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The ECHL cancels the rest of the 2019-20 season and playoffs due to the coronavirus

By Ian Oland

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March 14, 2020 9:10 pm

If the ECHL is a measuring stick, we may not have hockey for a long time.

Late Saturday night, Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reported that the ECHL will announce that it’s canceling the rest of the 2019-20 season and playoffs due to the coronavirus outbreak. Shortly after, the ECHL made the announcement confirming Friedman’s report.

The South Carolina Stingrays are the ECHL affiliate of the Washington Capitals though all of the Caps’ advanced prospects play with the AHL Hershey Bears. 25 of 31 National Hockey League teams have affiliations with an ECHL team.

The league first announced it would suspend league action on Thursday after the NHL and AHL did so.

According to Chocolate Hockey’s Kyle Mace, ECHL contracts are not guaranteed and many owners could not afford to pay its players during a long break in action.

At 9 PM, the ECHL officially ended its season citing safety concerns and that “our game and our product are based on our fans and their ability to cheer on their favorite ECHL team and Players”… “without that social environment and game atmosphere, the ECHL simply isn’t the same.”

It’s the first time in the ECHL’s history that there will not be a champion named.

Sportnet’s Chris Johnston adds that the AHL’s potential return “won’t mirror what happens with the NHL” and that the league is “facing a big challenge” to return this season.

More from the ECHL:

On Saturday, the ECHL Board of Governors approved the cancellation of the remainder of the 2019-20 Season.

A statement from ECHL Commissioner Ryan Crelin:

The decision by the ECHL to cancel the remainder of the 2019-20 Season does not come lightly, as this is an emotional time for our Players, Coaches, Member Teams, Fans and Staff. At this point in the Season, there has been immense dedication and countless hours committed in moving towards what is traditionally the most exciting part of the hockey year.

With that said however, as each passing day raises additional concerns for the safety of those in the ECHL community and as we take precautionary measures in conjunction with our local authorities across the continent to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, it has become apparent that this is the prudent decision. Our game and our product are based on our Fans and their ability to cheer on their favorite ECHL team and Players at one of our many facilities around the continent. Without that social environment and game atmosphere, the ECHL simply isn’t the same.

On behalf of the ECHL and our Board of Governors, we appreciate the Professional Hockey Players’ Association for their assistance during this unprecedented time and working as partners in hockey to reach this decision for the best interest of the ECHL and its Players. This decision allows our Players the opportunity to return to their homes and removes the uncertainty that currently exists.

While we are hopeful that this period ceases and an opportunity to return to normalcy for the hockey calendar presents itself, in the interim, we ask all Fans, Players, Coaches, Officials, and Staff to continue to abide by the measures put in place by their local authorities and follow precautionary protocols for their safety, as we will begin preparations for the 2020-21 ECHL Hockey Season.

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