ECCHHLL: The ECHL / CHL Merger is On

The ECCHHLL is real. You read that right. The ECHL and the Central Hockey League (CHL) merger is happening. The ECHL announced the merger on Tuesday. Seven new teams will be added to the ECHL from the CHL starting this season (just days away). The teams include The Allen Americans, Brampton Beast, Missouri Mavericks, Quad City Mallards, Rapid City Rush, Tulsa Oilers and Wichita Thunder. That makes for 28 games in 20 states and one Canadian province.

If you don’t follow the minor leagues closely this might not seem like a big deal, but it’s a pretty massive change for the ECHL. The CHL collapsed and on Monday the ECHL approved the incorporation of the seven new member teams. That makes some major shifts happen in the ECHL, which, in broad strokes, is the feeder system for the AHL. For Wild fans, ECHL is where John Curry started the last season, playing for the Orlando Solar Bears, before he found his way onto the Wild’s roster.

The ECHL said of the merger on their site:

“The ECHL is very pleased to welcome these new Members to the League,” said ECHL Commissioner Brian McKenna. “These additions strengthen our base in the center of the country and give the ECHL, for the first time, a true national presence. It expands our ability to act as a development league and more closely aligns our number of teams with both the American Hockey League and the National Hockey League.“There will be logistical challenges in the short term, however, in the long term, it is certainly in the best interest of the ECHL, the new Members and minor-league hockey in general,” McKenna added.

So why is this a big deal? From Puck Daddy:

Gwinnett Gladiators president Steve Chapman put it this way, “”For the first time in the history of pro hockey, there is a clear AAA, AA and A level. It is a historic day for hockey.”

You may remember that the Wild changed their ECHL affiliation this summer. Once an affiliate of the Solar Bears, they are now tied to the 2014 Kelly Cup Champion Alaska Aces.

This is an interesting situation any way you cut it, with things being upended in the ECHL shortly before the start of the season on October 17. Making it especially interesting:

It will be interesting to see how this plays out and how the CHL teams are able to compete.

No word yet on if this will effect the Wild’s affiliations as they were both affiliates of the Alaska Aces and the Quad City Mallards of the CHL.