The 2007–08 ECHL season was the 20th season of the ECHL. Two teams suspended operations at the end of the 2006–07 season, the Long Beach Ice Dogs and the Toledo Storm. Toledo's suspension was granted after Toledo Arena Sports, Inc. acquired the Storm and requested a suspension of the team for two years in order to allow a new arena to be built in downtown Toledo to open in 2009 in time for the team to return to play.

2007–08 ECHL season
LeagueECHL
SportIce hockey
DurationOctober 2007 – May 2008
Regular season
Season MVPDavid Desharnais (Cincinnati)
Top scorerDavid Desharnais (Cincinnati)
Playoffs
American championsCincinnati Cyclones
  American runners-upSouth Carolina Stingrays
National championsLas Vegas Wranglers
  National runners-upUtah Grizzlies
Playoffs MVPCedrick Desjardins
Finals
ChampionsCincinnati Cyclones
  Runners-upLas Vegas Wranglers
ECHL seasons
2007–08 ECHL season was the 20th season of the ECHL

The league officially welcomed back the Mississippi Sea Wolves, who had to suspend operations for two seasons (2005–07) because of damage to the Mississippi Coast Coliseum caused by Hurricane Katrina.[1] The Elmira Jackals also joined the ECHL after being in the United Hockey League for their previous existence.[2] Another established team, the Trenton, New Jersey franchise, entered its ninth season with a new name. The team, now owned by the NHL New Jersey Devils, adopted the Devils nickname.[3]

Before the start of the season, the league announced that it would hand out a new award to honor on-ice referees for their dedication and contribution to the league, through the Ryan Birmingham Memorial Award. The award is given in honor of Ryan Birmingham, a former ECHL referee who died in an automobile accident, while driving from Chattanooga, Tennessee to Snellville, Georgia in May 2007. Birmingham died at the age of 24.[4][5]

The Cincinnati Cyclones finished first overall in the regular season, winning the Brabham Cup, and became the third team in ECHL history to win the Brabham Cup and Kelly Cup in the same year by defeating the Las Vegas Wranglers four games to two.

League realignment

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The ECHL announced the alignment of the 25 teams of the ECHL.

American Conference

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National Conference

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Playoff format

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The ECHL realigned the playoff format for the two conferences.

National Conference

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The top eight teams will advance to the playoffs, with the two division champions being the first and second seeds. The other six teams will be seeded by points. Teams will not be re-seeded. All games are best of seven games.

American Conference

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In the North Division, the top five teams will advance to the playoffs, with the division champion being the first seed. The other teams will be seeded by points. The fourth seed and the fifth seed will play a best-of-three series in the Division Quarterfinals. The winner will advance to the best-of-seven Division Semifinals to meet the division leader. The second seed and the third seed will play a best-of-seven Division Semifinals. The winners will advance to the best-of-seven Division Finals. The winner will advance to the American Conference Finals.

In the South Division, the top eight teams will advance to the playoffs, with the division champion being the first seed. The other teams will be seeded by points. Teams will be re-seeded according to the same criteria with division leader seeded first and remaining teams seeded in order of regular-season points. All games are best of five games. The winner of the Division Finals will advance to the American Conference Finals. In the best-of-seven American Conference Finals, the North Division Winner will face the South Division Winner

Kelly Cup finals

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The Kelly Cup finals will be a best-of-seven series between the two conference champions.

