As we’ve reached the one-year anniversary of a global health crisis, it is evident a pandemic cannot put an end to that in which we enjoy the most. Live sports.
For the ECHL 2019-2020 season, it was “Beware the Ides of March” as they announced the cancellation of their regular season and playoffs March 15, 2020. The AHL followed suit on March 16, while the NHL postponed their season just a few days prior. In parallel, the sports world was pumping the brakes, regrouping, and strategizing a way to get back on the field (court…or rink) of play.
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Ep 77: Patrick Kane Signs, Goalie Issues, Corey Perry, and More
by Full Press Coverage on December 3, 2023 at 3:05 am
Jim and Chris are back for another Pucks After Dark on Full Press Hockey […]
On October 9, 2020, the ECHL did just that, as they announced plans for a 2020-2021 return-to-play. Within this plan, teams were given until Nov 30 to opt-out of the upcoming season. The entire North Division opted-out, along with the Norfolk Admirals, Atlanta Gladiators and Toledo Walleye (Kelly Cup runners-up in 2018-19).
Todd Mackin, President of Spire Hockey (who owns the Greenville Swamp Rabbits and Rapid City Rush) had this to say about the ECHL’s return-to-play plan: “I am extremely proud of what we were able to accomplish. Everyone had an ‘eyes-open’ approach, pulling in the same direction”
When asked about the ECHL being the first of the three leagues to resume play: “Our (ECHL’s) guidelines and procedures were consistent across the league.” Mackin also stated: “…we really wanted every team to play this season, but unfortunately some teams still opted-out.”
The ECHL split-season started on Dec 11, 2020, with 14 teams playing a 72-game schedule and regular season ending June 6. “It was important for us (Spire Hockey) to take care of our players in Greenville and Rapid City. Other teams around the ECHL felt the same,” said Mackin, when asked about starting the season as soon as possible.
Fourteen of the ECHL’s 27 teams are currently participating in league play. As the season is approaching its midway point, every team is battling for a spot in the playoffs, hopeful to take home the Kelly Cup.
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On January 4, 2021, the NHL announced their return-to-play schedule, with games starting Jan 13 and a 56-game regular season. Teams were split up into groups (divisions) of eight, each team playing the other divisional opponents eight times for a total of 56 games. The North Division, which is comprised of all seven Canadian teams will play more games against some divisional rivals to reach the 56-game mark.
As fans cheered the return of NHL hockey, the honeymoon phase of a new season seems to be fading out, leaving fans watching the same matchups over and over again. As the NHL is nearing its midway point, these matchups will continue until the Divisional playoffs are concluded sometime in late-May/early June.
The AHL’s return-to-play was announced on Feb 5, 2021, more than a month after the NHL and a whopping four months after the ECHL set forth its framework for a new season. Only three of the AHL’s 31 teams opted-out: the reigning Calder Cup Champion Charlotte Checkers, Milwaukee Admirals, and the AHL’s hometown Springfield Thunderbirds.
The “return to play” task force, which was announced in June 2020, took nearly eight months to get the season started. With names such as former AHL Commissioner David Andrews, NHL GMs Kyle Dubas and Steve Yzerman plus Charlotte Checkers COO Tera Black on the committee, the delay in execution leaves one scratching their head.
As 19 AHL teams are backed by their NHL affiliates, it is surprising the AHL was the last of the three leagues to begin the 2021 regular season. In addition to the late start, the AHL will not be handing out the Calder Cup this season; a trophy that has been awarded to the AHL’s Champion for 80+ consecutive years before the stoppage in play last year. The NHL and ECHL have announced a formal playoff format for the Stanley and Kelly Cups, respectively.
As we enjoy the return of live hockey, whether at the arena or on television, let’s stop for a moment and truly appreciate what the ECHL has done to continue supporting its players and their respective markets. The ECHL, with the least capital of the three leagues (and the most to lose) stepped-up, came together in a hurry and executed a well-devised plan that has seen little-to-no hitches thus far in the season.
