Kelly Cup
Encyclopedia
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 team for one year and is returned at the start of the following years playoffs. The Kelly Cup Playoffs Most Valuable Player award is also given out as part of the Kelly Cup Championship ceremonies. Nick Vitucci and Dave Gagnon
are the only players to win the award on multiple occasions.
15 different teams have won the ECHL Championship, with six (Hampton Roads
, Toledo
, South Carolina
, Cincinnati
, Alaska and Idaho
) winning multiple times. The Hampton Roads Admirals
, predecessor of the Norfolk Admirals
of the American Hockey League
, and the South Carolina Stingrays
hold the record for most championships won with three. Current possession of the trophy belongs to the Alaska Aces, who won it in 2011 after a five game victory over the Kalamazoo Wings in the Kelly Cup Finals.
ECHL
The ECHL is a mid-level professional ice hockey league based in Princeton, New Jersey with teams scattered across the United States...
. The Kelly Cup has been awarded to teams since 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...
. Prior to 1997, the playoff winner was awarded the Riley Cup. The current cup is named after 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's first commissioner. The cup is loaned to the winning team for one year and is returned at the start of the following years playoffs. The Kelly Cup Playoffs Most Valuable Player award is also given out as part of the Kelly Cup Championship ceremonies. Nick Vitucci and Dave Gagnon
Dave Gagnon
David Anthony Gagnon is a retired professional ice hockey goaltender. Dave only played 2 games in NHL, with the Detroit Red Wings, posting an official record of 0–1–0 and goals against average of 10.27....
are the only players to win the award on multiple occasions.
15 different teams have won the ECHL Championship, with six (Hampton Roads
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....
, Toledo
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,...
, South Carolina
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...
, Cincinnati
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....
, Alaska and Idaho
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....
) winning multiple times. The 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....
, predecessor of the Norfolk Admirals
Norfolk Admirals
The Norfolk Admirals are a minor professional ice hockey team in the American Hockey League, and are affiliated with the Tampa Bay Lightning. The Admirals play in Norfolk, Virginia, at the Norfolk Scope.-History:...
of the American Hockey League
American Hockey League
The American Hockey League is a 30-team professional ice hockey league based in the United States and Canada that serves as the primary developmental circuit for the National Hockey League...
, and 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...
hold the record for most championships won with three. Current possession of the trophy belongs to the Alaska Aces, who won it in 2011 after a five game victory over the Kalamazoo Wings in the Kelly Cup Finals.
List of ECHL Champions
| Season | Winning team | Score | Losing team | MVP |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1988–89 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... |
Carolina Thunderbirds Carolina Thunderbirds The Carolina Thunderbirds were a professional ice hockey team located in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA. The Thunderbirds played their home games at the old Winston-Salem Memorial Coliseum before the arena was demolished in 1989... |
4–3 | 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... |
Nick Vitucci Nick Vitucci Nick Vitucci is a former professional ice hockey goaltender. Currently, he is the head coach of the ECHL's Toledo Walleye.... |
| 1989–90 1989–90 ECHL season The 1989-90 ECHL season was the second season of the ECHL. The league brought back all five teams from the inaugural season and added three more franchises in Greensboro, North Carolina, Nashville, Tennessee, and Norfolk, Virginia. Before the season began, the Carolina Thunderbirds changed their... |
Greensboro Monarchs Greensboro Monarchs The Greensboro Monarchs were a professional ice hockey team based in Greensboro, NC. The Monarchs joined the East Coast Hockey League as an expansion franchise prior to the start of the 1989-90 season and surrendered the franchise to the league when the Monarchs joined the AHL at the conclusion of... |