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

American Conference
Northern Division GP W L OTL SOL Pts GF GA
Cincinnati Cyclones (MTL/NSH) (z) 72 55 12 1 4 115 292 178
Elmira Jackals (CBJ) 72 41 24 3 4 89 245 219
Reading Royals (LAK) 72 38 26 6 2 83 247 233
Johnstown Chiefs (COL/BOS) 72 36 30 3 3 78 235 234
Dayton Bombers (Independent) 72 29 31 6 6 70 201 229
Trenton Devils (NJD) 72 29 36 3 4 65 183 220
Wheeling Nailers (PIT/PHI) 72 22 43 3 4 51 186 284
Southern Division GP W L OTL SOL Pts GF GA
Texas Wildcatters (MIN) 72 52 9 4 7 115 266 177
South Carolina Stingrays (WSH) 72 47 22 2 1 97 256 192
Gwinnett Gladiators (ATL) 72 44 23 2 3 93 247 198
Florida Everblades (CAR/FLA) 72 39 25 4 4 86 230 198
Columbia Inferno (TOR) 72 33 28 5 6 77 217 227
Charlotte Checkers (NYR) 72 34 31 1 6 75 212 229
Augusta Lynx (ANA) 72 32 35 1 4 69 200 223
Mississippi Sea Wolves (TBL) 72 29 40 1 2 61 204 262
Pensacola Ice Pilots (CHI) 72 19 44 4 5 47 157 263
National Conference
Pacific Division GP W L OTL SOL Pts GF GA
Las Vegas Wranglers (CGY) (z) 72 47 13 5 7 106 244 179
Fresno Falcons (Independent) 72 42 22 4 4 92 242 216
Bakersfield Condors (Independent) 72 26 37 2 7 61 230 280
Stockton Thunder (EDM) 72 27 40 3 2 59 200 250
West Division GP W L OTL SOL Pts GF GA
Victoria Salmon Kings (VAN) 72 42 23 4 3 91 256 239
Idaho Steelheads (DAL) 72 40 22 5 5 90 224 183
Alaska Aces (STL) 72 41 26 4 1 87 245 229
Utah Grizzlies (NYI) 72 32 30 2 8 74 239 259
Phoenix RoadRunners (SJS) 72 24 39 5 4 57 208 265

Final league standings[6]

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 PIM
David Desharnais Cincinnati Cyclones 68 29 77 106 18
Jeff Campbell Gwinnett Gladiators 65 26 65 91 42
Travis Morin South Carolina Stingrays 68 34 50 84 30
Ash Goldie Victoria Salmon Kings 70 40 43 83 24
Benoit Doucet Elmira Jackals 71 31 52 83 96
John McNabb Texas Wildcatters 71 32 50 82 87
Josh Soares Alaska Aces 61 36 45 81 85
Pierre-Luc Faubert Elmira Jackals 72 31 45 76 76
Jeff Miles Columbia Inferno 68 29 47 76 48
Derek Damon Florida Everblades 51 25 50 75 76

Data referenced from ECHL website[7]

Leading goaltenders

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Note: GP = Games played; TOI = Time on ice (minutes); W = Wins; L = Losses; OTL = Overtime losses; SOL = Shootout losses; GA = Goals against; SO = Shutouts; SV% = Save percentage; GAA = Goals against average

Player Team GP TOI W L OTL SOL GA SO SV% GAA
Anton Khudobin Texas Wildcatters 27 1549 20 1 1 3 51 3 .934 1.98
Kevin Lalande Las Vegas Wranglers 27 1607 17 5 1 3 55 3 .932 2.05
Davis Parley South Carolina Stingrays 35 2090 24 9 2 0 80 4 .924 2.30
Craig Kowalski Gwinnett Gladiators 44 2574 29 11 0 2 100 2 .923 2.33
Kellen Briggs Idaho Steelheads 31 1802 17 11 0 2 71 3 .920 2.36

Data referenced from ECHL website[8]

Kelly Cup playoffs

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Conference 1st Round Conference Quarterfinals Conference Semifinals Conference Finals Kelly Cup Finals
               
No.4 Johnstown 2
No.5 Dayton 0
No.1 Cincinnati 4
No.4 Johnstown 0
No.1 Cincinnati 4
North Division
No.3 Reading 3
No.2 Elmira 2
No.3 Reading 4
No.1 Cincinnati 4
American Conference
So.2 South Carolina 1
So.1 Texas 3
So.8 Mississippi 1
So.1 Texas 2
So.5 Columbia 3
So.4 Florida 0
So.5 Columbia 3
So.5 Columbia 2
South Division
So.2 South Carolina 3
So.3 Gwinnett 3
So.6 Charlotte 0
So.3 Gwinnett 2
So.2 South Carolina 3
So.2 South Carolina 3
So.7 Augusta 2
No.1 Cincinnati 4
Na.1 Las Vegas 2
1 Las Vegas 4
8 Stockton 2
1 Las Vegas 4
5 Alaska 2
4 Idaho 0
5 Alaska 4
1 Las Vegas 4
National Conference
6 Utah 0
3 Fresno 1
6 Utah 4
6 Utah 4
2 Victoria 1
2 Victoria 4
7 Bakersfield 3
  • No. is short for North Division
  • So. is short for South Division
  • Na. is short for National Conference

Playoff tables referenced from ECHL website[9]

First round

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*if necessary
Times listed are local.

