The ECHL has 60 players on National Hockey League opening-day rosters, marking the 24th season in a row with more than 50 former ECHL players on opening-day rosters.
The Premier ‘AA’ Hockey League, the ECHL has a player or coach each of the 32 teams and has affiliations with 30 of the 32 teams in the NHL, marking the 29th consecutive season that the league has had affiliations with at least 20 teams in the NHL.
There are 57 coaches with an ECHL background working behind the benches of teams in the NHL including Colorado Avalanche head coach Jared Bednar, Dallas Stars head coach Glen Gulutzan, San Jose Sharks head coach Ryan Warsofsky, Vegas Golden Knights head coach Bruce Cassidy and Washington Capitals head coach Spencer Carbery, who all previously were ECHL head coaches. In addition, Nashville Predators head coach Andrew Brunette is a former ECHL player. It is the 15th consecutive season that there have been 30 or more coaches with an ECHL background working in the NHL. Last season, Carbery became the third former ECHL coach to win the Jack Adams as NHL Coach of the Year, joining Cassidy (2019-20) and Bruce Boudreau (2007-08). In the 2022-23 season, Cassidy became the third former ECHL head coach to lead his team to a Stanley Cup title, joining Laviolette (Carolina, 2006) and Bednar (Colorado, 2022). In 2021-22, Bednar became the first coach to lead teams to championships in the ECHL (South Carolina, 2009), AHL (Lake Erie, 2016) and NHL (Colorado, 2022).
Former ECHL coaches and players on NHL Opening-Day Rosters (ECHL affiliate listed in parentheses):
(*) – Injured Reserve/Non-Roster
Anaheim Ducks (Tulsa Oilers) – Video Coach Austin Violette (Maine, 2018-19); Jansen Harkins * (Jacksonville, 2017-18) and Ross Johnston (Missouri, 2015-16)
Boston Bruins (Maine Mariners) – Assistant Coach Jay Leach (Mississippi, 2001-02; Augusta, 2002-03; Long Beach, 2003-04 and Trenton, 2003-05); Assistant Coach Steve Spott (Richmond, 1990-91) and Goaltending Development Coach Mike Dunham (Gwinnett, 2005-06) and Tanner Jeannot (Florida, 2019-21)
Buffalo Sabres (Jacksonville Icemen) – Assistant Coach Matt Ellis (Toledo, 2002-03); Assistant Coach Marty Wilford (Columbus, 1998-99); Video Coordinator Amir Gulati (Iowa, 2021-22); Justin Danforth (Reading, 2016-17 and Cincinnati, 2017-18); Colten Ellis (Worcester, 2021-22, Tulsa, 2022-23 and Orlando, 2023-24) Mason Geertsen (Fort Wayne, 2015-16 and Colorado, 2016-17) and Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen * (Cincinnati, 2019-20)
Calgary Flames (Rapid City Rush) – Assistant Coach Cail MacLean (Jacksonville, 1997-99; Trenton, 1999-02; Reading, 2004-05; South Carolina, 2005-11 and Adirondack, 2015-17); Goaltending Coach Jason LaBarbera (Charlotte, 2000-02); Devin Cooley (Florida, 2020-22); Joel Hanley (Gwinnett, 2014-15); Justin Kirkland (Cincinnati, 2016-17); Ryan Lomberg (Adirondack, 2015-16); Daniil Miromanov (Manchester, 2018-19); and MacKenzie Weegar (Cincinnati, 2014-15)
Carolina Hurricanes (Greensboro Gargoyles) – Brandon Bussi (Maine, 2022-23)
Chicago Blackhawks (Indy Fuel) – Assistant Coach Anders Sorensen (Mobile, 1999-00 and Baton Rouge, 1999-00); Assistant Coach Mike Vellucci (Erie, 1989-90 and Winston-Salem, 1989-90) and Laurent Brossoit * (Alaska, 2013-14 and Bakersfield, 2013-14)
Colorado Avalanche (Utah Grizzlies) – Head Coach Jared Bednar (Huntington, 1993-96 and South Carolina, 1996-09) and Assistant Coach Nolan Pratt (Richmond, 1995-96); Mackenzie Blackwood (Adirondack, 2017-18); Jacob MacDonald * (Elmira, 2014-16 and Toledo, 2016-17); Trent Miner (Utah, 2021-24) and Scott Wedgewood (Trenton, 2012-13 and Adirondack, 2015-16)
