When the ECHL announced on October 9, 2020 that it would be the first North American professional hockey league to return to play for the 2020-21 Season, even before the National Hockey League (NHL) and American Hockey League (AHL) would kick off their seasons, it was met with excitement, skepticism, and everything in between. 

Amid a global pandemic, with surging cases across the United States and Canada where its teams are based, the ECHL worked diligently with its Board of Governors, officials at the NHL and AHL, and the Professional Hockey Players’ Association (PHPA) to navigate the unprecedented situation, including the development of several new transitional rules as well as health and safety protocol for teams and players to strictly abide.

As the League developed the framework necessary to play a 2020-21 Season, the PHPA, led by Executive Director Larry Landon and Legal Counsel Bob Riley, solicited the input from Player Representatives from each ECHL team, and relied on its Return to Play Committee to act as the collective voice on behalf of the players.

Now, with the 2020-21 ECHL Regular Season winding down and playoffs on the horizon, PHPA.com takes a look back at how the unprecedented 2020-21 ECHL Season unfolded, with thirteen teams that began play on December 11, 2020, another team that joined in February, twelve teams taking a 1-year voluntary suspension, an expansion announcement, and much more.

PHPA-ECHL Return to Play Committee

Josh Holmstrom: 31 year-old forward from Colorado Springs, CO who played the 2019-20 season with the Wheeling Nailers. Veteran of 108 AHL games and 294 ECHL games across seven seasons.  Has not played during 2020-21 Season, but is coaching a junior hockey team.

Justin Taylor: Center for the Tusla Oilers. The 32 year-old forward was selected in the sixth round of the 2007 NHL Draft by the Washington Capitals. After a junior career with the London Knights, Taylor is currently in his twelfth season of professional hockey.

Jake Flegel: The 28 year-old defenseman played last season with the Atlanta Gladiators.  Has not played during 2020-21 Season, but is currently enrolled in the PHPA Career Enhancement Program preparing to become a firefighter.

Riley Weselowski: 36 year-old defenseman for the Wichita Thunder and 2019-20 ECHL All-Star. Veteran of 12 seasons of professional hockey split between the ECHL and Central Hockey League.

Jordan Smotherman: Currently playing for the Esbjerg Energy in Denmark. The 34 year-old defenseman was drafted in the fourth round of the 2005 draft by the Atlanta Thrashers. He has two NHL games and 373 AHL games under his belt and has experience playing professional hockey in seven different countries. Signed with the Worcester Railers last off-season.

Steven Kaunisto: Following a 10-year pro career primarily spent in the ECHL, including several seasons on the PHPA Executive Committee, Kaunisto joined the coaching staff at Lake Superior State University following the 2019-20 season.

Let’s go back to mid-March, 2020, the impact of COVID is escalating, and on the evening of March 14th, all ECHL players are informed by the PHPA that the remainder of the 2019-20 season has been cancelled. Where were you when you informed, and what was your reaction as well as the general reaction from your teammates?

Holmstrom: “I was in Wheeling.  When the email came through and everything started hitting Twitter, our phones were blowing up and guys were trying to figure out what was going on. We had to figure out how to get home. Paychecks were another discussion. There were just so many unanswered questions.”

Flegel: “As it all progressed the seriousness of the pandemic escalated quickly. We didn’t know if it was just getting blown up by the media. But once the announcement came, we were shocked, disappointed, confused. It left us scrambling for answers. For me, I was continually getting asked questions since I was in contact with the PHPA as our Player Rep and on the Executive Committee. We were just trying to do what we can and take the necessary health precautions since wearing masks wasn’t mandated at the time. The biggest thing for me and some of my teammates was worrying about getting back over the Canadian border. It was all very sudden and there was no time to prepare.”

What was the exit process like? Did it seem like mass chaos, or did the players understand and appreciate the situation?

Taylor: “I call it controlled chaos. Nobody knew what direction to go. Do I need to stay and train in case we end up returning to play? But then everything got shut down. I think ultimately in Kalamazoo everyone was on the same page regarding how to get home quickly in case we wouldn’t be allowed to travel across State borders. Most important, we just wanted to be with our wives, children, and family. We didn’t know what was going to happen so we might as well be together and make a plan.”