American Conference

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(No. 4) Johnstown Chiefs vs. (No. 5) Dayton Bombers
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April 6 Dayton Bombers 1 – 3 Johnstown Chiefs Nutter Center
April 8 Johnstown Chiefs 5 – 0 Dayton Bombers Cambria County War Memorial Arena
Johnstown wins series 2 – 0


(So. 1) Texas Wildcatters vs. (So. 8) Mississippi Sea Wolves
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April 9 Texas Wildcatters 4 – 1 Mississippi Sea Wolves Ford Arena
April 10 Texas Wildcatters 5 – 2 Mississippi Sea Wolves Ford Arena
April 12 Mississippi Sea Wolves 4 – 3 OT Texas Wildcatters Mississippi Coast Coliseum
April 13 Mississippi Sea Wolves 3 – 5 Texas Wildcatters Mississippi Coast Coliseum
Texas wins series 3 – 1


(So. 2) South Carolina Stingrays vs. (So. 7) Augusta Lynx
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April 10 Augusta Lynx 5 – 2 South Carolina Stingrays James Brown Arena
April 12 Augusta Lynx 4 – 3 OT South Carolina Stingrays James Brown Arena
April 14 South Carolina Stingrays 3 – 2 OT Augusta Lynx North Charleston Coliseum
April 15 South Carolina Stingrays 3 – 2 2OT Augusta Lynx North Charleston Coliseum
April 16 South Carolina Stingrays 3 – 1 Augusta Lynx North Charleston Coliseum
South Carolina wins series 3 – 2


(So. 3) Gwinnett Gladiators vs. (So. 6) Charlotte Checkers
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April 8 Gwinnett Gladiators 4 – 0 Charlotte Checkers Arena at Gwinnett Center
April 10 Gwinnett Gladiators 4 – 1 Charlotte Checkers Arena at Gwinnett Center
April 12 Charlotte Checkers 1 – 2 Gwinnett Gladiators Time Warner Cable Arena
Gwinnett wins series 3 – 0


(So. 4) Florida Everblades vs. (So. 5) Columbia Inferno
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April 9 Florida Everblades 2 – 3 OT Columbia Inferno Germain Arena
April 11 Florida Everblades 1 – 3 Columbia Inferno Germain Arena
April 12 Columbia Inferno 3 – 2 Florida Everblades Carolina Coliseum
Columbia wins series 3 – 0


Conference quarterfinals

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American Conference

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(No. 1) Cincinnati Cyclones vs. (No. 4) Johnstown Chiefs
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April 11 Cincinnati Cyclones 5 – 2 Johnstown Chiefs US Bank Arena
April 12 Cincinnati Cyclones 4 – 1 Johnstown Chiefs US Bank Arena
April 15 Johnstown Chiefs 2 – 4 Cincinnati Cyclones Cambria County War Memorial Arena
April 16 Johnstown Chiefs 2 – 3 Cincinnati Cyclones Cambria County War Memorial Arena
Cincinnati wins series 4 – 0


(No. 2) Elmira Jackals vs. (No.3) Reading Royals
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April 11 Elmira Jackals 1 – 0 Reading Royals First Arena
April 12 Reading Royals 5 – 4 OT Elmira Jackals Sovereign Center
April 15 Elmira Jackals 2 – 3 Reading Royals First Arena
April 17 Reading Royals 2 – 5 Elmira Jackals Sovereign Center
April 19 Elmira Jackals 1 – 2 OT Reading Royals First Arena
April 20 Reading Royals 5 – 4 2OT Elmira Jackals Sovereign Center
Reading wins series 4 – 2


