Recapping the latest news and notes around the ECHL for Friday, June 7, including Toledo Walleye Riley Sawchuk heading overseas for the 2024-25 season
Recapping the latest news and notes around the ECHL for Friday, June 7.
- Riley Sawchuk is the latest player to sign overseas. The Toledo Walleye rookie signed a contract for the 2024-25 season with KooKoo of the Liiga, Finland's top professional men's ice hockey league. Sawchuk, 25, enjoyed a wildly successful first year in the ECHL, finishing with 25 goals and 27 points, making his 52 points the 16th highest-scoring rookie in the league. Until the Walleye were eliminated from postseason contention, Sawchuk led all rookie skaters in the ECHL Kelly Cup Playoffs with 18 points on ten goals and eight assists.
- Staying with players who recently signed across the pond, Greenville's Nick Prkusic is joining the Glasgow Clan team of the Elite Ice Hockey League in England. The 27-year-old forward scored four goals and 17 points this past season.
- The ECHL Team Award Finalists for the 2023-24 season were announced on Thursday. The Kalamazoo Wings earned a record eight award nominations, with the winners to be announced at the Summer Meetings on June 26 in Las Vegas. Kalamazoo was nominated for Executive of the Year, Joe Babik Award - Media/PR Director of the Year, Inclusive Spirit Award, Game Operations Team of the Year, Community Service Award, Specialty Jersey of the Year, Most Creative Ticket Package, and Group Sales Growth (year-over-year).
- Josh Bloom, who played eight games with Kalamazoo this past season, lifted the Saginaw Spirit (Ontario Hockey League) to the 2024 Memorial Cup victory by recording the game-winning goal with 21.7 seconds left in the game. The Spirit captured the franchise's first Memorial Cup and became just the third American team in the CHL to earn the honors.
- The South Carolina Stingrays are celebrating National Donut Day in style.
- In case you missed our preview for Friday's Game 4 of the ECHL Kelly Cup Finals: