The ECHL

ECHL

The ECHL is a mid-level professional ice hockey league based in Princeton, New Jersey with teams scattered across the United States...

 presents numerous annual awards to recognize its teams, players, front office staff, and media contributors. The first awards were given out in recognition of the achievements of the league's teams and players in the league's inaugural season of 1989 and included the Jack Riley Cup

Kelly Cup

The Patrick J. Kelly Cup goes to the play-off champion of the ECHL. The Kelly Cup has been awarded to teams since 1997. Prior to 1997, the playoff winner was awarded the Riley Cup. The current cup is named after Patrick J. Kelly, the league's first commissioner. The cup is loaned to the winning...

 and Brabham Cup

Brabham Cup

The Henry Brabham Cup is the trophy awarded annually by the ECHL to the team which finishes with the most points in the league during the regular season...

 awarded to the league's teams and the Most Valuable Player, Playoffs Most Valuable Player, Rookie of the Year, Defenseman of the Year, Coach of the Year, and Leading Scorer awards to the league's players. The league has added many other awards since the league's inception including, the Goaltender of the Year award in 1994, the Sportsmanship Award in 1997, separate titles for each of its conference playoff champions in 1998, and the Plus Performer Award in 2000.

Team trophies

Award	Created	Description	Current holder
Patrick J. Kelly Cup	1989 1988–89 ECHL season The 1988-89 ECHL season was the inaugural season of the ECHL. The leagues first season consisted of five teams in Erie, Pennsylvania, Johnstown, Pennsylvania, Knoxville, Tennessee, Vinton, Virginia and Winston-Salem, North Carolina. The 5 teams played 60 games each in the schedule. The Erie...	Awarded to the ECHL playoff champion since 1989. Previously it was known as the Riley Cup from 1988 to 1996.	Cincinnati Cyclones Cincinnati Cyclones The Cincinnati Cyclones are a professional hockey team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. The team is a member of the ECHL. Founded in 1990, the team first played their games in the Cincinnati Gardens and now play at U.S. Bank Arena....
E.A. "Bud" Gingher Memorial Trophy	1998 1997–98 ECHL season The 1997-98 ECHL season was the tenth season of the ECHL. Before the start of the season, the league saw the Knoxville Cherokees move to Florence, SC and welcomed expansion teams in New Orleans, LA and Upper Marlboro, MD...	Awarded to the American Conference playoff champion, since 2005. Previously awarded to the Northern Conference playoff champion from 1998 to 2005	Cincinnati Cyclones Cincinnati Cyclones The Cincinnati Cyclones are a professional hockey team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. The team is a member of the ECHL. Founded in 1990, the team first played their games in the Cincinnati Gardens and now play at U.S. Bank Arena....
Bruce Taylor Trophy	1998 1997–98 ECHL season The 1997-98 ECHL season was the tenth season of the ECHL. Before the start of the season, the league saw the Knoxville Cherokees move to Florence, SC and welcomed expansion teams in New Orleans, LA and Upper Marlboro, MD...	Awarded to the National Conference playoff champion, since 2005. Previously the Bruce Taylor Trophy was awarded to the playoff champion of the West Coast Hockey League West Coast Hockey League The West Coast Hockey League was a professional minor ice hockey league active in the western United States from 1995 to 2003. The number of teams ranged from six to nine. The teams were located in Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Nevada and Washington...  until the league was absorbed by the ECHL in 2003. The Bruce Taylor Trophy has also been tagged as the trophy awarded to the Southern Conference playoff champion from 1998 to 2005	Idaho Steelheads Idaho Steelheads The Idaho Steelheads are an American professional minor league ice hockey team based in Boise, Idaho. The team began playing in 1997 and has been a member of the ECHL since 2003....
Henry Brabham Cup Brabham Cup The Henry Brabham Cup is the trophy awarded annually by the ECHL to the team which finishes with the most points in the league during the regular season...	1989 1988–89 ECHL season The 1988-89 ECHL season was the inaugural season of the ECHL. The leagues first season consisted of five teams in Erie, Pennsylvania, Johnstown, Pennsylvania, Knoxville, Tennessee, Vinton, Virginia and Winston-Salem, North Carolina. The 5 teams played 60 games each in the schedule. The Erie...	Awarded to the club finishing the regular season with the best overall record (based on points)	Idaho Steelheads Idaho Steelheads The Idaho Steelheads are an American professional minor league ice hockey team based in Boise, Idaho. The team began playing in 1997 and has been a member of the ECHL since 2003....