(So. 1) Texas Wildcatters vs. (So. 5) Columbia Inferno
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April 18 Texas Wildcatters 2 – 4 Columbia Inferno Ford Arena
April 20 Texas Wildcatters 6 – 2 Columbia Inferno Ford Arena
April 22 Columbia Inferno 0 – 1 OT Texas Wildcatters Carolina Coliseum
April 23 Columbia Inferno 2 – 1 OT Texas Wildcatters Carolina Coliseum
April 25 Texas Wildcatters 1 – 4 Columbia Inferno Ford Arena
Columbia wins series 3 – 2


(So. 2) South Carolina Stingrays vs. (So. 3) Gwinnett Gladiators
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April 18 South Carolina Stingrays 5 – 2 Gwinnett Gladiators North Charleston Coliseum
April 19 South Carolina Stingrays 5 – 4 OT Gwinnett Gladiators North Charleston Coliseum
April 21 Gwinnett Gladiators 4 – 1 South Carolina Stingrays Arena at Gwinnett Center
April 22 Gwinnett Gladiators 3 – 0 South Carolina Stingrays Arena at Gwinnett Center
April 23 South Carolina Stingrays 2 – 0 Gwinnett Gladiators North Charleston Coliseum
South Carolina wins series 3 – 2


National Conference

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(1) Las Vegas Wranglers vs. (8) Stockton Thunder
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April 11 Las Vegas Wranglers 2 – 4 Stockton Thunder Orleans Arena
April 12 Las Vegas Wranglers 5 – 4 OT Stockton Thunder Orleans Arena
April 13 Stockton Thunder 2 – 3 Las Vegas Wranglers Stockton Arena
April 18 Stockton Thunder 3 – 4 OT Las Vegas Wranglers Stockton Arena
April 20 Stockton Thunder 6 – 3 Las Vegas Wranglers Stockton Arena
April 22 Las Vegas Wranglers 4 – 1 Stockton Thunder Orleans Arena
Las Vegas wins series 4 – 2


(2) Victoria Salmon Kings vs. (7) Bakersfield Condors
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April 10 Victoria Salmon Kings 1 – 2 OT Bakersfield Condors Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre
April 12 Victoria Salmon Kings 4 – 3 Bakersfield Condors Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre
April 15 Bakersfield Condors 2 – 3 OT Victoria Salmon Kings Rabobank Arena
April 16 Bakersfield Condors 1 – 4 Victoria Salmon Kings Rabobank Arena
April 19 Bakersfield Condors 5 – 4 Victoria Salmon Kings Rabobank Arena
April 22 Victoria Salmon Kings 6 – 5 OT Bakersfield Condors Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre
Victoria wins series 4 – 2


(3) Fresno Falcons vs. (6) Utah Grizzlies
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April 13 Fresno Falcons 1 – 6 Utah Grizzlies Save Mart Center
April 14 Fresno Falcons 3 – 4 3OT Utah Grizzlies Save Mart Center
April 16 Utah Grizzlies 0 – 3 Fresno Falcons E Center
April 18 Utah Grizzlies 1 – 6 Fresno Falcons E Center
April 19 Utah Grizzlies 1 – 0 OT Fresno Falcons E Center
April 21 Fresno Falcons 2 – 4 Utah Grizzlies Save Mart Center
Utah wins series 4 – 2


(4) Idaho Steelheads vs. (5) Alaska Aces
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April 9 Idaho Steelheads 1 – 4 Alaska Aces Qwest Arena
April 10 Idaho Steelheads 4 – 6 Alaska Aces Qwest Arena
April 12 Alaska Aces 3 – 2 2OT Idaho Steelheads Sullivan Arena
April 13 Alaska Aces 2 – 1 Idaho Steelheads Sullivan Arena
Alaska wins series 4 – 0


Conference semifinals

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American Conference

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(No. 1) Cincinnati Cyclones vs. (No. 3) Reading Royals
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April 24 Reading Royals 5 – 3 Cincinnati Cyclones Sovereign Center
April 26 Reading Royals 2 – 3 Cincinnati Cyclones Sovereign Center
April 28 Cincinnati Cyclones 2 – 5 Reading Royals US Bank Arena
April 30 Cincinnati Cyclones 5 – 3 Reading Royals US Bank Arena
May 1 Cincinnati Cyclones 0 – 1 Reading Royals US Bank Arena
May 3 Reading Royals 2 – 4 Cincinnati Cyclones Sovereign Center
May 5 Cincinnati Cyclones 6 – 1 Reading Royals US Bank Arena
Cincinnati wins series 4 – 3


