1996–97 ECHL season
The 1996/97 season was the ninth regular season of the East Coast Hockey League ( ECHL ). The 23 teams completed in the regular season every 70 encounters. The point of best team in the regular season were the South Carolina Stingrays, which also won their first Kelly Cup in the play- offs at all. Before the season, the league replaced the old trophy for the playoff winner, the. Riley Cup, by those same Kelly Cup
- 3.1 Kelly Cup winner
Team changes
The following changes were made before the start of the season:
- The Erie Panthers were to Baton Rouge, Louisiana, relocated and played from now on under the name Baton Rouge Kingfish.
- The Nashville Knights have been to Pensacola, Florida, relocated and played from now on under the name Pensacola Ice Pilots.
- The Wheeling Thunderbirds changed their name to Wheeling Nailers.
- The Mississippi Sea Wolves were added as an expansion team in the league.
- The Peoria Rivermen were added as an expansion team in the league.
Regular Season
Statements Tables
Note: GP = Games, W = Wins, L = Losses, T = Ties, OTL = Overtime after defeat, GF = Goals Scored, GA = Goals against, Pts = Points