New Hockey Expansion City Officially Set to Join League Bringing the Total to 30 Teams

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TJ Tucker
October 18, 2024 (11:46)

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The NHL affiliated ECHL is adding a brand new team to the fold in North Carolina, which will bring the league's total to 30 once the team starts playing

The ECHL, one of just two leagues affiliated with the NHL (AHL is the other) is adding another team to the fold. A squad in Greensboro, North Carolina will begin play in the ECHL in the 2025-26 season.

The addition of the new team has been approved by the ECHL's board of governors. It will be owned and operated by Zawyer Sports & Entertainment.

"The ECHL is proud to welcome our 30th Member by returning to the Greensboro, North Carolina market,» said ECHL Commissioner Ryan Crelin. «Greensboro holds a special place in the ECHL's history and growth, and it will be a joyful moment to drop the puck once again in October 2025 and bring professional hockey back to the city for fans to once again cheer for their hometown team."

No name has been announced for the new team yet. Greensboro has a long history with hockey, hosting the Greensboro Generals, who played in the Eastern Hockey League from 1959-73 and the Southern Hockey League from 1973-77. Greensboro also served as the homebase for the Carolina Hurricanes of the NHL while a new arena was being constructed in Raleigh.

It's great to see the sport of hockey grow in any market. Unfortunately, the ECHL has had some tough times lately with the Newfoundland Growlers shutting down after the owner was ordered to sell by the league. There was also concern that the Trois-Rivières Lions, which was owned by the same group, would also be shuttered. However, the team was sold and remains in operation.