Individual trophies and awards

Award	Created	Description	Current holder
CCM U+ Most Valuable Player	1989 1988–89 ECHL season The 1988-89 ECHL season was the inaugural season of the ECHL. The leagues first season consisted of five teams in Erie, Pennsylvania, Johnstown, Pennsylvania, Knoxville, Tennessee, Vinton, Virginia and Winston-Salem, North Carolina. The 5 teams played 60 games each in the schedule. The Erie...	Awarded to the player adjudged to be the most valuable to his team as voted by the coaches of each team in the ECHL.	Wes Goldie Wes Goldie Wes Goldie is a Canadian professional ice hockey right winger who currently plays for the Alaska Aces of the ECHL.Goldie has scored an ECHL-best 175 goals while not missing a single game over the last four seasons with the Victoria Salmon Kings, including 44 last year, second only to Utah's Ryan... Alaska Aces
Kelly Cup Playoffs Most Valuable Player Kelly Cup The Patrick J. Kelly Cup goes to the play-off champion of the ECHL. The Kelly Cup has been awarded to teams since 1997. Prior to 1997, the playoff winner was awarded the Riley Cup. The current cup is named after Patrick J. Kelly, the league's first commissioner. The cup is loaned to the winning...	1989 1988–89 ECHL season The 1988-89 ECHL season was the inaugural season of the ECHL. The leagues first season consisted of five teams in Erie, Pennsylvania, Johnstown, Pennsylvania, Knoxville, Tennessee, Vinton, Virginia and Winston-Salem, North Carolina. The 5 teams played 60 games each in the schedule. The Erie...	Awarded to the most valuable player for his team in the playoffs as selected by members of the media at the conclusion of the final game of the Kelly Cup playoffs.	Scott Howes Scott Howes Scott Howes is an Canadian professional ice hockey player who is currently playing for the Alaska Aces in the ECHL.-Early life:Scott Howes attended Neil McNeil Catholic Secondary School where he played for the varsity boys team... Alaska Aces
Reebok Goaltender of the Year	1994 1993–94 ECHL season The 1993-94 ECHL season was the sixth season of the ECHL. In 1993, the league saw the Roanoke Valley Rampage move to Huntsville, AL becoming the Huntsville Blast, as well as an expansion to three new markets: Charlotte, NC, North Charleston, SC, and Huntington, WV and returned to the Roanoke...	Awarded to the goaltender adjudged to be the best at his position as voted by the coaches of each team in the ECHL.	Gerald Coleman Gerald Coleman Gerald Coleman is a professional ice hockey goaltender who plays for the Alaska Aces of the ECHL.-Playing career:Coleman was drafted 224th overall by the Tampa Bay Lightning in the 2003 NHL Entry Draft... Alaska Aces
CCM Rookie of the Year	1989 1988–89 ECHL season The 1988-89 ECHL season was the inaugural season of the ECHL. The leagues first season consisted of five teams in Erie, Pennsylvania, Johnstown, Pennsylvania, Knoxville, Tennessee, Vinton, Virginia and Winston-Salem, North Carolina. The 5 teams played 60 games each in the schedule. The Erie...	Awarded to the player selected as the most proficient in his first year of competition in the ECHL as voted by the coaches of each of the ECHL teams. Previously known as the John A. Daley Memorial Trophy	Ben Street Ben Street (ice hockey) Ben Street is a Canadian professional ice hockey player who is currently playing for the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins in the American Hockey League.-External links:... Wheeling Nailers Wheeling Nailers The Wheeling Nailers are an ECHL ice hockey team based in Wheeling, West Virginia. They are the ECHL affiliate of the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Montreal Canadiens of the NHL and the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins and the Hamilton Bulldogs of the AHL....
Defenseman of the Year	1989 1988–89 ECHL season The 1988-89 ECHL season was the inaugural season of the ECHL. The leagues first season consisted of five teams in Erie, Pennsylvania, Johnstown, Pennsylvania, Knoxville, Tennessee, Vinton, Virginia and Winston-Salem, North Carolina. The 5 teams played 60 games each in the schedule. The Erie...	Awarded to the defenseman who demonstrates throughout the season the greatest ability at the position as voted by the coaches of each of the ECHL teams.	Eric Regan Eric Regan Eric Regan is a Canadian professional ice hockey player who is currently playing for the Hannover Scorpions in the Deutsche Eishockey Liga .On September 22, 2008, he was signed as a free agent by the Anaheim Ducks... Elmira Jackals Elmira Jackals The Elmira Jackals are an ice hockey team that play in the ECHL. Their home games are played in First Arena in Elmira, New York and they refer to themselves as "the beasts of the east"...
