What is the actual quality like in ECHL though? That's something I've wondered for a long time. How would it compare to other leagues? Could a CHL team beat an ECHL team? How does the canadian university league (USports) compare?
I'll be the first to admit I've never seen an ECHL game in my life. But I can't help but think it's probably a pretty good league. Filled with guys who were good junior or college players but who weren't good enough to play in the AHL/NHL. But they're bigger, stronger more mature than when they were in junior. I could be wrong of course, but if I had to guess your average ECHL team beats your average CHL team more often than not.
I had a friend who played WHL then CIS (Canadian University), and from his experiences, I'd say CIS is better than WHL. The majority of WHLers go onto play in the CIS, with a few going to ECHL, AHL or NHL. The top CIS teams are better than WHL teams, being older, more mature and developed. The top CIS'ers can move onto the ECHL or even AHL.
So with that in mind, I agree with Spawn (I also have never seen ECHL), my guess would be.
ECHL > CIS > WHL
Not that CIS has anything to do with Skinner, but helps to understand the entire system.