A Glance at the 2021-22 Season…

Last season:

  • Record: 32-32-5-2 (.500), 71 pts
  • Team Finish: Fifth place in North Division
  • Playoffs: Did not make playoffs
  • Record vs Division: 25-27-3-2 (.482)
  • Record vs Conference: 26-29-3-2 (.475)
  • Goals For Per Game: 3.20, 16th in ECHL
  • Goals Against Per Game: 3.45, 21st in ECHL
  • Power Play: 45 goals in 241 opportunities (18.7%), 15th in the ECHL
  • Penalty Kill: 182 penalties killed out of 234 times shorthanded (77.8%), 24th in the ECHL

Scoring Leaders:

  1. Jordan Smotherman (30-22-52)
  2. Anthony Repaci (23-28-51)
  3. Jacob Hayhurst (15-33-48)
  4. Brent Beaudoin (14-26-40)
  5. Nolan Vesey (12-28-40)

2022-23 Season Preview

The Worcester Railers went through a number of personnel changes during the offseason. The most notable bringing in former Captain Jordan Smotherman as head coach of the hockey club. After coming up short last season with just three points shy of securing a playoff spot, the Railers are once again in a position to compete for a spot in the Kelly Cup Playoffs.

Smotherman makes the career change from player to coach after leading the team in points with 52 points last season. A number of the team’s other scoring leaders Anthony Repaci, Jacob Hayhurst, Brent Beaudoin, and Nolan Vesey will be returning. The team acquired defensemen Philip Beaulieu and Jared Brandt as notable additions to the blue line. Amherst College’s Conor Breen and Shrewsbury’s Jack Quinlivan have made the team’s roster after successful training camps earlier this October. Ken Appleby and Henrik Tikkanen will be the goaltender tandem to begin the season, being assigned to Worcester from the New York and Bridgeport Islanders, respectively.

Local product Bobby Butler has also been re-signed after returning to playing hockey after a few seasons away and returning to play last season. Butler scored 16 points in 20 games as a late addition to the Railers during the 2021-22 campaign. He was officially named team captain on October 19, during one of the team’s member events. Butler is the only veteran player on the Railers’ opening-night roster, giving the team plenty of room to add a few later in the season.

For Worcester, a key for securing a strong playoff run will be strong division play with 61 of 76 games being played against North Division teams. Worcester will see the Adirondack Thunder the most at 17 times this season, Newfoundland Growlers 12 times, and Maine 11 times, but the teams to look out for will be Reading and Newfoundland who have been tough teams against Worcester. Worcester has a 6-18-1-1 record against Newfoundland and a 11-17-1-1 all-time record against Reading. The Norfolk Admirals join the North Division for the 2022-23 season, the two teams have met just once – a 6-1 victory for Worcester back on March 9, 2019.

Worcester will have a five-game homestand during December, hosting three games against the Idaho Steelheads, and have a season-long five game road-trip with stops in Norfolk, South Carolina, and wrapping things up with single games against Jacksonville and ECHL’s latest franchise – the Savannah Ghost Pirates to wrap up the month of February.

Notable Additions and Subtractions:

  • + Phillip Beaulieu: Phillip Beaulieu is expected to have a big impact in on the blue line for Worcester, being acquired last season as a part of a future considerations trade which sent Nick Albano to the Allen Americans. He led all defensemen for Allen in his two seasons with the team, recording 61 points (13-48-61), in 102 games.
  • +/- Jordan Smotherman: Making the most of his opportunity with Worcester, Smotherman opted to retire and take the head coach role with the organization, replacing David Cuniff. The former Railers Captain led the team with 52 points last season, so his leadership capabilities will transition for the team behind the bench.
  • – Cole Coskey: Cole Coskey was assigned by the Bridgeport Islanders halfway through the 2021-22 season. Making a notable impact with the Railers’ offense through the second half of last season with 33 points (10-23-33) in 35 games. Coskey signed with the Kansas City Mavericks this off-season as a free agent.

