All six teams in the league’s North Division — the Adirondack Thunder, Brampton Beast, Maine Mariners, Newfoundland Growlers, Reading Royals and Worcester Railers — as well as the Atlanta Gladiators and Norfolk Admirals, will suspend operations for the 2020-21 season but are expected to return in 2021-22.
“As we continue to navigate the continually changing regulations across North America, we recognize the difficult nature of this decision,” said ECHL Commissioner Ryan Crelin in a statement. “While some of our teams’ host cities have allowed upcoming plans to include fans inside arenas, we unfortunately do not see the same path for these highly-affected areas in the Northeast.”
The remaining five teams — the Cincinnati Cyclones, Fort Wayne Komets, Idaho Steelheads, Kalamazoo Wings and Toledo Walleye — will compete in a 62-game season beginning Jan. 15, pending approval from local jurisdictions.