Columbus Blue Jackets – Assistant Coach Steve McCarthy (Kalamazoo, 2015-16); Assistant Coach Mike Haviland (Richmond, 1990-91; Winston-Salem, 1990-91; Trenton, 1999-2001 and 2004-05 and Atlantic City, 2001-04); Assistant Coach Scott Ford (Fresno, 2004-05; Trenton, 2005-06; Dayton, 2006-07; Utah, 2007-08 and South Carolina, 2014-15); Goaltending Development Coach Brad Thiessen (Wheeling, 2009-10 and Cincinnati, 2015-17); Assistant Video Coach Cam Briere (Maine, 2021-25) and Jet Greaves (Kalamazoo, 2021-22)
Dallas Stars (Idaho Steelheads) – Head Coach Glen Gulutzan (Las Vegas, 2003-09); Assistant Coach Neil Graham (South Carolina, 2010-11; Greenville, 2010-11 and Idaho, 2012-19) and Casey DeSmith (Wheeling, 2015-16)
Detroit Red Wings (Toledo Walleye) – Goaltending Coach Alex Westlund (Dayton, 1999-2001; Cincinnati, 2001-02; Toledo, 2001-02; Trenton, 2003-04; Charlotte, 2004-05 and 2006-07 and Wheeling, 2013-14); Ben Chiarot (Colorado, 2011-12) and Cam Talbot (Greenville, 2010-11)
Edmonton Oilers (Fort Wayne Komets) – Brett Kulak (Colorado, 2014-15) and Stuart Skinner (Wichita, 2018-20)
Florida Panthers (Savannah Ghost Pirates) – Assistant Coach Jamie Kompon (Hampton Roads, 1989-90; Cincinnati, 1990-91 and Winston-Salem, 1990-91); Goaltending Coach Rob Tallas (Charlotte, 1994-95); Chris Driedger (Elmira, 2013-14; Evansville, 2014-15; Wichita, 2016-17; Brampton, 2017-18 and Manchester, 2018-19) and Carter Verhaeghe (Missouri, 2015-17)
Los Angeles Kings (Greenville Swamp Rabbits) – Assistant Coach Derik Johnson (Missouri, 2014-15 and Reading, 2015-17); Goaltending Coach Mike Buckley (Mississippi, 2002-04 and Gwinnett, 2003-04); Kyle Burroughs * (Missouri, 2015-16); Jeff Malott (Florida, 2020-21) and Darcy Kuemper (Ontario, 2011-12 and Orlando, 2012-13)
Minnesota Wild (Iowa Heartlanders) – Assistant Coach Jack Capuano (Tallahassee, 1995-97; Knoxville, 1996-97 and Pee Dee, 1997-2005); Assistant Coach Patrick Dwyer (Gwinnett, 2004-05); Goaltending Coach Frederic Chabot (Winston-Salem, 1991-92); Filip Gustavsson (Brampton, 2018-19) and Jake Middleton (Manchester, 2015-16)
Montreal Canadiens (Trois-Rivières Lions) – Goaltending Coach Eric Raymond (Wheeling, 1993-94; South Carolina, 1995-96 and Huntington, 1995-96)
Nashville Predators (Atlanta Gladiators) – Head Coach Andrew Brunette (Hampton Roads, 1993-94); Michael Bunting (Rapid City, 2015-16) and Cole Smith (Florida, 2020-21)
New Jersey Devils (Adirondack Thunder) – Video Coach Ian Greenwald (Utah, 2013-15)
New York Islanders (Worcester Railers) – Assistant Coach Bob Boughner (Toledo, 1991-92)
New York Rangers (Bloomington Bison) – Assistant Coach Ty Hennes (Toledo, 2004-05; Bakersfield, 2004-05 and Texas, 2004-05); Goaltending Coach Jeff Malcolm (Greenville, 2013-17); Sam Carrick (Idaho, 2012-13) and Jonthan Quick (Reading, 2007-08)
Ottawa Senators (Allen Americans) – Goaltending Coach Justin Peters (Florida, 2006-08) and Nick Jensen (Toledo, 2013-14) and Donovan Sebrango (Toledo, 2022-23 and Allen, 2023-24)
Philadelphia Flyers (Reading Royals) – Assistant Coach Todd Reirden (Tallahassee, 1994-96; Raleigh, 1994-95 and Jacksonville, 1995-96); Rodrigo Abols (Greenville, 2019-20) and Dan Vladar (Atlanta, 2016-18 and 2019-20)
Pittsburgh Penguins (Wheeling Nailers) – Assistant Coach Rich Clune (Idaho, 2007-08); Goaltending Coach Andy Chiodo (Wheeling, 2003-06; Elmira, 2009-10 and Bakersfield, 2013-14); Justin Brazeau (Newfoundland, 2019-20 and Maine, 2021-22); Thomas Novak (Florida, 2020-21) and Arturs Silovs (Trois-Rivières, 2021-22)
