2015-16 ECHL season

The 2015–16 ECHL season is the 28th season of the ECHL. The regular season schedule will run from October  to April  with the Kelly Cup playoffs to follow.
==Membership changes==
As a result of a major shift of American Hockey League teams the ECHL also had a major shift of franchises as the league lost 3 California based teams to new AHL teams.
*As a result of the Edmonton Oilers purchasing the AHL's Oklahoma City Barons franchise and relocating  it to Bakersfield, California; the Bakersfield Condors were relocated to Norfolk, Virginia replacing the city's AHL franchise which was purchased by the Anaheim Ducks and relocated to San Diego, California as the San Diego Gulls.
There were two other sets of cities that simply swapped the locations of the AHL and ECHL affiliates:
*The  Manchester Monarchs of the AHL swapped locations with the Ontario Reign with the teams keeping the same names. The new Manchester Monarchs franchise joined the league's East Division
*The Stockton Thunder  of the AHL come into existence when the Calgary Flames relocated their Glens Falls, New York based Adirondack Flames and the ECHL's team is relocated to Glens Falls as the Adirondack Thunder
*On August 25, 2015 the Greenville Road Warriors were renamed the Greenville Swamp Rabbits
*On August 9, 2015 the Gwinnett Gladiators announced they were changing their name to the Atlanta Gladiators
*The Evansville Icemen appear to be moving to Owensboro, Kentucky for the 2016-17 season, the team signed a lease with the city of Owensboro to play in the Edge Ice Center starting with next season.  The city of Evansvile has started work on trying to secure a new hockey tenant at the Ford Center for the 2016-17 season, most likely a Southern Professional Hockey League franchise.  The move of the team to Owensboro was approved by the ECHL along with a one year leave of absence since the arena would be undergoing renovations.
*In the spring of 2016 the league announce the addition of the Worcester Railers for the 2017-18 season to be based out of the DCU Center.  The former home of the Worcester Sharks.
*The league received an application for another expansion team to be located in Portland, Maine for the 2017-18 season to replace the AHL's Portland Pirates who relocated to Springfield, Massachusetts to replace the Springfield Falcons who were sold and relocated to Tucson, Arizona.
Two teams also rebranded this season.
*The Gwinnett Gladiators were rebranded as the Atlanta Gladiators to reflect the entire metropolitan Atlanta area rather than just Gwinnett County.
*The Greenville Road Warriors were rebranded as the Greenville Swamp Rabbits to give the team a stronger local connection.
==Rule changes==
The league held its annual Board of Governors meeting in late June and announced the following changes:
*The league changes the overtime format to five minutes of sudden death 3 on 3 play, followed by a 3 round shoot out followed by a sudden death shoot out if needed
*The "spin-o-rama" move was eliminated during shootouts
*The league will use two referees for all playoff games up from using them for the semifinal and final rounds the past three seasons.
*The Board of Governors approved changing the distance of the hash marks on the end-zone faceoff circles to 5 feet, 7 inches. 
==2015-16 League alignment==
Division 	Team 	City/Area 	Arena 	Founded 	Joined 	Head Coach 	NHL Affiliate(s) 	AHL Affiliate(s) 	 	 	 	 	
Eastern Conference	Eastern Conference 	Eastern Conference 	Eastern Conference 	Eastern Conference	Eastern Conference	Eastern Conference 	Eastern Conference 	Eastern Conference 	Eastern Conference	Eastern Conference	Eastern Conference	Eastern Conference	Eastern Conference
North 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
North 	Brampton Beast 	Brampton, ON 	Powerade Centre 	2013 	2014 	Brent Hughes 	Tampa Bay Lightning 	Syracuse Crunch 	 	 	 	 	
North 	Kalamazoo Wings 	Kalamazoo, MI 	Wings Stadium 	1974 	2009 	Nick Bootland 	Columbus Blue JacketsVancouver Canucks	Springfield FalconsUtica CometsChicago Wolves 	 	 	 	 	
