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The East Coast Hockey League announced yesterday that, effective immediately, it will be known simply as the ECHL, adopting the acronym as a stand-alone brand that will no longer represent the term "East Coast Hockey League." The current logo will continue to be used, but the words "East Coast Hockey League" have been removed. Additionally, the league introduced a new tagline, "America's Premier AA Hockey League." Six teams from the current WCHL are joining the league in '03-04 — Anchorage Aces, Bakersfield Condors, Fresno Falcons, Idaho Steelheads, Long Beach Ice Dogs and San Diego Gulls. Three other expansion/relocated clubs will also begin play in new markets during the upcoming season — Gwinnett (GA) Gladiators, Las Vegas Wranglers and Texas Wildcatters (ECHL). In Greensboro, Jeff Carlton writes, "Clearly, `East Coast' had to get the boot. And the league apparently wasn't interested in a new acronym to accommodate names like Coast-to-Coast League or Nationwide League or Premier Hockey League or World Hockey Association" (Greensboro NEWS & RECORD, 5/20). In Charlotte, Cliff Mehrtens writes the ECHL "wanted to maintain the 15 years of branding it had established" (CHARLOTTE OBSERVER, 5/20). But in CA, Dave Werstine writes yesterday's announcement "was a surprise" to the WCHL teams joining the league. One WCHL official said, "It was kind of anti-climatic. We were excited to be joining the league and we felt we were going to make an impact. We thought the name change would demonstrate that. There are lots of disappointed people." Another WCHL official added, "Like most members out West, we are scratching our heads. We would have liked to have seen the West better represented." Werstine notes 40-50 suggestions "were trimmed down to about 24 and given to attorneys to check into. A short list was formed and when a decision was finally reached two weeks ago, ECHL won out. But that could change and maybe sooner if naming rights can be sold" (LONG BEACH PRESS TELEGRAM, 5/20).
NEW HOME: Sources said that an expansion United Hockey League (UHL) franchise owned by NY-based Dr. Eric Margenau "will call the Richmond Coliseum home starting this fall," as he has agreed to a three-year lease, with a two-year option. The new UHL team replaces the ECHL Richmond Renegades, which shut down in April after 13 seasons (Jerry Lindquist, RICHMOND TIMES-DISPATCH, 5/20).
