The Florida Panthers announced a three-year affiliation extension with the Savannah Ghost Pirates on July 21, 2026, keeping Savannah as the Panthers’ ECHL affiliate through the 2028-29 season. The Ghost Pirates will also continue as the ECHL affiliate of the Panthers’ American Hockey League affiliate, the Charlotte Checkers.
Paul Krepelka, the Florida Panthers’ senior vice president of hockey operations, said the organizations will build on their player-development relationship.
“The Savannah Ghost Pirates have been a tremendous partner in our player development pipeline, and we are pleased to extend our affiliation agreement,” Krepelka said. “Along with our AHL affiliate, the Charlotte Checkers, we look forward to building on the strong relationships we have established within our system to ensure the continued success and growth of our players and staff.”
John Thompson, executive vice president of Zawyer Sports Savannah, said the organization was excited to continue its partnership with the Panthers and Checkers.
“We are extremely excited to continue our partnership with the Florida Panthers and the Charlotte Checkers,” Thompson said. “We want to thank the entire Panthers organization as we continue to build success over the next three seasons.”
Savannah Ghost Pirates enter fifth season
The Savannah Ghost Pirates are based at Enmarket Arena in Savannah, Georgia. The franchise was officially approved as an expansion franchise in January 2021 and became the Panthers’ ECHL affiliate before the 2024-25 campaign.
Savannah plays in the South Division of the ECHL’s Eastern Conference. The Ghost Pirates qualified for the Kelly Cup Playoffs for the first time in franchise history in 2025-26, finishing fourth in the South Division standings.
The 2026-27 Ghost Pirates will open their fifth season Friday, Oct. 16, 2026, against the Norfolk Admirals at Enmarket Arena. The ECHL is a professional developmental league for the American Hockey League and the National Hockey League.
The ECHL began in 1988-89 with five teams in three states and now has 30 teams playing in 22 states and provinces. More than 780 former ECHL players have gone on to play in the NHL, including Panthers skaters Carter Verhaeghe and Donovan Sebrango.
Source: Original report