(So. 2) South Carolina Stingrays vs. (So. 5) Columbia Inferno
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April 27 South Carolina Stingrays 2 – 1 Columbia Inferno North Charleston Coliseum
April 29 South Carolina Stingrays 5 – 2 Columbia Inferno North Charleston Coliseum
May 2 Columbia Inferno 5 – 3 South Carolina Stingrays Carolina Coliseum
May 3 Columbia Inferno 3 – 2 OT South Carolina Stingrays Carolina Coliseum
May 6 South Carolina Stingrays 2 – 0 Columbia Inferno North Charleston Coliseum
South Carolina wins series 3 – 2


National Conference

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(1) Las Vegas Wranglers vs. (5) Alaska Aces
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April 25 Las Vegas Wranglers 8 – 0 Alaska Aces Orleans Arena
April 26 Las Vegas Wranglers 3 – 1 Alaska Aces Orleans Arena
April 29 Alaska Aces 2 – 5 Las Vegas Wranglers Sullivan Arena
May 1 Alaska Aces 6 – 5 OT Las Vegas Wranglers Sullivan Arena
May 2 Alaska Aces 3 – 6 Las Vegas Wranglers Sullivan Arena
Las Vegas wins series 4 – 1


(2) Victoria Salmon Kings vs. (6) Utah Grizzlies
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April 25 Victoria Salmon Kings 0 – 6 Utah Grizzlies Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre
April 27 Victoria Salmon Kings 6 – 1 Utah Grizzlies Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre
May 1 Utah Grizzlies 7 – 5 Victoria Salmon Kings E Center
May 3 Utah Grizzlies 2 – 0 Victoria Salmon Kings E Center
May 4 Utah Grizzlies 8 – 3 Victoria Salmon Kings E Center
Utah wins series 4 – 1


Conference finals

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American Conference

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(No. 1) Cincinnati Cyclones vs. (So. 2) South Carolina Stingrays
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May 9 Cincinnati Cyclones 6 – 2 South Carolina Stingrays US Bank Arena
May 10 Cincinnati Cyclones 5 – 4 OT South Carolina Stingrays US Bank Arena
May 14 South Carolina Stingrays 5 – 4 OT Cincinnati Cyclones North Charleston Coliseum
May 16 South Carolina Stingrays 1 – 3 Cincinnati Cyclones North Charleston Coliseum
May 17 South Carolina Stingrays 1 – 2 OT Cincinnati Cyclones North Charleston Coliseum
Cincinnati wins series 4 – 1


National Conference

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(1) Las Vegas Wranglers vs. (6) Utah Grizzlies
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May 12 Las Vegas Wranglers 5 – 2 Utah Grizzlies Orleans Arena
May 13 Las Vegas Wranglers 4 – 3 OT Utah Grizzlies Orleans Arena
May 15 Utah Grizzlies 2 – 3 OT Las Vegas Wranglers E Center
May 16 Utah Grizzlies 2 – 5 Las Vegas Wranglers E Center
Las Vegas wins series 4 – 0


2008 Kelly Cup finals

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(No.1) Cincinnati Cyclones vs. (Na.1) Las Vegas Wranglers

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May 24 Cincinnati Cyclones 4 – 2 Las Vegas Wranglers US Bank Arena
May 25 Cincinnati Cyclones 0 – 1 Las Vegas Wranglers US Bank Arena
May 29 Las Vegas Wranglers 2 – 4 Cincinnati Cyclones Orleans Arena
May 30 Las Vegas Wranglers 2 – 0 Cincinnati Cyclones Orleans Arena
June 2 Las Vegas Wranglers 0 – 4 Cincinnati Cyclones Orleans Arena
June 5 Cincinnati Cyclones 3 – 1 Las Vegas Wranglers US Bank Arena
Cincinnati wins series 4 – 2


