An ECHL vet backstops the Bolts, a goaltender makes history in Kalamazoo, Coach Carbery wins with the Caps and a flurry of trades and signings highlight the final days before puck-drop across the ECHL.
We're just days away from the start of the 2023-24 regular season in the ECHL. With a flurry of roster movement and some high-profile and historic stories, it's been a busy time league-wide. Here are some major moves and top stories from the past week in our ECHL Roundup.
ECHL Vet Matt Tomkins Makes National Hockey League Debut
Goaltender Matt Tomkins became the 741st former ECHL player to reach the National Hockey League when he suited up for the Tampa Bay Lightning against the Ottawa Senators on October 14th.
Tomkins came up short against the rising Sens, allowing five goals on 31 shots.
He previously appeared in 79 games for the Indy Fuel during the 2017-18 and 2018-19 seasons, posting an overall record of 40-28-7, with two shutouts and a 3.17 goals-against average. He led all ECHL goaltenders with 3,221 minutes played and was tied for wins with 29 during 2018-19.
Fujimagari Makes History, Still Cut From Kalamazoo
It wasn't the fairy tale ending many were hoping for goaltender Mariah Fujimagari.
Despite a historic pre-season win this past Saturday with the Kalamazoo Wings, the 29-year-old Markham, Ontario native was released from her pro tryout with the club on Monday.
Click here for more information.
Former ECHL Player & Coach Spencer Carbery Earns First NHL Coaching Win
Spencer Carbery has netted his first win as an NHL coach.
Carbery's Washington Capitals knocked down the Calgary Flames with a 3-2 shootout win on October 16th. The Caps previously faltered in their season opener as they were blanked by longtime rivals Pittsburgh Penguins 4-0 on October 13th.
As a player, Carbery skated in 181 career ECHL games from 2007-10 with Bakersfield, Stockton, Fresno and South Carolina, totaling 73 points (32g-41a) and capturing a Kelly Cup title in 2009 with the Stingrays.
Following his retirement as a player, Carbery transitioned to the coaching ranks, serving as South Carolina's assistant coach for one season before being named the club's head coach in 2011-12.
He compiled a 207-115-10 in five seasons as the Stingrays' coach, leading the team to the Kelly Cup Finals in 2015 and the Eastern Conference Finals in 2016. He received the John Brophy Award as ECHL Coach of the Year in 2013-14 after leading South Carolina to a 43-23-6 record.
Heartlanders Add to Hockey Operations Department
The Iowa Heartlanders, proud ECHL affiliate of the Minnesota Wild and Iowa Wild, announced two promotions within the team's Hockey Operations Department. Joe Exter has been promoted to Associate Coach and Assistant General Manager. Exter was previously the team's Associate Coach.
Eric Michaud has been promoted to Director of Hockey Operations and Video Coach. Michaud previously served as Iowa's Coordinator of Video and Team Services.
The following players have been signed, re-signed, or traded to the listed club in the past week. *Signing list may be incomplete as of press time
Allen Americans
- undefined
Adirondack Thunder
- undefined
Atlanta Gladiators
- undefined
Cincinnati Cyclones
- undefined
Florida Everblades
- undefined
Idaho Steelheads
- undefined
Indy Fuel
- undefined
Newfoundland Growlers
- undefined
Reading Royals
- undefined
South Carolina Stingrays
- undefined
Trois-Rivières Lions
- undefined
Tulsa Oilers
- undefined
Utah Grizzlies
- undefined
Wheeling Nailers
- undefined
Wichita Thunder
- undefined