| 2020–21 ECHL season | |
|---|---|
| League | ECHL |
| Sport | Ice hockey |
| Duration | December 11, 2020 – June 6, 2021 |
| Regular season |
The 2020–21 ECHL season is the 33rd season of the ECHL. Due to the ongoing restrictions in the COVID-19 pandemic, the start of the regular season was pushed back to December 11, 2020.[1]
League business[edit]
Due to the uncertainty of being able to host games in some locations caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, several member teams had not been able to confirm participation in the 2020–21 season and the season start was postponed. In October 2020, thirteen teams confirmed plans to begin play in December 2020 with others hoping to return in January 2021.[1] All teams had a deadline to voluntarily opt out of the 2020–21 season by November 30,[2] but two teams have been granted extensions: the Fort Wayne Komets and Toledo Walleye.[3] The Komets and Walleye were then approved to postpone their start to February.[4] The league announced its schedule through February 11, 2021.[5]
By December 7, 2020, the other eleven teams had opted out from participating in the season and voluntarily suspended operations: the Adirondack Thunder, Atlanta Gladiators, Brampton Beast, Cincinnati Cyclones, Idaho Steelheads, Kalamazoo Wings, Maine Mariners, Newfoundland Growlers, Norfolk Admirals, Reading Royals, and Worcester Railers.[6][7][8][9] On January 5, 2021, the league announced that Toledo had opted out of the season as well, but that Fort Wayne had finalized plans to start playing on February 12.[10] The league announced a conference-based alignment and its schedule through April 4.[11] The league announced a remainder of the schedule on February 10.[12] Due to COVID-19 related postponements and teams' arenas availability, many games throughout the season were rescheduled.
During the season, the Brampton Beast announced the team had suspended operations entirely on February 18, 2021.[13]
Affiliation changes[edit]
| ECHL team | New affiliates | Former affiliates |
|---|---|---|
| Fort Wayne Komets | Henderson Silver Knights (AHL) | Chicago Wolves (AHL) |
| Greenville Swamp Rabbits[14] | Florida Panthers (NHL) | Carolina Hurricanes (NHL) |
| Tulsa Oilers | Anaheim Ducks (NHL) San Diego Gulls (AHL) | St. Louis Blues (NHL) Springfield Thunderbirds (AHL) |
All-star game[edit]
During the previous season, the league had awarded the Jacksonville Icemen the 2021 All-Star Game,[15] but the Jacksonville-hosted event was deferred to 2022.[16]
Standings[edit]
Due to the imbalanced schedule during the pandemic, teams are ranked on points percentage.[11]
Standings as of May 6, 2021.[17]
| Eastern Conference | GP | W | L | OTL | SOL | GF | GA | Pts | Pts% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Florida Everblades (NSH) | 54 | 33 | 17 | 2 | 2 | 183 | 145 | 70 | .648 |
| Greenville Swamp Rabbits (FLA) | 57 | 27 | 16 | 11 | 3 | 166 | 173 | 68 | .596 |
| Indy Fuel (CHI) | 52 | 28 | 19 | 5 | 0 | 155 | 153 | 61 | .587 |
| Orlando Solar Bears (TB) | 55 | 29 | 21 | 4 | 1 | 169 | 178 | 63 | .573 |
| Jacksonville Icemen (WPG) | 53 | 26 | 21 | 3 | 3 | 151 | 152 | 58 | .547 |
| South Carolina Stingrays (WSH) | 55 | 24 | 19 | 9 | 3 | 164 | 175 | 60 | .545 |
| Wheeling Nailers (PIT) | 51 | 17 | 28 | 5 | 1 | 150 | 184 | 40 | .392 |
| Western Conference | GP | W | L | OTL | SOL | GF | GA | Pts | Pts% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fort Wayne Komets (VGK) | 36 | 23 | 9 | 3 | 1 | 132 | 95 | 50 | .694 |
| Wichita Thunder (EDM) | 59 | 35 | 16 | 6 | 2 | 182 | 157 | 78 | .661 |
| Allen Americans (MIN) | 56 | 35 | 18 | 2 | 1 | 180 | 152 | 73 | .652 |
| Utah Grizzlies (COL) | 57 | 25 | 21 | 5 | 6 | 160 | 180 | 61 | .535 |
| Rapid City Rush (ARI) | 58 | 29 | 25 | 3 | 1 | 171 | 184 | 62 | .534 |
| Tulsa Oilers (ANA) | 58 | 25 | 25 | 6 | 2 | 134 | 156 | 58 | .500 |
| Kansas City Mavericks (CGY) | 57 | 23 | 24 | 8 | 2 | 161 | 174 | 56 | .491 |
x – clinched playoff spot; y – clinched regular season conference title; z – Brabham Cup (regular season) champion
Postseason[edit]
← 2022 → |
As of February 4, 2021[update], the qualification and playoff format have been announced as a three-round best-of-five tournament with the top four teams from each conference at the end of the regular season. The postseason is scheduled to begin on June 7.[18]
See also[edit]
- 2020 in sports
- 2021 in sports
References[edit]
- ^ a b "ECHL CONFIRMS START DATE FOR 2020-21 SEASON". ECHL. October 9, 2020.
- ^ "Looming deadline could thwart Komets' season". The Journal Gazette. November 18, 2020.
- ^ "Komets, four other teams still debating whether to play". WPTA. December 1, 2020.
- ^ "WALLEYE LOOK TO BEGIN 2020-21 SEASON IN FEBRUARY". Toledo Walleye. December 7, 2020.
- ^ "ECHL ANNOUNCES SCHEDULE THROUGH FEB. 11". ECHL. December 14, 2020.
- ^ "ADMIRALS ENACT COVID VOLUNTARY SUSPENSION OF SEASON". Norfolk Admirals. October 20, 2020.
- ^ "Reading Royals have opted out of the ECHL's 2020-21 season". Reading Eagle. November 18, 2020.
- ^ Greg Wyshynski (November 18, 2020). "Sources: Entire ECHL North Division opts out". ESPN.
- ^ "CINCINNATI, IDAHO AND KALAMAZOO ELECT SUSPENSION OF PLAY FOR 2020-21 SEASON". ECHL. December 7, 2020. Retrieved December 7, 2020.
- ^ "ECHL FINALIZES ROSTER OF TEAMS FOR 2020-21 SEASON". ECHL. January 4, 2021.
- ^ a b "ECHL Announces Schedule Through April 4". OurSports Central. January 15, 2021.
- ^ "ECHL ANNOUNCES REMAINDER OF 2020-21 SCHEDULE". ECHL. February 10, 2021.
- ^ "BRAMPTON BEAST A CASUALTY OF COVID-19". Brampton Beast. February 18, 2021.
- ^ "SWAMP RABBITS ANNOUNCE AFFILIATION WITH FLORIDA PANTHERS". ECHL. November 20, 2020.
- ^ "Jacksonville Selected as Host of 2021 Warrior/ECHL All-Star Classic". OurSports Central. January 11, 2020.
- ^ "ECHL ANNOUNCES RESCHEDULING OF 2021 ECHL ALL-STAR CLASSIC". Jacksonville Icemen. August 6, 2020.
- ^ "2020–21 Conference Standings". ECHL. Retrieved May 7, 2021.
- ^ "FORMAT ANNOUNCED FOR 2021 KELLY CUP PLAYOFFS". ECHL. February 4, 2021.
External links[edit]
- ECHL website
