FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 12, 2016
ECHL ANNOUNCES DIVISION SHAKE-UP, NEW PLAYOFF FORMAT
TULSA, OK – The ECHL announced a shake-up to the conference and division alignment Monday for the 2016-17 season. The Tulsa Oilers will stay in the Central Division of the Western Conference, and will joined by division newcomers, the Fort Wayne Komets, Indy Fuel, Kalamazoo Wings, Quad City Mallards and Toledo Walleye. The Wichita Thunder will also stay in the Central.
As approved by the Board of Governors, the Conference and Divisional alignment for the 2016-17 Season will be as follows:
Eastern Conference
North Division
Adirondack Thunder, Brampton Beast, Elmira Jackals, Manchester Monarchs, Reading Royals, Wheeling Nailers
South Division
Atlanta Gladiators, Cincinnati Cyclones, Florida Everblades, Greenville Swamp Rabbits, Norfolk Admirals, Orlando Solar Bears, South Carolina Stingrays
Western Conference
Central Division
Fort Wayne Komets, Indy Fuel, Kalamazoo Wings, Quad City Mallards, Toledo Walleye, Tulsa Oilers, Wichita Thunder
Mountain Division
Alaska Aces, Allen Americans, Colorado Eagles, Idaho Steelheads, Missouri Mavericks, Rapid City Rush, Utah Grizzlies
The league also announced a change to its playoff format in 2016-17. The first two rounds of the Kelly Cup Playoffs will be played entirely within the division, with the division winner facing the fourth-place finisher and the second-place team meeting the third-place team in the opening round. The winners of each series will meet in the Division Finals, and the winners from each division with meet in their respective Conference Finals. The champions from the two conferences will then face-off in the Kelly Cup Finals.
Tulsa continues its division rivalry with Wichita, as the two teams will meet 14 times in 2016-17. The Oilers will also face division newcomers Indy four times, Fort Wayne and Quad City three times each, Toledo twice, and Kalamazoo once.
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