Holmstrom: “’Controlled chaos’ is the term that came to my mind too. It was basically a case of making sure all of the imports got their exit physicals first so we could get them across International borders, be it Canada or a few guys from Europe. Wheeling was really accommodating. They told the guys that they could stay as long as they needed. Don’t let that be a point of stress. Get home to your families and we’ll figure things out.”

Understandably, many players were unhappy with the decision to cancel the season, and as Player Representatives and Executive Committee members, you tended to get the brunt.  ECHL players, who are paid weekly, were losing the opportunity to earn their final three weeks of salary in addition to any playoff bonuses, housing allowances, etc. Describe the feedback that you were receiving at the time.

Weselowski: “From my end, there was probably 90% of the players who understood and appreciated the situation we were in.  But there was definitely a very vocal few who were upset about things and seemed to blame the PHPA.  As somebody on the Executive Committee, I had a bit more inside knowledge with what was happening. It was important for the Player Reps and Executive to preach patience to see how things would play out.”

Flegel: “I would echo exactly (what Riley said). The biggest thing for us, was that whenever we got any new information, that we let the guys know right away. We weren’t hiding anything. We had to let guys know what we were talking about even if decisions were up in the air. A lot of guys understood that.”

Holmstrom: “I definitely got the brunt end of it from a few guys. But once everybody takes a step back, you realize that everybody’s hands were tied.  We were trying to get the best situation for everybody. Nobody had ever dealt with a situation like this before, so it was hard to find answers.”

Taylor: “That’s what it was. Everybody was asking if we were going to get back to play and crown a champion just like the NHL. Are we going to bubble? It was difficult to give answers and it was definitely frustrating.  Nobody knew how this would play out.”

Shortly thereafter, the PHPA-ECHL COVID-19 Player Relief Fund was established by the PHPA to help players recoup some of the income that they would had otherwise earned had the remainder of the season not been cancelled.  The fund raised over $630,000 USD with the PHPA contributing an initial $200,000.  The crowdfunding campaign garnered interest throughout the hockey community, even getting a mention from former ECHL player Paul Bissonnette on Spittin’ Chiclets.  Contributions began pouring in from ECHL teams, the ECHL League office, sponsors, plus donations from fans, former players, and other creative fundraisers.

The players’ tone seemed to change once the PHPA officially established the ECHL COVID-19 Player Relief fund.  Players could see donations coming in and the amounts being raised. How important was it to establish that fund, and were you surprised to see the amount support from fans and the hockey community?

Taylor: “I wasn’t really surprised. We have a really good supporting staff throughout the league. You go coast to coast with any city that we have a team in and the fans are all in. Seeing that support is awesome. Having that little bit of financial relief comes in handy. Especially for players with families since we really weren’t allowed to work during the off-season because of COVID restrictions. Having the financial support from team staff and the PHPA was awesome to see and players appreciated the efforts of the PHPA, especially once the first check arrived.”

Holmstrom: “It was a huge relief to know that there was going to be some funds coming to the players. In terms of the support it was awesome to see that, especially when you see that a lot of fans were going through the same thing. Everyone was losing jobs, but some people still found it within themselves to donate to us which was pretty special. The PHPA stepping up to lead that charge was awesome.”

Throughout the summer, there were several conference calls with the Executive Committee and Player Reps along with PHPA staff and attorneys to keep players informed of any developments towards the 2020-21 Season. One of the more controversial calls involved the idea proposed by the League of a staggered start to the 2020-21 Season where some teams would start earlier than others due to arena and fan capacity which varied from state to state. What were your thoughts on the proposed staggered start?

Holmstrom: “There were some differences in opinion on that subject for sure. From my perspective if it meant we could get 500 guys playing hockey this year, it’s better than zero. A lot of guys were left without jobs, myself included. At the time I didn’t realize that it would probably be the end of it for me playing wise. As long as we could get some guys playing right now, that was more important than potentially losing the league altogether, which we were told would have happened without the staggered start scenario.”

