ECHL Announces Opening Of Hall Of Fame

Paige Gagne | Minor Leagues (ECHL, AHL, etc)

Sep 10, 05:21 PM | Hype this story!

ECHL officials announced Monday that the league celebrate its 20th Anniversary by opening a Hall of Fame in Princeton, N.J.

The first class will be announced in October and will be honored during the All-Star Game celebrations January 23 in Stockton.

“The time has come to recognize the individuals who have contributed to that growth and made the league what it is today,” said commissioner Brian McKenna. “The occasion of our 20th Anniversary presents a unique opportunity to introduce our Hall of Fame.”

The ECHL is the third longest-tenured professional hockey league currently in existence, behind the NHL and the AHL. It started out in 1988 with five teams in three states and has grown to be represented by 25 teams from coast-to-coast in 17 states and British Columbia.

Hall of Fame inductees will be selected in four categories:

1. Player
2. Developmental Player
3. Builder
4. Referee/Linesmen

Each inductee must have ended his career active in the ECHL and played a minimum of five seasons.

There is, however, an exception for the Developmental Player category. Players who fit into this category must have started their careers in the ECHL and moved on to a notable career in the NHL.

Builders may be active or inactive and Referees/Linesmen must have finished their career for a minimum of three playing seasons.

There will be no more than five candidates elected to the Hall of Fame each year. The breakdown will be no more than three Players, one Developmental Player, two Builders, and one Referee/Linesman. However the Builder and Referee/Linesman groupings are dependent upon the number of nominees in the Player category.

The ECHL will appoint a Hall of Fame Selection Committee who will determine the selection of the nominees.

Only the members of the Selection Committee, the Board of Governors or teams in the ECHL will be able to propose official nominations. Those nominations must be made in writing to the ECHL office. However fans are able to contact their teams to suggest names for consideration.

The selection criteria and nomination forms will be distributed and announced to the teams at a later date.

Comments

  1. DaBich

    Sep 11, 12:11 PM

    I think this is a great development. The ECHL isn’t on of the things I follow closely, but recognition is always a good thing.

  2. Matt Bodenschatz

    Sep 11, 02:42 PM

    Without a doubt. Anything to further advance hockey (of any level) and put it out there is good for the sport as a whole.

    As for you not following the ECHL closely, hopefully Faceoff Factor will help to change that. One of our goals is to bring news and opinions for as many hockey leagues (both professional and amateur) as possible so people who might not otherwise have access are capable of following.

    A perfect example of this will be the coverage we give the Erie Otters and the OHL this season — I think you, and many others — will really enjoy what we have on tap.

  3. DaBich

    Sep 12, 10:03 AM

    You have a point Matt…thanks :)

  4. Matt Bodenschatz

    Sep 12, 10:25 AM

    Sure thing!

Commenting is closed for this article.