John Brophy Award John Brophy Award The John Brophy Award goes to the ECHL coach adjudged to have contributed the most to his team's success as voted by the coaches of each of the ECHL teams. The John Brophy Award has been awarded to teams since 1989. The award is named after John Brophy, who had coached in the league for 13 seasons...	1989 1988–89 ECHL season The 1988-89 ECHL season was the inaugural season of the ECHL. The leagues first season consisted of five teams in Erie, Pennsylvania, Johnstown, Pennsylvania, Knoxville, Tennessee, Vinton, Virginia and Winston-Salem, North Carolina. The 5 teams played 60 games each in the schedule. The Erie...	Awarded to the ECHL coach adjudged to have contributed the most to his team's success as voted by the coaches of each of the ECHL teams.	Brent Thompson Brent Thompson Brent Keith Thompson is a retired professional defenceman who played 121 games in the National Hockey League. He played for the Winnipeg Jets, Phoenix Coyotes, and Los Angeles Kings. He was formerly the head coach of the Alaska Aces of the ECHL, where he led them to a Kelly Cup Championship in the... Alaska Aces
Leading Scorer Award ECHL Leading Scorer Award The ECHL Leading Scorer Award goes to the ECHL player "who leads the league in scoring at the end of the regular season" and has been awarded since 1989...	1989 1988–89 ECHL season The 1988-89 ECHL season was the inaugural season of the ECHL. The leagues first season consisted of five teams in Erie, Pennsylvania, Johnstown, Pennsylvania, Knoxville, Tennessee, Vinton, Virginia and Winston-Salem, North Carolina. The 5 teams played 60 games each in the schedule. The Erie...	Awarded to the player who leads the league in scoring at the end of the regular season.	Justin Donati Justin Donati Justin Donati is an ice hockey forward, currently of the Elmira Jackals in Elmira, NY of the ECHL. Justin played with his identical twin brother Tyler Donati on the Toronto St. Michael's Majors of the OHL, but this was ended when Tyler was traded to the Belleville Bulls. Justin is the younger of... Elmira Jackals Elmira Jackals The Elmira Jackals are an ice hockey team that play in the ECHL. Their home games are played in First Arena in Elmira, New York and they refer to themselves as "the beasts of the east"...
Reebok Plus Performer Award	2000 1999–2000 ECHL season The 1999-2000 ECHL season was the 12th season of the ECHL. Before the start of the season, the Miami Matadors and Columbus Chill suspended operations, the Chesapeake Icebreakers, who originally suspended operations, moved to Jackson, MS...	Awarded to the player who leads the league in plus/minus rating at the end of the regular season.	Trent Daavettila Trent Daavettila Trent Daavettila is an American professional ice hockey player who currently plays for the Kalamazoo Wings of the ECHL. After beginning his college hockey career with Finlandia University, he transferred to Michigan Technological University, but failed to gain a place on their team... , Kalamazoo Wings Kalamazoo Wings The Kalamazoo Wings, nicknamed the K-Wings, are a mid-level professional ice hockey team in Kalamazoo, Michigan. A member of the ECHL's Eastern Conference, North Division, they play in the 5,113-seat Wings Stadium.... Brendan Connolly Brendan Connolly Brendan Connolly is an Canadian professional ice hockey player who is currently playing for the Greenville Road Warriors in the ECHL.-External links:... , Greenville Road Warriors Greenville Road Warriors The Greenville Road Warriors are a professional ice hockey team located in Greenville, South Carolina. The team is a member of the ECHL and play their home games at the BI-LO Center in downtown Greenville. The franchise had previously played as the Johnstown Chiefs from the ECHL's inception in...
Sportsmanship Award	1997 1996–97 ECHL season The 1996-97 ECHL season was the ninth season of the ECHL. Before the start of the season, two franchises relocated, one was renamed, and two expansion franchises were founded...	Awarded to the player adjudged to have exhibited the best type of sportsmanship and gentlemanly conduct combined with a high standard of playing ability as voted by the coaches of each of the ECHL teams.	Bryan Swanson Bryan Swanson Bryan Swanson is a sports television reporter.- Biography :Swanson was Educated at George Heriot's School in Edinburgh. He left aged 17 for a job on Edinburgh's outpost of L!VE TV as a sports reporter and presenter... Alaska Aces

