2020–21 ECHL 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]

2020–21 ECHL season
LeagueECHL
SportIce hockey
DurationDecember 11, 2020 – June 6, 2021
Regular season

League business
Teams participating in the ECHL for the 2020–21 season. Dot colors correspond to the conference alignment.

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 in 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 though April 4.[11]

During the previous season, the league had awarded the Jacksonville Icemen the 2021 All-Star Game,[12] but that was deferred to 2022.[13]

Affiliation changes
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)

Standings

Due to the imbalanced schedule during the pandemic, teams are ranked on points percentage.[11]

Standings as of February 5, 2021.[15]

Eastern Conference GP W L OTL SOL GF GA Pts Pts%
Indy Fuel (CHI)1612310524425.781
Florida Everblades (NSH)1812501704425.694
South Carolina Stingrays (WSH)179440494522.647
Orlando Solar Bears (TB)169610465319.594
Greenville Swamp Rabbits (FLA)187452525821.583
Jacksonville Icemen (WPG)166811364814.438
Wheeling Nailers (PIT)14383040539.321
Western Conference GP W L OTL SOL GF GA Pts Pts%
Allen Americans (MIN)1813410664427.750
Wichita Thunder (EDM)1510410513621.700
Utah Grizzlies (COL)178432535321.618
Kansas City Mavericks (CGY)187821455517.472
Tulsa Oilers (ANA)2181021425719.452
Rapid City Rush (ARI)2081200526416.400
Fort Wayne Komets (VGK)00000000.000

 x  – clinched playoff spot;  y  – clinched regular season conference title;  z  – Brabham Cup (regular season) champion

Postseason
2021 Kelly Cup playoffs
← 2020
2022 →

As of February 4, 2021, 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.[16]

See also

References
  1. "ECHL CONFIRMS START DATE FOR 2020-21 SEASON". ECHL. October 9, 2020.
  2. "Looming deadline could thwart Komets' season". The Journal Gazette. November 18, 2020.
  3. "Komets, four other teams still debating whether to play". WPTA. December 1, 2020.
  4. "WALLEYE LOOK TO BEGIN 2020-21 SEASON IN FEBRUARY". Toledo Walleye. December 7, 2020.
  5. "ECHL ANNOUNCES SCHEDULE THROUGH FEB. 11". ECHL. December 14, 2020.
  6. "ADMIRALS ENACT COVID VOLUNTARY SUSPENSION OF SEASON". Norfolk Admirals. October 20, 2020.
  7. "Reading Royals have opted out of the ECHL's 2020-21 season". Reading Eagle. November 18, 2020.
  8. Greg Wyshynski (November 18, 2020). "Sources: Entire ECHL North Division opts out". ESPN.
  9. "CINCINNATI, IDAHO AND KALAMAZOO ELECT SUSPENSION OF PLAY FOR 2020-21 SEASON". ECHL. December 7, 2020. Retrieved December 7, 2020.
  10. "ECHL FINALIZES ROSTER OF TEAMS FOR 2020-21 SEASON". ECHL. January 4, 2021.
  11. "ECHL Announces Schedule Through April 4". OurSports Central. January 15, 2021.
  12. "Jacksonville Selected as Host of 2021 Warrior/ECHL All-Star Classic". OurSports Central. January 11, 2020.
  13. "ECHL ANNOUNCES RESCHEDULING OF 2021 ECHL ALL-STAR CLASSIC". Jacksonville Icemen. August 6, 2020.
  14. "SWAMP RABBITS ANNOUNCE AFFILIATION WITH FLORIDA PANTHERS". ECHL. November 20, 2020.
  15. "2020–21 Conference Standings". ECHL. Retrieved February 1, 2021.
  16. "FORMAT ANNOUNCED FOR 2021 KELLY CUP PLAYOFFS". ECHL. February 4, 2021.
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