Changes for the ECHL in 2022-23:

  • Two-Referee Pilot: The Board of Governors approved utilizing a two-referee system for 25 percent of all League regular-season games during the 2022-23 Season. Each team will play nine home games where the two-referee system is used.
  • ECHL teams can now dress an additional skater in their game lineups, bringing the total to 17 skaters and 2 goaltenders.
  • Rule Change: Rule 76.4 (Face-offs) – At the eight face-off spots (excluding center ice), the rule has changed from the defending player to the attacking player shall choose whose stick goes down first in the designated white area.
  • New Rule: Rule 23.9: Other Infractions That Could Result in a Game Misconduct – (iii) Uses language, taunts or gestures that are deemed discriminatory or derogatory in nature including race, gender, religion and sexual orientation.
  • Mandatory meetings will now occur between coaches and officials one hour before every game. (Source: Jeff Marek, HNiC)

2022-23 Roster

ECHL teams can carry a maximum of 20 Players on the active roster, no more than 18 of whom may be skaters, at any one time. For the first 30 days of the regular season, teams can carry a maximum of 21 Players on the active roster, no more than 19 of whom may be skaters, at any one time.

Teams are permitted to carry up to two (2) Players at a time on the Reserve List, while an unlimited number of players can be placed on the 14-day Injured Reserve.

Forwards (13)

Defensemen (7)

Goalies (2)

Recalled to AHL (6)

No Longer on Active Roster (5)

R = Rookie, less than 25 regular season games of professional hockey
V = Veteran, 260+ regular season games of professional hockey
NYI = New York Islanders contract
BRI = Bridgeport Islanders contract
SPR = Springfield Thunderbirds contract
IR = 14-day Injured Reserve
Res = Reserve

ECHL 2022-23 Critical Dates

 October 2022

6      Players may report to Training Camp for team meetings, registration, physicals, etc.

7      Training Camp opens, Members may begin on-ice sessions

19      Season-Opening Rosters due to League Office (3 p.m. ET)

21       ECHL regular season begins

 

November 2022

20        Active Rosters cut down from 21 to 20 (by 3 p.m. ET)

** We are currently at this point in the season **

December 2022

23        Christmas Waiver/Trade Freeze begins (5 p.m. ET)

24-26  Christmas Break (no games)

27         Christmas Waiver/Trade Freeze ends (12 p.m. ET)

 

January 2023

16    2022 Warrior/ECHL All-Star Classic (Norfolk, Virginia)

17-19  All-Star Break

20    Jersey Reversal Date

 

February 2023

15       Overseas Deadline (3 p.m. ET) & IIHF Transfer Deadline (6 p.m. ET)

 

March 2023

15    Recall/Assignment Deadline (11:59 p.m. ET)

16    ECHL Trade Deadline (3 p.m. ET)

 

April 2023

14        Last day to place Player on Waivers (5 p.m. ET)

16        Last day of 2022-23 ECHL regular season

17        Submission of Playoff Rosters due (3 p.m. ET)

19        2023 Kelly Cup Playoffs begin

 

June 2023

8        Protected Lists due (3 p.m. ET)

20        Future Considerations Trade Deadline (3 p.m. ET)

22         Season-Ending Rosters due (3 p.m. ET)

23         First day to sign contracts for 2023-24 Season

 

July 2023

7        Qualifying Offers due to Players (11:59 p.m. ET)

22       Qualifying Offer Acceptance Period ends (11:59 p.m. ET)

 

August 2023

8      Restricted Free Agency ends

2022-23 Schedule

A full breakdown of opponents this season:

17X – Adirondack Thunder (7 home, 7 away)
12X – Newfoundland Growlers (6 home, 6 away)
11X – Maine Mariners (5 home, 6 away)
8X – Norfolk Admirals (3 home, 5 away)
8X – Reading Royals (5 home, 3 away)
5X – Trois-Rivières Lions (2 home, 3 away)
4X – South Carolina Stingrays (3 home, 1 away)
3X – Idaho Steelheads (3 home)
2X – Greenville Swamp Rabbits (2 home)
1X – Jacksonville Icemen (1 away)
1X – Savannah Ghost Pirates (1 away)

