From tax-free salaries and shorter travel schedules to expansive Olympic ice, discover the incentives driving ECHL talents to trade North American grinds for European stability.
Every year, more specifically in the off-season, but also throughout the regular season until the deadline, ECHL players can elect to head overseas to play. There are a few reasons why this happens, so let's get into it.
Higher Salaries:
It's no secret that the ECHL pays, well, below average. With the players' strike that happened this past season, pay was one aspect that was negotiated. European leagues, especially in countries such as Switzerland, Sweden, Finland, Austria, and even Germany, pay significantly higher. If contracts are negotiated, those contracts often include a player's housing, meals, and bonuses included in that contract. Players may also rely on heading overseas for their families, with the financial security and living conditions that are offered. In the ECHL, housing is included for all players, along with a per diem for meals when they are on the road.
Travel Schedules:
ECHL travel schedules are tough. Teams may have a game in one town, get on the bus, and head to the next town for a game less than 24 hours later. If there isn't a sleeper bus available, teams often get creative about how to sleep on a passenger bus. Traveling while playing overseas is much easier. Teams overseas often rely on shorter flights or travel within their region of play.
Careers:
Players may see going overseas when call-up opportunities become less of a reality. Especially those players where the bubble is closing, and the path to the NHL is closing in on them. Heading abroad provides a longer-term stability, instead of putting themselves through the wringer of North American minor league hockey. Development-wise, as well, certain leagues are skilled and can help players improve in different systems. The change for playing a larger role, rather than being stuck on bottom lines, or being ping ponged back and forth between either the NHL/AHL or AHL/ECHL, is that players may see top line minutes, time on the power play, and even a chance to be in a leadership role. It can also serve a player well, post-career. Building those connections worldwide can help with coaching or scouting opportunities when a player hangs up the skates.
Playing Styles:
Playing styles vary from league to league and country to country. Specifically, European hockey puts its emphasis on puck possession, skill, and skating. While in North America, the playing style is more skill-based and involves a heavy physical grind.
The differences are abundant overseas. The NHL rink is smaller, with a 200-foot by 85-foot rink, while overseas, the rink is 200 feet by 100 feet, which is Olympic size. The size difference gives players more time to think about the next move compared to congestion on North American ice. Fighting is established and allowed (somewhat) in North America; however, European leagues do not allow it. If there is one fight, in some leagues, it results in an automatic game misconduct and ejection from the game.
Experience and Lifestyle:
Wanting a change of scenery is not necessarily a bad thing for anyone. Some players want to live in a different country, learn a new city, a different culture, all while playing the game they love.