The ECHL revealed on Monday the list of finalists for its 2025‑26 Team Awards, an annual celebration that will culminate at the 2026 ECHL Hockey Summer Meetings in Nashville on June 24, 2026.
The awards span a range of categories, honoring teams and individuals for on‑ice performance, community service and creative revenue generation, with nominees such as the Kalamazoo Wings, the Allen Americans and the Greensboro Gargoyles.
A Historic Milestone for the League
Since its modest beginnings with five clubs across four U.S. states and one Canadian province in 1988‑89, the ECHL has expanded to a 30‑team league that now spans 23 American states and a single Canadian province, marking its 38th season in 2025‑26.
That growth is reflected in the talent pipeline, with 782 former ECHL players having reached the National Hockey League and 14 making their NHL debuts during the 2025‑26 season alone.
The league also maintains affiliations with 30 of the NHL’s 32 franchises, a partnership that has endured for 28 consecutive seasons and underscores the ECHL’s role as a developmental hub.
The upcoming ceremony in Nashville will bring together players, coaches, and fans to recognize these achievements, highlighting the league’s blend of competitive spirit and community engagement.