North 	Toledo Walleye 	Toledo, OH 	Huntington Center 	1991 	1991 	Derek Lalonde 	Detroit Red Wings 	Grand Rapids Griffins 	 	 	 	 	
North 	Wheeling Nailers 	Wheeling, WV 	WesBanco Arena 	1981* 	1981* 	Clark Donatelli 	Montreal CanadiensPittsburgh Penguins 	Hamilton BulldogsWilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins	 	 	 	 	
East 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
East 	Adirondack Thunder 	Glens Falls, New York 	Glens Falls Civic Center 	1990* 	1990* 	Rich Kromm 	Calgary Flames 	Stockton Heat 	 	 	 	 	
East 	Elmira Jackals 	Elmira, NY 	First Arena 	2000 	2007 	Jamie Russell 	Buffalo Sabres 	Rochester Americans 	 	 	 	 	
East 	Manchester Monarchs 	Manchester, New Hampshire	Verizon Wireless Arena 	1993* 	1993* 	Jason Christie 	Los Angeles Kings 	Ontario Reign 	 	 	 	 	
East 	Norfolk Admirals 	Norfolk, Virginia 	Norfolk Scope 	1995* 	1995* 	Jean-Francois Houle	Edmonton Oilers 	Bakersfield Condors 	 	 	 	 	
East 	Reading Royals 	Reading, PA 	Santander Arena 	1991* 	1991* 	Larry Courville 	Philadelphia Flyers 	Lehigh Valley Phantoms 	 	 	 	 	
South 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
South 	Atlanta Gladiators 	Duluth, GA 	Arena at Gwinnett Center 	1995* 	1995* 	Rick Emmett 	Arizona Coyotes 	Portland Pirates 	 	 	 	 	
South 	Florida Everblades 	Estero, FL 	Germain Arena 	1998 	1998 	Greg Poss 	Carolina HurricanesTampa Bay Lightning	Charlotte CheckersSyracuse Crunch 	 	 	 	 	
South 	Greenville Swamp Rabbits	Greenville, SC 	Bon Secours Wellness Arena 	1988* 	1988* 	Brian Gratz 	New York Rangers 	Hartford Wolf Pack 	 	 	 	 	
South 	Orlando Solar Bears 	Orlando, FL 	Amway Center 	2012 	2012 	Vince Williams 	Toronto Maple Leafs 	Toronto Marlies 	 	 	 	 	
South 	South Carolina Stingrays	N. Charleston, SC 	North Charleston Coliseum 	1993 	1993 	Spencer Carbery 	Boston BruinsWashington Capitals 	Providence BruinsHershey Bears 	 	 	 	 	
Western Conference	Western Conference 	Western Conference 	Western Conference 	Western Conference	Western Conference	Western Conference 	Western Conference 	Western Conference 	Western Conference	Western Conference	Western Conference	Western Conference	Western Conference
Midwest 	Cincinnati Cyclones 	Cincinnati, OH 	U.S. Bank Arena 	1995* 	1995* 	Matt Macdonald 	Florida PanthersNashville Predators 	San Antonio RampageMilwaukee Admirals 	 	 	 	 	
Midwest 	Evansville IceMen 	Evansville, IN 	Ford Center 	1992* 	2012 	Dwight Mullins 	Ottawa Senators 	Binghamton Senators 	 	 	 	 	
Midwest 	Fort Wayne Komets 	Fort Wayne, IN 	Allen County War Memorial Coliseum	1952 	2012 	Gary Graham 	Colorado Avalanche 	Lake Erie Monsters 	 	 	 	 	
Midwest 	Indy Fuel 	Indianapolis, IN 	Indiana Farmers Coliseum 	2014 	2014 	Scott Hillman 	Chicago Blackhawks 	Rockford IceHogs 	 	 	 	 	
Midwest 	Quad City Mallards 	Moline, IL 	iWireless Center 	2009 	2014 	Terry Ruskowski 	Minnesota Wild 	Iowa Wild 	 	 	 	 	
Central 	Allen Americans 	Allen, TX 	Allen Event Center 	2009 	2014 	Steve Martinson 	Dallas Stars 	Texas Stars 	 	 	 	 	
Central 	Missouri Mavericks 	Independence, MO 	Independence Events Center 	2009 	2014 	Richard Matvichuk 	N/A 	Chicago Wolves 	 	 	 	 	
Central 	Tulsa Oilers 	Tulsa, OK 	BOK Center 	1992 	2014 	Bruce Ramsay 	Independent 	Independent 	 	 	 	 	
Central 	Wichita Thunder 	Wichita, KS 	Intrust Bank Arena 	1992 	2014 	Kevin McClelland 	Independent 	Independent 	 	 	 	 	
West 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
West 	Alaska Aces 	Anchorage, AK 	Sullivan Arena 	1989 	2003 	Rob Murray 	Minnesota WildSt. Louis Blues 	Iowa Wild 	 	 	 	 	
West 	Colorado Eagles 	Loveland, CO 	Budweiser Events Center 	2003 	2011 	Chris Stewart 	Calgary Flames 	Adirondack Flames 	 	 	 	 	
West 	Idaho Steelheads 	Boise, ID 	CenturyLink Arena Boise 	1997 	2003 	Brad Ralph 	Dallas Stars 	Texas Stars 	 	 	 	 	
West 	Rapid City Rush 	Rapid City, SD 	Rushmore Plaza Civic Center 	2008 	2014 	Joe Ferras 	Independent 	Independent 	 	 	 	 	
West 	Utah Grizzlies 	West Valley City, UT 	Maverik Center 	1981* 	1981* 	Tim Branham 	Anaheim Ducks 	Norfolk Admirals 	 	 	 	 	
