ECHL Hall Of Fame Class of 2024

ECHL CLASS OF 2024 ENSHRINEMENT CEREMONY

January 15, 2024 – We at Baron® express our gratitude for being included in the ECHL Hall Of Fame Class of 2024 Enshrinement.

The ECHL Hall of Fame inductees were announced by ECHL on November 7, 2023.

The inductees include Scott Burfoot, Brad Dexter, Jason Fitzsimmons, June M. Kelly, and Shawn Wheeler.

The 2024 ECHL Hall of Fame ceremony, presented by BFL CANADA and Sutton Special Risk, took place at 12 p.m. on Monday, January 15, 2024 at the Savannah Convention Center.

The five inductees were formally inducted as the 16th class of the ECHL Hall of Fame at a luncheon that was held in conjunction with the 2024 Warrior/ECHL All-Star Classic presented by Gulfstream.

“This event means so much to our history and our inductees, and will be a special moment as we celebrate in downtown Savannah.”

Crelin was looking forward to calling Savannah as the ECHL Hall of Fame Induction event’s point of interest.

“We can’t think of a better place to commemorate this annual event other than in this southern coastal gem of Savannah,” Lindner continued. “We are also looking forward to exploring this charming City and all Savannah has to offer.”

ECHL Hall of Fame Induction Process

Hall of Fame members were selected in five categories:

1. Player
2. Coach
3. Developmental Player
4. Builder
5. Referee/Linesman

No more than five candidates could be elected to the ECHL Hall of Fame each year, with a maximum of three Players, one Coach, one Developmental Player, two Builders, and one Referee/Linesman.

The Coach, Developmental Player, Builder, and Referee/Linesman categories depended on the number of candidates in the Player category.

The nomination and/or selection of candidates were determined by the Hall of Fame Selection Committee and its Chairmen, Joe Ernst and Patrick J. Kelly.

Only members of the Selection Committee, the Board of Governors, teams, or individuals affiliated with the ECHL could submit official nominations.

Scott Burfoot suited up in 298 career ECHL games over five seasons with Erie, Roanoke Valley, Huntsville and Richmond. 

He was named to four All-Star Games, which is tied for the third most in League history.

As a result, totaling 427 points, for a 1.43 points-per-game average, which ranks sixth all-time.

Watch ECHL Hall Of Fame Class of 2024’s Scott Burfoot Induction video

Brad Dexter

Brad Dexter ranks as one of the best offensive-minded defensemen in ECHL history.

He totaled 361 points (67g-294a) in 464 career games over seven seasons from 1996-2004 with Raleigh, South Carolina, Pensacola and Victoria.

A two-time Kelly Cup Champion with the Stingrays in 1997 and 2001.

Dexter is sixth all-time among ECHL defensemen in points and assists and is eighth in goals. He led all ECHL defensemen with 59 assists in 1999-2000.

Also, Dexter was named to the All-ECHL Second Team in both 1998-99 and 1999-2000.

Dexter is currently in his first season as a professional scout with the National Hockey League’s Buffalo Sabres.

Watch the ECHL Hall Of Fame Class of 2024 Inductee Brad Dexter Induction video

Jason Fitzsimmons

Jason Fitzsimmons went 52-25-10 in 93 career ECHL appearances with Columbus (Chill) and South Carolina from 1992-98.

During the 1997 Kelly Cup Playoffs, he went 17-7 to help lead the Stingrays to the first-ever Kelly Cup title and earn Playoff Most Valuable Player honors.

Following his retirement as a player, he entered the coaching ranks, serving as South Carolina’s assistant coach from 1998-2002, adding a second Kelly Cup title to his resume in 2001, before being elevated to the head-coaching role in 2002-03.

Over five seasons as the Stingrays’ head coach, Fitzsimmons went 188-126-46 before joining the Washington Capitals front office in 2007-08.

With the Capitals, Fitzsimmons earned a Stanley Cup Championship in 2018, and currently serves as the team’s Director of Minor League Operations.

Watch the ECHL Hall Of Fame Class of 2024 Inductee Jason Fitzsimmons Induction video

June M. Kelly

June M. Kelly, the first lady of the ECHL, served an integral role during the early days of the ECHL, working in the League Office for seven years.

The wife of founding Commissioner Patrick J. Kelly, she served as the administration and financial overseer of the ECHL.

As a result, allowing her husband to travel and build the League during its infancy.

In 2019, the ECHL renamed the Playoff Most Valuable Player Trophy in her honor.

Watch the ECHL Hall Of Fame Class of 2024 Inductee June M. Kelly Induction video

Shawn Wheeler

Shawn Wheeler averaged over a point-per-game in his ECHL career, totaling 325 points (152g-173a) in 294 games over parts of seven seasons with Greensboro, Hampton Roads, and Charlotte.

He scored 30 or more goals in four of his five full ECHL seasons and captured the 1996 Riley Cup title with the Checkers.

Wheeler participated in three All-Star Games during his career, which is tied for the fifth most in ECHL history.

Also, following his retirement as a player, he became the first Black head coach in League history with Charlotte from 1998-2000.

Watch ECHL Hall Of Fame Class of 2024 Inductee Shawn Wheeler Induction video

The ECHL Hall Of Fame Class of 2024 Enshrinement Ceremony, held on January 15, 2024, celebrated the induction of five distinguished members: Scott Burfoot, Brad Dexter, Jason Fitzsimmons, June M. Kelly, and Shawn Wheeler.

The diverse class of 2024 featured individuals such as:

• Scott Burfoot, known for his remarkable career with numerous All-Star appearances
• Brad Dexter, an offensive-minded defenseman with two Kelly Cup Championships
• Jason Fitzsimmons, a player turned successful coach and NHL executive
• June M. Kelly, recognized as the first lady of the ECHL
• Shawn Wheeler, a prolific player and the league’s first Black head coach.

Notably, ECHL Commissioner Ryan Crelin emphasized the historical significance of the event and its importance to both the league and the inductees.

The event underscored the integral role played by these individuals in shaping the league’s foundation and fostering its growth.

Congratulations to the inductees of the ECHL Hall of Fame Class of 2024! We appreciate and acknowledge your numerous accomplishments within the hockey community.

Baron® is the Official Ring Supplier to the ECHL

Baron® Championship Rings is the Official Championship Ring provider to the East Coast Hockey League, including Kelly Cup Finals on-ice officials, and also provides the Hall of Fame Rings presented each year to new inductees into the ECHL Hall of Fame. The Partnership also allows ECHL Kelly Cup Champions to work on designing their Championship Rings with Baron® and their elite design team and staff.

Read more about the partnership details.