Find out which top ECHL point-getters found new homes ahead of the 2023-24 season kickoff.
The life of a pro athlete is often akin to a nomad. You go where opportunity, and money, present itself.
The ECHL is no stranger to roster turnover. As clubs jockey for position and aim to scoop up all-stars and budding prospects, leagues across North America and abroad often come calling, and the chance for new experiences and increased roles is often enough to cut the strings that tie a player to their jersey.
With that in mind, The Hockey News looks at the top five point producers in the ECHL in 2022-23, and dive into where they'll be playing this fall.
Hank Crone - 105 Points with Allen Americans in 2022-23
The Allen Americans were a point-producing juggernaut last season, and Hank Crone was the chief recipient of their offensive prowess.
Crone banked a whopping 105 points, good enough for the ECHL's scoring title, MVP award, and Rookie of the Year honors.
The 49-goal scorer inked a one-year deal with AHL club Chicago Wolves for the 2023-24 season. However, the Americans protected Crone, thus retaining his rights for the coming season.
Jack Combs - 95 Points with Allen Americans in 2022-23
Trailing his Allen teammate by a meager dozen, Jack Combs put up a solid 95 points in what would be his final year of professional hockey.
Combs shared, in an interview with Barry Janssen, that he'd be making the transition to coaching, becoming an assistant coach at Lindenwood University in his hometown of St. Louis.
“Last season in Allen was honestly how I envisioned going out with the exception of not winning the Kelly Cup. Playing for Chad was awesome and being able to see him firsthand excel at being a head coach was very special.
"I am really going to miss everything about playing in Allen, but I am also very excited to put down roots for my family at home and to be challenged right away with an amazing opportunity to stay involved in the game I love so much.”
Alex Ierullo - 87 Points with Greenville Swamp Rabbits in 2022-23
Greenville's Alex Ierullo, who split time between the Swamp Rabbits and AHL's Ontario Reign, is taking his talents to Italy for the upcoming season.
The beneficiary of 87 points in an all-star caliber season, Ierullo signed a three-year deal with Asiago of the win2day ICE Hockey League.
“He is a complete player as well as a powerplay specialist," shared Asiago's Renato Tessari in a statement. "He is a ready and experienced player. He has great playmaking skills, even though he is a winger, but he is also very good in the scoring phase. Alex has a constantly growing career, as demonstrated by the numbers from university and the first years of professionalism."
Zach O'Brien - 87 Points with Newfoundland Growlers in 2022-23
Mainstay of the Newfoundland Growlers since their Kelly Cup-winning inaugural season in 2018-19, St. John's own Zach O'Brien was a heart-and-soul player for the dogs, and their most consistently productive player to boot.
O'Brien picked up 87 points in his fourth season with the club in 2022-23, and 78 points the year prior.
Now, the franchise leader in goals and points is heading to Slovakia's Slovak Extraliga, playing for the HC Slovan Bratislava for their 2023-24 campaign.
Cody Sylvester - 86 Points with Atlanta Gladiators in 2022-23
Of the top five point producers in the ECHL, only Cody Sylvester is returning to his home club for the upcoming 2023-24 season.
Sylvester, who potted 38 goals en route to an 86-point campaign, re-signed with the Atlanta Gladiators for the upcoming season, the team shared in a summer release.
“Bringing Cody back is a no-brainer," Gladiators head coach Derek Nesbitt said. "Any time you can sign a player who was not only a top guy on your own team, but a top player in the whole league, is a great weapon to have for your group.
"He's proved he can score goals at an elite level in this league while playing in all situations. I loved playing with Cody as a teammate, and I'm equally excited to be able to work with him as one of our leaders now as head coach."