; Notes
# An asterisk (*) denotes a franchise move. See the respective team articles for more information.
==Standings==
Eastern Conference 	Eastern Conference	Eastern Conference	Eastern Conference	Eastern Conference	Eastern Conference	Eastern Conference	Eastern Conference	Eastern Conference	Eastern Conference	Eastern Conference
North Division 	North Division 	North Division 	North Division 	North Division 	North Division 	North Division 	North Division 	North Division 	North Division 	North Division
Team 	GP 	W 	L 	T 	OTL 	SOL 	GF 	GA 	PIM 	P
Toledo Walleye 	72 	47 	20 	- 	2 	3 	225 	174 	665 	99
Wheeling Nailers 	72 	37 	26 	- 	5 	4 	214 	211 	1037 	83
Kalamazoo Wings 	72 	38 	28 	- 	5 	1 	233 	230 	957 	82
Brampton Beast 	72 	23 	38 	- 	7 	4 	179 	255 	932 	57
East Division 	East Division 	East Division 	East Division 	East Division 	East Division 	East Division 	East Division 	East Division 	East Division 	East Division
Team 	GP 	W 	L 	T 	OTL 	SOL 	GF 	GA 	PIM 	P
Manchester Monarchs 	72 	39 	24 	- 	4 	5 	222 	213 	1004 	87
Adirondack Thunder 	72 	38 	28 	- 	2 	4 	197 	189 	990 	82
Reading Royals 	72 	36 	26 	- 	6 	4 	222 	194 	883 	82
Elmira Jackals 	72 	37 	30 	- 	3 	2 	206 	214 	934 	79
Norfolk Admirals 	72 	30 	37 	- 	4 	1 	201 	232 	1193 	65
South Division 	South Division 	South Division 	South Division 	South Division 	South Division 	South Division 	South Division 	South Division 	South Division 	South Division
Team 	GP 	W 	L 	T 	OTL 	SOL 	GF 	GA 	PIM 	P
South Carolina Stingrays	72 	44 	18 	- 	7 	3 	224 	162 	1273 	98
Florida Everblades 	72 	46 	23 	- 	1 	2 	226 	175 	892 	95
Orlando Solar Bears 	72 	33 	30 	- 	4 	5 	224 	232 	845 	75
Atlanta Gladiators 	72 	34 	31 	- 	5 	2 	189 	224 	913 	75
Greenville Swamp Rabbits	72 	29 	33 	- 	9 	1 	205 	243 	1081 	68
Western Conference 	Western Conference	Western Conference	Western Conference	Western Conference	Western Conference	Western Conference	Western Conference	Western Conference	Western Conference	Western Conference
Midwest Division 	Midwest Division 	Midwest Division 	Midwest Division 	Midwest Division 	Midwest Division 	Midwest Division 	Midwest Division 	Midwest Division 	Midwest Division 	Midwest Division
Team 	GP 	W 	L 	T 	OTL 	SOL 	GF 	GA 	PIM 	P
Fort Wayne Komets 	72 	40 	23 	- 	7 	2 	240 	200 	1196 	89
Cincinnati Cyclones 	72 	36 	27 	- 	5 	4 	222 	210 	847 	81
Quad City Mallards 	72 	37 	29 	- 	4 	2 	203 	203 	1007 	80
Indy Fuel 	72 	32 	36 	- 	4 	0 	174 	201 	786 	68
Evansville IceMen 	72 	29 	33 	- 	7 	3 	207 	242 	1028 	68
Central Division 	Central Division 	Central Division 	Central Division 	Central Division 	Central Division 	Central Division 	Central Division 	Central Division 	Central Division 	Central Division
Team 	GP 	W 	L 	T 	OTL 	SOL 	GF 	GA 	PIM 	P
Missouri Mavericks 	72 	52 	15 	- 	3 	2 	234 	162 	855 	109
