NHL players who played in the ECHL

[LeProspector]

So I made a YouTube video compiling 5 NHL players that at one point or another played in the ECHL.
Anyway I wanted to pose the question, what NHL players at one point or another defied the odds and made the NHL and had a lengthy career after playing in the ECHL?

Here's the link to the video if you wanted to give it a watch and support me:

Click to read more...

 

[Elitersson]

IIRC Jay Beagle is the only player in history to win an NHL, AHL and ECHL championship

 

[LeProspector]

IIRC Jay Beagle is the only player in history to win an NHL, AHL and ECHL championship

I'm not too sure who else but when researching for the video, I figured out Jonathan Quick had played in the ECHL, AHL and NHL in the same season, thought that was pretty cool.

 

[wej20]

Deryk Engelland played 148 career ECHL games, didn't make his NHL debut till he was 27. Can't imagine there are many skaters who played 100+ ECHL games and who have also played 500+ NHL games. Alex Burrows is another one, 134 ECHL games and over 900 NHL games.

There are probably a fair few NHLers who suited up for a quick stint in the ECHL, but the number who played significant time there is a much smaller list, especially if you're just talking skaters.

For example; Pens have had Tom Kuhnhackl, Josh Archibald, Mark Letestu, Alex Grant, Jean-Sebastien Dea, Carter Rowney and Ben Street all spent a little time in the ECHL but nothing close to a full season.

 

[BruinsBtn]

Michael Ryder

 

[predfan24]

i didn't watch your video so he might be on there but Rich Peverley started his pro career in the ECHL and eventually carved out a nice NHL career until heart issues drove him out of hockey.

Joel Ward didn't play in the ECHL but after his junior career he played four years at the Canadian University level! That's where former junior player's careers go to die. He carved out a really good NHL career after that. Amazing story

 

[member 157595]

Michael Ryder

His linemates in the ECHL were Halak and a 2nd.

 

[hilarnat]

David Desharnais played 68 ECHL games in 07-08. I feel it's quite significant for a player that played 500+ NHL games.

 

[AvsFan29]

Jared Bednar has won both championships as a coach. That's pretty rare.

 

[LeProspector]

i didn't watch your video so he might be on there but Rich Peverley started his pro career in the ECHL and eventually carved out a nice NHL career until heart issues drove him out of hockey.

Joel Ward didn't play in the ECHL but after his junior career he played four years at the Canadian University level! That's where former junior player's careers go to die. He carved out a really good NHL career after that. Amazing story

Actually didn't know that about Ward, that's quite amazing actually.

 

[AvsFan29]

David Desharnais played 68 ECHL games in 07-08. I feel it's quite significant for a player that played 500+ NHL games.

He's at that weird size / skill level where every one looks past you, and you have to work your ass off to get a shot. He was pretty good for a while in the NHL.

 

[Paddyjack]

David Desharnais played 68 ECHL games in 07-08. I feel it's quite significant for a player that played 500+ NHL games.

He was actually terrific that year, he got 106 pts in 68 games, 41 pts more than the following player on the team (65 pts). They won the championship that year, and DD claimed three ECHL awards: Most Valuable Player, Rookie of the Year, and the Leading Scorer award.

 

[Bonzo111]

His linemates in the ECHL were Halak and a 2nd.

after that came the "Scherbak, something else and a 1st" for every player in the league.

 

[Hatter of the Beach]

Marty Frk spent some time there, though he may not be a NHLer in two years

 

[DANTHEMAN1967]

James Reimer.

 

[BigBadBruins7708]

Tim Thomas
Holtby
Streit
Girardi

 

[Glen Sathers Cigar]

Dan Girardi started in the ECHL and worked his way up to the NHL. He's played 900 NHL games, another 140 in the playoffs. Made an All Star team.

Pretty impressive career for an undrafted player who started in the ECHL.

 

[iamjs]

Scott Gordon was the first ECHL goalie to be recalled by an NHL team. While he didn't have much of an NHL career (23 games in two seasons with the Nordiques), it did evolve into a head coaching position with two NHL teams. Conversely, I believe Damian Rhodes (former Leafs/Senators/Thrashers goalie) was the first to go directly from the NHL to the ECHL.

Artūrs Irbe might be the only player to be sent down to the ECHL on an one-way contract, played good enough to be named to the ECHL all-star game as a starter, and recalled back to his original team, all within the same season.

 

[nbwingsfan]

i didn't watch your video so he might be on there but Rich Peverley started his pro career in the ECHL and eventually carved out a nice NHL career until heart issues drove him out of hockey.

Joel Ward didn't play in the ECHL but after his junior career he played four years at the Canadian University level! That's where former junior player's careers go to die. He carved out a really good NHL career after that. Amazing story

He wasnt even a standout in the AUS either. Sure he lead the league in his 4th year at UPEI but was barely above the well known all star Luc Chiasson.

Quite incredible to even play a game after playing 4 years of Canadian university, let alone a career high of 24goals and 49pts making $25 million along the way.

 

[Boud]

Maxime Lajoie played a game in the ECHL LAST YEAR and is now playing top 4 minutes in Ottawa putting up 13 points in 32 games.

Mike Hoffman also played a couple games in the ECHL.

 

[AmericanDream]

Actually didn't know that about Ward, that's quite amazing actually.

same with Derek Ryan of the Flames...he played in Canadian College after his junior career...and now a NHLer!!

 

[AmericanDream]

lots and lots of goalies have played in the ECHL that made it to the show...only so many spots on AHL rosters, some times the kids have to earn their stripes down there first.

 

[hilarnat]

Joel Ward didn't play in the ECHL but after his junior career he played four years at the Canadian University level! That's where former junior player's careers go to die. He carved out a really good NHL career after that. Amazing story

Mathieu Darche never played "junior", he played 4 years with McGill University (OUAA) and ended up with 250 NHL games played. Not as successful as Ward but a pretty darn good accomplishment.

 

[VoluntaryDom]

gourde and girardi

 

[Bjornar Moxnes]

gourde and girardi

Although I still find Gourde overrated, his journey to the NHL was remarkable.