new arena for the 2009–10 season. Seven former ECHL franchises have been directly replaced in their respective markets by American Hockey League franchises. The Greensboro Monarchs were the first, being replaced by the Carolina Monarchs in 1995. The Hampton Roads Admirals were the second, giving way to the Norfolk Admirals in 2000. The Peoria Rivermen were the third. In their case, the replacement franchise retained the Worcester IceCats history but assumed the Rivermen identity for their first AHL season of 2005–06. The Charlotte Checkers were the fourth, yielding to a franchise that retained the Albany River Rats history following the club's move to Charlotte following the 2009–10 season and assumed the Checkers identity. In each of these cases, the ECHL franchise was relinquished to the league by its respective ownership group. In 2015, the three California franchises (Bakersfield Condors, Ontario Reign, and Stockton Thunder) were displaced by the formation of an AHL Pacific Division. Each ECHL franchise involved in the territorial shift was either owned or purchased by their NHL affiliate prior to being relocated. Alaska Aces (2003–2017; purchased and relocated to Portland, Maine, for the 2018–19 season.) Arkansas RiverBlades (1999–2003) Atlantic City Boardwalk Bullies (2001–2005; moved to Stockton, California.) Augusta Lynx (1998–2008; suspended operations and relinquished their membership back to the ECHL after their ownership group was unable to continue to operate in 2008–09. The first ECHL team to fold in mid-season.) Bakersfield Condors (2003–15; the team moved to Norfolk, Virginia, to become the Norfolk Admirals and was replaced in the market by an AHL team of the same name.) Baton Rouge Kingfish (1996–2003; moved to Victoria, British Columbia, as the Victoria Salmon Kings.) Birmingham Bulls (1992–2001; moved to Atlantic City, New Jersey; now the Adirondack Thunder.) Brampton Beast (2014–2020; folded during the COVID-19 pandemic.) Carolina/Winston-Salem Thunderbirds (1988–1992; moved to Wheeling, West Virginia, as the Wheeling Thunderbirds before being renamed as the Wheeling Nailers.) Charlotte Checkers (1993–2010; replaced by the Charlotte Checkers of the AHL.) Chesapeake Icebreakers (1997–1999; moved to Jackson, Mississippi.) Chicago Express (2011–2012; membership relinquished to ECHL.) Colorado Eagles (2011–2018; organization obtained an expansion franchise in the AHL.) Columbia Inferno (2001–2008; voluntarily suspended operations.) Columbus Chill (1991–1999; suspended operations due to the then-impending entry of the Columbus Blue Jackets into the NHL; franchise purchased and relocated to Reading, Pennsylvania.) Columbus Cottonmouths (2001–2004; the team moved down to what is now the Southern Professional Hockey League; ECHL franchise