1996–97 ECHL season - AbsoluteAstronomy.com

The 1996-97 ECHL season
Season (sports)
In an organized sports league, a season is the portion of one year in which regulated games of the sport are in session. For example, in Major League Baseball, one season lasts approximately from April 1 through October 1; in Association football, it is generally from August until May In an...

was the ninth season of 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...

. Before the start of the season, two franchises relocated, one was renamed, and two expansion franchises were founded. Founding member Erie Panthers

Erie Panthers

The Erie Panthers were a professional hockey team, and one of the founding members in the East Coast Hockey League. Based in Erie, Pennsylvania from 1988 to 1996, they were one of the most prolific teams in the ECHL. The Panthers were known for their ability to score goals quickly and often, as...

moved to Baton Rouge, LA

Baton Rouge Kingfish

The Baton Rouge Kingfish were a minor professional ice hockey team in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, as a member of the East Coast Hockey League. The franchise arrived in Baton Rouge in 1996 after relocating from Erie, Pennsylvania, where they had played as the Erie Panthers since 1988 as one of the...

and the Nashville Knights moved to Pensacola, FL

Pensacola Ice Pilots

The Pensacola Ice Pilots were a minor league ice hockey team located in Pensacola, Florida. The team was previously affiliated with the Tampa Bay Lightning, Toronto Maple Leafs, New York Islanders , and the Chicago Blackhawks. They have also had a working agreement with the Houston Aeros of the...

, the Wheeling Thunderbirds changed their name to the 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....

following a lawsuit with WHL's

Western Hockey League

The Western Hockey League is a major junior ice hockey league based in Western Canada and the Northwestern United States. The WHL is one of three leagues that constitute the Canadian Hockey League as the highest level of junior hockey in Canada...

Seattle Thunderbirds

The Seattle Thunderbirds are a junior ice hockey team based in Kent, a suburb of Seattle, Washington. They are part of the U.S. Division of the Western Hockey League, and play in the ShoWare Center...

, and the ECHL welcomed franchises in Peoria, IL

Peoria Rivermen (ECHL)

The Peoria Rivermen were an ice hockey team in the ECHL. They played in Peoria, Illinois, USA at the Carver Arena.The Peoria Rivermen were an ice hockey team in the ECHL. They played in Peoria, Illinois, USA at the Carver Arena....

and Biloxi, MS

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....

.

In 1996, the ECHL Board of Governors decided to retire the Jack Riley Cup and create a new trophy, the Patrick J. Kelly 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...

, named after founding father and former ECHL commissioner, Patrick J. Kelly

Patrick J. Kelly

Patrick J. Kelly was one of the founders and the first commissioner of the East Coast Hockey League in 1989. Kelly was named Commissioner Emeritus of the ECHL following the 1995–96 season, after serving as Commissioner for the first eight seasons of the ECHL. The league playoff champions wins a...

. The league also created a new individual award, the Sportsmanship Award, to be 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.

The 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...

finished first overall in the season and became the first team in ECHL history to win the Brabham

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...

and Kelly Cups

Kelly Cup

in the same year as they defeated the Louisiana IceGators 4 games to 1.

Final Standings

Note: GP = Games played, W = Wins, L = Losses, T = Ties, Pts = Points, GF = Goals for, GA = Goals against, Green shade = Clinched playoff spot, Blue shade = Clinched division

East Division	GP	W	L	T	Pts	GF	GA
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...	70	45	15	10	100	345	253
Hampton Roads Admirals Hampton Roads Admirals The Hampton Roads Admirals were an American professional ice hockey team in the ECHL. They played in Norfolk, Virginia at the Norfolk Scope Arena....	70	46	19	5	97	286	223
Richmond Renegades Richmond Renegades (ECHL) The Richmond Renegades were an ECHL ice hockey team in Richmond, Virginia that played in the East Coast Hockey League from 1990 until 2003. The Renegades played at the Richmond Coliseum, which they marketed in later years as the Freezer....	70	41	25	4	86	252	235
Roanoke Express Roanoke Express The Roanoke Express were a team in the ECHL from 1993 until 2004. Home games were played at the Roanoke Civic Center in Roanoke, Virginia.-History:...	70	38	26	6	82	262	250
Charlotte Checkers	70	35	28	7	77	271	267
Raleigh Icecaps Raleigh IceCaps The Raleigh Icecaps were a professional ice hockey team based in Raleigh, North Carolina. Founded in 1991 and playing at Dorton Arena, located at the North Carolina State Fairgrounds, the IceCaps were members of the ECHL...	70	30	33	7	67	256	293
Knoxville Cherokees Knoxville Cherokees The Knoxville Cherokees were an East Coast Hockey League team based in Knoxville, Tennessee.-History:The franchise was formed in 1988 along with the ECHL...	70	24	43	3	51	260	343

