ECHL players receive more devastating news on Sunday.

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, especially at a time like this when it seems like we are inundated with nothing but more bad news, but unfortunately there is simply no way to put a positive spin on this story.

Last night the ECHL announced that it would completely shut down it's season for the 2019 - 2020 campaign, a devastating blow to the players, coaches, training staff, and organizations in that league and one that could have serious long term ramifications on a large number of levels. ECHL teams are not backed by billionaire owners like those in the National Hockey League and as for the players there is no doubt in my mind that this will be the final straw for many of those who were still fighting for their dreams of one day playing in the National Hockey League or even in the American Hockey League. It was no doubt a tough pill to swallow for many of the men in that league, but today's news is arguably even worse.

According to a report from Sportsnet's National Hockey League insider Chris Johnston, he is now hearing that the players in the ECHL will only be paid until tomorrow following the cancellation of their seasons, meaning that they will be without salary almost effectively immediately. That news takes on an even darker tone when you realize that the average player in the ECHL is making an average of $600 per week, a far cry from the big time salaries that we see on the NHL level and a far cry from some of the salaries that players pull in at the AHL level as well. Housing is provided for players in the ECHL and it is unclear at this time how that will be dealt with moving forward, but considering the average annual salary is just $16, 940, many players will be in a very tough spot regardless of whether or not their team maintains their housing throughout this crisis. 

I can hardly blame the owners in the ECHL here, many of them run their teams as a passion project more than anything and for that reason it would not surprise me if many of them could simply not afford to maintain the salaries of their players while also losing any revenue they might have made off ticket sales for the remainder of the season. A very tough situation for all involved and our thoughts go out to everyone impacted by this terrible news.