Taylor: “It’s tough for the younger guys coming into the league or an older player on his way out. Teams really have to make sound business decisions. When you get to the staggered start, the thinking is, ‘I want to get to a team that will play the most games so I can earn as much money as possible and have the best chance to win.’ For me, playing in Kalamazoo you’re being told ‘yeah we’re playing,’ until suddenly you’re told they aren’t. We ended up losing an entire division and then once you get to the staggered start, it’s all about going to a team that wants to play more. It felt like we were stuck in limbo the whole time. With a staggered start it’s like, ‘wait, they get to play 72 games and I only get to play 56?’ Then you get down to win percentage and all of the other factors. I think this was the best scenario of a bad situation to be in.”

Flegel: “I just wanted to play hockey. That was our collective goal, to get on board with a plan that got the most people playing. As far as a staggered start, at first it didn’t make much sense to me and there would obviously be some parity issues. But with more information it did make sense moving forward, to ensure that there was even going to be a season.  Had we not approved the staggered start, there would not have been a season at all.”

Once the League announced the staggered start, what went on from a player’s perspective, given only 13 teams would begin the season, and an unknown number of teams would join later in the season. Were players contacting teams for tryouts or were players advocating coaches sign certain players? What did the players tend to do at this point, knowing that other teams may or may not still join the league later in the season?

Felgel: “I think a lot of the uncertainty created anxiety among the players. Especially for the teams on the fence about opting-in. Some of the guys that are fourth line/third pairing, their job felt in question with a lot of players flooding the market. There was a lot of uncertainty with that staggered start. If your team was on the fence, do you start looking for another team? Or will you be too late? Then finding a team with the uncertainty of players possibly being assigned from the AHL at some point as well. Some of those guys would be taking ECHL jobs, and that worried a lot of guys.”

Holmstrom: “When you cut out almost half the teams you have to knock on as many doors as possible and just hope that someone will answer and give you an opportunity. From the guys that I talked to, all facing different situations, it was more about finding somewhere to go than risk being left out.”

Taylor: “Obviously if you know guys on different teams it can be a good place to start. You’re hoping that they advocate for you. Reaching out to certain teams, players were told they were waiting on what would happen with the AHL. They didn’t know if they were going to get dumped with ten players and then they’d have to start cutting guys they just recruited. I think when it comes down to it you have to advocate for yourself and make the phone calls. Not everyone has an agent in the ECHL.  And a number of players have wives and kids that we have to consider in any decision as well.”

Jordan, you had originally signed with the Worcester Railers, only for them to later opt-out of the season before it began. What was your reaction at the time and what was your next move?

Smotherman: “It was a huge disappointment for all of us. We had a good size group that were already in the Boston area renting ice, working out and playing golf together. I was really excited about the group we had there for the upcoming season. However, we all knew deep down the announcement was coming, especially with how the COVID situation was being handled in Massachusetts. That being said, up until the actual announcement, we all held on to a little hope. The Worcester staff handled the situation very well and clearly had exhausted every possible option before making the choice to opt out.  They organized a Zoom call with all of the signed players to let all of us know, and held a quick meeting with myself and our Player Rep, Conner Doherty, to make sure we were ready to help the guys if they had any questions about what this would mean for them moving forward.”

Once the decision was made for Worcester to opt-out, what did you do to make sure that you were able to get out on the ice and play professional hockey this season?

Smotherman: “I reached out to a few of my contacts around the ECHL to see if there was any interest but with all of the rosters mostly filled up and coaches having no idea what amount of players, if any, they would be getting form the AHL, the answer was mostly ‘check back in a few weeks’.  At that point I decided that I would spend the holidays at home with my family and they try and find something.  I reached out to the team here in Denmark I played for nine years ago when I first came to Europe and they had space for me.”

Riley & Justin – you are both playing in the ECHL this season. What has the season been like from your perspective? What are some of the noticeable differences and similarities at the rink and away from the rink, and how have you and your teammates adapted?

Weselowski: “The lead up to the season was a lot of planning. There were a lot of changes that were clearly going to be happening. The period leading up to the season was pretty chaotic, but once we started, at the rink you really don’t notice much of a difference other than the crowd sizes. It seems like every team has had a bout with COVID at some point. Other than that, once you get on the ice it feels like a regular hockey season.”

