Some NHL players also found work in the ECHL, some as a way to return to their hometowns (or their wives'), and others to give back to the league which gave them a start.
Scott Gomez chose to return home to his Anchorage roots and played for the Alaska Aces.
Bates Battaglia joined his younger brother Anthony on the Mississippi Sea Wolves of the ECHL.
The Columbus organization joined the Southern Professional Hockey League for 2004–05 as one of its inaugural members.
The Salmon Kings purchased the defunct Baton Rouge Kingfish franchise and relocated its home territory to Victoria.