Making a living as a professional hockey player in the ECHL has never been a lucrative endeavor, with players pursuing a dream while generating a modest income.

With the entire country reeling from the devastating economic and emotional effects of the coronavirus, those who are counted on to provide entertainment and distraction through sports are equally impacted.

In the ECHL, players saw their livelihood snatched away in an instant with the cancellation of the 2019-20 season on March 14. In the developmental league, some players toil to make it to the next level, while others simply play for the love of the game.

Longtime Toledo Walleye forward Shane Berschbach, who has a son who turned 1 last month, has spent the past six seasons playing in the ECHL.

“It’s tough on a lot of different fronts,” Berschbach said. “Financially, it makes you take a big hit with pay stopping so abruptly like that. It’s challenging for a lot of guys that have kids to support and houses that they have.”

A ray of hope has been signaled, however, with the creation of the ECHL COVID-19 Economic Relief Fund.

ECHL Commissioner Ryan Crelin said the league, in conjunction with the Professional Hockey Players’ Association, has established a relief fund that will be officially announced soon. It will include auctions where fans will be able to bid on memorabilia.

“My heart goes out to those guys,” Crelin said. “From the get-go, we knew certain guys would be more affected than others. Everyone has their own situation in this chaotic period.”

The PHPA, a union that represents players in the ECHL and the American Hockey League, has indicated a commitment to make an initial contribution of $200,000 to the fund.

Walleye captain T.J. Hensick, who is the team’s player representative with the PHPA, said there are still a lot of unanswered questions, but that the hockey community is strong and united.

“All the guys are at home with their family and loved ones. The hockey world is a tight world,” Hensick said. There are still a lot of unanswered questions, but we are grateful it is out there.”

Larry Landon, the executive director of the PHPA, told Sports Illustrated last week that its organization intends to assist players over the coming months.

“Everybody’s going to take a hit in this COVID-19 pandemic,” Landon said. “We’re just trying to help.”

No playoff payoff

Rookies in the ECHL earn a minimum of $480 per week, while returning players make a minimum of $520 per week. Most players earn about $600 per week during a regular season that lasts about 26 weeks.

The Walleye had 13 games left in the regular season, and a deep postseason run would have meant steady income along with playoff bonuses into June. The final regular-season game of the season was scheduled for April 5.

The Walleye players should be preparing for a key three-game weekend against fellow Central Division teams. Toledo was scheduled to host Fort Wayne on Friday and Wheeling on Sunday, with a road game at Indy in between.

Instead, they are practicing social distancing. Many have been left wondering where the next paycheck will come from and how they will make ends meet before the start of next hockey season.

“It’s tough for everybody,” Berschbach said. “I think everyone in the world is experiencing this right now with their jobs getting shut down. It’s a tough time for everybody.”

When the ECHL announced its cancellation, the 26 teams covered moving expenses as well as medical insurance through June 30. However, the players stopped being paid on March 16.

Many of the players in the Double-A league, who come from 23 countries, also count on summer jobs conducting hockey clinics and camps. However, that potential income also is in doubt with the indefinite closure of rinks around the country.

Hensick said the PHPA also provides a career enhancement program for the league’s players. The job training and placement programs help prepare players for life after hockey.

“It’s a challenging time for a lot of my teammates. Guys around the league are taking advantage of the PHPA to help them find jobs, whether it’s firefighting or other classes for other professions,” he said.

ECHL players count on 13 paychecks per season, and this year they received only 10. Potentially, the Walleye could have been playing for an additional 12 weeks. After reaching the Kelly Cup Finals last postseason, the season extended to June 4.

“About 24 percent of that salary is gone,” Hensick said. “Guys, for the most part, count on those paychecks to get them through the season and through the summer.”

Fan support

Walleye general manager Neil Neukam said some of the team’s fans have already inquired about helping the players.

“This fund is being established to help all ECHL players,” Neukam said. “Our fans have always been very supportive and generous during the season, with different fund-raising initiatives from jersey auctions to chuck-a-puck programs. I’d encourage those who have the ability to participate and donate to this cause.”

Hensick said one of his former teammates, Paul Bissonnette, has helped spearhead the fund-raising effort for the ECHL players. Bissonnette, who started his career in the ECHL with the Wheeling Nailers in 2005-06 before playing in the NHL, has advocated for support of the players on his podcast Spittin’ Chiclets.

“He’s a former ECHL player that worked his way up,” Hensick said. “It’s a great cause.”

Crelin said filing for unemployment might be an option for some players.

“The rules are changing so quickly, but that would seem to make sense during these uncertain times,” Crelin said.

The ECHL commissioner called the decision to cancel the season excruciating but prudent. In the end, all sides of the aisles agreed to the stoppage of play.

“Even though it was very hard, it was the right thing to do for all parties for the long term,” he said.

The league and union are creating a website for donations.

“We knew especially players with families would be the most affected, but it’s not limited to just those guys,” Crelin said. “This is a joint effort between both sides of the aisle. It’s an opportunity to work together to get through this tough patch.”

Hensick and Neukam echoed the sentiments of all involved, stating that the concern extends well beyond the sports world. Officials also acknowledged that the ability to donate might not be feasible for many people during these trying times.

“I feel bad not just for our Walleye players, but everyone in general who has been suddenly unemployed through no fault of their own,” Neukam said. “No one saw or could have prepared for what we’re experiencing with this coronavirus pandemic.”

Hensick, a former NHL player who has a young son and twins due in August, called it a time of unprecedented challenge for the entire world.

“It’s too early to say what the future holds. The most important thing is the health of my family,” he said. “We all hope to wake up every morning with positive news, whether that’s a cure or a vaccine. It’s not just the hockey world.”