North Division	GP	W	L	T	Pts	GF	GA
Columbus Chill Columbus Chill The Columbus Chill was a professional ice hockey team that played in the East Coast Hockey League from October 1991 through the 1998-99 season. They played at the Ohio Expo Center Coliseum in Columbus, Ohio. The Chill left Columbus in 1999 and relocated to Reading, Pennsylvania...	70	44	21	5	93	303	257
Peoria Rivermen Peoria Rivermen (ECHL) The Peoria Rivermen were an ice hockey team in the ECHL. They played in Peoria, Illinois, USA at the Carver Arena.The Peoria Rivermen were an ice hockey team in the ECHL. They played in Peoria, Illinois, USA at the Carver Arena....	70	43	21	6	92	308	219
Dayton Bombers Dayton Bombers The Dayton Bombers were an ECHL ice hockey team located in Dayton, Ohio. The team most recently was in the North Division of the ECHL's American Conference....	70	36	26	8	80	253	258
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....	70	36	29	5	77	298	291
Toledo Storm Toledo Storm The Toledo Storm was a minor league professional ice hockey team in the ECHL from 1991 to 2007. The Storm played their home games at the venerable Toledo Sports Arena along the southern banks of the Maumee River in Toledo, Ohio. The team colors were red and white, similar to the Detroit Red Wings,...	70	32	28	10	74	258	248
Huntington Blizzard	70	33	33	4	70	273	296
Louisville Riverfrogs	70	29	31	10	68	234	290
Johnstown Chiefs Johnstown Chiefs The Johnstown Chiefs were a minor league ice hockey team located in Johnstown, Pennsylvania that played in the ECHL. The team was founded in 1988 in the All-American Hockey League, and moved to the East Coast Hockey League when that league was formed...	70	24	39	7	55	253	354

South Division	GP	W	L	T	Pts	GF	GA
Tallahassee Tiger Sharks Tallahassee Tiger Sharks The Tallahassee Tiger Sharks were a minor professional ice hockey team that played in the ECHL from 1994–2001. Under this period they served as a minor league affiliate to New York Islanders , Florida Panthers and Montreal Canadiens....	70	39	23	8	86	263	236
Birmingham Bulls Birmingham Bulls (ECHL) The Birmingham Bulls were a minor professional ice hockey team in the East Coast Hockey League from 1992 to 2001. Their home arena was the Birmingham Jefferson Convention Center. The team moved to Atlantic City, New Jersey and was renamed the Atlantic City Boardwalk Bullies in 2001...	70	36	25	9	81	291	296
Louisiana IceGators	70	38	28	4	80	292	244
Mobile Mysticks Mobile Mysticks The Mobile Mysticks were a professional minor league ice hockey team based in Mobile, Alabama that played in the ECHL. They played their home games at the Mobile Civic Center. The team was founded in 1995 as an expansion franchise, joining the ECHL alongside the Louisville River Frogs and the...	70	34	25	11	79	257	263
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....	70	34	26	10	78	241	245
Pensacola Ice Pilots Pensacola Ice Pilots The Pensacola Ice Pilots were a minor league ice hockey team located in Pensacola, Florida. The team was previously affiliated with the Tampa Bay Lightning, Toronto Maple Leafs, New York Islanders , and the Chicago Blackhawks. They have also had a working agreement with the Houston Aeros of the...	70	36	31	3	75	275	275
Baton Rouge Kingfish Baton Rouge Kingfish The Baton Rouge Kingfish were a minor professional ice hockey team in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, as a member of the East Coast Hockey League. The franchise arrived in Baton Rouge in 1996 after relocating from Erie, Pennsylvania, where they had played as the Erie Panthers since 1988 as one of the...	70	31	33	6	68	222	238
Jacksonville Lizard Kings Jacksonville Lizard Kings Jacksonville Lizard Kings were a professional minor league ice hockey team based in Jacksonville, Florida. Formerly known as the Louisville Icehawks, they played in the East Coast Hockey League from 1995–2000...	70	21	37	12	54	220	299

Bracket

First round

South Carolina vs. Charlotte
Date	Away	Home
April 2	Charlotte 2	S. Carolina 4
April 4	Charlotte 3	S. Carolina 5
April 5	S. Carolina 4	Charlotte 2
*South Carolina wins series 3–0*

Hampton Roads vs. Roanoke
Date	Away	Home
April 2	Roanoke 3	Hampton Roads 4	OT
April 4	Roanoke 4	Hampton Roads 2
April 5	Hampton Roads 4	Roanoke 1
April 6	Hampton Roads 4	Roanoke 3
*Hampton Roads wins series 3–1*

Richmond vs. Dayton
Date	Away	Home
April 1	Dayton 3	Richmond 5
April 3	Dayton 3	Richmond 4
April 5	Richmond 1	Dayton 4
April 6	Richmond 5	Dayton 2
*Richmond wins series 3–1*

Tallahassee vs. Pensacola
Date	Away	Home
April 2	Pensacola 4	Tallahassee 2
April 4	Pensacola 4	Tallahassee 0
April 5	Tallahassee 3	Pensacola 4	OT
*Pensacola wins series 3–0*

