# Kelly Cup > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Kelly_Cup > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Kelly_Cup.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kelly_Cup > Source revision: 1342136876 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) {{Short description|ECHL playoff championship trophy}} {{Infobox sports award | name = Kelly Cup | image = Kelly Cup.jpg | image_size = | alt = | caption = | sport = [Ice hockey](/source/Ice_hockey) | competition = [ECHL](/source/ECHL) | givenfor = Playoff champions | sponsor =FLOHOCKEY | first = {{start date and age|1997}} | number = | last = | firstwinner = [South Carolina Stingrays](/source/South_Carolina_Stingrays) | mostwins = [Florida Everblades](/source/Florida_Everblades) (4 titles) | mostrecent = [Trois-Rivières Lions](/source/Trois-Rivi%C3%A8res_Lions) | url = {{URL|https://www.echl.com/en/pages/award-pages/kelly-cup-champions|List of winners}} }} {{Infobox sports award | name = Riley Cup | image = | image_size = | alt = | caption = | sport = Ice hockey | competition = [ECHL](/source/ECHL) | givenfor = Playoff champions | sponsor = | first = 1989 | number = | last = 1996 | firstwinner = [Carolina Thunderbirds](/source/Carolina_Thunderbirds) | mostwins = [Hampton Roads Admirals](/source/Hampton_Roads_Admirals)
[Toledo Storm](/source/Toledo_Storm)
(2 each) | mostrecent = [Charlotte Checkers](/source/Charlotte_Checkers_(1993%E2%80%932010)) | url = }} The '''Patrick J. Kelly Cup''' goes to the playoff champion of the [ECHL](/source/ECHL). The Kelly Cup has been awarded to teams since [1997](/source/1996%E2%80%9397_ECHL_season). Prior to 1997, the playoff winner was awarded the '''Riley Cup''', named after former [American Hockey League](/source/American_Hockey_League) president [Jack Riley](/source/Jack_Riley_(ice_hockey%2C_born_1919)). The current cup is named after [Patrick J. Kelly](/source/Patrick_J._Kelly_(ice_hockey)), the league's first commissioner. The cup is loaned to the winning team for one year and is returned at the start of the following year's playoffs,[http://www.echl.com/awards.shtml ECHL Trophies] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080215235303/http://www.echl.com/awards.shtml |date=2008-02-15 }} although the trophy itself has been replaced three times with the first two iterations preserved in the [Hockey Hall of Fame](/source/Hockey_Hall_of_Fame). The '''Kelly Cup Playoffs Most Valuable Player''' award is also given out as part of the Kelly Cup Championship ceremonies. [Nick Vitucci](/source/Nick_Vitucci), [Dave Gagnon](/source/Dave_Gagnon) and [Cam Johnson](/source/Cam_Johnson_(ice_hockey)) are the only players to win the award on multiple occasions, with Johnson the only player to win the award in consecutive years.{{Cite web |url=http://www.echl.com/cgi-bin/mpublic.cgi?action=all_time_winners&award=28 |title=Kelly Cup Playoffs MVP All-Time Winners |access-date=2008-07-15 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100105194312/http://www.echl.com/cgi-bin/mpublic.cgi?action=all_time_winners&award=28 |archive-date=2010-01-05 |url-status=dead }} Nineteen different teams have won the ECHL Championship, with nine ([Alaska](/source/Alaska_Aces_(ECHL)), [Allen](/source/Allen_Americans), [Cincinnati](/source/Cincinnati_Cyclones), [Colorado](/source/Colorado_Eagles), [Florida](/source/Florida_Everblades), [Hampton Roads](/source/Hampton_Roads_Admirals), [Idaho](/source/Idaho_Steelheads), [South Carolina](/source/South_Carolina_Stingrays), and [Toledo](/source/Toledo_Walleye)) winning multiple times. The [Florida Everblades](/source/Florida_Everblades) hold the record for most championships won with four.