The last time Michael Joly wore an ECHL uniform, he posted video game stats and was the man holding the trophy.

Two trophies, in fact.

Joly helped Colorado capture the Kelly Cup and was named MVP of the playoffs in 2018. That’s when the 5-foot-11, 172-pound forward appeared to leave his days in the league behind him.

The coronavirus pandemic has changed a lot of players’ plans. It crushed the minor league hockey market and has forced Joly to sign with the Wheeling Nailers. He has returned to the level he once dominated.

“I definitely think there’s going to be a lot of expectations on my side,” he said. “I’ll try to keep up with those expectations. I’ll do my best to try and be even better than I was three years ago.”

That’ll be hard. Joly was in another world back then.

The Quebec native scored 41 goals in 52 games during that championship season. He had 13 goals in 24 playoff games to help Colorado repeat.

A month later, the Eagles moved up to the AHL and Joly went with them. He spent the past two seasons there, scoring 25 goals in 89 games.

With many ECHL teams opting not to play in 2020-21 and with the AHL’s February start date far from certain, Joly took an offer from Wheeling. His agent knew coach Mark French and it felt like a good fit.

“A lot of players are looking for jobs right now,” Joly said. “There’s not a lot of teams in the Coast. It’s going to be a hard couple of weeks. It’s going to get me in shape and hopefully I’ll have a good time here.”

Joly’s hope is he can use the next six or seven weeks to keep sharp and return to the AHL if and when the puck drops. That’s only a hope. So much is undecided, including how the ECHL season will go.

These are tough times for all minor league players. Some can’t find jobs. Some can’t find prominent roles. Even ECHL superstars like Joly are feeling the crunch.

The fifth-year pro has stayed in North America because he still dreams of making the NHL. This could end up being a lost season in his prime.

“I still believe I have a chance,” Joly said. “I’m just 25. It sucks that the COVID stuff had to happen this year. This was my year to rebound since I didn’t have a really good year last year. If it doesn’t work out here, I’ll go to Europe. Hopefully I can play here in North America and try to get a spot in the NHL.”

Wheeling, the team that launched Peter Laviolette’s coaching career, is hoping to turn these difficult times into a franchise revival. The Nailers haven’t qualified for the playoffs since coming within two wins of the Kelly Cup in 2016.

They’ve added French, a Calder Cup champion coach at Hershey, and Joly in a remarkable offseason. Joly waited until Thanksgiving week to put his name on a contract.

“I love my summer, to be honest,” Joly said. “I love to be close to my family and to be able to train every day. I enjoy that part. But, also, it was getting hard at the end. You get bored and winter is coming. Everybody starts looking for a job. They get scared that they can’t get anything good this year.”

Joly said some friends who had their seasons in Europe canceled have given up on playing this season and started working regular jobs. Emotions throughout hockey are raw right now.

In a perfect world, Joly will have a short stay in Wheeling and catapult back to the AHL. But everyone knows these are imperfect times.

“I know I have a lot more to give,” Joly said. “I can get a lot more out of hockey than I already have.”

Joly just hopes he gets a chance this season.

Jason Guarente has covered the Reading Royals and ECHL for 10 seasons. He can be found on Twitter @JasonGuarente.