4–1 | Winston-Salem Thunderbirds | Wade Flaherty Wade Flaherty Wade Flaherty is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender who has played in the National Hockey League for the San Jose Sharks, New York Islanders, Tampa Bay Lightning, Florida Panthers, and the Nashville Predators, as well as several teams in the American Hockey League and East Coast... |
| 1990–91 1990–91 ECHL season The 1990–91 ECHL season was the third season of the ECHL. In 1990, the league welcomed three new franchises: Cincinnati Cyclones, Louisville Icehawks, and Richmond Renegades. The Virginia Lancers franchise was renamed the Roanoke Valley Rebels. The 11 teams played 64 games in the schedule. The... |
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.... |
4–1 | Greensboro Monarchs | Dave Flanagan / Dave Gagnon Dave Gagnon David Anthony Gagnon is a retired professional ice hockey goaltender. Dave only played 2 games in NHL, with the Detroit Red Wings, posting an official record of 0–1–0 and goals against average of 10.27.... |
| 1991–92 1991–92 ECHL season The 1991-92 ECHL season was the fourth season of the ECHL. In 1991, the league welcomed four new franchises: the Columbus Chill, Dayton Bombers, Raleigh Icecaps, and Toledo Storm. The 15 teams played 64 games in the schedule. The Toledo Storm finished first overall in the regular season... |
Hampton Roads Admirals | 4–0 | Louisville Icehawks Louisville Icehawks The Louisville Icehawks were a professional ice hockey team competing in the East Coast Hockey League. The team, based in Louisville, Kentucky, played from 1990-1994. Their home venue was Broadbent Arena at the Kentucky Exposition Center. The mascot was called Tommy Hawk, a play on tomahawk, and... |
Mark Bernard |
| 1992–93 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... |
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,... |
4–2 | Wheeling Thunderbirds | Rick Judson |
| 1993–94 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... |
Toledo Storm | 4–1 | 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... |
Dave Gagnon |
| 1994–95 1994–95 ECHL season The 1994-95 ECHL season was the seventh season of the ECHL. Before the season started, the Huntsville Blast moved their operations from Huntsville, AL to Tallahassee, FL and became the Tallahassee Tiger Sharks and the Louisville IceHawks suspended operations... |
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.... |
4–1 | Greensboro Monarchs | Blaine Moore |
| 1995–96 1995–96 ECHL season The 1995-96 ECHL season was the eighth season of the ECHL. Before the season started, the Greensboro Monarchs franchise moved up to the American Hockey League and became the Carolina Monarchs... |
Charlotte Checkers | 4–0 | 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... |
Nick Vitucci |
| 1996–97 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... |
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... |
4–1 | Louisiana IceGators | 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... |
| 1997–98 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... |
Hampton Roads Admirals | 4–2 | 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... |
Sebastien Charpentier |
| 1998–99 1998–99 ECHL season The 1998-99 ECHL season was the 11th season of the ECHL. Before the start of the season, the league saw the Louisville River Frogs move to Miami, FL and the Raleigh Icecaps move to Augusta, GA as well as welcoming two new franchises in Estero, FL and Greenville, SC... |
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.... |
4–3 | Richmond Renegades | Travis Scott Travis Scott Travis Scott is a Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender who is currently playing for Traktor Chelyabinsk of the Kontinental Hockey League .-Playing career :... |
| 1999–00 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... |
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.... |
4–2 | Louisiana IceGators | J. F. Boutin / Jason Christie |
| 2000–01 2000–01 ECHL season The 2000-01 ECHL season was the 13th season of the ECHL. Before the season, the league lost three members as the Huntington Blizzard and the Jacksonville Lizard Kings ceased operations and the powerhouse Hampton Roads Admirals moved up to the American Hockey League as the Norfolk Admirals, the... |
South Carolina Stingrays | 4–1 | Trenton Titans Trenton Titans The Trenton Titans are a professional minor league ice hockey team that currently plays in the ECHL. The team participates in the Atlantic Division of the ECHL's Eastern Conference. The Titans play their home games at the Sun National Bank Center in Trenton, New Jersey. Established in 1999, the... |
