This Week In FloHockey: 2026 NHL Draft Prospects Collide, The ECHL Is Back
This Week In FloHockey: 2026 NHL Draft Prospects Collide, The ECHL Is Back
FloHockey has all of the best action below the NHL. Here are a few games to tune into this weekend as the ECHL kicks off the 2025-26 season.
The ECHL regular season returns this week in another packed schedule of intense hockey coverage coming to FloHockey, October 17-19.
The longest-standing professional hockey partnership with Flo, the ECHL joins a live schedule packed with the top NHL prospects and draft picks as they develop their skills in the USHL, OHL, and AHL en route to the top echelon of the sport.
- Watch Hockey All Season Long With A FloHockey Subscription
- ECHL Storylines to Watch This Season, 2025-26
- Meet the Greensboro Gargoyles, the ECHL's Newest Team
- ECHL Opening Weekend 2025-26: How To Watch, What To Know
- Follow the Latest 2026 NHL Draft Coverage
Friday night, fans can catch a number of potential first round NHL Draft prospects for 2026 in the USHL and OHL, including the No. 1 pick overall in the 2024 OHL Draft, Ethan Belchetz as the Windsor Spitfires take on the Sarnia Sting.
The road to the 2026 Kelly Cup finals begins on Friday, but all eyes will be on Saturday's home opener for the newest team in the ECHL: Carolina Hurricanes affiliate Greensboro Gargoyles.
Also, the second weekend of AHL action continues with Texas Stars and Milwaukee Admirals going head-to-head in a Calder Cup playoff grudge rematch.
Here's more info on four games you should watch this weekend on FloHockey.
This Week In FloHockey | Presented By IM8
We've got historic moments, fierce rivalries, and future stars lighting up the ice this week.
4 Games You Can't Miss On FloHockey This Weekend: October 17-18
Friday, October 17: Windsor Spitfires vs Sarnia Sting (OHL), 7:05 p.m. ET
The Windsor Spitfires have been ablaze this season, led by Ethan Belchetz and Carson Woodall combining for 8 goals and 20 assists to help them to their 9-1 record which leads the OHL.
Spitfires will take the trip into the bee's nest, taking on the Sarnia Sting at Progressive Auto Sales Arena. The Sting are 3-4, led by Beckham Edwards, another likely first rounder in 2026. Sting have missed Alessandro Di Iorio, though, who was injured in an early September preseason game and has yet to return to the ice.
The last time these two teams met was in the Sarnia's home opener—in which the Spitfires took an 8-1 win off of an impressive performance by Cole Davis, who put up 3 goals and 2 assists.
Friday, October 17: Youngstown Phantoms vs USA Hockey NTDP (USHL), 7:05 p.m. ET
The 5-2 Youngstown Phantoms host the 2-5 USA Hockey National Team Development Program (NTDP) in a star-studded Friday night USHL game.
USHL rookie Tobias Trejbal has been solid for the Phantoms in net, helping them to 3 of their 5 wins with just one loss and an overtime loss (.900 SV%).
On the 2026 NHL Draft Prospects to watch list, Jack Hextall for the Phantoms and Mikey Berchild for the NTDP are two to watch in this match-up after both made impacts this year on the international stage for Team USA—this time they'll be head-to-head.
Saturday, October 18: Jacksonville Icemen vs Greensboro Gargoyles (ECHL), 7:00 p.m. ET
The Greensboro Gargoyles kick off their inaugural season against Buffalo Sabres affiliate Jacksonville Icemen. The Gargoyles are the ECHL affiliate for the Carolina Hurricanes, just down the road. Head Coach Scott Burt will be excited to get regular season play started at First Horizon Coliseum.
The Gargoyles will join the Chicago Wolves as a part of the Hurricanes' development system after years without an ECHL affiliate.
Saturday, October 18: Texas Stars vs Milwaukee Admirals (AHL), 7:00 p.m. ET
A 2025 Calder Cup Playoff Central Division Finals rematch is upon us with the Texas Stars heading to UW-Milwaukee Panther Arena to take on the Milwaukee Admirals in the second weekend of AHL regular season play.
Stars Rookie Harrison Scott is making himself more comfortable, adding an assist in the first game and goal in the second.
Tanner Molendyk on the Admirals blue line is another rookie with an impressive resume to watch for, one of Chris Peters' top 16 to watch in the AHL this season.
How To Watch The AHL
The AHL is streaming globally on FloHockey. Watch every single game from the regular season through the Calder Cup Playoffs, as well as key events like the AHL All-Star Classic and AHL Outdoor Classic. Subscribe to FloHockey today so you never miss a moment. All games will be available on FloHockey.tv or via the FloSports mobile and connected TV apps.
NHL Prospect Coverage On FloHockey
The best, and most complete, coverage of the NHL minor league hockey and NHL Draft is found on FloHockey. Don't miss the latest new prospect guides, rankings and more from Chris Peters and the FloHockey staff.
Hockey Hits Harder On Flo
Every game. Every goal. Every hit. All Season Long. FloHockey gives you access to the most live hockey anywhere, including leagues like the AHL, ECHL, OHL and QMJHL. Watch your team, follow top prospects and stay on top of all the action. Subscribe to an annual plan now and get 7 months free.
Watch the AHL, ECHL, QMJHL, OHL And More On FloHockey
FloHockey is the streaming home to some of the best hockey leagues in North America, including the ECHL and more. Check out the broadcast schedule to watch more hockey.
Join The Hockey Conversation On FloHockey Social
- Follow us on Twitter @FloHockey
- Follow us on Instagram @flohockey
- Follow us on TikTok @flohockeytv
- Watch us on YouTube
- Like us on Facebook