LAS VEGAS - The ECHL held its Preseason Board of Governors Meeting on September 8-9 at The Orleans Hotel and Casino.
Western Conference Divisions Renamed Pacific, Central
On recommendation of the Rules Committee, the Board of Governors approved changing the names of the divisions in the Western Conference from Western Division to Pacific Division and from Eastern Division to Central Division.
Augusta, Gwinnett Moved To Central Division of Western Conference
On recommendation of the Rules Committee in an effort to provide a more balanced divisional alignment, the Board of Governors approved the voluntary move of Augusta and Gwinnett from the Southern Division of the Eastern Conference to the Central Division of the Western Conference.
Eastern Conference
Northern Division (9) - Atlantic City Boardwalk Bullies, Cincinnati Cyclones, Dayton Bombers, Johnstown Chiefs, Peoria Rivermen, Reading Royals, Toledo Storm, Trenton Titans, and Wheeling Nailers
Southern Division (8) - Charlotte Checkers, Columbia Inferno, Florence Pride, Florida Everblades, Greensboro Generals, Greenville Grrrowl, Roanoke Express and South Carolina Stingrays
Western Conference
Central Division (7) - Augusta Lynx, Columbus Cottonmouths, Gwinnett Gladiators, Louisiana IceGators, Mississippi Sea Wolves, Pensacola Ice Pilots, and Texas Wildcatters
Pacific Division (7) - Alaska Aces, Bakersfield Condors, Fresno Falcons, Idaho Steelheads, Las Vegas Wranglers, Long Beach Ice Dogs, and San Diego Gulls
Eastern Champion Will Receive E.A. "Bud" Gingher Memorial Trophy
The Board of Governors approved that the trophy awarded annually to the playoff champion of the Eastern Conference will be the E.A. �Bud� Gingher Memorial Trophy, previously awarded to the Northern Conference champion of the ECHL. Gingher, who passed away in 2002, co-founded the Dayton Bombers in 1991, serving as President and Governor until selling the team in 1998, and also served as Chairman of the ECHL Board of Governors from 1992-95. The first recipient of the trophy following its renaming was the Dayton Bombers in 2001-02.
Western Champion Will Be Awarded Bruce Taylor Trophy
The Board of Governors approved that the trophy awarded annually to the Western Conference champion will be named in honor of Bruce Taylor, the founding father of the West Coast Hockey League, which played for eight seasons before ceasing operations at the conclusion of the 2002-03 season. The first recipient of the Bruce Taylor Trophy will be the playoff champion of the Western Conference in 2003-04.
Board Approves Revisions To Rule 56(a), Rule 41(o)
Upon recommendation of the Rules Committee, the Board of Governors approved a revision to Rule 56(a) - Instigator and Rule 41(o) - Unsportsmanlike Conduct, Diving. Under the revised Rule 56(a), a player who receives an instigator penalty will be assessed a minor penalty and a 10-minute misconduct as well as a major penalty for fighting. Under the old Rule 56(a), a player who received an instigator penalty was assessed a minor penalty and a game misconduct. A player who receives a second instigator penalty in the same game will receive a game misconduct. A player who instigates a fight in the final five minutes of regulation game time or in overtime will receive a game misconduct and an automatic one-game suspension. Under the revised Rule 40(o), a player who accumulates three unsportsmanlike conduct penalties for diving during the regular season will receive an automatic one-game suspension.
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