The 2005–06 ECHL season is the 18th season of the ECHL, a professional ice-hockey league based in the United States. The season ran from late October 2005 to early June 2006. The Brabham Cup regular season champions and Kelly Cup playoff champions were the Alaska Aces.

2005–06 ECHL season
LeagueECHL
SportIce hockey
DurationOctober 2005 – May 2006
Regular season
Brabham CupAlaska Aces
Season MVPJeff Campbell (Gwinnett)
Top scorerAlex Leavitt (Alaska)
Playoffs
American championsGwinnett Gladiators
  American runners-upToledo Storm
National championsAlaska Aces
  National runners-upFresno Falcons
Playoffs MVPMike Scott (Alaska)
Finals
ChampionsAlaska Aces
  Runners-upGwinnett Gladiators
ECHL seasons

League changes

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At the end of the 2004–05 season, the Pee Dee Pride and Louisiana IceGators franchises ceased operations, with the Florence-based Pride announcing a move to nearby Conway (in the Myrtle Beach area; the cities of Florence and Myrtle Beach are considered one market for television purposes) while awaiting completion of the new Atlantic Center Arena that eventually never happened. The ECHL eventually revoked the franchise at the 2009 Board of Governors meeting. The Peoria Rivermen franchise also ceased operations when the ownership acquired an AHL franchise and under the same name.

The league also approved of Barry Kemp's Ontario, California, expansion franchise rights to be transferred to play in Bloomington, Illinois, in May 2004.[1][2][3] After an apparent fallout among the Bloomington Partners and the nearby Peoria Rivermen transferring to the AHL,[4] the Bloomington ECHL franchise was sold to Legacy Partners, LLC, headed by Phoenix Suns' majority owner Robert Sarver and the franchise was relocated as the Phoenix RoadRunners[5] as the only expansion team for the season.

The Atlantic City Boardwalk Bullies were sold and relocated to Stockton, California, as the Stockton Thunder. The Utah Grizzlies' new ownership also bought the former Lexington Men O' War franchise that had been dormant since 2003 after the American Hockey League's Grizzlies ceased operations.

Just prior to the start of the season, the Texas Wildcatters and the Mississippi Sea Wolves were both forced to sit out the season due to damage caused by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. The Wildcatters were given permission to re-enter the league for the 2006–07 season, while the Sea Wolves were allowed to return for the 2007–08 season.

While most leagues adopted the entire NHL rule change package for 2005–06 (based on the 2004–05 AHL rule changes), the ECHL kept the shootout at five players, and kept the automatic icing rule which has been used in the league.

All-Star Game

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The ECHL All-Star Game was held at the Save Mart Center in Fresno, California, and was hosted by the Fresno Falcons. The National Conference All-Stars defeated the American Conference All-Stars 7–6, with Fresno's Luke Curtin named Most Valuable Player.

Regular season

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Final standings

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Note: GP = Games played; W = Wins; L= Losses; OTL = Overtime Losses; SOL = Shootout Losses; GF = Goals for; GA = Goals against; Pts = Points; Green shade = Clinched playoff spot; Blue shade = Clinched division; (z) = Clinched home-ice advantage[6][7]

American Conference

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North Division GP W L OTL SOL PTS GF GA
Toledo Storm (DET/SJS) 72 46 21 3 2 97 244 189
Wheeling Nailers (PIT) 72 45 21 3 3 96 247 186
Reading Royals (LAK) 72 42 23 3 4 91 249 209
Johnstown Chiefs (TBL) 72 30 26 4 12 76 223 243
Trenton Titans (PHI/NYI) 72 31 36 2 3 67 166 214
Dayton Bombers (CBJ) 72 20 46 4 2 46 193 275
South Division GP W L OTL SOL PTS GF GA
Gwinnett Gladiators (z) (ATL) 72 50 15 0 7 107 304 208
Florida Everblades (CAR/FLA) 72 48 20 3 1 100 267 208
Greenville Grrrowl (CHI/EDM) 72 44 25 0 3 93 248 203
South Carolina Stingrays (WSH) 72 32 25 7 8 79 230 237
Charlotte Checkers (NYR) 72 34 33 2 3 73 226 250
Augusta Lynx (Ind.) 72 30 36 1 5 66 216 255
Columbia Inferno (VAN) 72 25 39 3 5 58 209 290
Pensacola Ice Pilots (TOR) 72 21 44 5 2 49 194 293

