Tricky trivia----what does "ECHL" stand for? Which sports apparel firm has it name attached? How many trophies for individual league categories? Name the former NHL coach who is associated with the ECHL Coach of the Year award? What is the ECHL Award of Distinction? Which Western conference franchise has won it two out of three seasons? Which former ECHL player is currently making a splash with a Great Lakes based NHL team? Can you name the five teams that use state names as part of their official names in the ECHL? Answers will be found throughout this blog.

Just how did the current brand of minor pro hockey emerge on the western side of North America? Like so many things hockey, there is a Canadian connection. Bruce Taylor, owner of the BCJHL Richmond Sockeyes started an "independent senior/pro" team, the Fresno Falcons and brought in John Oliver to build the team. Taylor then either started franchises himself or found local investors, with the result being the birth of a new league, the WCHL (West Coast Hockey League) with teams stretching from Fairbanks, Alaska to San Diego and Arizona. This was the early 1990s, where on the opposite side of the continent the then East Coast Hockey League was evolving into a strong feeder league for the AHL. This was a heady time for hockey, the Gretzky trade to LA, the start of the Sharks, and the "glowing puck" on weekly FOX Network NHL telecasts were making the game more popular in America. The old IHL (International Hockey League) broke out of its small city Midwest base and with teams from Detroit and Chicago to Salt Lake City, began to sell itself as a development rival to the AHL. For various reason, many of which were financial, the IHL would go the way of the never to be seen on the ice Victoria Spiders. WCHL teams found themselves saddled with high payments into generous state workers compensation programs, especially California. With its lower salary cap, the ECHL appeared to be an attractive model. A deal was struck, whereby the WCHL folded, and its teams joined the, to be now named simply by the letters "ECHL". Sponsorships in the new continent wide league brought in noted firms like Reebok, who have their name attached to five individual trophies plus various weekly and monthly awards.

Each season, the league announces who won the Award of Distinction--this for both on and off ice work, and in 2007 and 2009, the Stockton Thunder won this prestigious honour. As with the BC Lions, Manitoba Moose, and Saskatchewan Roughriders, who have provincial monikers, five ECHL teams utilize a state name; Alaska Aces, Florida Everblades, Idaho Steelheads, South Carolina Stingrays and the Utah Grizzlies.

Although ECHL player movement usually involves the AHL, some do work their way to the NHL. Alex Burrows of the Canucks is a prime example of that. Currently, former 2009 ECHL Playoff MVP, goalie James Reimer has been called up from the AHL, and is making a splash with his strong play to be kept on the Toronto Maple Leafs roster. One last note, when the Western Conference finalists meet, the winner will, fittingly win the Bruce Taylor Cup prior to then playing the Eastern Conference playoff champion in a best of seven series for the Holy Grail of the league, the Kelly Cup.

VSKBC NOTES-----on game nights, be sure to drop by the booster club tables on the concourse and club levels. Have a look at how the Goals That Give Board is tabulated, the scrapbook we made, bring the kids to do some colouring or maybe write a note to Marty the Marmot or their favourite Salmon Kings player. On Sunday, January 30th, after the game (it is a 1:00pm game); there will be another Skate with the Kings. Please make sure that you sign the ECHL waivers before you and your kids go on the ice.

BOTTLES AND CANS FOR MARTY'S ANGELZ----do you have recyclable bottles and cans left over from "the holidays?" You can help our 24 Hour Relay Team by bringing them the Glanford Rd or Quadra St Bottle Depot locations. Ask that the return amount be put on the account named Marty's Angelz.