ECHL awards

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Patrick Kelly Cup: Cincinnati Cyclones
Henry Brabham Cup: Cincinnati Cyclones
Gingher Memorial Trophy: Cincinnati Cyclones
Bruce Taylor Trophy: Las Vegas Wranglers
John Brophy Award: Chuck Weber (Cincinnati)[10]
CCM Vector Most Valuable Player: David Desharnais (Cincinnati)[11]
Kelly Cup Playoffs Most Valuable Player: Cedrick Deshardains
Reebok Hockey Goaltender of the Year: Anton Khudobin (Texas)[12]
CCM Tacks Rookie of the Year: David Desharnais (Cincinnati)[13]
Defenseman of the Year: Peter Metcalf (Alaska)[14]
Leading Scorer: David Desharnais (Cincinnati)
Reebok Hockey Plus Performer Award: Chad Starling (Cincinnati)[15]
Sportsmanship Award: Jeff Campbell (Gwinnett)[16]
Birmingham Memorial Award: David Jones[17]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "ECHL Concludes Midseason Board of Governors Meeting". ECHL. January 22, 2007. Archived from the original on February 28, 2008. Retrieved April 6, 2008.
  2. ^ "Board Approves Expansion Membership For Elmira". ECHL. April 13, 2007. Archived from the original on February 1, 2008. Retrieved April 6, 2008.
  3. ^ Kimelman, Adam (May 18, 2007). "Trenton Titans become Trenton Devils". The Times of Trenton. Retrieved April 6, 2008.
  4. ^ "ECHL Announces Ryan Birmingham Memorial Award". ECHL. October 2, 2007. Archived from the original on September 26, 2008. Retrieved May 31, 2008.
  5. ^ "ECHL Mourns Loss Of Linesman Ryan Birmingham". ECHL. May 15, 2007. Archived from the original on September 26, 2008. Retrieved May 31, 2008.
  6. ^ "ECHL 2007-08 Regular Season Stats". ECHL. Archived from the original on 9 May 2008. Retrieved 7 April 2008.
  7. ^ "ECHL 2007-08 Regular Season Scoring Leaders". ECHL. Archived from the original on 13 April 2008. Retrieved 7 April 2008.
  8. ^ "ECHL 2007-08 Regular Season Scoring Leaders". ECHL. Archived from the original on 19 April 2008. Retrieved 7 April 2008.
  9. ^ "ECHL 2008 Playoff Bracket". Archived from the original (pdf) on 12 April 2008. Retrieved 6 April 2008.
  10. ^ "Cincinnati's Weber Receives John Brophy Award". ECHL. April 8, 2008. Archived from the original on September 26, 2008. Retrieved April 9, 2008.
  11. ^ "Cincinnati's Desharnais is CCM Vector Most Valuable Player". ECHL. April 11, 2008. Archived from the original on June 9, 2008. Retrieved April 11, 2008.
  12. ^ "Texas Rookie Khudobin Named Rbk Hockey ECHL Goaltender of the Year". ECHL. April 10, 2008. Archived from the original on September 26, 2008. Retrieved April 10, 2008.
  13. ^ "Cincinnati's Desharnais Named CCM Tacks Rookie of the Year". ECHL. April 6, 2008. Archived from the original on September 26, 2008. Retrieved April 6, 2008.
  14. ^ "Alaska's Metcalf Named ECHL Defenseman of the Year". ECHL. April 9, 2008. Archived from the original on September 26, 2008. Retrieved April 9, 2008.
  15. ^ "Cincinnati's Starling Is Rbk Hockey Plus Performer". ECHL. April 7, 2008. Archived from the original on September 26, 2008. Retrieved April 9, 2008.
  16. ^ "Gwinnett's Campbell Wins ECHL Sportsmanship Award". ECHL. April 5, 2008. Archived from the original on September 26, 2008. Retrieved April 6, 2008.
  17. ^ "Jones Wins Inaugural Birmingham Memorial Award". ECHL. May 30, 2008. Archived from the original on September 26, 2008. Retrieved May 31, 2008.
Preceded by Kelly Cup Playoffs
2008
Succeeded by