There seems to be some momentum building towards the October debut of ECHL hockey in St. John’s, but make no mistake, there are plenty of detractors already snubbing their collective noses at a level of pro hockey best described as AA to the AAA American Hockey League.
And that’s perplexing given most, if not all, the skeptics have never seen an ECHL game.
Admittedly, the hockey fans who had grown accustomed to watching future NHLers come through Mile One Centre with and against the IceCaps and Maple Leafs certainly won’t see as many in the ECHL, which is not to say that league does not groom National Hockey League players.
Last fall, the ECHL produced 66 players who appeared on NHL opening-day rosters. Both goaltenders on the Washington Capitals, Braden Holtby and Philipp Grubauer, played in the ECHL, along with veteran Jay Beagle. Likewise Vegas Golden Knights assistant captain Deryk Engelland.
And if we take a glance at the St. John’s Edge for a moment, realizing the National Basketball League of Canada is just about the lowest rung on the pro basketball ladder, basketball fans in these parts still flocked to Mile One to revel in the hoops hysteria.
Look, the truth of the matter is, most hockey people will tell you, there is little separating the bottom six group of NHL forwards from the top six skating in the AHL.
And there’s not a lot between the top group of ECHL players, and AHL regulars.
Yet, one of the obstacles that will face the expansion Newfoundland Growlers front office, guaranteed, will be overcoming a train of thought amongst some that, “this is only senior hockey.”
Clark Bishop is from St. John’s, and is coming off a fine second year of pro hockey with the AHL’s Charlotte Checkers. Bishop split the 2016-17 season between Charlotte and the ECHL’s Florida Everblades.
“I think it’s a fair statement that there’s not a lot separating the ECHL and AHL,” he said. “No doubt it’s different, though. There’s that one little jump, same as it would be from the AHL to the NHL.
“That said,” Bishop said, “it’s the same level of compete because guys are fighting for jobs, in this case AHL jobs. It’s a good level of hockey. I know in Florida, we had a lot of skill in the room.”
The Everblades reached the Kelly Cup final this season, losing to the Colorado Eagles in a series that lasted seven games.
Bishop is coming off a 28-point year in Charlotte. If he builds on that next season, when he enters the final year of his entry level deal, he should be in a good position for another contract from the parent Carolina Hurricanes.
“The ECHL game is not that far from the AHL whatsoever,” said Nathan Noel, another St. John’s native. “I think it’s pretty much on par.”
Noel just finished his first season of pro hockey, one in which he had his share of injuries. When he did play, Noel split the season between the AHL’s Rockford IceHogs (17 games) and Indy Fuel of the ECHL (21 games).
“There’s not much of a difference between those players and guys in AHL, just like there’s not much between AHL guys and NHL,” Noel said. “It’s pretty well neck and neck.
“I mean, there are some really good players in the ECHL. They could be really good players in the AHL, but for whatever reason — caught up in numbers games, or contracts or whatever — they’re in the ECHL.”
The Growlers make the debut Friday, Oct. 12 against the Everblades at Mile One.
IN SHORT
The Growlers will have a Newfoundland presence in the lineup — Adam Pardy, with 350 career NHL games on his resume, would make for a perfect player-assistant coach — but management will have to walk a fine line. Too many local products and fans will be grumbling they can go to Twin Rinks and watch Newfoundlanders player hockey … Alex Wall would also be a nice fit on the Growlers’ blueline … One source within hockey’s pro hockey ranks says there’s nothing to a belief there will be a Toronto connection with whomever is hired to coach the Growlers, and not to rule out someone with Newfoundland ties. Darryl Williams immediately comes to mind. Williams has been an NHL assistant the past 10 years, until he was caught up in the recent Alain Vigneault purge on Broadway … Nathan Flynn wanted his name in the paper. So here ya go … Overheard at the sports store the other day: kid had to hustle and get to Twin Rinks for hockey. The calendar read June 14. He should be out fishing, or swinging a golf club, or playing baseball or soccer. Then again, it’s felt like hockey weather lately … Jason Jaffray would be a great addition to the Growlers as he winds down his career, but he’s signed for another year in Germany … If Hockey Newfoundland and Labrador ever gave the go-ahead for four sanctioned senior hockey leagues in this province, then it’s official: it’s time to bring in the clowns … John Gibbons will pay for this sad sack Toronto Blue Jays season, but ask yourself this: what has the duo of Ross Atkins and Mark Shapiro done to improve the Jays, other than analyze things nine ways to Sunday and talk a great game? … He’s only on the job a couple of weeks, so we’ll give Toronto Maple Leafs assistant GM Laurence Gilman a pass for lauding the St. John’s “Flames” this week (they were called the St. John’s Maple Leafs back in the day) ...
Robin Short is The Telegram’s Sports Editor. He can be reached by email [email protected]
