1988–89 ECHL season


The 1988–89 ECHL season was the inaugural season of the East Coast Hockey League. The leagues first season consisted of five teams in Erie, Pennsylvania, Johnstown, Pennsylvania, Knoxville, Tennessee, Vinton, Virginia and Winston-Salem, North Carolina. The 5 teams played 60 games each in the schedule. The Erie Panthers finished first overall in the regular season. The Carolina Thunderbirds won the first Riley Cup championship.

Regular season

Note: GP = Games played; W = Wins; L= Losses; OTL = Overtime losses; GF = Goals for; GA = Goals against; Pts = Points; Green shade = Clinched playoff spot
East Coast Hockey LeagueGPWLOTLPtsGFGA
Erie Panthers603720377327256
Johnstown Chiefs603222670295251
Knoxville Cherokees603227165266286
Carolina Thunderbirds602732155266329
Virginia Lancers602230852266298

Riley Cup playoffs

1989 Riley Cup Finals

Johnstown Chiefs vs. Carolina Thunderbirds

ECHL awards