Thunder delayed at start of season
Adirondack one of 12 teams that will wait until Jan. 15
As it tries to recover from an abrupt end to its 2019-20 schedule, the ECHL announced plans Friday for a “split start” to its new season that will have the Glens Falls-based Adirondack Thunder not playing their first game until Jan. 15.
Under the plan, the hockey minor league — unofficially regarded as the Double-a of the professional ranks — will begin play Dec. 11 for 13 teams. Another 12, including the Thunder, will start Jan. 15. One team, the Atlanta Gladiators, has voluntarily suspended play for the entire 2020-21 season with plans to return in 2021-22.
“The Thunder need fans in the stands at Cool Insuring Arena in order for the business model to work, and our state government has yet to address our specific situation,” team president Jeff Mead said in a statement. “On our end, there is a safety plan being prepared that will be in compliance with any guidelines the state will have so that we can bring Thunder hockey back to our great community.”
The plan is for the Thunder to play 62 regularseason games. A normal season would consist of 72 games, although last season was shut down after 63 games for the Thunder because of COVID -19 concerns. There were no playoffs in 2019-20, and no champion was declared.
All 26 teams had played between 59 and 64 games at the time of the shutdown. The Thunder, who are affiliated with the NHL’S New Jersey Devils, were unlikely to make the playoffs.
“We know our coaches Alex Loh and Pete Dineen have been working all summer and continue to work on improving our team to build a fun, exciting, and competitive group that our community can rally around and cheer on as we strive to win the Kelly Cup,” Mead said in his statement. “We appreciate the patience of our great fans during these unprecedented times and we look forward to seeing you in January.”
Teams scheduled to begin play Dec. 11 are Allen (Texas), Florida, Greenville (S.C.), Indy, Jacksonville, Kansas City, Orlando, Rapid City (S.D.), South Carolina, Tulsa, Utah, Wheeling ( W,VA.) and Wichita (Kan.). They will play 72 games each.
Those waiting until Jan. 15 are Adirondack, Brampton (Ontario), Cincinnati, Fort Wayne (Ind.), Idaho, Kalamazoo (Mich.), Maine, Newfoundland, Norfolk, Reading (Pa.) and Worcester (Mass.). They will be scheduled for 62 games.
The ECHL regular season will run until June 6. League standings will be based on winning percentage during the regular season. The postseason format will be announced at a later date.