Kelly Cup Champions
Every ECHL champion since 1989, with the beaten finalist, the series result and the playoff MVP. The most recent winner is the Florida Everblades.
Champions by year
| Year | Champion | Runner-up | Series | Playoff MVP |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Florida Everblades | Kansas City Mavericks | 4-2 | Cam Johnson |
| 2025 | Trois-Rivières Lions | Toledo Walleye | 4-1 | Luke Cavallin |
| 2024 | Florida Everblades | Kansas City Mavericks | 4-1 | Oliver Chau |
| 2023 | Florida Everblades | Idaho Steelheads | 4-0 | Cam Johnson |
| 2022 | Florida Everblades | Toledo Walleye | 4-1 | Cam Johnson |
| 2021 | Fort Wayne Komets | South Carolina Stingrays | 3-1 | Stephen Harper |
| 2020 | Playoffs cancelled — COVID-19 pandemic | |||
| 2019 | Newfoundland Growlers | Toledo Walleye | 4-2 | Zach O'Brien |
| 2018 | Colorado Eagles | Florida Everblades | 4-3 | Michael Joly |
| 2017 | Colorado Eagles | South Carolina Stingrays | 4-0 | Matt Register |
| 2016 | Allen Americans | Wheeling Nailers | 4-2 | Chad Costello |
| 2015 | Allen Americans | South Carolina Stingrays | 4-3 | Greger Hanson |
| 2014 | Alaska Aces | Cincinnati Cyclones | 4-2 | Rob Madore |
| 2013 | Reading Royals | Stockton Thunder | 4-1 | Riley Gill |
| 2012 | Florida Everblades | Las Vegas Wranglers | 4-1 | John Muse |
| 2011 | Alaska Aces | Kalamazoo Wings | 4-1 | Scott Howes |
| 2010 | Cincinnati Cyclones | Idaho Steelheads | 4-1 | Robert Mayer / Jeremy Smith |
| 2009 | South Carolina Stingrays | Alaska Aces | 4-3 | James Reimer |
| 2008 | Cincinnati Cyclones | Las Vegas Wranglers | 4-2 | Cédrick Desjardins |
| 2007 | Idaho Steelheads | Dayton Bombers | 4-1 | Steve Silverthorn |
| 2006 | Alaska Aces | Gwinnett Gladiators | 4-1 | Mike Scott |
| 2005 | Trenton Titans | Florida Everblades | 4-2 | Leon Hayward |
| 2004 | Idaho Steelheads | Florida Everblades | 4-1 | Dan Ellis |
| 2003 | Atlantic City Boardwalk Bullies | Columbia Inferno | 4-1 | Kevin Colley |
| 2002 | Greenville Grrrowl | Dayton Bombers | 4-0 | Simon Gamache / Tyrone Garner |
| 2001 | South Carolina Stingrays | Trenton Titans | 4-1 | Dave Seitz |
| 2000 | Peoria Rivermen | Louisiana IceGators | 4-2 | J.F. Boutin / Jason Christie |
| 1999 | Mississippi Sea Wolves | Richmond Renegades | 4-3 | Travis Scott |
| 1998 | Hampton Roads Admirals | Pensacola Ice Pilots | 4-2 | Sébastien Charpentier |
| 1997 | South Carolina Stingrays | Louisiana IceGators | 4-1 | Jason Fitzsimmons |
| 1996 | Charlotte Checkers | Jacksonville Lizard Kings | 4-0 | Nick Vitucci |
| 1995 | Richmond Renegades | Greensboro Monarchs | 4-1 | Blaine Moore |
| 1994 | Toledo Storm | Raleigh IceCaps | 4-1 | Dave Gagnon |
| 1993 | Toledo Storm | Wheeling Thunderbirds | 4-2 | Rick Judson |
| 1992 | Hampton Roads Admirals | Louisville Icehawks | 4-0 | Mark Bernard |
| 1991 | Hampton Roads Admirals | Greensboro Monarchs | 4-1 | Dave Gagnon |
| 1990 | Greensboro Monarchs | Winston-Salem Thunderbirds | 4-1 | Wade Flaherty |
| 1989 | Carolina Thunderbirds | Johnstown Chiefs | 4-3 | Nick Vitucci |
Most Kelly Cup titles
| Titles | Franchise | Years won |
|---|---|---|
| 5 | Florida Everblades | 2012, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2026 |
| 3 | Alaska Aces | 2006, 2011, 2014 |
| 3 | Hampton Roads Admirals | 1991, 1992, 1998 |
| 3 | South Carolina Stingrays | 1997, 2001, 2009 |
| 2 | Allen Americans | 2015, 2016 |
| 2 | Cincinnati Cyclones | 2008, 2010 |
| 2 | Colorado Eagles | 2017, 2018 |
| 2 | Idaho Steelheads | 2004, 2007 |
| 2 | Toledo Storm | 1993, 1994 |
A further 13 franchises have won the Kelly Cup once: Atlantic City Boardwalk Bullies, Carolina Thunderbirds, Charlotte Checkers, Fort Wayne Komets, Greensboro Monarchs, Greenville Grrrowl, Mississippi Sea Wolves, Newfoundland Growlers, Peoria Rivermen, Reading Royals, Richmond Renegades, Trenton Titans, Trois-Rivières Lions.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Kelly Cup?
The Kelly Cup is the championship trophy of the ECHL, awarded to the winner of the league's playoffs each spring. It is named after Patrick J. Kelly, a founder of the league and its first commissioner. It has been presented every year since 1989 apart from 2020.
Who won the most recent Kelly Cup?
The Florida Everblades won the 2026 Kelly Cup, beating the Kansas City Mavericks 4-2 in the Finals. Cam Johnson was named playoff MVP.
Which team has won the most Kelly Cups?
The Florida Everblades lead with 5 championships. In total 22 different franchises have won the trophy across 37 finals.
Why was there no Kelly Cup in 2020?
The 2019-20 ECHL season was cut short by the COVID-19 pandemic and the playoffs were cancelled before they began, so no champion was crowned. It is the only year since the trophy was first awarded without a winner.
Do all Kelly Cup winners still play in the ECHL?
No. Several champions have folded, relocated or moved up a level since winning. The Colorado Eagles, for example, moved to the AHL, and other winners such as the Alaska Aces and Hampton Roads Admirals are no longer active ECHL franchises. Winners in the list below that are still in the league link through to their current team page.
How is the Kelly Cup winner decided?
Sixteen teams reach the playoffs, four from each division, and work through four rounds of series to the Finals. The Finals are a best-of-seven series between the Eastern and Western Conference champions. See our Kelly Cup playoffs guide for the full bracket structure.