Dexter, Kelly, among ECHL Hall of Fame Class of 2024

The ECHL announced today that the 2024 inductees for the ECHL Hall of Fame are Scott Burfoot, Brad Dexter, Jason Fitzsimmons, June M. Kelly and Shawn Wheeler.

The 2024 ECHL Hall of Fame ceremony, presented by BFL CANADA and Sutton Special Risk, will take place at 12 p.m. on Monday, January 15, 2024 at the Savannah Convention Center.

The five will be formally inducted as the 16th class of the ECHL Hall of Fame at a luncheon that will be held in conjunction with the 2024 Warrior/ECHL All-Star Classic presented by Gulfstream.

“Our 16th ECHL Hall of Fame Induction Class truly highlights the League’s foundation and growth as an integral part in the development of hockey in North America as we recognize a builder, coaches and players as key contributors to our League,” said ECHL Commissioner Ryan Crelin. “This event means so much to our history and our inductees, and will be a special moment as we celebrate in downtown Savannah.”

Scott Burfoot suited up in 298 career ECHL games over five seasons with Erie, Roanoke Valley, Huntsville and Richmond. He was named to four All-Star Games, which is tied for the third most in League history, while totaling 427 points, for a 1.43 points-per-game average, which ranks sixth all-time. 

Brad Dexter ranks as one of the best offensive-minded defensemen in ECHL history. He totaled 361 points (67g-294a) in 464 career games over seven seasons from 1996-2004 with Raleigh, South Carolina, Pensacola and Victoria. A two-time Kelly Cup champion with the Stingrays in 1997 and 2001, Dexter is sixth all-time among ECHL defensemen in points and assists and is eighth in goals. He led all ECHL defensemen with 59 assists in 1999-2000, and was named to the All-ECHL Second Team in both 1998-99 and 1999-2000. Dexter is currently in his first season as a professional scout with the National Hockey League’s Buffalo Sabres.

Jason Fitzsimmons went 52-25-10 in 93 career ECHL appearances with Columbus (Chill) and South Carolina from 1992-98. During the 1997 Kelly Cup Playoffs, he went 17-7 to help lead the Stingrays to the first-ever Kelly Cup title and earn Playoff Most Valuable Player honors. Following his retirement as a player, he entered the coaching ranks, serving as South Carolina’s assistant coach from 1998-2002, adding a second Kelly Cup title to his resume in 2001, before being elevated to the head-coaching role in 2002-03. Over five seasons as the Stingrays’ head coach, Fitzsimmons went 188-126-46 before joining the Washington Capitals front office in 2007-08. With the Capitals, Fitzsimmons earned a Stanley Cup championship in 2018, and currently serves as the team’s Director of Minor League Operations.

June M. Kelly, the first lady of the ECHL, served an integral role during the early days of the ECHL, working in the League Office for seven years. The wife of founding Commissioner Patrick J. Kelly, she served as the administration and financial overseer of the ECHL, allowing her husband to travel and build the League during its infancy. In 2019, the ECHL renamed the Playoff Most Valuable Player Trophy in her honor.

Shawn Wheeler averaged over a point-per-game in his ECHL career, totaling 325 points (152g-173a) in 294 games over parts of seven seasons with Greensboro, Hampton Roads and Charlotte. He scored 30 or more goals in four of his five full ECHL seasons, and captured the 1996 Riley Cup title with the Checkers. Wheeler participated in three All-Star Games during his career, which is tied for the fifth most in ECHL history, and following his retirement as a player, he became the first Black head coach in League history with Charlotte from 1998-2000.

 The inaugural ECHL Hall of Fame class was inducted in 2008, and over the years, 58 individuals have been enshrined. Inductees are enshrined in the ECHL Hall of Fame, which is open around the clock online at ECHLHallOfFame.com, as well as being recognized at the league office in Shrewsbury, N.J. and in the ECHL section at the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto, Ontario.