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Ep 77: Patrick Kane Signs, Goalie Issues, Corey Perry, and More
by Full Press Coverage on December 3, 2023 at 3:05 am
Jim and Chris are back for another Pucks After Dark on Full Press Hockey […]
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Ep 76: Oilers, Flames, Winter Classic Jersey, Avs, and More
by Full Press Coverage on November 23, 2023 at 6:42 am
Jim and Chris are back for another edition of Full Press Hockey Weekly to […]
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Ep 75: Hockey After Dark
by Full Press Coverage on November 15, 2023 at 3:12 am
Jim and Chris are back for the first edition of Full Press Hockey After […]
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Around the NHL: Detroit Signs Kane to Vancouver Acquires Zadorov and Where the Goalies At?
by Full Press Coverage on December 7, 2023 at 1:00 pm
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Off to Motown: Patrick Kane Signs with Detroit Red Wings
by Full Press Coverage on November 28, 2023 at 7:07 pm
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What's on Russ's Mind: The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly
by Full Press Coverage on November 23, 2023 at 1:00 pm
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Ep 87: Captain Brad Marchand, New Season Expectations, Bruins Hockey Is Back
by Full Press Coverage on October 11, 2023 at 11:10 pm
Ian and Chris return for the start of the Bruins season as they talk Brad […]
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Ep 86: David Krejci Announces Retirement
by Full Press Coverage on August 14, 2023 at 10:28 pm
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S5Ep14 - Patrick Kane Signs, Nikita Zadorov Traded, Dean Evason Out, Plus NHL Rumors
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S5Ep13 - Patrick Kane Signs with Detroit Red Wings
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Blues at Blue Jackets - Penguins at Panthers - Wild at Oilers
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Jets at Avalanche - Wild at Canucks - Devils at Kraken
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Ducks at Blackhawks - Flyers at Coyotes - Hurricanes at Flames
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Episode #147: Sloppy October Is Over?
by Full Press Coverage on November 2, 2023 at 8:37 pm
On this edition of The Calder Farmstead, Sean and Sarah finish out the […]
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Episode #146: Spooky Luck
by Full Press Coverage on October 27, 2023 at 4:09 pm
On this episode of The Calder Farmstead, Mr. Anderson (Sean) and Tina […]
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Full Press Islanders - 12-8 - Big win over Columbus
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A different ending as the Blue Jackets gave us all a scare but the Isles […]
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Full Press Wild - 12-8 - Recapping the Wild shutout loss to the Canucks.
by Full Press Coverage on December 8, 2023 at 3:00 pm
Loss, Vancouver, shutout, win streak broken. Learn more about your ad […]
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Full Press Kraken - 12-8 - home loss, New Jersey, Evans debut
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Recapping the home loss to the Devils. Learn more about your ad choices. […]
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Full Press Lightning - 12-8 - Lightning start road trip off in a bad way
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Leafs Digest - 12-8 - This Changes EVERYTHING...
by BCM on December 8, 2023 at 2:30 pm
Darius Domingues reacts to Joseph Woll having a fantastic game then going […]
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Full Press Canadiens - 12-8 - Shutout by LA
by Full Press Coverage on December 8, 2023 at 2:15 pm
Josh Gosse and Jesse Poirier speak about the latest Montreal Canadiens […]
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12/5 - MNF Reaction, Endless QB Debates
by Full Press Coverage on December 5, 2023 at 11:28 am
Ian and John discuss the Bengals OT victory over the Jags and more […]
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12/4 - Chiefs/Packers, Patriots, and Week 13 Reactions
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12/1 - NFL MVP, Week 13 Picks
by Full Press Coverage on December 3, 2023 at 2:18 am
Ian and John discuss the ever-changing MVP race and give their predictions […]
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11/28 - MNF Reaction, State Of The NFL
by Full Press Coverage on November 30, 2023 at 3:49 am
Ian and John react to Monday Night Football and discuss more of the state […]
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Ep 200: Week 14 @ Giants
by Full Press Coverage on December 8, 2023 at 9:54 pm
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Ep 181: HOF Semifinalist Tiki Barber Joins The Show
by Full Press Coverage on December 8, 2023 at 3:13 am
Hall of Fame semifinalist and former Giants running back, Tiki Barber, […]
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Ep 163: Week 13 Studs and Duds
by Full Press Coverage on December 7, 2023 at 8:30 pm
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Ep 317: Week 14 Fantasy Football Preview
by Full Press Coverage on December 7, 2023 at 4:04 am
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EP. 263 - NBA Contenders and Pretenders
by Full Press Coverage on December 7, 2023 at 12:47 am
Jet and Sap take a look at the NBA standings a quarter of the way through […]
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12/5 - MNF Reaction, Endless QB Debates
by Full Press Coverage on December 5, 2023 at 11:28 am
Ian and John discuss the Bengals OT victory over the Jags and more […]
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Ep 199: Week 13 Instant Reactions
by Full Press Coverage on December 4, 2023 at 11:32 pm
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12/4 - Chiefs/Packers, Patriots, and Week 13 Reactions
by Full Press Coverage on December 4, 2023 at 5:26 pm
Ian and John discuss the Packers win over the Chiefs, the Patriots […]