Jack Carnefix "East Coast Hockey League"

Began in 1988-89 with five teams, the East Coast Hockey League has grown to become the largest developmental league in professional hockey with 29 teams in 14 states taking to the ice in 2001-02.

The ECHL welcomes five new members for the 2001-02 season with the addition of Atlantic City, N.J.; Cincinnati, Ohio; Columbia, S.C.; Columbus, Ga.; Macon, Ga.; and Reading, Pa. The five new teams join existing franchises in North Little Rock, Ark.; Augusta, Ga.; Baton Rouge, La.; Charlotte, N.C.; Dayton, Ohio; Estero, Fla.; Greensboro, N.C.; Greenville, S.C.; Jackson, Miss.; Johnstown, Pa.; Lafayette, La.; Biloxi, Miss.; Mobile, Ala.; New Orleans, La.; Florence, S.C.; Pensacola, Fla.; Peoria, Ill.; Richmond, Va.; Roanoke, Va.; North Charleston, S.C.; Toledo, Ohio; Trenton, N.J.; and Wheeling, W.V.

ECHL teams play a 72-game schedule, with 36 home games and 36 road games, beginning in October and continuing through March, and it will play a League-record 1,044 games in 2001-02.

The 2002 Sovereign Bank/ECHL All-Star Extravaganza will be January 20-22 in Trenton, N.J. Hosted by the Trenton Titans and presented by Sovereign Bank, the All-Star Extravaganza begins Sunday, January 20 with The Hockey Hall of Fame displaying The Stanley Cup and presenting interactive games for fans of all ages. There will also be a high school hockey challenge on January 20. The Skills Competition will be held Monday, January 21 at 6 p.m. at the Sovereign Bank Arena. On Tuesday, January 22 at 7:30 p.m., the top players in the ECHL will take the ice at the Sovereign Bank Arena for the 2002 Sovereign Bank/ECHL All-Star Game.

There have been 172 ECHL graduates that have gone on to play in the National Hockey League, including 92 during the 2000-01 season. The ECHL has been a stepping stone to the NHL for coaches, including current New York Islanders head coach Peter Laviolette, as well as on-ice officials and front office personnel.

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