2002–03 ECHL season

Ice hockey league season

The 2002–03 ECHL season was the 15th season of the East Coast Hockey League. The Brabham Cup regular season champions were the Toledo Storm and the Kelly Cup playoff champions were the Atlantic City Boardwalk Bullies.

The Macon Whoopee relocated to Lexington, Kentucky, as the Lexington Men O' War. The New Orleans Brass ceased operations due to the arrival of the New Orleans Hornets basketball team. The NBA team moved into the Brass' arena but wanted the Brass to pay for every conversion between the hockey and basketball configuration, an expense the Brass could not afford. The Mobile Mysticks also suspended operations prior to the season and would relocate to Duluth, Georgia, beginning with the 2003–04 season.

The ECHL All Star Game was held at Germain Arena in Estero, Florida and was hosted by the Florida Everblades. The Northern Conference All Stars dominated the game, beating the Southern Conference All Stars 8–2. Atlantic City's Scott Stirling was named Most Valuable Player.

Northeast Division Semifinals Atlantic City vs. Trenton Date Away Home April 2 Trenton 3 Atlantic City 4 April 4 Trenton 0 Atlantic City 4 April 7 Atlantic City 7 Trenton 3 Atlantic City wins series 3–0 Northeast Division Semifinals Greensboro vs. Roanoke Date Away Home April 3 Roanoke 2 Greensboro 7 April 4 Roanoke 3 Greensboro 1 April 5 Greensboro 3 Roanoke 2 April 8 Greensboro 5 Roanoke 3 Greensboro wins series 3–1
Northwest Division Semifinals Toledo vs. Lexington Date Away Home April 2 Lexington 1 Toledo 9 April 4 Lexington 0 Toledo 3 April 5 Lexington 1 Toledo 5 Toledo wins series 3–0 Northwest Division Semifinals Peoria vs. Cincinnati Date Away Home April 1 Cincinnati 4 Peoria 3 April 2 Cincinnati 1 Peoria 2 OT April 5 Peoria 0 Cincinnati 1 OT April 6 Peoria 3 Cincinnati 4 2OT Cincinnati wins series 3–1

Northeast Division Finals Atlantic City vs. Greensboro Date Away Home April 11 Greensboro 2 Atlantic City 3 OT April 12 Greensboro 3 Atlantic City 2 OT April 16 Atlantic City 6 Greensboro 3 April 18 Atlantic City 3 Greensboro 2 Atlantic City wins series 3–1 Northwest Division Finals Toledo vs. Cincinnati Date Away Home April 11 Cincinnati 2 Toledo 1 April 12 Cincinnati 4 Toledo 2 April 15 Toledo 1 Cincinnati 0 April 16 Toledo 1 Cincinnati 4 Cincinnati wins series 3–1

Columbia vs. Atlantic City Date Away Home May 7 Atlantic City 1 Columbia 0 May 9 Atlantic City 3 Columbia 0 May 10 Columbia 5 Atlantic City 3 May 12 Columbia 1 Atlantic City 3 May 14 Columbia 1 Atlantic City 3 Atlantic City wins series 4–1 and Kelly Cup