ECHL Announces 2027 Hall of Fame Inductees
Matt Hendricks, Jeff Jakaitis, and Derek Nesbitt comprise the 19th class of ECHL Hall of Fame honorees.
Updated on Oct. 28, 2026 in Hockey
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The ECHL has unveiled its 19th class of Hall of Fame inductees, featuring hockey veterans Matt Hendricks, Jeff Jakaitis, and Derek Nesbitt. These distinguished players will be formally honored during a ceremony in Boise in January.
Why it matters
The annual induction recognizes players who have made significant contributions to the development and legacy of the league since its founding in 1988. These honors highlight individual milestones that helped build the professional reputation of the ECHL.
The ECHL currently operates 30 teams across 23 states and one Canadian province. Honoree Jeff Jakaitis is recognized for his three Goaltender of the Year awards and a notable 321:46 shutout streak record.
The players
Matt Hendricks
He is a former professional hockey player who played in the ECHL for the Florida Everblades during the 2004-05 season.
Jeff Jakaitis
He is a decorated goaltender who earned the ECHL Goaltender of the Year award in 2012, 2014, and 2015.
Derek Nesbitt
He is a career athlete who spent 11 of his 17 professional seasons competing in the ECHL.
The details
The Selection Committee oversaw the nomination and selection process, requiring all formal candidate submissions to be delivered in writing to the league office. The induction ceremony will take place at the Grove Hotel Ballroom in Boise.
Timeline
The ECHL was formed in the 1988-89 season.
The 2027 Hall of Fame inductees were announced in October 2026.
The induction ceremony is scheduled for January 26, 2027.
Season Trajectory
The selection of the 19th class maintains the institutional history of the ECHL as it continues to grow across 23 states. This honors the league legacy while anchoring its current era in the history established since the 1988-89 season.
Fans in Boise can expect an influx of league leadership and historical figures during the induction weekend. The ceremony serves as the primary gathering for the ECHL community to commemorate its 19th class of legends.
The takeaway
Recognizing long-term contributors helps preserve the identity of minor league sports across a wide geographic footprint. These inductions serve to memorialize the individual talent that defines the competitive standard of the ECHL.
What happens next
The formal ECHL Hall of Fame induction ceremony is confirmed to take place at the Grove Hotel Ballroom in Boise on January 26, 2027.
Further reading
For more on the latest league news, visit the Hockey section.
More information
View the complete list of honorees and historical records on the Online ECHL Hall of Fame.
Source note: This article includes information reported by ECHL.
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