The 1996–97 ECHL season was the ninth season of the ECHL . Before the start of the season, two franchises relocated, one was renamed, and two expansion franchises were founded. Founding member Erie Panthers moved to Baton Rouge, LA and the Nashville Knights moved to Pensacola, FL , the Wheeling Thunderbirds changed their name to the Wheeling Nailers following a lawsuit with WHL's Seattle Thunderbirds , and the ECHL welcomed franchises in Peoria, IL and Biloxi, MS .
In 1996, the ECHL Board of Governors decided to retire the Jack Riley Cup and create a new trophy, the Patrick J. Kelly Cup , named after founding father and former ECHL commissioner, Patrick J. Kelly . The league also created a new individual award, the Sportsmanship Award, to be awarded to the player adjudged to have exhibited the best type of sportsmanship and gentlemanly conduct combined with a high standard of playing ability as voted by the coaches of each of the ECHL teams.[1]
The South Carolina Stingrays finished first overall in the season and became the first team in ECHL history to win the Brabham and Kelly Cups in the same year as they defeated the Louisiana IceGators 4 games to 1.
Regular season
Final standings Note: GP = Games played, W = Wins, L = Losses, T = Ties, Pts = Points, GF = Goals for, GA = Goals against, Green shade = Clinched playoff spot, Blue shade = Clinched division
[2]
Kelly Cup playoffs
Bracket
First round Hampton Roads vs. Roanoke Date Away Home April 2 Roanoke 3 Hampton Roads 4 OT April 4 Roanoke 4 Hampton Roads 2 April 5 Hampton Roads 4 Roanoke 1 April 6 Hampton Roads 4 Roanoke 3 Hampton Roads wins series 3–1
Richmond vs. Dayton Date Away Home April 1 Dayton 3 Richmond 5 April 3 Dayton 3 Richmond 4 April 5 Richmond 1 Dayton 4 April 6 Richmond 5 Dayton 2 Richmond wins series 3–1
Columbus vs. Toledo Date Away Home April 2 Toledo 2 Columbus 5 April 4 Columbus 2 Toledo 3 OT April 5 Toledo 3 Columbus 2 OT April 6 Columbus 3 Toledo 2 OT April 9 Toledo 2 Columbus 5 Columbus wins series 3–2
Peoria vs. Wheeling Date Away Home April 1 Wheeling 5 Peoria 6 April 2 Wheeling 4 Peoria 9 April 4 Peoria 8 Wheeling 3 Peoria wins series 3–0
Louisiana vs. Mobile Date Away Home April 2 Mobile 2 Louisiana 4 April 4 Louisiana 3 Mobile 2 April 6 Mobile 4 Louisiana 5 Louisiana wins series 3–0
Quarterfinals Richmond vs. Pensacola Date Away Home April 11 Pensacola 4 Richmond 2 April 12 Pensacola 3 Richmond 6 April 17 Richmond 3 Pensacola 4 April 18 Richmond 4 Pensacola 8 Pensacola wins series 3–1
Birmingham vs. Louisiana Date Away Home April 11 Louisiana 4 Birmingham 3 April 13 Louisiana 4 Birmingham 5 April 15 Birmingham 4 Louisiana 5 April 16 Birmingham 6 Louisiana 5 April 19 Louisiana 6 Birmingham 5 OT Louisiana wins series 3–2
Semifinals Peoria vs. Louisiana Date Away Home April 24 Louisiana 4 Peoria 3 OT April 26 Louisiana 4 Peoria 2 April 28 Peoria 10 Louisiana 3 April 29 Peoria 3 Louisiana 4 OT Louisiana wins series 3–1
Kelly Cup finals Kelly Cup Finals South Carolina vs. Louisiana Date Away Home May 2 Louisiana 1 South Carolina 6 May 4 Louisiana 2 South Carolina 4 May 7 South Carolina 4 Louisiana 5 May 9 South Carolina 7 Louisiana 4 May 11 South Carolina 6 Louisiana 4 South Carolina wins series 4–1
ECHL awards
See also
References