San Jose Sharks (Wichita Thunder) – Head Coach Ryan Warsofsky (South Carolina, 2013-18); Goaltending Coach Thomas Speer (Idaho, 2011-12 and Las Vegas, 2011-12); Vincent Desharnais (Wichita, 2019-21); Timothy Liljegren (Newfoundland, 2018-19); Alex Nedeljkovic (Florida, 2014-15 and 2016-17) and Ryan Reaves (Alaska, 2007-08 and Orlando, 2012-13)
Seattle Kraken (Kansas City Mavericks) – Assistant Coach Aaron Schneekloth (South Carolina, 2001-03 and Colorado, 2011-18); Goaltending Coach Colin Zulianello (Mississippi, 2001-02; Augusta, 2002-03; Charlotte, 2002-03; Long Beach, 2003-04; San Diego, 2003-04; Idaho, 2004-05 and Las Vegas, 2004-05); Joey Daccord (Brampton, 2019-20); Frederick Gaudreau (Cincinnati, 2014-15); Mason Marchment (Orlando, 2016-17) and Philipp Grubauer (South Carolina, 2011-12 and Reading, 2012-13)
St. Louis Blues (Florida Everblades) – Assistant Video Coach Ryan Stacey (Newfoundland, 2021-22); Jordan Binnington (Kalamazoo, 2013-14) and Nathan Walker (South Carolina, 2014-15)
Tampa Bay Lightning (Orlando Solar Bears) – Pheonix Copley (South Carolina, 2013-14); Yanni Gourde (San Francisco, 2012-13 and Kalamazoo, 2013-14) and Jonas Johansson (Cincinnati, 2017-19)
Toronto Maple Leafs (Cincinnati Cyclones) – Assistant Coach Derek Lalonde (Toledo, 2014-16); Goaltending Coach Curtis Sanford (Peoria, 2000-02); Dakota Joshua (Tulsa, 2019-20); Steven Lorentz (Florida, 2017-19); Bobby McMann (Wichita, 2020-21 and Newfoundland, 2021-22) and Anthony Stolarz (Reading, 2017-18)
Utah Mammoth – Goaltending Coach Corey Schwab (Cincinnati, 1991-92); Anson Thornton * (Reading, 2023-24 and Allen, 2024-25) and Vitek Vanecek (South Carolina, 2015-16 and 2017-18)
Vancouver Canucks (Kalamazoo Wings) – Assistant Coach Kevin Dean (Cincinnati, 1991-92 and Trenton, 2010-11); Assistant Coach Brett McLean (Johnstown, 1999-00) and Kevin Lankinen (Indy, 2018-19)
Vegas Golden Knights (Tahoe Knight Monsters) – Head Coach Bruce Cassidy (Jacksonville, 1996-98 and Trenton, 1999-00); Assistant Coach Dominique Ducharme (Huntington, 1995-96 and Raleigh, 1995-96); Adin Hill (Rapid City, 2016-17) and Keegan Kolesar (Quad City, 2017-18)
Washington Capitals (South Carolina Stingrays) – Assistant Coach Spencer Carbery (Bakersfield, 2007-08; Stockton, 2007-08; Fresno, 2007-08; South Carolina, 2008-16); Assistant coach Scott Allen (Carolina, 1988-89; Winston-Salem, 1989-90; Erie, 1989-90; Greensboro, 1989-90; Cincinnati, 1990-91 and Johnstown, 1996-2002); Assistant Coach Mitch Love (Johnstown, 2007-08) and Logan Thompson (Adirondack, 2018-19 and South Carolina, 2019-20)
Winnipeg Jets (Norfolk Admirals) – Assistant Coach Marty Johnston (Florida, 2002-03; Trenton, 2003-04; Long Beach, 2003-04 and Peoria, 2003-04); Assistant Coach Davis Payne (Greensboro, 1992-95; Greenville, 1999-2000; Pee Dee, 2000-03 and Alaska, 2003-07) and Goaltending Coach Wade Flaherty (Greensboro, 1989-90)
There are 38 former ECHL officials who are scheduled to work as part of the NHL officiating team in 2025-26 with referees Benjamin Betker, Jake Brenk, Riley Brace, Francis Charron, Tom Chmielewski, Mitch Dunning, Trevor Hanson, Beau Halkidis, Jean Hebert, Pierre Lambert, T.J. Luxmore, Peter MacDougall, Morgan MacPhee, Michael Markovic, Liam Maaskant, Wes McCauley, Jon McIsaac, Dan O’Rourke, Brian Pochmara, Kyle Rehman, Chris Rooney, Carter Sandlak, Graham Skilliter and Furman South and linesmen Steve Barton, Ryan Daisy, Julien Fournier, Brandon Gawryletz, Brandon Grillo, Trent Knorr, Matt MacPherson, Jesse Marquis, Kilian McNamara, Bevin Mills, CJ Murray, Shawn Oliver, Ben O’Quinn and Bryan Pancich. Charron, Jean Hebert, McCauley, Rooney and Knorr were selected to work the 2025 Stanley Cup Final.
