ECHL hockey: League, Everblades season delayed until December due to coronavirus pandemic

The ECHL Board of Governors and Professional Hockey Players' Association announced Wednesday that the ECHL, the league of the Florida Everblades, will delay the start of its season until Dec. 4.

The plan still includes a full 72-game schedule that would go through the end of May. The regular season typically ends in early April.

Everblades team president and general manager Craig Brush said the date more or less coincides on what he understands the American Hockey League will do, and also with the NHL planning to start its 2020-21 season on Dec. 1.

"That's an anticipated date," Brush said of the ECHL decision. "Hopefully it all works out. There's a lot of things that have to happen for the good between now and then."

Brush does not anticipate one of those happenings to be the change of Hertz Arena's naming rights after the rental car company declared bankruptcy.

"Hertz is paid up through October," Brush said. "We're optimistic that our relationship will continue with them."

Hertz entered a multiyear contract in September 2018, and Germain Motor Company, the previous naming rights owner, agreed to let the arena out of the remainder of its agreement at the time. Other than the Hertz agreement was for multiple years, no other details were or have been released. The arena, which was built in 1998, underwent an exterior renovation that included signage and painting it in Hertz's gold and black colors.

Separately, David Hoffmann and the Hoffmann Family of Companies purchased the arena itself and the Everblades a year later and renovated the inside. Hoffmann's purchase had nothing to do with the naming rights or the repainting of the arena's exterior.

Brush said talks between the ECHL and the Professional Hockey Players Association are ongoing as far as more specifics for the upcoming season.

"We're working with the union," Brush said. "We want to play. The players want to play. Talks have commenced with the league officials and the union."

The Everblades were scheduled to open their home schedule on Oct. 17. The ECHL  season was originally scheduled to start Oct. 16. According to a league release, adjustments to the 2020-21 ECHL schedule will be announced at a later date.

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“We are eager to return to hockey, but at this time we believe this decision is prudent for the safety of our players, employees and fans,” ECHL Commissioner Ryan Crelin said in a release. “The ECHL and our Board of Governors are focused on the 2020-21 Season and remain optimistic for the safe reopening of our venues across the continent. We appreciate our partners and fans continued support and patience, as we work together with our venues, local health officials and the members of the PHPA's Executive Committee towards the safe return of ECHL hockey.”

Brush said the team hasn't named a replacement for associate head coach Tad O'Had, who left for Kansas City in the offseason, but is in the midst of that process. The team will continue signing players, but also is waiting to see what AHL Milwaukee does with its player signings.

The coronavirus pandemic also has cost Hertz Arena many other events, with concerts being postponed for months, and other events, such as the PBR Rodeo, being canceled.

"It's certainly is a difficult time," said Brush, who also runs the arena. "We have the recreational rinks up and operational, almost at full speed other than we are not having public skating. We are busy all day long in both of those arenas.

"I'm pleased that the majority of the concerts have postponed and didn't cancel altogether. When we can look at (the coronavirus pandemic) in our rear-view mirror, then we're going to be a very busy place."