Staff and miscellaneous awards

Award	Created	Description	Current holder
Ryan Birmingham Memorial Award	2007	Awarded to an On-Ice Official for his contributions and dedication to the league officiating staff and is determined in voting of ECHL On-Ice Officials. It is named in honor of ECHL linesman Ryan Birmingham, who was killed in an automobile accident in May 2007.	David Jones
In Glas Co Equipment Manager of the Year	2003	The In Glas Co Equipment Manager of the Year Award is determined in a vote of ECHL equipment managers.	Pat Noecker Reading Royals Reading Royals The Reading Royals are a professional ice hockey team that currently plays in the ECHL. The team participates in the Atlantic Division of the ECHL's Eastern Conference. The Royals play their home games at the Sovereign Center located in downtown Reading, Pennsylvania...
Sports Health Athletic Trainer of the Year	2007	The Sports Health Athletic Trainer of the Year Award is determined in a vote of ECHL athletic trainers.	Brian Grogelsky Reading Royals Reading Royals The Reading Royals are a professional ice hockey team that currently plays in the ECHL. The team participates in the Atlantic Division of the ECHL's Eastern Conference. The Royals play their home games at the Sovereign Center located in downtown Reading, Pennsylvania...
Executive of the Year	1992 1992–93 ECHL season The 1992-93 ECHL season was the fifth season of the ECHL. In 1992, the league saw numerous changes in team membership. The Winston-Salem Thunderbirds move to Wheeling, WV, becoming the first franchise to make a major relocation, the Roanoke Valley Rebels announced that they were changing their...	The Executive of the Year is determined in a vote of the ECHL Board of Governors.	Darren Abbott South Carolina Stingrays South Carolina Stingrays The South Carolina Stingrays are a professional minor league ice hockey team based in North Charleston, South Carolina. The Stingrays play in the South Division of the ECHL's Eastern Conference. They play their home games at the North Charleston Coliseum. The Carolina Ice Palace, also located in...
Media Relations Director of the Year	1996 1996–97 ECHL season The 1996-97 ECHL season was the ninth season of the ECHL. Before the start of the season, two franchises relocated, one was renamed, and two expansion franchises were founded...	The Media Relations Director of the Year is determined in a vote of the ECHL media relations directors and broadcasters.	John Hamel, Cincinnati Cyclones Cincinnati Cyclones The Cincinnati Cyclones are a professional hockey team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. The team is a member of the ECHL. Founded in 1990, the team first played their games in the Cincinnati Gardens and now play at U.S. Bank Arena.... Jeff Harris & Mike Walker, Victoria Salmon Kings Victoria Salmon Kings The Victoria Salmon Kings were a professional ice hockey team based in Victoria, British Columbia. They were members of the Mountain Division of the Western Conference of the ECHL, debuting in the 2004–05 ECHL season and folding after the 2010–11 ECHL season as the Chilliwack Bruins WHL franchise...
Broadcaster of the Year	2001 2001–02 ECHL season The 2001-02 ECHL season was the 14th season of the East Coast Hockey League. Before the start of the season, the league saw one expansion franchise and five relocations, three of which were through the buying of the franchise rights of former clubs that had ceased operations...	The Broadcaster of the Year is determined in a vote of the ECHL broadcasters and media relations directors.	Joe Babik, Fresno Falcons Fresno Falcons The Fresno Falcons are a defunct minor league hockey team. They were once members of the ECHL . They were located in Fresno, California.-Early history:... Brendan Burke, Wheeling Nailers Wheeling Nailers The Wheeling Nailers are an ECHL ice hockey team based in Wheeling, West Virginia. They are the ECHL affiliate of the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Montreal Canadiens of the NHL and the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins and the Hamilton Bulldogs of the AHL....