Date Visiting Team vs Home Team Venue Time
Oct. 22 Adirondack vs Worcester DCU Center 7:05 pm EDT
Oct. 23 Adirondack vs Worcester DCU Center 3:05 pm EDT
Oct. 26 Worcester vs Trois-Rivières Colisée Vidéotron 7:00 pm EDT
Oct. 29 Worcester vs Adirondack Cool Insuring Arena 7:00 pm EDT
Oct. 30 Worcester vs Adirondack Cool Insuring Arena 3:00 pm EDT
Nov. 2 Newfoundland vs Worcester DCU Center 7:05 pm EDT
Nov. 5 Norfolk vs Worcester DCU Center 7:05 pm EDT
Nov. 6 Norfolk vs Worcester DCU Center 3:05 pm EST
Nov. 8 Norfolk vs Worcester DCU Center 10:05 am EST
Nov. 11 Worcester vs Adirondack Cool Insuring Arena 7:00 pm EST
Nov. 12 Worcester vs Adirondack Cool Insuring Arena 7:00 pm EST
Nov. 16 Reading vs Worcester DCU Center 7:05 pm EST
Nov. 18 Greenville vs Worcester DCU Center 7:05 pm EST
Nov. 19 Greenville vs Worcester DCU Center 7:05 pm EST
Nov. 23 Worcester vs Norfolk Norfolk Scope 7:05 pm EST
Nov. 25 Worcester vs Norfolk Norfolk Scope 6:05 pm EST
Nov. 26 Worcester vs Norfolk Norfolk Scope 6:05 pm EST
Dec. 2 Worcester vs Newfoundland Mary Brown’s Centre 7:00 pm NST
Dec. 3 Worcester vs Newfoundland Mary Brown’s Centre 7:00 pm NST
Dec. 4 Worcester vs Newfoundland Mary Brown’s Centre 4:00 pm NST
Dec. 7 Worcester vs Trois-Rivières Colisée Vidéotron 7:00 pm EST
Dec. 9 Idaho vs Worcester DCU Center 7:05 pm EST
Dec. 10 Idaho vs Worcester DCU Center 7:05 pm EST
Dec. 11 Idaho vs Worcester DCU Center 3:05 pm EST
Dec. 17 Newfoundland vs Worcester DCU Center 7:05 pm EST
Dec. 18 Newfoundland vs Worcester DCU Center 3:05 pm EST
Dec. 21 Worcester vs Trois-Rivières Colisée Vidéotron 7:00 pm EST
Dec. 23 Worcester vs Adirondack Cool Insuring Arena 7:00 pm EST
Dec. 28 Worcester vs Maine Cross Insurance Arena 1:00 pm EST
Dec. 30 Worcester vs Adirondack Cool Insuring Arena 7:00 pm EST
Dec. 31 Maine vs Worcester DCU Center 7:05 pm EST
Jan. 1 Worcester vs Maine Cross Insurance Arena 3:00 pm EST
Jan. 6 Reading vs Worcester DCU Center 7:05 pm EST
Jan. 7 Worcester vs Reading Santander Arena 7:00 pm EST
Jan. 11 Worcester vs Newfoundland Mary Brown’s Centre 7:00 pm NST
Jan. 13 Worcester vs Newfoundland Mary Brown’s Centre 7:00 pm NST
Jan. 14 Worcester vs Newfoundland Mary Brown’s Centre 7:00 pm NST
Jan. 20 Newfoundland vs Worcester DCU Center 7:05 pm EST
Jan. 21 Maine vs Worcester DCU Center 7:05 pm EST
Jan. 22 Trois-Rivières vs Worcester DCU Center 3:05 pm EST
Jan. 27 Reading vs Worcester DCU Center 7:05 pm EST
Jan. 28 Worcester vs Reading Santander Arena 7:00 pm EST
Feb. 3 South Carolina vs Worcester DCU Center 7:05 pm EST
Feb. 4 South Carolina vs Worcester DCU Center 7:05 pm EST
Feb. 5 South Carolina vs Worcester DCU Center 3:05 pm EST
Feb. 7 Worcester vs Reading Santander Arena 10:30 am EST
Feb. 10 Reading vs Worcester DCU Center 7:05 pm EST
Feb. 11 Reading vs Worcester DCU Center 7:05 pm EST
Feb. 17 Worcester vs Norfolk Norfolk Scope 7:05 pm EST
Feb. 18 Worcester vs Norfolk Norfolk Scope 6:05 pm EST
Feb. 22 Worcester vs Greenville Bon Secours Wellness Arena 7:00 pm EDT
Feb. 24 Worcester vs South Carolina North Charleston Coliseum 7:05 pm EST
Feb. 25 Worcester vs Jacksonville VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena 7:00 pm EST
Feb. 26 Worcester vs Savannah Enmarket Arena 3:00 pm EST
Mar. 3 Newfoundland vs Worcester DCU Center 7:05 pm EST
Mar. 4 Newfoundland vs Worcester DCU Center 7:05 pm EST
Mar. 5 Worcester vs Maine Cross Insurance Arena 3:00 pm EST
Mar. 10 Adirondack vs Worcester DCU Center 7:05 pm EST
Mar. 12 Maine vs Worcester DCU Center 3:05 pm EDT
Mar. 17 Worcester vs Maine Cross Insurance Arena 7:15 pm EDT
Mar. 18 Maine vs Worcester DCU Center 7:05 pm EDT
Mar. 19 Worcester vs Maine Cross Insurance Arena 3:00 pm EDT
Mar. 22 Adirondack vs Worcester DCU Center 7:05 pm EDT
Mar. 24 Worcester vs Adirondack Cool Insuring Arena 7:00 pm EDT
Mar. 25 Worcester vs Adirondack Cool Insuring Arena 7:00 pm EDT
Mar. 29 Trois-Rivières vs Worcester DCU Center 7:05 pm EDT
Mar. 31 Adirondack vs Worcester DCU Center 7:05 pm EDT
Apr. 1 Adirondack vs Worcester DCU Center 7:05 pm EDT
Apr. 5 Maine vs Worcester DCU Center 7:05 pm EDT
Apr. 8 Adirondack vs Worcester DCU Center 7:05 pm EDT
Apr. 15 Worcester vs Adirondack Cool Insuring Arena 7:00 pm EDT
Apr. 16 Worcester vs Adirondack Cool Insuring Arena 3:00 pm EDT

