The Blue Jackets picked up an ECHL affiliate today, signing a partnership agreement with the Wheeling Nailers that covers the next two seasons. We talked about the potential of such an arrangement just a few weeks ago. It definitely makes sense.
We have seen a lot of wishful thinking for an affiliation in Cincinatti, but Wheeling is almost perfectly split between Columbus and Cleveland on the map. It's about a 2 hour drive east of Columbus, and a 2.5 hour drive southeast out of Cleveland.
Adding the Nailers gives the organization a triangle of affiliation, that will make travel between the three cities pretty easy on any player who needs to move up or down between the three teams.
ECHL affiliates are becoming more common.
This is the first time the Blue Jackets will have an affiliate at hockey's "double-A" level since the 2022-23 season. The ECHL now has 30 teams-almost enough for every NHL team to have an affiliate.
Still, it's important to remember that hockey does not work quite like baseball. NHL teams are limited to just 50 pro contracts, and usually they don't even fill up to that level. That's because they want to allow themselves flexibility to sign players or make other moves throughout the year.
They typically keep 22 or 23 (the max) around at the NHL level, and a similar number in the AHL. Some of those AHL players are under AHL-only contracts, but when you add in the players under NHL contracts who are playing overseas or at the junior level; you can expect to see around 45 players being paid by the organization.
What that means is, NHL teams typically only have a small number of players playing at the ECHL level. It's pretty rare to need a full-time affiliation from a roster management perspective.
With that said, I think it's a positive thing for hockey as a sport. Adding NHL affiliations gives ECHL teams more staying power. From a merchandising/branding, and general business perspective, it makes a lot of sense.
And, you never know what might come from that level. A player could stand out in Wheeling and earn an opportunity in Cleveland, potentially working his way into an NHL contract with the Blue Jackets.
We saw ECHL hockey in Columbus, and I can attest to the excitement we felt when a player would make their way "up the system". Having the Nailers aboard will give us another hockey team to follow, and that's never a bad thing.
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