Excellence In Marketing	1997 1996–97 ECHL season The 1996-97 ECHL season was the ninth season of the ECHL. Before the start of the season, two franchises relocated, one was renamed, and two expansion franchises were founded...	The Excellence In Marketing Award is presented annually to the team marketing department "adjudged to be the best in the league” as determined by outside expert judges.	Bakersfield Condors Bakersfield Condors The Bakersfield Condors are a minor league ice hockey team based in Bakersfield, California. The team plays in the Pacific Division of the ECHL's Western Conference. The Condors join the Houston Aeros as an affiliate of the Minnesota Wild in the National Hockey League... Charlotte Checkers
Outstanding Media	2002	The Outstanding Media Award is determined in a vote of the ECHL media members, broadcasters, and media relations directors.	Cleve Dheensaw, Victoria Times-Colonist Doyle Woody, Anchorage Daily News
Award of Excellence	2003	The Award of Excellence will be presented by the league office to teams that are first-rate, who excel in all categories of sales and marketing, and who distinguish themselves in their community, both on and off the ice.	Gwinnett Gladiators Gwinnett Gladiators The Gwinnett Gladiators are a professional minor league ice hockey team based in Duluth, Georgia. The Gladiators play in the South Division of the ECHL's Eastern Conference. The Gladiators play their home games at the Arena at Gwinnett Center....
Ticket Department of the Year	2002	The ECHL Ticket Department of the Year is determined in a vote of ECHL teams.	Reading Royals Reading Royals The Reading Royals are a professional ice hockey team that currently plays in the ECHL. The team participates in the Atlantic Division of the ECHL's Eastern Conference. The Royals play their home games at the Sovereign Center located in downtown Reading, Pennsylvania... Victoria Salmon Kings Victoria Salmon Kings The Victoria Salmon Kings were a professional ice hockey team based in Victoria, British Columbia. They were members of the Mountain Division of the Western Conference of the ECHL, debuting in the 2004–05 ECHL season and folding after the 2010–11 ECHL season as the Chilliwack Bruins WHL franchise...
Ticket Executive of the Year	2002	The Ticket Executive of the Year is determined in a vote of the ECHL general managers.	Thom Emerson, Mississippi Sea Wolves Mississippi Sea Wolves The Mississippi Sea Wolves were a professional hockey team based in Biloxi, Mississippi and playing in the Mississippi Coast Coliseum. The Sea Wolves were members of the ECHL.... Dave Piecuch, Stockton Thunder
Website of the Year	2004	The ECHL Web Site of the Year award is presented annually to the team whose web site is adjudged to be the best in the league as determined by outside expert judges.	Bakersfield Condors Bakersfield Condors The Bakersfield Condors are a minor league ice hockey team based in Bakersfield, California. The team plays in the Pacific Division of the ECHL's Western Conference. The Condors join the Houston Aeros as an affiliate of the Minnesota Wild in the National Hockey League... Gwinnett Gladiators Gwinnett Gladiators The Gwinnett Gladiators are a professional minor league ice hockey team based in Duluth, Georgia. The Gladiators play in the South Division of the ECHL's Eastern Conference. The Gladiators play their home games at the Arena at Gwinnett Center....
Marketing Campaign of the Year	2007	The Marketing Campaign Award is presented annually to the team marketing department adjudged to be the best in the league as determined by outside expert judges.	Alaska Aces Reading Royals Reading Royals The Reading Royals are a professional ice hockey team that currently plays in the ECHL. The team participates in the Atlantic Division of the ECHL's Eastern Conference. The Royals play their home games at the Sovereign Center located in downtown Reading, Pennsylvania...