Note: The ECHL on Monday, November 11, 2022 announced the following changes to the 2022-23 schedule. These changes are a result of the opponent change on Friday, November 11, which resulted in Orlando playing at Jacksonville in place of Trois-Rivières due to the Lions’ travel delays as a result of Hurricane Nicole.

* Saturday, Jan. 28 – Orlando at Greenville is now Savannah at Greenville at 7:05 p.m. ET

* Wednesday, Feb. 22 – Savannah at Greenville is now Worcester at Greenville at 7:05 p.m. ET

* Wednesday, Apr. 12 – Worcester at Maine is now Trois-Rivières at Maine at 7:00 p.m. ET

Date Visiting Team vs Home Team Venue Time
Oct. 22 Adirondack vs Worcester DCU Center 7:05 pm EDT
Oct. 23 Adirondack vs Worcester DCU Center 3:05 pm EDT
Nov. 2 Newfoundland vs Worcester DCU Center 7:05 pm EDT
Nov. 5 Norfolk vs Worcester DCU Center 7:05 pm EDT
Nov. 6 Norfolk vs Worcester DCU Center 3:05 pm EST
Nov. 8 Norfolk vs Worcester DCU Center 10:05 am EST
Nov. 16 Reading vs Worcester DCU Center 7:05 pm EST
Nov. 18 Greenville vs Worcester DCU Center 7:05 pm EST
Nov. 19 Greenville vs Worcester DCU Center 7:05 pm EST
Dec. 9 Idaho vs Worcester DCU Center 7:05 pm EST
Dec. 10 Idaho vs Worcester DCU Center 7:05 pm EST
Dec. 11 Idaho vs Worcester DCU Center 3:05 pm EST
Dec. 17 Newfoundland vs Worcester DCU Center 7:05 pm EST
Dec. 18 Newfoundland vs Worcester DCU Center 3:05 pm EST
Dec. 31 Maine vs Worcester DCU Center 7:05 pm EST
Jan. 6 Reading vs Worcester DCU Center 7:05 pm EST
Jan. 20 Newfoundland vs Worcester DCU Center 7:05 pm EST
Jan. 21 Maine vs Worcester DCU Center 7:05 pm EST
Jan. 22 Trois-Rivières vs Worcester DCU Center 3:05 pm EST
Jan. 27 Reading vs Worcester DCU Center 7:05 pm EST
Feb. 3 South Carolina vs Worcester DCU Center 7:05 pm EST
Feb. 4 South Carolina vs Worcester DCU Center 7:05 pm EST
Feb. 5 South Carolina vs Worcester DCU Center 3:05 pm EST
Feb. 10 Reading vs Worcester DCU Center 7:05 pm EST
Feb. 11 Reading vs Worcester DCU Center 7:05 pm EST
Mar. 3 Newfoundland vs Worcester DCU Center 7:05 pm EST
Mar. 4 Newfoundland vs Worcester DCU Center 7:05 pm EST
Mar. 10 Adirondack vs Worcester DCU Center 7:05 pm EST
Mar. 12 Maine vs Worcester DCU Center 3:05 pm EDT
Mar. 18 Maine vs Worcester DCU Center 7:05 pm EDT
Mar. 22 Adirondack vs Worcester DCU Center 7:05 pm EDT
Mar. 29 Trois-Rivières vs Worcester DCU Center 7:05 pm EDT
Mar. 31 Adirondack vs Worcester DCU Center 7:05 pm EDT
Apr. 1 Adirondack vs Worcester DCU Center 7:05 pm EDT
