The 1997–98 ECHL season was the tenth season of the ECHL. Before the start of the season, the league saw the Knoxville Cherokees move to Florence, SC and welcomed expansion teams in New Orleans, LA and Upper Marlboro, MD. The Louisiana IceGators finished the regular season first overall and the Hampton Roads Admirals won their record setting third overall ECHL championship (1st Kelly Cup), defeating the Pensacola Ice Pilots 4 games to 2.
League realignment
With the league expanding to 25 teams, the Board of Governors decided to divide the league into two conference (Northern and Southern), with two divisions each. With the realignment the Board of Governors also created two new trophies, one each for the playoff champion of each conference.
Northern Conference
Northeast Division
Chesapeake Icebreakers
Hampton Roads Admirals
Johnstown Chiefs
Richmond Renegades
Roanoke Express
Wheeling Nailers
Northwest Division
Columbus Chill
Dayton Bombers
Huntington Blizzard
Louisville RiverFrogs
Peoria Rivermen
Toledo Storm
Southern Conference
Southeast Division
Charlotte Checkers
Jacksonville Lizard Kings
Pee Dee Pride
Raleigh Icecaps
South Carolina Stingrays
Tallahassee Tiger Sharks
Southwest Division
Baton Rouge Kingfish
Birmingham Bulls
Louisiana IceGators
Mississippi Sea Wolves
Mobile Mysticks
New Orleans Brass
Pensacola Ice Pilots
Regular season
Final standings
Note: GP = Games played; W = Wins; L= Losses; T = Ties; GF = Goals for; GA = Goals against; PTS = Points; Green shade = Clinched playoff spot; Blue shade = Clinched division; (z) = Clinched home-ice advantage