1997-98 ECHL season

The 1997-98 ECHL season was the tenth season of the ECHL. Before the start of the season, the league saw the Knoxville Cherokees move to Florence, SC and welcomed expansion teams in New Orleans, LA and Upper Marlboro, MD. The Louisiana IceGators finished the regular season first overall and the Hampton Roads Admirals won their record setting third overall ECHL championship (1st Kelly Cup), defeating the Pensacola Ice Pilots 4 games to 2.

League realignment
With the league expanding to 25 teams, the Board of Governors decided to divide the league into two conference (Northern and Southern), with two division each. With the realignment the Board of Governors also created two new trophies, one each for the playoff champion of each conference.

Northeast Division

 * Chesapeake Icebreakers
 * Hampton Roads Admirals
 * Johnstown Chiefs
 * Richmond Renegades
 * Roanoke Express
 * Wheeling Nailers

Northwest Division

 * Columbus Chill
 * Dayton Bombers
 * Huntington Blizzard
 * Louisville Riverfrogs
 * Peoria Rivermen
 * Toledo Storm

Southeast Division

 * Charlotte Checkers
 * Jacksonville Lizard Kings
 * Pee Dee Pride
 * Raleigh Icecaps
 * South Carolina Stingrays
 * Tallahassee Tiger Sharks

Southwest Division

 * Baton Rouge Kingfish
 * Birmingham Bulls
 * Louisiana IceGators
 * Mississippi Sea Wolves
 * Mobile Mysticks
 * New Orleans Brass
 * Pensacola Ice Pilots

Final standings
Note: GP = Games played; W = Wins; L= Loses; T = Ties; GF = Goals for; GA = Goals against; PTS = Points; Green shade = Clinched playoff spot; Blue shade = Clinched division; (z) = Clinched home-ice advantage