Apr. 5 Maine vs Worcester DCU Center 7:05 pm EDT
Apr. 8 Adirondack vs Worcester DCU Center 7:05 pm EDT
Date Visiting Team vs Home Team Venue Time
Oct. 26 Worcester vs Trois-Rivières Colisée Vidéotron 7:00 pm EDT
Oct. 29 Worcester vs Adirondack Cool Insuring Arena 7:00 pm EDT
Oct. 30 Worcester vs Adirondack Cool Insuring Arena 3:00 pm EDT
Nov. 11 Worcester vs Adirondack Cool Insuring Arena 7:00 pm EST
Nov. 12 Worcester vs Adirondack Cool Insuring Arena 7:00 pm EST
Nov. 23 Worcester vs Norfolk Norfolk Scope 7:05 pm EST
Nov. 25 Worcester vs Norfolk Norfolk Scope 6:05 pm EST
Nov. 26 Worcester vs Norfolk Norfolk Scope 6:05 pm EST
Dec. 2 Worcester vs Newfoundland Mary Brown’s Centre 7:00 pm NST
Dec. 3 Worcester vs Newfoundland Mary Brown’s Centre 7:00 pm NST
Dec. 4 Worcester vs Newfoundland Mary Brown’s Centre 4:00 pm NST
Dec. 7 Worcester vs Trois-Rivières Colisée Vidéotron 7:00 pm EST
Dec. 21 Worcester vs Trois-Rivières Colisée Vidéotron 7:00 pm EST
Dec. 23 Worcester vs Adirondack Cool Insuring Arena 7:00 pm EST
Dec. 28 Worcester vs Maine Cross Insurance Arena 1:00 pm EST
Dec. 30 Worcester vs Adirondack Cool Insuring Arena 7:00 pm EST
Jan. 1 Worcester vs Maine Cross Insurance Arena 3:00 pm EST
Jan. 7 Worcester vs Reading Santander Arena 7:00 pm EST
Jan. 11 Worcester vs Newfoundland Mary Brown’s Centre 7:00 pm NST
Jan. 13 Worcester vs Newfoundland Mary Brown’s Centre 7:00 pm NST
Jan. 14 Worcester vs Newfoundland Mary Brown’s Centre 7:00 pm NST
Jan. 28 Worcester vs Reading Santander Arena 7:00 pm EST
Feb. 7 Worcester vs Reading Santander Arena 10:30 am EST
Feb. 17 Worcester vs Norfolk Norfolk Scope 7:05 pm EST
Feb. 18 Worcester vs Norfolk Norfolk Scope 6:05 pm EST
Feb. 22 Worcester vs Greenville Bon Secours Wellness Arena 7:00 pm EDT
Feb. 24 Worcester vs South Carolina North Charleston Coliseum 7:05 pm EST
Feb. 25 Worcester vs Jacksonville VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena 7:00 pm EST
Feb. 26 Worcester vs Savannah Enmarket Arena 3:00 pm EST
Mar. 5 Worcester vs Maine Cross Insurance Arena 3:00 pm EST
Mar. 17 Worcester vs Maine Cross Insurance Arena 7:15 pm EDT
Mar. 19 Worcester vs Maine Cross Insurance Arena 3:00 pm EDT
Mar. 24 Worcester vs Adirondack Cool Insuring Arena 7:00 pm EDT
Mar. 25 Worcester vs Adirondack Cool Insuring Arena 7:00 pm EDT
Apr. 15 Worcester vs Adirondack Cool Insuring Arena 7:00 pm EDT
Apr. 16 Worcester vs Adirondack Cool Insuring Arena 3:00 pm EDT

