The 2020 ECHL Board of Governors had their annual meeting this week via Zoom. This meeting usually takes place in Las Vegas, Nevada. During this meeting, a few rule changes were discussed along with the status of the 2020-21 ECHL.
In light of the COVID-19 Pandemic, the ECHL has approved a return to play plan for the 2020-21 season after the 2019-20 season ended early as some teams only played a total of 58 games. Topics discussed relating this issue include scheduling, health protocols and much more. It is expected that these details will be released as we get closer to September/early October which is when teams normally begin training camp. It wouldn’t be a shock to see a shortened ECHL season and possibly the cancellation of the 2021 All-Star Game.
On-Ice Changes Including Tie Breakers
The two approved notions to the ECHL won’t change anything about the gameplay experience, but will affect warmups that take place pre-game. ECHL teams are now allowed to dress 19 players for warmups as opposed to 18 which they did last season. Teams will only be allowed to dress 18 players (16 skaters and two goaltenders). This will help teams who have a guy returning from injury and doesn’t feel 100% during warmups to give him another day of rest and dress another player.
The regular season tie-breaker has been changed and according to the ECHL, these are the new rules regarding said tie-breaker:
1. Regulation wins
2. Regulation + OT wins
3. Goal differential
4. Points, head-to-head (for two teams that have not played the same number of home games against the other tied team, the first game(s) played in the city that has the extra home game(s) shall not be included)
5. Winning percentage, division (if tied, teams are from same division; if not, skip to five)
6. Winning percentage, conference
7. Goals for, regular season
8. Goals against, regular season
9. Coin toss
If Three Or More Teams Tie
Note: When two teams remain after the third or other teams are eliminated during any step below, the tiebreaker reverts to Step 1 of the two-team format.
1. Regulation wins
2. Regulation + OT wins
3. Goal differential
4. Higher winning percentage earned in games against each other (for two teams that have not played the same number of home games against the other tied team, the first game(s) played in the city that has the extra home game(s) shall not be included)
5. Winning percentage, division
6. Winning percentage, conference
7. Goals for, regular season
8. Goals against, regular season
9. Coin toss
The league has also named Kansas City Mavericks President and General Manager Brett Thiessen to the Board of Governors. He replaces Ray Harris from the Cincinnati Cyclones. Executive of the year goes to Idaho Steelheads President Eric Trapp.