Columbus vs. Toledo
Date	Away	Home
April 2	Toledo 2	Columbus 5
April 4	Columbus 2	Toledo 3	OT
April 5	Toledo 3	Columbus 2	OT
April 6	Columbus 3	Toledo 2	OT
April 9	Toledo 2	Columbus 5
*Columbus wins series 3–2*

Peoria vs. Wheeling
Date	Away	Home
April 1	Wheeling 5	Peoria 6
April 2	Wheeling 4	Peoria 9
April 4	Peoria 8	Wheeling 3
*Peoria wins series 3–0*

Birmingham vs. Mississippi
Date	Away	Home
April 1	Mississippi 3	Birmingham 6
April 4	Mississippi 3	Birmingham 4
April 5	Birmingham 4	Mississippi 3	OT
*Birmingham wins series 3–0*

Louisiana vs. Mobile
Date	Away	Home
April 2	Mobile 2	Louisiana 4
April 4	Louisiana 3	Mobile 2
April 6	Mobile 4	Louisiana 5
*Louisiana wins series 3–0*

Quarterfinals

South Carolina vs. Hampton Roads
Date	Away	Home
April 11	Hampton Roads 4	South Carolina 5	OT
April 12	Hampton Roads 5	South Carolina 6	OT
April 17	South Carolina 3	Hampton Roads 8
April 19	South Carolina 4	Hampton Roads 5
April 20	Hampton Roads 2	South Carolina 6
*South Carolina wins series 3–2*

Richmond vs. Pensacola
Date	Away	Home
April 11	Pensacola 4	Richmond 2
April 12	Pensacola 3	Richmond 6
April 17	Richmond 3	Pensacola 4
April 18	Richmond 4	Pensacola 8
*Pensacola wins series 3–1*

Columbus vs. Peoria
Date	Away	Home
April 2	Columbus 2	Peoria 5
April 4	Peoria 3	Columbus 2
April 6	Peoria 5	Columbus 2
*Peoria wins series 3–0*

Birmingham vs. Louisiana
Date	Away	Home
April 11	Louisiana 4	Birmingham 3
April 13	Louisiana 4	Birmingham 5
April 15	Birmingham 4	Louisiana 5
April 16	Birmingham 6	Louisiana 5
April 19	Louisiana 6	Birmingham 5	OT
*Louisiana wins series 3–2*

Semifinals

South Carolina vs. Pensacola
Date	Away	Home
April 24	Pensacola 6	South Carolina 5	OT
April 25	Pensacola 2	South Carolina 4
April 17	South Carolina 6	Pensacola 5	OT
April 19	South Carolina 3	Pensacola 4
April 30	Pensacola 1	South Carolina 6
*South Carolina wins series 3–2*

Peoria vs. Louisiana
Date	Away	Home
April 24	Louisiana 4	Peoria 3	OT
April 26	Louisiana 4	Peoria 2
April 28	Peoria 10	Louisiana 3
April 29	Peoria 3	Louisiana 4	OT
*Louisiana wins series 3–1*

Kelly Cup finals

Kelly Cup Finals South Carolina vs. Louisiana
Date	Away	Home
May 2	Louisiana 1	South Carolina 6
May 4	Louisiana 2	South Carolina 4
May 7	South Carolina 4	Louisiana 5
May 9	South Carolina 7	Louisiana 4
May 11	South Carolina 6	Louisiana 4
*South Carolina wins series 4–1*

ECHL awards

Patrick J. Kelly 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... :	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...
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... :	South Carolina Stingrays
John Brophy Award:	Brian McCutcheon (Columbus Columbus Chill The Columbus Chill was a professional ice hockey team that played in the East Coast Hockey League from October 1991 through the 1998-99 season. They played at the Ohio Expo Center Coliseum in Columbus, Ohio. The Chill left Columbus in 1999 and relocated to Reading, Pennsylvania... )
ECHL Most Valuable Player:	Mike Ross (South Carolina)
Kelly Cup Playoffs Most Valuable Player:	Jason Fitzsimmons Jason Fitzsimmons Jason Fitzsimmons is a retired Canadian ice-hockey goaltender, who played 6 seasons in the ECHL and AHL, most notably for the South Carolina Stingrays... (South Carolina)
ECHL Goaltender of the Year:	Marc Delorme (Louisiana)
ECHL Rookie of the Year:	Dany Bousquet (Birmingham Birmingham Bulls (ECHL) The Birmingham Bulls were a minor professional ice hockey team in the East Coast Hockey League from 1992 to 2001. Their home arena was the Birmingham Jefferson Convention Center. The team moved to Atlantic City, New Jersey and was renamed the Atlantic City Boardwalk Bullies in 2001... )
Defenseman of the Year:	Chris Valicevic Chris Valicevic Chris Valicevic is a former professional ice hockey defenseman who spent the majority of his career with the ECHL Louisiana IceGators.-ECHL:... (Louisiana)
Leading Scorer:	Ed Courtenay Ed Courtenay Edward Emmett Courtenay is a Canadian former professional ice hockey right winger and head coach.-Professional career:... (South Carolina)
Sportsmanship Award:	Mike Ross (South Carolina)