The ECHL All-Star Game is an exhibitionice hockey game that traditionally marks the midway point of the ECHL's regular season, with many of the league's star players playing against each other. The starting lineup for the teams, including the starting goaltender, is voted on by the coaches, players, and other league representatives. The coaches for the All-Star Game teams are typically the head coaches of the teams that, at the time of the All-Star Game roster announcements, are leading their respective conferences in point percentage (i.e. fraction of points obtained out of total possible points). The All-Star Game festivities also includes an ECHL All-Star Skills Competition, a competition showing the various talents of the all-stars.
In August 2011, the ECHL Board of Governors announced its intent not to hold an All-Star Game for the 2011–12 season, citing a desire to explore other options in preparation for celebrating the league's 25th anniversary during the 2012–13 season.[1] This marked the first season since the All-Star Game's inception in 1993 that one was not held. Since then, the ECHL also did not schedule an All-Star game in 2014 and 2016.
^Staff Reporters (February 3, 1993). "East wins first ECHL All-Star Game". The News & Observer. p. C5.
^Radford, Rich (January 26, 1994). "West rallies, wins ECHL All-Star Game at Scope". The Virginian-Pilot. p. C1.
^Packett, John (January 25, 1995). "West prevails after fast start". Richmond Times-Dispatch. p. E7.
^Thomas, Bob (January 24, 1996). "ECHL All-Stars turn on offense". The Florida Times-Union. p. D5.
^Mehrtens, Cliff (January 22, 1997). "Checkers top ECHL stars". The Charlotte Observer. p. 1B.
^Herndon, Mike (January 21, 1998). "MacIntyre scores 4 goals for Canada in ECHL All-Star Game". Mobile Register. p. C1.
^Magandy, Kate (January 14, 1999). "South treats crowd to win". The Sun Herald. p. A1.
^Shanesy, Todd (January 20, 2000). "Two goals by Grrrowl's Venedam not enough Northern Conference never trails in 8-6 win in front of 2nd largest ECHL All-Star crowd ever". Herald-Journal. p. D1.
^Hammack, Don (February 14, 2001). "Wolves help South win". The Sun Herald. p. D5.
^Esposito, Scott (January 23, 2002). "Kowalsky still has 'Killer' instinct". The Trentonian.
^Eminian, Dave (January 22, 2004). "Peoria player is All-Star big shot". The Peoria Journal Star. p. D1.
^Staff Reporters (January 27, 2005). "National Conference wins ECHL All-Star duel". The Peoria Journal Star. p. D1.
^Robison, Ken (January 26, 2006). "Nice ice dream - Large crowd, local hero, tight game offer hope interest is sparked". The Fresno Bee. p. D1.
^Langrill, Chris (January 18, 2007). "Nesbitt scores and Rallo notches an assist, but their National Conference team loses to ECHL foes in all-star game". The Idaho Statesman. p. C1.
^Linesburgh, Scott (January 24, 2008). "Usual rivals Goldie, Ferraro lead Thunder's side to victory". The Record. p. C1.
^Stewart, Don (January 22, 2009). "Royals' Doig, Ward play key roles in all-star rout". Reading Eagle. p. C1.
^Marquez, Liset (January 20, 2010). "Hockey fans brave the elements". Inland Valley Daily Bulletin.
^Staff Reporters (April 28, 2010). "2011 All-Star logo unveiled". The Bakersfield Californian.