2002–03 ECHL season


The 2002–03 ECHL season was the 15th season of the East Coast Hockey League. The Brabham Cup regular season champions were the Toledo Storm and the Kelly Cup playoff champions were the Atlantic City Boardwalk Bullies.

League changes

The Macon Whoopee relocated to Lexington, Kentucky, as the Lexington Men O' War.
The New Orleans Brass ceased operations due to the arrival of the New Orleans Hornets basketball team. The NBA team moved into the Brass' arena but wanted the Brass to pay for every conversion between the hockey and basketball configuration, an expense the Brass could not afford.
The Mobile Mysticks also suspended operations prior to the season and would relocate to Duluth, Georgia, beginning with the 2003–04 season.

All-Star Game

The ECHL All-Star Game was held at Germain Arena in Estero, Florida and was hosted by the Florida Everblades. The Northern Conference All-Stars dominated the game, beating the Southern Conference All-Stars 8–2. Atlantic City's Scott Stirling was named Most Valuable Player.

Regular season

Final standings

Note: GP = Games played; W = Wins; L= Losses; SOL = Shootout Losses; GF = Goals for; GA = Goals against; Pts = Points
Green shade = Clinched playoff spot; Blue shade = Clinched division; = Clinched home-ice advantage

Northern Conference

Northwest Division
Toledo Storm 72471510104247196
Peoria Rivermen7248177103241181
Cincinnati Cyclones723629779257236
Lexington Men O' War723431775188212
Johnstown Chiefs7228331167214243
Wheeling Nailers722841359193261
Dayton Bombers7224381058191247

Southern Conference

Southwest Division
Mississippi Sea Wolves724424492250211
Louisiana IceGators7240201292249210
Arkansas RiverBlades7237241185238236
Jackson Bandits723826884210195
Pensacola Ice Pilots723330975228241
Baton Rouge Kingfish722043949184266

Kelly Cup playoffs

Northern Conference

Division semifinals

Division finals

Conference finals

Southern Conference

1st round

Division Semifinals

Division finals

Conference finals

Kelly Cup finals

ECHL awards