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Prospects To Watch In 2009-10

October 18, 2009

By Holly Gunning
Hockey’s Future

There are a few factors converging, which should make for a better crop of NHL prospects in the ECHL this season. There were fewer rookies who made opening-night rosters in the NHL this year, down from 76 last year to 41 this year, which means more talent pushed back to the AHL level.

Some of this talent will filter down to the ECHL. When it does, it will be more condensed. The league stands at 20 teams to start the year, down from 23 at this time last year. Two teams were lost mid-season last year, and three in the offseason, with two more entering the league (or re-entering in the case of Toledo). Fewer teams means that more have double affiliations with NHL teams. Only Tampa, Minnesota, Calgary and Buffalo do not have an ECHL affiliate, and only the Johnstown Chiefs do not have an NHL affiliate. See a full list of affiliates here.

One NHL team, Anaheim, is without its own AHL affiliate, so they are placing a large number of their prospects with the ECHL Bakersfield Condors, just two hours away. Anaheim has nine prospects in Bakersfield to start the year, the most of any team.

Last year's Kelly Cup Champions, the South Carolina Stingrays, benefited heavily from the depth of parent club Washington Capitals. They have three Capitals prospects on the roster to begin this season -- Braden Holtby, Joe Finley and Josh Godfrey.

Almost every year, there are former first round NHL picks playing in the ECHL. Defenseman Nick Ross, forward Logan MacMillan, and swingman Joe Finley join the list this year.

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