Divisional alignment, other issues, decided on in ECHL Board of Governors Meetings

• Florida's Brush Re-Elected Chairman of the Board
• The Board of Governors by acclamation re-elected Craig Brush of the Florida Everblades as Chairman of the Board for the 2004-05 season.
• Rules Committee Recommendations Approved By Governors
• The ECHL Rules Committee recommended several items that were approved by the Board of Governors:
• The ECHL has eliminated the 10-minute misconduct penalty given to the 'instigator'. The 'instigator' will receive a two-minute penalty for instigating and a five-minute major for fighting.
• The ECHL will allow a minimum of 10 shooters to participate in the shootout. After the initial 10 shooters have gone, the team has the option of using a player who has already shot or continuing through its remaining players.
• Players traded after February 1 of the current playing season may not play (unless player clears waivers) or be traded back to the same team until after January 1 of the following season.
• Any player who signs a Standard Player Contract for the upcoming season is eligible for trade during the summer months with the exception of rookie players. A rookie is defined as a player who has played 25 or less professional hockey games at the beginning of the current playing season.
• All-Star Coaches Selected By Winning Percentage, Ballot
• Upon recommendation of the Rules Committee, the coach with the highest winning percentage in each conference, as of January 3, will be selected as one coach for the ECHL All-Star Game. The other coach for each team will be selected using the same ballot process as previous years.