National Conference

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West Division GP W L OTL SOL PTS GF GA
Alaska Aces (z) (STL) 72 53 12 5 2 113 289 168
Las Vegas Wranglers (CGY) 72 53 13 4 2 112 267 176
Idaho Steelheads (DAL) 72 43 21 4 4 94 268 221
Utah Grizzlies (Ind.) 72 36 30 5 1 78 235 236
Victoria Salmon Kings (Ind.) 72 26 37 5 4 61 204 261
Phoenix RoadRunners (Ind.) 72 20 47 1 4 45 156 263
Pacific Division GP W L OTL SOL PTS GF GA
Fresno Falcons (SJS) 72 43 15 5 9 100 230 205
Bakersfield Condors (Ind.) 72 40 26 2 4 86 221 222
Long Beach Ice Dogs (MTL) 72 36 27 4 5 81 210 217
San Diego Gulls (COL) 72 34 30 4 4 76 213 214
Stockton Thunder (PHX) 72 18 40 7 7 48 192 260

Scoring leaders

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Note: GP = Games played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points; PIM = Penalty minutes

Player Team GP G A Pts
Alex Leavitt Alaska 72 26 65 91
Mike Scott Alaska 72 37 50 87
D'Arcy McConvey Idaho 58 39 47 86
Ryan Kinasewich Utah 60 39 46 85
Jeff Campbell Gwinnett 62 30 53 83
Luke Curtin Fresno 64 21 61 82
Daniel Sisca Florida 71 29 50 79
Matt Dzieduszycki Las Vegas 68 34 44 78
Sean Collins Wheeling 62 27 49 76
Scott Cameron South Carolina 68 22 50 72
Justin Kelley Johnstown 59 31 40 71

Leading goaltenders

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Note: GP = Games played; Mins = Minutes played; W = Wins; L = Losses; T = Ties; GA = Goals allowed; SO = Shutouts; GAA = Goals against average

Player Team GP Mins W L T GA SO SV% GAA
Drew MacIntyre Toledo 33 1981 24 7 2 68 2 .926 2.06
Andy Franck Wheeling 55 3214 33 15 5 122 5 .919 2.28
Matt Underhill Alaska 50 2979 36 10 3 113 5 .917 2.28
Marc Magliarditi Las Vegas 51 2985 34 11 5 123 3 .909 2.47
Cody Rudkowsky Reading 38 2291 24 11 3 96 2 .916 2.51

Kelly Cup playoffs

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American Conference

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Bracket

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Division Quarters

April 9–12

Division Semis

April 14–22

Division Finals

April 24-May 2

Conference Finals

May 5–16

N1 Toledo 3
N4 Johnstown 2 N4 Johnstown 0
N5 Trenton 0 N1 Toledo 3
N2 Wheeling 2
N2 Wheeling 3
N3 Reading 1
N1 Toledo 1
S1 Gwinnett 4
S1 Gwinnett 3
S4 South Carolina 2 S4 South Carolina 0
S5 Charlotte 1 S1 Gwinnett 3
S2 Florida 1
S2 Florida 3
S3 Greenville 2 S3 Greenville 1
S6 Augusta 0

Division quarterfinals

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North Division Quarterfinals
Johnstown vs. Trenton
Date Away Home
April 10 Trenton 1 Johnstown 2 OT
April 11 Johnstown 4 Trenton 3
Johnstown wins series 2–0
South Division Quarterfinals
South Carolina vs. Charlotte
Date Away Home
April 10 Charlotte 3 South Carolina 6
April 11 South Carolina 3 Charlotte 4
April 12 Charlotte 1 South Carolina 3
South Carolina wins series 2–1
South Division Quarterfinals
Greenville vs. Augusta
Date Away Home
April 9 Augusta 1 Greenville 2
April 11 Greenville 3 Augusta 2 OT
Greenville wins series 2–0

