This is a list of teams that once played in the ECHL but no longer exist. This includes franchises which have relocated to different cities. The years of operation only reflect the time in which the team was in the ECHL; it does not take into account any time in which the franchise operated in another league (such as the Central Hockey League, International Hockey League, United Hockey League or West Coast Hockey League).
Defunct and relocated teams before the ECHL's absorption of the WCHL[]
| Team | Seasons | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia Lancers | 1988-1993 | Moved to Huntsville, AL (now Utah Grizzlies). |
| Louisville IceHawks | 1990-1994 | Moved to Jacksonville, FL. |
| Huntsville Blast | 1993-1994 | Moved to Tallahassee, FL (now Utah Grizzlies). |
| Greensboro Monarchs | 1989-1995 | Ceased operations and replaced by the Carolina Monarchs of the AHL. |
| Erie Panthers | 1988-1996 | Moved to Baton Rouge, LA (now Victoria Salmon Kings). |
| Nashville Knights | 1989-1996 | Moved to Pensacola, FL and replaced by the Nashville Predators of the NHL. |
| Knoxville Cherokees | 1988-1997 | Moved to Florence, SC. |
| Raleigh IceCaps | 1991-1998 | Moved to Augusta, GA and replaced by the Carolina Hurricanes of the NHL. |
| Louisville River Frogs | 1995-1998 | Moved to Miami, FL. |
| Columbus Chill | 1991-1999 | Moved to Reading, PA and replaced by the Columbus Blue Jackets of the NHL. |
| Chesapeake Icebreakers | 1997-1999 | Moved to Jackson, MS. |
| Miami Matadors | 1998-1999 | Moved to Cincinnati, OH. |
| Hampton Roads Admirals | 1989-2000 | Ceased operations and replaced by the Norfolk Admirals of the AHL. |
| Huntington Blizzard | 1993-2000 | Moved to Beaumont, TX (now Ontario Reign). |
| Jacksonville Lizard Kings | 1995-2000 | Ceased operations. |
| Tallahassee Tiger Sharks | 1994-2001 | Moved to Macon, GA (now Utah Grizzlies) |
| Birmingham Bulls | 1992-2001 | Moved to Atlantic City, NJ (now Stockton Thunder). |
| Mobile Mysticks | 1995-2002 | Moved to Gwinnett, GA. |
| New Orleans Brass | 1997-2002 | Ceased operations. |
| Macon Whoopee | 2001-2002 | Moved to Lexington, KY (now Utah Grizzlies). |
| Richmond Renegades | 1990-2003 | Ceased operations. |
| Baton Rouge Kingfish | 1996-2003 | Moved to Victoria, BC. |
| Arkansas RiverBlades | 1999-2003 | Ceased operations. |
| Jackson Bandits | 1999-2003 | Ceased operations. |
| Lexington Men O' War | 2002-2003 | Moved to West Valley City, UT |
Defunct and relocated teams after the ECHL's absorption of the WCHL[]
| Team | Seasons | Modern equivalent team |
|---|---|---|
| Roanoke Express | 1993-2004 | Franchise rights revoked by the ECHL. |
| Greensboro Generals | 1999-2004 | Franchise rights revoked by the ECHL. |
| Columbus Cottonmouths | 2001-2004 | Ceased operations and replaced by the Columbus Cottonmouths of the SPHL. |
| Louisiana IceGators | 1995-2005 | Franchise rights revoked by the ECHL. |
| Peoria Rivermen | 1996-2005 | Ceased operations and replaced by the Peoria Rivermen of the AHL. |
| Pee Dee Pride | 1996-2005 | Returned franchise rights to the ECHL after a failed attempt to move to Myrtle Beach, SC from 2005-2008. |
| Atlantic City Boardwalk Bullies | 2001-2005 | Moved to Stockton, CA |
| Greenville Grrrowl | 1998-2006 | Franchise revoked by the ECHL. |
| San Diego Gulls | 2003-2006 | Franchise revoked by the ECHL. |
| Long Beach Ice Dogs | 2003-2007 | Franchise revoked by the ECHL. |
| Pensacola Ice Pilots | 1996-2008 | Franchise revoked by the ECHL. Replaced by the Pensacola Ice Flyers of the SPHL. |
| Augusta Lynx | 1998-2008 | Ceased operations on December 2, 2008, becoming the first team in ECHL history to fold during the season. Will be replaced by a SPHL team. |
| Fresno Falcons | 2003-2008 | Ceased operations on December 22, 2008, becoming the second team in ECHL history to fold during the season. |
| Texas Wildcatters | 2003-2008 | Moved to Ontario, CA |
| Dayton Bombers | 1991-2009 | Relinquished membership to the ECHL following a failed drive for season tickets and managing partnership to resume play for the 2010-11 season. Replaced by the Dayton Gems of the IHL. |
| Mississippi Sea Wolves | 1996-2009 | Ceased operations and replaced by the Mississippi Surge of the SPHL. |
| Phoenix Roadrunners | 2005-2009 | Ceased operations. |
| Johnstown Chiefs | 1988-2010 | Moved to Greenville, SC. Last remaining member of the five founding teams of the East Coast Hockey League to relocate. |
| Charlotte Checkers | 1993-2010 | Will be replaced by the Charlotte Checkers of the AHL, whether ECHL franchise will relocate or cease operations is unknown. |
