[4] The ACHL's roots can be traced back to the former Eastern Hockey League (EHL) of the late 1970s and early 1980s.

After an investor dropped out, Cape Cod Coliseum and WWF owner Vince McMahon purchased the rights to the franchise for $15,000.

The Troy Slapshots had folded earlier in the previous season, and the Mohawk Valley Comets in Utica, NY had been replaced with an American Hockey League team.

[5] Erie would cease operations, but the Lancers and Thunderbirds would transfer to the All-American Hockey League.

Two teams from the current ECHL have roots tracing back to the Atlantic Coast Hockey League Wheeling Nailers: Utah Grizzlies: In December 1985, Recreational Ice of North Carolina (RINC) was granted an ACHL franchise.

RINC general manager Bob Ohrablo had planned to put the franchise in Asheville, North Carolina.

The Carolina Thunderbirds were the only multiple winners of the trophy, having won it three of the six years, including back-to-back wins in 1984–85 and 1985–86.