Taylor: “On the ice it’s good hockey. Every game is going to be neck and neck. It’s playoff style since every game is so important. Personally, I think you’re either going to push through and be better for it or, well, you’re fighting for a job every single day because there’s so many players waiting for an opportunity. So there’s that added pressure to be better and be the best version of yourself.”

Jake and Josh – what have you been up to since the season began and what has been your thought process looking ahead to next season?

Holmstrom: “With everybody’s jobs on the line you never know what could come up. Down the line, as teams need more guys you hope maybe the phone rings. Guys are hoping to just get back at it next year with as many teams as possible. It makes for quite the extended offseason. In the meantime, I found an assistant coach job with one of the junior teams to stay involved in hockey. I don’t want to step away from the game for too long and not really have that feel anymore. Guys are still working out and training and trying to go about their business.”

Flegel: “All summer long I was doing the same thing. Training like I was going to play this year. It’s unfortunate that it didn’t work out. I have Type I diabetes which is a pre-existing condition which is pretty severe with COVID so it limited my opportunities to get to teams. I’ve still been skating as much as I can though.

I have also done some training for the firefighting (FESTI) program offered through the PHPA Career Enhancement Program which started in February. That’s been awesome. It also gives me time to recover from injuries and get me back to even keel so I can be ready for next year. A lot of people aren’t playing hockey so I try to take advantage of my time off to get better and stronger.  I’ve also been doing a lot of work with the Juvenile Diabetes program, helping kids online and mentoring. I’ve also been doing some very limited hockey camps. I’ve been staying busy.”

Can you describe the effect of the situation on the players’ mental health? What was that strain like on the players in general speak (understanding that all players are in different situations)?

Holmstrom: “It’s a long grind and there’s so much uncertainty. You get excited about the season coming back and then there’s another delay. One minute it’s starting in October and the next thing you know it’s starting in January, which really affects your approach to training.  The ups and downs, it’s not an easy thing to go through.”

Taylor: “The ups and downs. You don’t want to train for twelve months and get burnt out. You’re trying to time your training and then you’re left without a job. So you feel the need to bring in some kind of income. I was fortunate to have a business that I was able to continue to run. But it became a question of when I begin to do my hard training to dial back into business for the season since that’s a phone call that just might not come. Fortunately, some of us have family close by to support us and keep us motivated.”

What has the support been like from your families and loved ones in this time?

Weselowski: “That’s been maybe one of the toughest things for me is that I live in Wichita, Kansas right now and my parents are in Manitoba, Canada. My parents were down in February of 2020 and then COVID hit right after. So unfortunately they haven’t been able to come here and I haven’t been able to go there. Having your parents and your son’s Grandparents on the other side of the border is tough. He hasn’t been able to see them in a year. Probably that isolation has been the toughest. Fortunately we take advantage of Facetime. That’s been very difficult, to be shut out from people because of travel restrictions.”

Flegel: “My fiancé lives in Atlanta so when I had to go back because of the Canadian-US border potentially closing, we didn’t know we’d be separated for so long. That’s been really tough. Fortunately I’m back in Atlanta now, but that moment of uncertainty and unclear timelines left us in limbo. I had to be in Canada because of diabetic supplies being so expensive in the US. Luckily, I have very supportive parents and they’ve been able to help me out over this time. Even with the season being up in the air all summer, they pushed me to keep training and do what I need to do. I hadn’t been with my family, really, since I was 19 so it’s been a blessing to see them for a long period of time.”

Taylor: “I have friends that were forced into retirement because they don’t want to leave their families to play thousands of miles across the country right now. Some people have families that they have to take care of. I know personally, my wife is completely supportive of my hockey dream and passion.  She shipped me out and packed my truck for me and said, ‘See you in June with the championship.’”

As teams and programs returned to play, what attributes helped players and teams come out of the gate strong?