Division semifinals

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North Division Semifinals
Toledo vs. Johnstown
Date Away Home
April 14 Johnstown 2 Toledo 3
April 15 Johnstown 1 Toledo 4
April 19 Toledo 5 Johnstown 3
Toledo wins series 3–0
North Division Semifinals
Reading vs. Wheeling
Date Away Home
April 14 Wheeling 3 Reading 2 OT
April 16 Reading 4 Wheeling 1
April 18 Reading 3 Wheeling 4
April 19 Wheeling 5 Reading 4
Wheeling wins series 3–1
South Division Semifinals
Gwinnett vs. South Carolina
Date Away Home
April 15 South Carolina 3 Gwinnett 5
April 16 South Carolina 4 Gwinnett 5 OT
April 19 Gwinnett 3 South Carolina 1
Gwinnett wins series 3–0
South Division Semifinals
Florida vs. Greenville
Date Away Home
April 14 Greenville 4 Florida 5 OT
April 15 Greenville 2 Florida 4
April 21 Florida 0 Greenville 1 OT
April 22 Florida 9 Greenville 4
Florida wins series 3–1

Division finals

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North Division Finals
Toledo vs. Wheeling
Date Away Home
April 24 Wheeling 4 Toledo 5 OT
April 26 Wheeling 5 Toledo 3
April 28 Toledo 0 Wheeling 6
April 29 Toledo 3 Wheeling 1
May 2 Wheeling 2 Toledo 3
Toledo wins Series 3–2
South Division Finals
Gwinnett vs. Florida
Date Away Home
April 26 Florida 3 Gwinnett 5
April 28 Florida 7 Gwinnett 3
April 29 Gwinnett 6 Florida 4
May 1 Gwinnett 7 Florida 4
Gwinnett wins series 3–1

Conference finals

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American Conference Finals
Toledo vs. Gwinnett
Date Away Home
May 5 Toledo 3 Gwinnett 5
May 8 Toledo 4 Gwinnett 3 OT
May 12 Gwinnett 4 Toledo 2
May 14 Gwinnett 4 Toledo 2
May 16 Gwinnett 3 Toledo 2 OT
Gwinnett wins series 4–1

National Conference

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Bracket

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Division Semifinals
April 10–22
Division Finals
April 24-May 6
Conference Finals
May 8–22
         
W1 Alaska 4
W4 Utah 0
W1 Alaska 4
W2 Las Vegas 3
W2 Las Vegas 4
W3 Idaho 0
W1 Alaska 4
P1 Fresno 3
P2 Bakersfield 4
P3 Long Beach 3
P2 Bakersfield 3
P1 Fresno 4
P1 Fresno 4
P4 San Diego 3

Division semifinals

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West Division Semifinals
Alaska vs. Utah
Date Away Home
April 10 Utah 1 Alaska 4
April 11 Utah 1 Alaska 3
April 13 Alaska 4 Utah 1
April 14 Alaska 6 Utah 2
Alaska wins series 4–0
West Division Semifinals
Las Vegas vs. Idaho
Date Away Home
April 11 Idaho 0 Las Vegas 4
April 12 Idaho 0 Las Vegas 2
April 14 Las Vegas 5 Idaho 4
April 15 Las Vegas 4 Idaho 2
Las Vegas wins series 4–0
Pacific Division Semifinals
Fresno vs. San Diego
Date Away Home
April 11 San Diego 3 Fresno 4
April 12 San Diego 1 Fresno 4
April 14 Fresno 2 San Diego 1 OT
April 15 Fresno 1 San Diego 5
April 17 San Diego 3 Fresno 2
April 20 Fresno 3 San Diego 4 OT
April 22 San Diego 0 Fresno 2
Fresno wins series 4–3
Pacific Division Semifinals
Bakersfield vs. Long Beach
Date Away Home
April 11 Long Beach 1 Bakersfield 3
April 14 Long Beach 5 Bakersfield 4
April 15 Bakersfield 6 Long Beach 3
April 16 Bakersfield 4 Long Beach 5
April 19 Bakersfield 4 Long Beach 1
April 21 Long Beach 6 Bakersfield 2
April 22 Long Beach 3 Bakersfield 4 OT
Bakersfield wins series 4–3