Allen Americans 	72 	41 	24 	- 	3 	4 	222 	204 	1189 	89
Tulsa Oilers 	72 	37 	30 	- 	3 	2 	191 	191 	1083 	79
Wichita Thunder 	72 	18 	41 	- 	7 	6 	150 	240 	1152 	49
West Division 	West Division 	West Division 	West Division 	West Division 	West Division 	West Division 	West Division 	West Division 	West Division 	West Division
Team 	GP 	W 	L 	T 	OTL 	SOL 	GF 	GA 	PIM 	P
Colorado Eagles 	72 	41 	27 	- 	3 	1 	232 	193 	1427 	86
Idaho Steelheads 	72 	38 	24 	- 	7 	3 	203 	187 	917 	86
Utah Grizzlies 	72 	39 	27 	- 	3 	3 	223 	206 	942 	84
Rapid City Rush 	72 	30 	35 	- 	3 	4 	177 	210 	974 	67
Alaska Aces 	72 	27 	38 	- 	4 	3 	189 	237 	1171 	61
==Kelly Cup Playoffs==
===Format===
As a result of the league re-aligning into 3 unbalanced divisions in each conference the playoff format was changed from a division based playoff to a conference based playoff with the division winners being seeded 1, 2, and 3 (based on points) and the next five highest point totals also qualify for the playoffs.  All four rounds will be a best-of-seven format.  This is the same format the NHL used prior to its most recent re-alignment.
===Bracket===
===Eastern Conference Quarterfinals===
*Reading Royals defeated Toledo Walleye 4 games to 3 (4-3, 3-4, 4-2, 1-3, 5-3, 1-3, 4-1)
*South Carolina Stingrays defeated Kalamazoo Wings 4 games to 1 (4-1, 5-2, 3-5, 3-2, 5-1)
*Adirondack Thunder defeated Manchester Monarchs 4 games to 1 (3-2, 4-3 (ot), 4-2, 1-2, 3-0)
*Wheeling Nailers defeated Florida Everblades  4 games to 2 (6-3, 1-4, 3-6, 5-4, 4-3, 2-1)
===Western Conference Quarterfinals===
*Missouri Mavericks defeated Quad City Mallards 4 games to none (6-3, 2-1, 4-2, 4-1)
*Fort Wayne Komets defeated Cincinnati Cyclones 4 games to 3 (2-3, 2-3, 8-0, 3-2 (2ot), 4-5 (2ot), 2-1 (ot), 2-0)
*Utah Grizzlies defeated Colorado Eagles 4 games to 2 (3-2, 4-5 (3ot), 3-2, 7-2, 2-5, 7-2)
*Allen Americans defeated Idaho Steelheads 4 games to 3 (1-3, 3-1, 3-1, 1-3, 1-7, 4-2, 3-2 (ot))
===Eastern Conference Semifinals===
*South Carolina Stingrays defeated Adirondack Thunder 4 games to 3 (4-5, 1-0, 1-3, 6-0, 2-3 (ot), 4-1, 3-2 (2ot))
*Wheeling Nailers  defeated Reading Royals 4 games to 3 (4-1, 2-4, 1-4, 2-1 (3ot), 1-3, 8-3, 4-3 (ot))
===Western Conference Semifinals===
*Allen Americans defeated Missouri Mavericks 4 games to 2 (2-0, 2-5, 5-1, 4-2, 1-3, 5-1)
*Fort Wayne Komets defeated Utah Grizzlies 4 games to none (6-4, 5-3, 3-1, 5-3)
===Eastern Conference Final===
*Wheeling Nailers defeated South Carolina Stingrays 4 games to 3 (0-3, 4-3 (2ot), 2-1, 2-4, 1-3, 4-3 (ot), 5-2)
===Western Conference Final===
*Allen Americans defeated Fort Wayne Komets  4 games to 1 (5-3, 3-2 (ot), 1-2, 6-5 (ot), 6-4)
===Kelly Cup Final===
*Allen Americans defeated Wheeling Nailers 4 games to 2 (5-3, 6-7, 2-3, 4-2, 3-2 (ot), 4-2)
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