ECHL vs FPHL

How would you compare/contrast ECHL and FPHL?

With the ECHL sitting two levels above the FPHL, it's a much stronger league overall. The overall caliber of teams, skill level, and speed of the game is a bit higher in the ECHL than the Fed. You'll find a few good players on every FPHL roster, but you'll find many more in the coast broadly speaking.

We have both scouted and attended games in each of these levels. Our insights stem from this alongside many conversations we've had with players/staff who've spent time in each of these two levels.

ECHL

The ECHL is a minor professional ice hockey league. It is North America's 3rd highest level of pro hockey sitting under the AHL and NHL.

FPHL

The FPHL is a lower-tier professional ice hockey league based in the United States. The league was originally founded back in 2009.

Location: North America

Location: United States

Skill Level in ECHL

The ECHL is the main AA professional ice hockey league in North America. As the 3rd highest level of pro ice hockey in North America, it sits directly under the AHL and above the SPHL. The far majority of ECHL clubs have direct affiliations with NHL clubs and it's a big development league for players aiming to move up the pro ranks to the AHL and NHL.

Skill Level in FPHL

The FPHL is a lower-tier professional ice hockey league that's based in the United States. The league was initially called the FHL (Federal Hockey League) when it was formed but later rebranded to the current league name which is the FPHL (Federal Prospects Hockey League). Majority of teams in the league are based in the eastern half of the US, ranging all the way from New England and upstate New York down to the southern states and the Gulf of Mexico.

Player Perspective: ECHL

"Playing in the Coast was important for my career coming out of college. My time grinding here in the league helped me further develop my game and to mature as I prepared for that next level of pro. That jump may not have been possible without my experience here."

Player Perspective: FPHL

"My experience in the FPHL was positive. You're obviously not making a ton pay wise, but the city I played in down South was big on their minor hockey. Our fans packed our barn every night and the locals treated us like pros at the rink and at any local establishment in town from restaurants to golf courses."

Number of Teams in ECHL: 28

Number of Teams in FPHL: 14

Caliber of Players and Imports in ECHL

Skill level of ECHL players is quite high, with the league only getting more skilled each year as more NHL/AHL clubs fill rosters here with up and coming prospects. A healthy percentage of ECHL rosters are filled with promising young players who have hopes to step up to the A and National league. You also have a number of seasoned veterans who possess many games in the ECHL, AHL, and a few who've had some cups of coffee in The Show (NHL). If you're undrafted and not a top major junior, NCAA, USports, or elite European player coming in, you'll have a tough time cracking a lineup here.

Caliber of Players and Imports in FPHL

The skill level of players and caliber of play in the FPHL is much better than a lot of people realize. Similar to the minor leagues above it (SP, Coast), the league has gotten better in recent years skillswise too. Being that it's one of the lowest tiers of professional hockey, some people assume that anyone can play here. Almost all players who play in the Fed today have spent some time prior in juniors, college (NCAA, USports, ACHA, etc), or minor pro either in North America or Europe. There's always an exception or 2 to this with an out of nowhere walk-on, a 4th line fighter, etc, but for the most part players are not cutting it here unless they've also played in one of the places we listed above prior to playing here.