American Hockey League
Current season, competition or edition: 2024–25 AHL season | |
 American Hockey League logo | |
| Sport | Ice hockey |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1936 (IHL/C-AHL Interlocking schedules); 1938 (IHL/C-AHL formally merged) |
| President | Scott Howson |
| No. of teams | 32 |
| Countries | United States (26 teams) Canada (6 teams) |
| Headquarters | Springfield, Massachusetts,U.S. |
| Most recent champion(s) | Hershey Bears(13th title) |
| Most titles | Hershey Bears (13)[1] |
| TV partner(s) | Canada (English):Sportsnet/Sportsnet One Canada (French):Réseau des sports Europe:Premier Sports United States (English):NHL Network United States (Spanish):ESPN Deportes United States (English): AHL.TV (Internet app) |
| Official website | theahl |
TheAmerican Hockey League(AHL) is aprofessional ice hockeyleague based in the United States and Canada that serves as the primarydevelopmental leaguefor theNational Hockey League(NHL).[2]As of the2024–25 AHL season,All 32 NHL teams held affiliations with an AHL team. Historically, when an NHL team does not have an AHL affiliate, its players are assigned to AHL teams affiliated with other NHL franchises.
Twenty-six AHL teams are located across the United States whereas the remaining six are situated in Canada. The league offices are located inSpringfield, Massachusetts,and its current president isScott Howson.[3]
A player must be at least 18 years of age to play in the AHL or not currently be beholden to ajunior ice hockeyteam. The league limits the number of experienced professional players in a team's lineup during any given game; only five skaters can have accumulated more than 260 games played at the professional level (goaltenders are exempt from this rule).[4]
The annual playoff champion is awarded theCalder Cup,named forFrank Calder,the first President (1917–1943) of the NHL. The defending champions following the2023–24 seasonare theHershey Bears,winning their 13th Calder Cup in franchise history.
History[edit]
Predecessor leagues[edit]
The AHL traces its origins directly to two predecessor professional leagues: theCanadian-American Hockey League(the "Can-Am" League), founded in 1926, and the firstInternational Hockey League,established in 1929. Although the Can-Am League never operated with more than six teams, the departure of theBoston Bruin Cubsafter the 1935–36 season reduced it down to just four member clubs: theSpringfield Indians,Philadelphia Ramblers,Providence Reds,andNew Haven Eaglesfor the first time in its history. At the same time, the then-rival IHL lost half of its eight members after the 1935–36 season, leaving it with just four member teams: theBuffalo Bisons,Syracuse Stars,Pittsburgh Hornets,andCleveland Falcons.
1936–1938[edit]
With both leagues down to the bare minimum number of teams to be viable, the governors of both leagues recognized the need for action to assure their member clubs' long-term survival. Their solution was to play an interlocking schedule. While the Can-Am was based in theNortheastand the IHL in theGreat Lakes,their footprints were close enough for this to be a viable option. The two leagues' eight surviving clubs began joint play in November 1936 as a new two-division "circuit of mutual convenience" known as the International-American Hockey League. The four Can-Am teams became the I-AHL East Division, with the IHL quartet playing as the West Division. The IHL also contributed its former championship trophy, theF.G. "Teddy" Oke Trophy,which would go to the regular-season winners of the merged league's West Division until 1952. The Oke Trophy is now awarded to the regular-season winners of the AHL's North Division.
A little more than a month into that first season, the balance and symmetry of the new combined circuit suffered a setback when its membership unexpectedly fell to seven teams. The West's Buffalo Bisons were forced to cease operations on December 6, 1936, after playing just 11 games, because of what proved to be insurmountable financial problems and lack of access to a suitable arena; the Bisons' original arena,Peace Bridge Arena,had collapsed the previous season (a newBuffalo Bisonsteam would return to the league in 1940 aftera new arenawas constructed for them). The makeshift new I-AHL played out the rest of its first season (as well as all of the next) with just seven teams.
At the end of the 1936–37 season, a modified three-round playoff format was devised and a new championship trophy, theCalder Cup,was established. The Syracuse Stars defeated the Philadelphia Ramblers in the final, three-games-to-one, to win the first-ever Calder Cup championship. The Calder Cup continues on today as the AHL's playoff championship trophy.
Formal consolidation of the I-AHL[edit]
After two seasons of interlocking play, the governors of the two leagues' seven active teams met in New York City on June 28, 1938, and agreed that it was time to formally consolidate.Maurice Podoloffof New Haven, the former head of the Can-Am League, was elected the I-AHL's first president. The former IHL president,John D. ChickofWindsor, Ontario,became vice-president in charge of officials.
The new I-AHL also added an eighth franchise at the 1938 meeting to fill the void in its membership left by the loss of Buffalo two years earlier with the admission of the then two-time defendingEastern Amateur Hockey League(EAHL) championHershey Bears.[5]The Bears remain the only one of these eight original I-AHL/AHL franchises to have been represented in the league without interruption since the 1938–39 season. The newly merged circuit also increased its regular-season schedule for each team by six games from 48 to 54.
Contraction, resurrection, and expansion[edit]
After the 1939–40 season the I-AHL renamed itself theAmerican Hockey League.It generally enjoyed both consistent success on the ice and relative financial stability over its first three decades of operation. In the late 1960s and early 1970s, however, the cost of doing business in professional ice hockey began to rise sharply with NHL expansion and relocation (the NHL placed teams in Pittsburgh and Buffalo, forcing two long-time AHL clubs, the Pittsburgh Hornets and Buffalo Bisons, to fold) and especially the 1972 formation of theWorld Hockey Association(WHA), which forced the relocation and subsequent folding of theCleveland Barons,Baltimore Clippers,andQuebec Aces.The number of major-league teams competing for players rose from six to thirty in just seven years. Player salaries at all levels shot up dramatically with the increased demand and competition for their services.
