1988-89 ECHL season

The 1988-89 ECHL season was the inaugural season of the ECHL. 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= Loses; OTL = Overtime loses; GF = Goals for; GA = Goals against; Pts = Points; Green shade = Clinched playoff spot