of March 25 that says the Mid-Atlantic Hockey League has folded. In fact, they are recruiting for next season, and a representative quickly responded to my Email inquiry, stating that the league is NOT shutting down. They expect to have around ten teams for the 08-09 season.

More likely to be found among the missing is the Northeast Hockey League. The web site lists games scheduled through April, but there have been no scores entered and no news items since January. Email to the league president came back undeliverable, and mail to another address went unanswered. We'll leave the league in the active list for now, and see what happens during the summer.

Source: The Hockey News; league and team Internet sites; and interested hockey fans from around Canada and the U.S.

 

    

 

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