{{Cite web |url=http://www.echl.com/cgi-bin/mpublic.cgi?action=all_time_winners&award=1 |title=Kelly Cup All-Time Winners |access-date=2008-07-15 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090916042415/http://www.echl.com/cgi-bin/mpublic.cgi?action=all_time_winners&award=1 |archive-date=2009-09-16 |url-status=dead }} The [Colorado Eagles](/source/Colorado_Eagles), who won it in [2018](/source/2018_Kelly_Cup_playoffs) for their second consecutive title, moved to the [American Hockey League](/source/American_Hockey_League) in 2018–19. In 2019, the Eagles' ownership did not return the Kelly Cup to the ECHL before the playoffs, leading to the league creating a replacement trophy for the [2019 Kelly Cup playoffs](/source/2019_Kelly_Cup_playoffs).{{cite web |url=https://www.13abc.com/content/news/ECHL-creates-replacement-Kelly-Cup-for-championship-series-510676121.html |title=The Kelly Cup was never returned so the ECHL created a replacement trophy |work=[WTVG](/source/WTVG) |date=May 31, 2019}}{{cite web |url=https://www.coloradoeagles.com/news/detail/statement-from-eagles-owner-martin-lind-regarding-kelly-cup |title=STATEMENT FROM EAGLES OWNER MARTIN LIND REGARDING KELLY CUP |website=Colorado Eagles |date=May 31, 2019}} The Eagles' ownership eventually returned the cup before the 2019–20 season, and the league returned its status to be the primary trophy.{{cite web |url=https://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/growlers-to-celebrate-opening-night-with-two-kelly-cups/n-5560584 |title=Growlers to Celebrate Opening Night with Two Kelly Cups |website=OurSports Central |date=October 10, 2019}}{{cite web |url=https://www.echl.com/news/2019/11/echl-to-receive-returned-kelly-cup |title=ECHL RECEIVES RETURNED KELLY CUP |website=ECHL |date=November 11, 2019}} The 2019 Kelly Cup was the fourth copy of the trophy, but was allowed to be kept by the [Newfoundland Growlers](/source/Newfoundland_Growlers) when the previous cup returned to circulation.{{cite web |url=https://www.echl.com/news/2019/5/statement-from-the-echl-regarding-the-kelly-cup |title=STATEMENT FROM THE ECHL REGARDING THE KELLY CUP |website=ECHL |date=June 1, 2019}} On one occasions an ECHL club has won the Kelly Cup coincidentally with its NHL affiliate winning the Stanley Cup: [2024](/source/2023%E2%80%9324_NHL_season) when the [Florida Panthers](/source/Florida_Panthers) and their ECHL affiliate, the [Florida Everblades](/source/Florida_Everblades) both won. This also occurred with its [AHL](/source/American_Hockey_League) affiliate winning the Calder Cup in [2009](/source/2008-09_AHL_season) when the [Hershey Bears](/source/Hershey_Bears) and their ECHL affiliate, the [South Carolina Stingrays](/source/South_Carolina_Stingrays) both won. == Playoff format == The Kelly Cup playoffs is an elimination tournament, consisting of four rounds of a [best-of-seven](/source/Best-of-seven_playoff) series. The format has changed often throughout the years. Since 2016–17, the top four point earners from each division qualify. The first two playoff rounds are played within each division, followed by the conference finals (contested between the four division winners), and ending with the Kelly Cup finals (featuring the two conference champions). == List of ECHL champions == right|thumb|alt=The Kelly Cup MVP Trophy|The Kelly Cup MVP Trophy {| class="wikitable" !Season !Winning team !Score !Losing team !June M. Kelly MVP |- | [1989](/source/1988%E2%80%9389_ECHL_season) || [Carolina Thunderbirds](/source/Carolina_Thunderbirds) {{small|(1)}} || align=center| 4–3|| [Johnstown Chiefs](/source/Johnstown_Chiefs) || [Nick Vitucci](/source/Nick_Vitucci) |- | [1990](/source/1989%E2%80%9390_ECHL_season) || [Greensboro Monarchs](/source/Greensboro_Monarchs) {{small|(1)}} || align=center| 4–1|| [Winston-Salem Thunderbirds](/source/Carolina_Thunderbirds) || [Wade Flaherty](/source/Wade_Flaherty) |- | [1991](/source/1990%E2%80%9391_ECHL_season) || [Hampton Roads Admirals](/source/Hampton_Roads_Admirals) {{small|(1)}} || align=center| 4–1|| [Greensboro Monarchs](/source/Greensboro_Monarchs) || Dave Flanagan
