The 1989–90 ECHL season was the second season of the ECHL. The league brought back all five teams from the inaugural season and added three more franchises in Greensboro, North Carolina, Nashville, Tennessee, and Norfolk, Virginia. Before the season began, the Carolina Thunderbirds changed their name to the Winston-Salem Thunderbirds. The eight teams played sixty games in the schedule, unchanged from the total games played in the inaugural 1988–89 ECHL season. The Winston-Salem Thunderbirds finished first overall in the regular season. The Greensboro Monarchs won their first Riley Cup championship.

Regular season

Note: GP = Games played; W = Wins; L= Losses; OTL = Overtime losses; GF = Goals for; GA = Goals against; Pts = Points; Green shade = Clinched playoff spot

Riley Cup playoffs

Bracket

1st round

2nd round

Riley Cup Finals

ECHL awards

All-Star teams

First All-Star Team

Forward: Bill McDougalli, Erie Panthers Forward: Trent Kaese, Winston-Salem Thunderbirds Forward: Len Soccio, Winston-Salem Thunderbirds Defense: Dave Doucette, Winston-Salem Thunderbirds Defense: Bill Whitfield, Virginia Lancers Defense: Andre Brassard, Nashville Knights Goaltender: Alain Raymond, Hampton Roads Admirals Head coach: Dave Allison, Virginia Lancers

Second All-Star Team

Forward: Joe Ferras, Winston-Salem Thunderbirds Forward: Glen Engevik, Nashville Knights Forward: Trevor Jobe, Hampton Roads Admirals Forward: Brian Martin, Hampton Roads Admirals Defense: Scott Drevich, Virginia Lancers Goaltender: Craig Barnett, Erie Panthers Head coach: Ron Hansis, Erie Panthers ''Note: The East Coast Hockey League did not hold an official All-Star game until the 1992–93 season. All-Star Teams were announced at the conclusion of the season.''