Note: The ECHL on Monday, November 11, 2022 announced the following changes to the 2022-23 schedule. These changes are a result of the opponent change on Friday, November 11, which resulted in Orlando playing at Jacksonville in place of Trois-Rivières due to the Lions’ travel delays as a result of Hurricane Nicole.

* Saturday, Jan. 28 – Orlando at Greenville is now Savannah at Greenville at 7:05 p.m. ET

* Wednesday, Feb. 22 – Savannah at Greenville is now Worcester at Greenville at 7:05 p.m. ET

* Wednesday, Apr. 12 – Worcester at Maine is now Trois-Rivières at Maine at 7:00 p.m. ET

A full promotional schedule can be found on the Railers website.

Affiliations

Team Affiliates
Adirondack Thunder New Jersey Devils, Utica Comets
Allen Americans Ottawa Senators, Belleville Senators
Atlanta Gladiators Arizona Coyotes, Phoenix Roadrunners
Cincinnati Cyclones Buffalo Sabres, Rochester Americans
Florida Everblades Florida Panthers, Charlotte Checkers
Fort Wayne Komets Edmonton Oilers, Bakersfield Condors
Greenville Swamp Rabbits Los Angeles Kings, Ontario Reign
Idaho Steelheads Dallas Stars, Texas Stars
Indy Fuel Chicago Blackhawks, Rockford IceHogs
Iowa Heartlanders Minnesota Wild, Iowa Wild
Jacksonville Icemen New York Rangers, Hartford Wolf Pack
Kalamazoo Wings Columbus Blue Jackets, Cleveland Monsters
Kansas City Mavericks Seattle Kraken, Coachella Valley Firebirds
Maine Mariners Boston Bruins, Providence Bruins
Newfoundland Growlers Toronto Maple Leafs, Toronto Marlies
Norfolk Admirals Carolina Hurricanes, Chicago Wolves
Orlando Solar Bears Tampa Bay Lightning, Syracuse Crunch
Rapid City Rush Calgary Flames, Calgary Wranglers
Reading Royals Philadelphia Flyers, Lehigh Valley Phantoms
Savannah Ghost Pirates Vegas Golden Knights, Henderson Silver Knights
South Carolina Stingrays Washington Capitals, Hershey Bears
Toledo Walleye Detroit Red Wings, Grand Rapids Griffins
Trois-Rivières Lions Montreal Canadiens, Laval Rocket
Tulsa Oilers Anaheim Ducks, San Diego Gulls
Utah Grizzlies Colorado Avalanche, Colorado Eagles
Wheeling Nailers Pittsburgh Penguins, WBS Penguins
Wichita Thunder San Jose Sharks, San Jose Barracuda
Worcester Railers New York Islanders, Bridgeport Islanders (St. Louis Blues, Springfield Thunderbirds)

Note: Nashville Predators, St. Louis Blues, Vancouver Canucks, and Winnipeg Jets (and their AHL teams) have not declared official affiliations with ECHL teams.