[Dave Gagnon](/source/Dave_Gagnon) |- | [1992](/source/1991%E2%80%9392_ECHL_season) || [Hampton Roads Admirals](/source/Hampton_Roads_Admirals) {{small|(2)}} || align=center| 4–0|| [Louisville Icehawks](/source/Louisville_Icehawks) || Mark Bernard |- | [1993](/source/1992%E2%80%9393_ECHL_season) || [Toledo Storm](/source/Toledo_Storm) {{small|(1)}} || align=center| 4–2|| [Wheeling Thunderbirds](/source/Wheeling_Nailers) || Rick Judson |- | [1994](/source/1993%E2%80%9394_ECHL_season) || [Toledo Storm](/source/Toledo_Storm) {{small|(2)}} || align=center| 4–1|| [Raleigh IceCaps](/source/Raleigh_IceCaps) || Dave Gagnon {{small|(2)}} |- | [1995](/source/1994%E2%80%9395_ECHL_season) || [Richmond Renegades](/source/Richmond_Renegades_(ECHL)) {{small|(1)}} || align=center| 4–1|| [Greensboro Monarchs](/source/Greensboro_Monarchs) || Blaine Moore |- style="border-bottom: 2px solid black;" | [1996](/source/1995%E2%80%9396_ECHL_season) || [Charlotte Checkers](/source/Charlotte_Checkers_(1993%E2%80%932010)) {{small|(1)}} || align=center| 4–0 || [Jacksonville Lizard Kings](/source/Jacksonville_Lizard_Kings) || Nick Vitucci {{small|(2)}} |- | [1997](/source/1996%E2%80%9397_ECHL_season) || [South Carolina Stingrays](/source/South_Carolina_Stingrays) {{small|(1)}} || align=center| 4–1|| [Louisiana IceGators](/source/Louisiana_IceGators_(ECHL)) || [Jason Fitzsimmons](/source/Jason_Fitzsimmons) |- | [1998](/source/1997%E2%80%9398_ECHL_season) || [Hampton Roads Admirals](/source/Hampton_Roads_Admirals) {{small|(3)}} || align=center| 4–2|| [Pensacola Ice Pilots](/source/Pensacola_Ice_Pilots) || [Sebastien Charpentier](/source/S%C3%A9bastien_Charpentier_(ice_hockey)) |- | [1999](/source/1998%E2%80%9399_ECHL_season) || [Mississippi Sea Wolves](/source/Mississippi_Sea_Wolves) {{small|(1)}} || align=center| 4–3|| [Richmond Renegades](/source/Richmond_Renegades_(ECHL)) || [Travis Scott](/source/Travis_Scott_(ice_hockey)) |- | [2000](/source/1999%E2%80%932000_ECHL_season) || [Peoria Rivermen](/source/Peoria_Rivermen_(ECHL)) {{small|(1)}} || align=center| 4–2|| [Louisiana IceGators](/source/Louisiana_IceGators_(ECHL)) || J. F. Boutin
Jason Christie |- | [2001](/source/2000%E2%80%9301_ECHL_season) || [South Carolina Stingrays](/source/South_Carolina_Stingrays) {{small|(2)}} || align=center| 4–1|| [Trenton Titans](/source/Trenton_Titans) || Dave Seitz |- | [2002](/source/2001%E2%80%9302_ECHL_season) || [Greenville Grrrowl](/source/Greenville_Grrrowl) {{small|(1)}} || align=center| 4–0|| [Dayton Bombers](/source/Dayton_Bombers) || [Simon Gamache](/source/Simon_Gamache)
[Tyrone Garner](/source/Tyrone_Garner) |- | [2003](/source/2002%E2%80%9303_ECHL_season) || [Atlantic City Boardwalk Bullies](/source/Atlantic_City_Boardwalk_Bullies) {{small|(1)}} || align=center| 4–1|| [Columbia Inferno](/source/Columbia_Inferno) || [Kevin Colley](/source/Kevin_Colley) |- | [2004](/source/2003%E2%80%9304_ECHL_season) || [Idaho Steelheads](/source/Idaho_Steelheads) {{small|(1)}} || align=center| 4–1|| [Florida Everblades](/source/Florida_Everblades) || [Dan Ellis](/source/Dan_Ellis_(ice_hockey)) |- | [2005](/source/2005_Kelly_Cup_playoffs) || [Trenton Titans](/source/Trenton_Titans) {{small|(1)}} || align=center| 4–2|| [Florida Everblades](/source/Florida_Everblades) || Leon Hayward |- | [2006](/source/2005%E2%80%9306_ECHL_season) || [Alaska Aces](/source/Alaska_Aces_(ECHL)) {{small|(1)}} || align=center| 4–1|| [Gwinnett Gladiators](/source/Gwinnett_Gladiators) || Mike Scott |- | [2007](/source/2006%E2%80%9307_ECHL_season) || [Idaho Steelheads](/source/Idaho_Steelheads) {{small|(2)}} || align=center| 4–1|| [Dayton Bombers](/source/Dayton_Bombers) || Steve Silverthorn |- | [2008](/source/2007%E2%80%9308_ECHL_season) || [Cincinnati Cyclones](/source/Cincinnati_Cyclones) {{small|(1)}} || align=center| 4–2|| [Las Vegas Wranglers](/source/Las_Vegas_Wranglers) || [Cedrick Desjardins](/source/C%C3%A9drick_Desjardins) |- | [2009](/source/2009_Kelly_Cup_playoffs) || [South Carolina Stingrays](/source/South_Carolina_Stingrays) {{small|(3)}} || align=center| 4–3|| [Alaska Aces](/source/Alaska_Aces_(ECHL)) || [James Reimer](/source/James_Reimer) |- | [2010](/source/2010_Kelly_Cup_playoffs) || [Cincinnati Cyclones](/source/Cincinnati_Cyclones) {{small|(2)}} || align=center| 4–1|| [Idaho Steelheads](/source/Idaho_Steelheads) || [Robert Mayer](/source/Robert_Mayer_(ice_hockey))