There have been 768 players who have played in the NHL after playing in the ECHL including 16 who made their debuts in 2024-25. The ECHL has had 576 players reach the NHL since 2002-03 when it changed its focus to become the primary developmental league for the NHL and the AHL. The ECHL had 97 players reach the NHL in its first 10 seasons and 215 in the first 15 years. There have been 512 ECHL players have played their first game in the last 20 seasons for an average of more than 25 per year.
There were two players who played in both the ECHL and NHL in 2024-25: Victor Ostman (Kansas City and Seattle) and Yaniv Perets (Bloomington and Carolina).
The ECHL was represented for the 25th year in a row on the Stanley Cup champion in 2025 with 16 individuals on the Florida Panthers, including Assistant General Manager Brett Peterson, Assistant Coach Jamie Kompon, Goaltending Coach Robb Tallas and players Vitek Vanecek and Carter Verhaeghe. There were 41 former players and 22 coaches on the 16 teams competing in the National Hockey League’s Stanley Cup Playoffs in 2025, marking the 20th year in a row that there have been at least 30 former ECHL players who have competed in the NHL postseason.
The first ECHL player to play in the NHL was Johnstown Chiefs goaltender Scott Gordon, who played his first game with the Quebec Nordiques against Buffalo on Jan. 30, 1990. The 100th player honor is shared by Jean-Sebastien Aubin and Manny Legace, who both made their debut on Oct. 21, 1998 with the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Los Angeles Kings, respectively. The 200th player was Brett McLean with the Chicago Blackhawks on Dec. 10, 2002 while the 300th was David Liffiton with the New York Rangers on April 11, 2006. The 400th was Phil Oreskovic on March 9, 2009 with the Toronto Maple Leafs while the 500th player honor is shared by Anthony Peluso and Darcy Kuemper, who both made their debut on Feb. 12, 2013 with the Winnipeg Jets and the Minnesota Wild, respectively. The 600th former ECHL player to reach the NHL was Florida Panthers forward Shane Harper on Oct. 13, 2016 while the 700th former ECHL player to debut in the NHL was New Jersey Devils defenseman Mason Geertsen on Oct. 19, 2021.
Former ECHL broadcasters working in the National Hockey League include John Ahlers and Steve Carroll of the Anaheim Ducks, Bob McElligott of the Columbus Blue Jackets, Josh Bogorad of the Dallas Stars, Jack Michaels of the Edmonton Oilers, Doug Plagens of the Florida Panthers, Jared Shafran of the Los Angeles Kings, Joe O’Donnell of the Minnesota Wild, Brendan Burke and Alan Fuehring of the New York Islanders, Chris Kerber of the St. Louis Blues, Everett Fitzhugh of the Seattle Kraken, Dave Mishkin of the Tampa Bay Lightning, Mike Folta of the Utah Mammoth and Dave Goucher and Dan D’Uva of the Vegas Golden Knights. Former ECHL player Tripp Tracy is an analyst with the Carolina Hurricanes, former ECHL player Jody Shelley is an analyst with the Blue Jackets; former ECHL player Shane Hnidy is an analyst with the Golden Knights and former ECHL player Tyson Nash is an analyst with the Mammoth.
You must be logged in to post a comment.