Dave Seitz |
| 2001–02 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... |
Greenville Grrrowl Greenville Grrrowl The Greenville Grrrowl were an ECHL hockey team located in Greenville, South Carolina. They played their home games at the BI-LO Center. In the 2001-02 season, they won the Kelly Cup.... |
4–0 | 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.... |
Simon Gamache Simon Gamache Simon Gamache is a Canadian professional ice hockey player currently playing for Fribourg-Gotteron of National League A in Switzerland.-Career:... / Tyrone Garner Tyrone Garner For Tyron Garner, plaintiff in Lawrence v. Texas, see that article.Tyrone "Ty" Garner is a Canadian professional ice hockey player... |
| 2002–03 | Atlantic City Boardwalk Bullies Atlantic City Boardwalk Bullies The Atlantic City Boardwalk Bullies were an ECHL hockey team in Atlantic City, New Jersey from 2001 to 2005. The team's venue was the historic Boardwalk Hall, which seats 6,979.... |
4–1 | Columbia Inferno Columbia Inferno The Columbia Inferno are an ECHL team based in Columbia, South Carolina. The team is currently on voluntary suspension awaiting construction of a new arena in suburban Lexington County. They played their home games at the Carolina Coliseum. They planned on playing in a new arena during the... |
Kevin Colley Kevin Colley Kevin Colley is a retired American ice hockey right winger who played for the New York Islanders of the NHL, and currently is the head coach of the Utah Grizzlies of the ECHL. Colley was signed as a free agent by the Islanders on June 11, 2004... |
| 2003–04 | 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.... |
4–1 | Florida Everblades Florida Everblades The Florida Everblades are an ECHL ice hockey team playing in the Southeast Division. The team is based in Estero, Florida and plays at Germain Arena . The team has existed since 1998... |
Dan Ellis Dan Ellis Daniel Ellis is a Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender who currently plays for the Anaheim Ducks of the National Hockey League... |
| 2004–05 2005 Kelly Cup playoffs The 2005 Kelly Cup Playoffs of the ECHL began on April 12, 2005. 16 teams qualified for the playoffs. In the American Conference, the top eight teams qualified for the playoffs... |
Trenton Titans | 4–2 | Florida Everblades | Leon Hayward |
| 2005–06 | Alaska Aces | 4–1 | 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.... |
Mike Scott |
| 2006–07 | 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.... |
4–1 | Dayton Bombers | Steve Silverthorn |
| 2007–08 | 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.... |
4–2 | Las Vegas Wranglers Las Vegas Wranglers The Las Vegas Wranglers are a professional ice hockey team based in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Wranglers are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the ECHL... |
Cedrick Desjardins Cédrick Desjardins Cédrick Desjardins is a Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender currently with the Colorado Avalanche organization of the National Hockey League.-Playing career:... |
| 2008–09 2009 Kelly Cup Playoffs The 2009 Kelly Cup Playoffs of the ECHL began on April 9, 2009. The 16 teams that qualified, eight from each conference, will play a best-of-7 series for division semifinals, finals and conference finals. The conference champions will play a best-of-7 series for the Kelly Cup.Three league records... |
South Carolina Stingrays | 4–3 | Alaska Aces | James Reimer |
| 2009–10 2010 Kelly Cup playoffs The 2010 Kelly Cup Playoffs of the ECHL began April 5, 2010. 15 teams qualified, eight from the American Conference and seven from the National Conference. In the American conference, the winners of each of the three divisions plus the five teams with the highest point totals from the teams... |
Cincinnati Cyclones | 4–1 | Idaho Steelheads | Robert Mayer / Jeremy Smith Jeremy Smith (ice hockey) Jeremy Smith is an American professional ice hockey goaltender now playing for the Milwaukee Admirals of the AHL. He has also played for the Milwaukee Admirals of the AHL. He is a top goaltender prospect of the Nashville Predators... |
| 2010–11 2011 Kelly Cup playoffs The 2011 Kelly Cup Playoffs of the ECHL started on April 4, 2011 following the end of the 2010–11 ECHL regular season. The playoff format remains unchanged from that of the 2010 postseason, with the exception of the changed conference names... |
Alaska Aces | 4–1 | 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.... |
Scott Howes |