Any season in professional hockey is a grind, full of twists and turns and wild swings positively or negatively. In our monthly power rankings for the ECHL, you’ll see firsthand just how quickly things can change in either direction for a team.

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Plenty of teams rose and fell dramatically over the last month as the season kicked into high gear.

If there is a constant so far this season, however, it is the Wheeling Nailers. The Pittsburgh Penguins affiliate was No. 1 in our first ranking and they didn’t budge from the top spot. Playing in the league’s North Division, the Nailers have been nothing short of dominant. 

Wheeling has won 19 of their 25 games as of this writing and owns a stunning plus-33 goal differential. It seems as though every week we see a Wheeling Nailers goalie as one of the ECHL’s goalies of the week.  

Meanwhile, the last decade’s standard-bearer for the ECHL climbed its way back into familiar territory. The Florida Everblades jumped from No. 13 to No. 2 on our most recent rankings with 17 wins in their 24 games to date while in the midst of an 11-game points streak.

On the other end of the spectrum, we saw two teams that were Top 10 in the first half drop to the lower third of our rankings as the Tulsa Oilers and Savannah Ghost Pirates have slid to the back of the rankings.

The good news for everyone? There’s a lot of season left to get things back on track, or to keep them on track. Let’s get to it with our holiday-themed Power Rankings.

1. Wheeling Nailers (Last Ranking: 1)

You may as well call them the Wheeling Grinches, because goals are hard to come by in West Virginia. With just 2.08 goals allowed per game, the Nailers have stolen the opposition’s offense like the Mean One in Whoville. The primary culprits? How about goalies Jacob Smith and Maxim Pavlenko. They've been stellar this season.

2. Florida Everblades (13)

The Everblades have already decked the halls with lots of championship banners, but it seems like after a year outside of the championship picture, they’re ready for a comeback. Newcomer Anthony Romano has provided some offensive spark all season while recent addition Hudson Elynuik has been unstoppable in 10 games with 15 points since returning from overseas.

3. Fort Wayne Komets (3)

The Komets have been letting it snow goals all season long and they’ve shown no signs of stopping. Oilers prospect James Stefan playing a leading role in that department. At nearly a point per game, he’s leading the team with 12 goals so far this campaign.

4. Atlanta Gladiators (4)

Glads fans might be singing Joy to the World after the addition of first-year head coach Matt Ginn has been paying immediate dividends. Atlanta has a number of players putting forth maximum effort. They have an elite goalie tandem of T.J. Semptimphelter and Ethan Haider, while Louis Boudon has been among the ECHL’s best playmakers with 18 assists.

5. Idaho Steelheads (17)

It’s become the most wonderful time of the year for the Steelheads, but it didn’t start that way. After a sluggish first few weeks, Idaho has gotten back to their standard and have the second most wins in the league. Brendan Hoffman leads the ECHL in goals with 15 and has not been slowing down a bit.

6. Kansas City Mavericks (11)

The Mavs have routinely been among the top teams in the last few years and a lot of that has to do with continuity in net. Veteran goalie Jack Lafontaine has handled the heaviest load in the crease and has been solid. Meanwhile, Marcus Crawford is one of the top scoring defensemen in the league, on pace to eclipse 70 points. Well if you’ve got the goalie and D going, you need three wisemen to complete the set. How about forward Jackson Jutting, who leads the club with 11 goals?

7. Toledo Walleye (8)

You better watch out. You better not cry. You better not pout I’m telling you why, Walleye Fans. The Mayor is always in town. Brandon Hawkins is second in the ECHL with 31 points, in his familiar spot at or near the top of the league in scoring. Despite Toledo losing a lot of bodies over the course of the year to red-hot Grand Rapids in the AHL, they’ve maintained their high level of play thanks to veterans like Hawkins. 

8. South Carolina Stingrays (2)

The Stingrays may not be as high on the Nice List as they were at the beginning of the season, but they’re far from the Naughty List. First-year head coach David Warsofsky has had his team buzzing this year, none moreso than former Blackhawks draft pick Jalen Luypen, who is leading the way with 26 points. When available, Mitchell Gibson has also been delivering in net for SC.

9. Maine Mariners (10)

Christmas came early for the Mariners when the Boston Bruins signed Luke Cavallin this offseason. The reigning ECHL postseason MVP has led the way in net with a .927 save percentage in 14 games. Balanced scoring from veterans has also helped a great deal.

10. Bloomington Bison (15)

It’s not the reindeer flying in Illinois, it’s the Bison, playing at an especially high level in their second season in the ECHL. Captain Eddie Matsushima is having a career year, while the offensive attack is led by veteran Kyle Jackson, who has 30 points to find himself among the ECHL leaders. Goaltending has been a major story in Central Illinois as well, with Rangers prospect Callum Tung looking sharp when down from the AHL and veteran Dryden McKay holding it down when called upon. Both have save percentages north of .920.

11. Adirondack Thunder (12)

12. Reading Royals (5)

13. Cincinnati Cyclones (16)

14. Tahoe Knight Monsters (7)

15. Trois-Rivières Lions (21)

16. Allen Americans  (20)

17. Greenville Swamp Rabbits (19)

18. Wichita Thunder (27)

19. Jacksonville Icemen (14)

20. Worcester Railers (28)

21. Indy Fuel (18)

22. Rapid City Rush (25)

23. Savannah Ghost Pirates (6)

24. Utah Grizzlies (22)

25. Kalamazoo Wings (29)

26. Tulsa Oilers (9)

27. Iowa Heartlanders (26)

28. Orlando Solar Bears (30)

29. Greensboro Gargoyles (23)

30. Norfolk Admirals (24)

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