ECHL: Hall of Fame Class of 2026

The ECHL Hall of Fame will welcome four more legends this January, and it’s a class that feels like a highlight reel of what makes this league special. On Thursday, the ECHL announced that Jeff Campbell, Jason Christie, Riley Gill, and Mark Turner will officially make up the Class of 2026.

The ceremony—presented by BFL CANADA and Sutton Special Risk—will take place at noon on Monday, January 19, 2026, at the Courtyard by Marriott Dallas/Allen at the Event Center, the host hotel of this season’s Warrior/ECHL All-Star Classic. It’s always one of the most meaningful moments of All-Star Week, and this year’s class brings a little bit of everything: scoring, leadership, championships, and the kind of impact that sticks long after a player or coach moves on.

A Class Built on Legacy

ECHL Commissioner Ryan Crelin put it best when he said the induction is “a special event for the League as we honor our past and look forward to the future.” And when you look at what this class accomplished, it really does capture every corner of the league’s history—two dynamic playmakers, a goaltender who turned the postseason into his personal stage, and the winningest coach the ECHL has ever seen.

BFL CANADA, once again a presenting sponsor, echoed that pride. “We are thrilled to celebrate this year’s class of inductees and to honor the history, dedication and passion that continue to define the ECHL community,” said Nellie Lindner, BFL CANADA Vice President, National Practice Leader – Film and Entertainment. It’s a reminder that the Hall of Fame isn’t just about stats on a page—it’s about the stories that shaped the league into what fans know today.

The 2026 Inductees

Jeff Campbell

If you remember the Gwinnett Gladiators of the mid-2000s, you remember Jeff Campbell. Campbell racked up 254 points in just 210 ECHL games from 2004–08, including an MVP season in 2005–06 where he posted 83 points and helped lead Gwinnett to the Kelly Cup Finals. Two All-ECHL First Team selections, a Sportsmanship Award, and two 90-point seasons later, Campbell headed to Europe—where he played another decade and now coaches HC Fribourg-Gottéron’s U21 team in Switzerland.

A smooth passer. A steady leader. A true Gladiator.

Jason Christie

There are coaching records, and then there’s Jason Christie. Across 18 seasons behind ECHL benches, Christie compiled an unbelievable 667 wins and coached a record 1,282 games with Peoria, Utah, Ontario, Tulsa, and Jacksonville. He brought teams to the postseason 10 times, reached three Conference Finals, and captured a Kelly Cup as a player in 2000—earning co-MVP honors along the way.

Christie didn’t just win; he built culture everywhere he went. His induction feels long overdue.

Riley Gill

Few goaltenders owned the postseason like Riley Gill. He sits third all-time in shutouts (21), eighth in wins (147), and top-15 in career games played. But it’s the playoff numbers that really tell the story: tied for the most postseason appearances by any ECHL goalie (90), second in playoff wins (53), and eight postseason shutouts.

Gill backstopped Reading to the 2013 Kelly Cup—winning Playoff MVP—and then helped power Allen to back-to-back championships in 2015 and 2016. When the lights were brightest, Gill was at his absolute best.

Mark Turner

If consistency had a name, it might be Mark Turner. Over eight ECHL seasons, Turner stacked up 546 points in 528 games—over a point per game—with Columbus, New Orleans, Mobile, Greensboro, and Toledo. He remains top-25 in league history in points, goals, and assists.

His 45-goal season with Mobile in 1999–2000 ranks among the best single-season showings the league has seen. Turner didn’t always get the spotlight during his career, but he sure earned it now.

A League Built on History—And Still Growing

Since the inaugural class in 2008, 67 individuals have been inducted into the ECHL Hall of Fame. Their contributions live on not only online but also at the league office in New Jersey and inside the ECHL section of the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto.

Hall of Fame selections fall across five categories—Player, Coach, Developmental Player, Builder, and Referee/Linesman—with a maximum of five inductees each year. Nominations come from the Board of Governors, teams, and those affiliated with the league, with fans encouraged to submit ideas to their home teams if there’s a name they believe deserves consideration.

The Class of 2026 adds four more names to that legacy. Each one leaving a lasting imprint on the league’s story.

Looking Ahead to Allen

With the Warrior/ECHL All-Star Classic set for later that same evening, the Hall of Fame ceremony always feels like the emotional kickoff to the league’s biggest week. It’s a chance to celebrate the individuals who built the league, shaped franchises, lifted championships, and left their fingerprints on the ECHL’s identity.

Four new names join that legacy this January—and every one of them earned it.

SOURCE:

ECHL. (2025, November 13). ECHL Hall of Fame announces Class of 2026. https://echl.com/news/2025/11/echl-hall-of-fame-announces-class-of-2026