Division finals

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West Division Finals
Alaska vs. Las Vegas
Date Away Home
April 24 Las Vegas 5 Alaska 0
April 25 Las Vegas 3 Alaska 4 OT
April 27 Alaska 2 Las Vegas 6
April 29 Alaska 3 Las Vegas 4 OT
April 30 Alaska 3 Las Vegas 1
May 2 Las Vegas 0 Alaska 2
May 5 Las Vegas 3 Alaska 4 3OT
Alaska wins series 4–3
Pacific Division Finals
Fresno vs. Bakersfield
Date Away Home
April 24 Bakersfield 3 Fresno 5
April 25 Bakersfield 2 Fresno 4
April 28 Fresno 2 Bakersfield 4
April 29 Fresno 3 Bakersfield 2 OT
May 3 Fresno 2 Bakersfield 4
May 5 Bakersfield 4 Fresno 3 OT
May 6 Bakersfield 2 Fresno 4
Fresno wins series 4–3

Conference finals

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National Conference Finals
Alaska vs. Fresno
Date Away Home
May 8 Fresno 3 Alaska 2
May 10 Fresno 0 Alaska 2
May 12 Alaska 3 Fresno 4 OT
May 13 Alaska 3 Fresno 1
May 16 Alaska 3 Fresno 0
May 19 Fresno 4 Alaska 3
May 22 Fresno 2 Alaska 3 OT
Alaska wins series 4–3

Kelly Cup finals

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Kelly Cup Finals
Alaska vs. Gwinnett
Date Away Home
May 24 Gwinnett 2 Alaska 3
May 25 Gwinnett 3 Alaska 4
May 29 Alaska 5 Gwinnett 4
May 31 Alaska 1 Gwinnett 6
June 1 Alaska 4 Gwinnett 3
Alaska wins series and
Kelly Cup 4–1

ECHL awards

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Patrick Kelly Cup: Alaska Aces
Henry Brabham Cup: Alaska Aces
Gingher Memorial Trophy: Gwinnett Gladiators
Bruce Taylor Trophy: Alaska Aces
John Brophy Award: Glen Gulutzan (Las Vegas)
CCM TACKS Most Valuable Player: Jeff Campbell (Gwinnett)
Kelly Cup Playoffs Most Valuable Player: Mike Scott (Alaska)
Reebok Hockey Goaltender of the Year: Matt Underhill (Alaska)
CCM Tacks Rookie of the Year: Alex Leavitt (Alaska)
Defenseman of the Year: Ryan Gaucher (Alaska)
Leading Scorer: Alex Leavitt (Alaska)
Reebok Hockey Plus Performer Award: Peter Metcalf (Alaska)
Sportsmanship Award: Steve Saviano (Florida)

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "BLOOMINGTON PARTNERS SIGNS 10-YEAR FACILITY MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT WITH CITY OF BLOOMINGTON". ECHL.com. May 10, 2004. Archived from the original on October 4, 2018. Retrieved October 4, 2018.
  2. ^ "Get set for pro hockey". The Pantagraph. May 11, 2004. Retrieved October 4, 2018.
  3. ^ "ECHL OFFICIALLY WELCOMES BLOOMINGTON, ILLINOIS". ECHL.com. May 10, 2004. Archived from the original on October 4, 2018. Retrieved October 4, 2018.
  4. ^ "Page 63 of the November 27, 2004, The Pantagraph". The Pantagraph. November 27, 2004. Retrieved October 4, 2018.
  5. ^ "Board Approves Phoenix Suns Ownership Purchase, Relocation of ECHL Membership". ECHL.com. February 1, 2005. Archived from the original on October 5, 2018. Retrieved October 4, 2018.
  6. ^ "2005–06 ECHL Standings". HockeyDB. Retrieved March 1, 2017.
  7. ^ "2005–06 ECHL Stats". ECHL. Archived from the original on March 2, 2017. Retrieved March 1, 2017.
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Preceded by Kelly Cup Playoffs
2006
Succeeded by