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 57: Conference Finals, Dubas Out, Coyotes Wandering
by Full Press Coverage on May 23, 2023 at 11:38 am
Jim and Chris discuss the Conference Finals, the departure of Kyle Dubas […]
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.
Latest AHL News
- Wranglers End Season in Series Loss to Firebirds
- Wranglers Advance, Set To Play Coachella Valley This Week
- Eagles Lose Game 5, Eliminated From Playoffs
- Expanded AHL Playoffs Don’t Quite Pay Off
- Firebirds Tie Series on True’s Shorthanded Stunner
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 57: Conference Finals, Dubas Out, Coyotes Wandering
by Full Press Coverage on May 23, 2023 at 11:38 am
Jim and Chris discuss the Conference Finals, the departure of Kyle Dubas […]
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Ep 56: Leafs, Oilers, Eastern Conference Preview
by Full Press Coverage on May 16, 2023 at 12:21 am
Jim and Producer Ian discuss the Leafs and Oilers early exits and they […]
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Eastern Conference and Western Final Previews and More NHL Talk
by Full Press Coverage on May 18, 2023 at 11:00 pm
Full Press NHL Podcast with Jim Biringer and Vox Media AM/FM NHL Analyst […]
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Taking a Trip Around the NHL as Changes Fill The Air
by Full Press Coverage on May 17, 2023 at 5:10 pm
Jim is back once again joined by Russ Cohen of Sportsology and Buffalo […]
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Ep 83: Stanley Cup Playoffs Are Here; Can Bruins Keep Up Pace?
by Full Press Coverage on April 17, 2023 at 4:06 pm
Ian and Chris are back to give their thoughts on the Stanley Cup Playoffs, […]
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Ep 82: Bruins Set Wins Record, Pasta Hits 60, Playoffs Around The Corner
by Full Press Coverage on April 10, 2023 at 2:27 pm
Ian and Chris react to the Bruins 63rd win of the season, David Pastrnak's […]
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The Hockey World Revolves Around Toronto
by Jim Biringer on May 23, 2023 at 12:00 pm
Jim is back for a fourth season of the Final Word on Hockey as he is […]
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S4Ep28 - Stanley Cup Playoffs - Conference Final Preview
by Jim Biringer on May 16, 2023 at 7:28 pm
Jim is back for the fourth season of the Final Word on Hockey previewing […]
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Stars at Golden Knights
by Broken Controller Media on May 27, 2023 at 4:05 pm
Stack the Pucks gives a breakdown of every NHL Game on the card. For more […]
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Golden Knights at Stars
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Hurricanes at Panthers
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Golden Knights at Stars
by Broken Controller Media on May 23, 2023 at 4:00 pm
Stack the Pucks gives a breakdown of every NHL Game on the card. For more […]
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Episode #141: Tend The Goal
by Full Press Coverage on May 25, 2023 at 2:24 pm
The 2023 AHL Calder Cup Playoffs have reached its final four teams, and […]
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Episode #140: Stone Cold's 4th Line
by Full Press Coverage on May 23, 2023 at 1:41 pm
And then, there were four. The 2023 AHL Division Finals have concluded, […]
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Renegades Of Puck Ep 766
by Charlie Saunier on May 28, 2023 at 7:01 am
Ep 766 The Renegades Of Puck Recap Game 2 Preview Game 3 Milwaukee […]
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Renegades Of Puck Ep 765
by Charlie Saunier on May 26, 2023 at 11:23 pm
Ep 765 The Renegades Of Puck Recap Game 1 Preview Game 2 Milwaukee […]
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Full Press Hurricanes - Thursday, May 25th
by Full Press Coverage on May 25, 2023 at 4:00 pm
The Carolina Hurricanes are eliminated in four games in the Eastern […]
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Full Press Kraken - Thursday, May 25th
by Full Press Coverage on May 25, 2023 at 3:15 pm
Taking a look at Vince Dunn’s season Learn more about your ad choices. […]
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Full Press Blackhawks - Thursday, May 25th
by Full Press Coverage on May 25, 2023 at 1:15 pm
What team blueprint should the Blackhawks follow and what is will the […]
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Renegades Of Puck Ep 764
by Charlie Saunier on May 24, 2023 at 5:19 am
Ep 764 The Renegades Of Puck Preview AHL WCF Milwaukee Admirals Vs […]
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5/26 - Celtics Force Game 6; Mahomes QB List
by Full Press Coverage on May 26, 2023 at 2:12 pm
Ian and John discuss the Celtics big Game 5 win the Top 5 quarterbacks of […]
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5/25 - Panthers Advance To Stanley Cup Finals; Celtics/Heat
by Full Press Coverage on May 25, 2023 at 3:00 pm
Ian and John discuss the Celtics and the Heat and welcome in Jim Bringer […]
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5/24 - Lakers Eliminated, Celtics Force Game 5
by Full Press Coverage on May 24, 2023 at 2:08 pm
Ian and John discuss the Lakers loss to the Nuggets in the Western […]
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5/22 - Celtics, Lakers Face 0-3 Deficit
by Full Press Coverage on May 22, 2023 at 1:58 pm
Ian and John react to the Celtics and Lakers being down 0-3 in their […]