[Jeremy Smith](/source/Jeremy_Smith_(ice_hockey)) |- | [2011](/source/2011_Kelly_Cup_playoffs) || [Alaska Aces](/source/Alaska_Aces_(ECHL)) {{small|(2)}} || align=center| 4–1|| [Kalamazoo Wings](/source/Kalamazoo_Wings) || Scott Howes |- | [2012](/source/2012_Kelly_Cup_playoffs) || [Florida Everblades](/source/Florida_Everblades) {{small|(1)}} || align=center| 4–1|| [Las Vegas Wranglers](/source/Las_Vegas_Wranglers) || [John Muse](/source/John_Muse) |- | [2013](/source/2013_Kelly_Cup_playoffs) || [Reading Royals](/source/Reading_Royals) {{small|(1)}} || align=center| 4–1|| [Stockton Thunder](/source/Stockton_Thunder) || [Riley Gill](/source/Riley_Gill) |- | [2014](/source/2014_Kelly_Cup_playoffs) || [Alaska Aces](/source/Alaska_Aces_(ECHL)) {{small|(3)}} || align=center| 4–2|| [Cincinnati Cyclones](/source/Cincinnati_Cyclones) || Rob Madore{{efn|name=defeated|MVP was a member of the defeated team in the Kelly Cup Finals}} |- | [2015](/source/2015_Kelly_Cup_playoffs) || [Allen Americans](/source/Allen_Americans) {{small|(1)}} || align=center| 4–3|| [South Carolina Stingrays](/source/South_Carolina_Stingrays) || Greger Hanson |- | [2016](/source/2016_Kelly_Cup_playoffs) || [Allen Americans](/source/Allen_Americans) {{small|(2)}} || align=center| 4–2|| [Wheeling Nailers](/source/Wheeling_Nailers) || [Chad Costello](/source/Chad_Costello) |- | [2017](/source/2017_Kelly_Cup_playoffs) || [Colorado Eagles](/source/Colorado_Eagles) {{small|(1)}} || align=center| 4–0|| [South Carolina Stingrays](/source/South_Carolina_Stingrays) || [Matt Register](/source/Matt_Register) |- | [2018](/source/2018_Kelly_Cup_playoffs) || [Colorado Eagles](/source/Colorado_Eagles) {{small|(2)}} || align=center| 4–3|| [Florida Everblades](/source/Florida_Everblades) || Michael Joly |- | [2019](/source/2019_Kelly_Cup_playoffs) || [Newfoundland Growlers](/source/Newfoundland_Growlers) {{small|(1)}} || align=center| 4–2|| [Toledo Walleye](/source/Toledo_Walleye) || [Zach O'Brien](/source/Zach_O'Brien) |- | [2020](/source/2019%E2%80%9320_ECHL_season) || colspan=4 align=center|Season cancelled due to the [COVID-19 pandemic](/source/COVID-19_pandemic) |- | [2021](/source/2021_Kelly_Cup_playoffs) || [Fort Wayne Komets](/source/Fort_Wayne_Komets) {{small|(1)}} || align=center| 3–1|| [South Carolina Stingrays](/source/South_Carolina_Stingrays) || Stephen Harper |- | [2022](/source/2022_Kelly_Cup_playoffs) || [Florida Everblades](/source/Florida_Everblades) {{small|(2)}} || align=center| 4–1|| [Toledo Walleye](/source/Toledo_Walleye) || [Cam Johnson](/source/Cam_Johnson_(ice_hockey)) |- | [2023](/source/2023_Kelly_Cup_playoffs) || [Florida Everblades](/source/Florida_Everblades) {{small|(3)}} || align=center| 4–0|| [Idaho Steelheads](/source/Idaho_Steelheads) || Cam Johnson {{small|(2)}} |- | [2024](/source/2024_Kelly_Cup_playoffs) || [Florida Everblades](/source/Florida_Everblades) {{small|(4)}} || align=center| 4–1|| [Kansas City Mavericks](/source/Kansas_City_Mavericks) || Oliver Chau |- | [2025](/source/2025_Kelly_Cup_playoffs) || [Trois-Rivières Lions](/source/Trois-Rivi%C3%A8res_Lions) {{small|(1)}} || align=center| 4–1|| [Toledo Walleye](/source/Toledo_Walleye) || [Luke Cavallin](/source/Luke_Cavallin) |} {{notelist}} == See also == * [ECHL awards](/source/ECHL_awards) == References == {{reflist}} == External links == * {{Official website|https://www.echl.com/en/pages/award-pages/kelly-cup-champions}} {{ECHL}} Category:Awards established in 1997 1 --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Kelly Cup](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kelly_Cup) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kelly_Cup?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.