Taylor: “It’s the guys that don’t take it for granted. Your either get to play, don’t get to play, or you’re waiting to play. If you get that opportunity you’ve got to take advantage of every minute that you’re at the rink. Make sure you’re doing something to make yourself better or your team better. You have to be super appreciative. Mental toughness is huge, you have to have the drive and motivation, whether you’re in or out of the lineup to make the team better. You want to make the coaching staff have to make hard decisions. The players that are succeeding right now are driven. You have to buy into the hockey landscape right now or get shipped out real quick.”

Weselowski: “At one point in the season we had nine straight weeks where we played three-in-threes. That’s nine straight weeks of playing Friday-Saturday-Sunday with even some weekday games in the middle. The idea was probably less games at the beginning of the year to wait until everything opened up more. Things like that have stressed the importance of our rest days. Not a lot of practices, just rest-days and game-days. It has forced guys to be on top of their game mentally. We carry a few extra guys and be sure to rotate them in as much as possible. It’s been a unique year. It’s been a challenge. And at 36 years-old I don’t want to see too many three-in-threes on the schedule. Thankfully we have a lot of young guys.”

Surrounding all of this COVID uncertainty and confusion, has it made you reflect at all about what hockey means to you? In terms of last season ending abruptly, this season being in jeopardy at any point if cases surged, and where you guys are in your career?  Did any of the experience reinforce or even make you question what it means to be a professional hockey player?

Taylor: “There was tonnes of self-reflection. Every player, whether they are playing or not, has had to reflect on their hockey career. 20/20 hindsight, I could’ve been on the other side of that and could be still waiting for a phone call. I don’t know what kind of mental state I’d be in. I’d look back and ask myself, ‘did I give enough?’ And if you feel like you could’ve given more, it’ll really eat at you. Every game and every day that you’re blessed to play hockey you want to keep pushing and pushing and hopefully you can do it as long as you can until there’s no fight left in you.”

Holmstrom: “For me, I know there are times I sit here and look at how last season ended. I don’t think I took it for granted. I love the sport and loved playing. It is kind of weird looking back and saying, ‘aw man, I didn’t realize that potentially my last game was at 10 AM in Wheeling, West Virginia in front of a bunch of school kids. Being able to get back into coaching, I always knew that I would stay in hockey in some form. Maybe the process got fast-forwarded a little bit. But it’s not anything that I regret. You just have to keep living it one day at a time and make the most of it.”

Flegel: “It’s reinforced my love of the game. Through any adversity you’re going to grow. Even though I didn’t have a team, I was training in the summer with the same mindset as if I was going to get back out there. Putting all of my effort toward it—every year you try to fall back in love with the game. The season never ends the way you want it, especially so last year. This is the first year I haven’t played hockey. I miss the competitiveness and the grind. Actually I miss everything about hockey. This offseason reinstated my belief that I’m in the right career and I miss it like crazy. I’d do anything to get back into the lineup.”

Weselowski: “I don’t think that the COVID time off has changed any of that for me. I know what I want and I’m going to stay with it. Seeing the playing opportunities whittled down and seeing all of the great hockey players on the sidelines right now, it makes you appreciate it that much more. The fact that I have the opportunity to play and still go to the rink puts a really positive spin on those three-in-threes and any negatives that you might complain about any other year. I’m really thankful and appreciative of the fact that we get to do what we love.”

With the League welcoming 2 new expansion franchises next season in Trois-Rivieres, Quebec and Coralville, Iowa (plus a team in Savannah, Georgia announced for 2022-23), do you think the League will bounce back stronger and healthier as ever?

Holmstrom: “I don’t see any reason why the league wouldn’t bounce back given the unwavering support that all the markets give to their teams. The twelve teams that aren’t playing this year, those fans will be itching to get to a game. The teams that can only have 2,000 people now will be itching to get 5,000 in there. I’m just excited to see hockey get back to normal.”

Weselowski: “I’m optimistic about it. There’s certainly going to be challenges. Ours is a league that relies on fans. You have to have people come through the door. We don’t have big television deals so getting people back in buildings is the big question mark. I’m definitely optimistic though. Hopefully by next season we can see some full buildings again. With two new teams that means more jobs and I think that it will be an exciting time to be a hockey player.”