This did not seem to affect the AHL at first, as it expanded to 12 teams by 1970. However, to help compensate for the rise in player salaries, many NHL clubs cut back on the number of players they kept under contract for development, and players under AHL contracts could now also demand much higher paychecks to remain with their clubs. As a result, half of the AHL's teams folded from 1974 to 1977. The league bottomed out in the summer of 1977, with news that the Rhode Island (formerly Providence) Reds – the last remaining uninterrupted franchise from the 1936–37 season, and the oldest continuously operating minor league franchise in North America – had decided to cease operations after 51 years in Rhode Island.
The AHL appeared in serious danger of folding altogether if this downward trend was not reversed. However, two events in the fall of 1977 helped reverse the trend. The first of these was the decision of the NHL'sPhiladelphia Flyersto return to the league as a team owner, and the second was the unexpected collapse of theNorth American Hockey Leaguejust weeks before the start of the 1977–78 season.
The Flyers' new AHL franchise became the immediately successfulMaine Mariners,which brought the new AHL city ofPortland, Maineboth the regular-season and Calder Cup playoff titles in each of that club's first two seasons of operation. The folding of the NAHL, meanwhile, suddenly left two of its stronger teams, thePhiladelphia FirebirdsandBinghamton, New York-basedBroome Dusters,without a league to play in. The owners of the Dusters solved their problem by buying the Reds franchise and moving it to Binghamton as theBinghamton Dusters,while the Firebirds crossed over to the AHL from the NAHL. The Dusters and Firebirds, together with theHampton Gulls(who had joined the league from theSouthern Hockey League), boosted the AHL to nine member clubs as the 1977–78 season opened. Hampton folded on February 10, 1978, but was replaced the next year by theNew Brunswick Hawks.With franchise stability improving after the demise of the WHA in 1979, the league continued to grow steadily over the years, reaching 20 clubs by the 2000–01 season.
Absorption of the IHL[edit]
In 2001–02, the AHL's membership jumped dramatically to 27 teams, mostly by the absorption of six teams—Milwaukee,Chicago,Houston,Utah,Manitoba,andGrand Rapids—from theInternational Hockey League.The IHL had established itself as the second top-level minor league circuit in North America, but folded in 2001 due to financial problems. One oddity caused by the AHL's 2001 expansion was that the league had two teams with the same nickname: the Milwaukee Admirals and theNorfolk Admirals.The latter team transferred to the league from the mid-levelECHLin 2000. This situation lasted until the end of the 2014–15 season when the Norfolk team moved to San Diego and was replaced by another ECHL team with the same name.
The Utah Grizzlies suspended operations after the 2004–05 season (the franchise was sold in 2006 and returned to the ice in Cleveland in2007as the Lake Erie Monsters, now known as theCleveland Monsters). The Chicago Wolves (2002,2008,2022), Houston Aeros (2003), Milwaukee Admirals (2004), and Grand Rapids Griffins (2013,2017) have all won Calder Cup titles since joining the AHL from the IHL. Chicago and Milwaukee have also made multiple trips to the Calder Cup Finals, and Houston made their second Finals appearance in 2011.
The Manitoba Moose moved toSt. John's, Newfoundland and Labradorin 2011 and were renamed theSt. John's IceCapsafter the NHL'sAtlanta Thrashersmoved to Winnipeg as the second incarnation of theWinnipeg Jets.In 2013, Houston moved to Des Moines, Iowa to become theIowa Wild.This left Chicago, Grand Rapids and Milwaukee as the only ex-IHL teams still in their original cities until the 2015 relocations when the IceCaps moved back to Winnipeg as the Manitoba Moose.
Relocations and western shift[edit]
Beginning with the2015–16 season,twelve franchises have since relocated due to NHL parent clubs' influence on their development teams and players. Of the twelve relocated franchises, nine were relocated because they were directly owned by NHL teams and the NHL parent club wished to make call-ups from the AHL more practical by having closer affiliates.
In January 2015, the AHL announced the relocation of five existing AHL franchises—Adirondack,Manchester,Norfolk,Oklahoma City,andWorcester—to California as the basis for a new "Pacific Division" becomingStockton,Ontario,San Diego,Bakersfield,andSan Joserespectively.[6]The relocated teams were all affiliated and owned or purchased by teams in the NHL'sPacific Division.The franchise movements continued with two more relocations involving Canadian teams[7]with theSt. John's IceCapsgoing back toWinnipegas theManitoba Mooseand theHamilton Bulldogsbecoming another iteration of the IceCaps to fulfill the arena contract in St. John's.
In the following seasons, more NHL organizations influenced league membership. In 2016, theSpringfield Falconsfranchise was purchased by theArizona Coyotesand relocated to become theTucson Roadrunnersand join the one-year-old Pacific Division. The Falcons were subsequently replaced by theSpringfield Thunderbirds,the relocatedPortland Piratesfranchise under a new ownership group. TheMontreal Canadiens-owned IceCaps relocated to the Montreal suburb ofLaval, Quebec,and became theLaval Rocketin 2017.[8]TheBinghamton Senatorswere also purchased by theOttawa Senatorsand were relocated toBelleville, Ontario,to become theBelleville Senators[9]while theNew Jersey Devils' ownedAlbany Devilswere relocated to become theBinghamton Devils.[10]
For the2018–19 season,a 31st team joined the league with theColorado Eaglesas the NHL'sColorado Avalancheaffiliate.[11]With the NHL planning to expand to 32 teams in 2021 with theSeattle Kraken,the Seattle ownership group was approved for a 2021 AHL expansion team, later announced to be theCoachella Valley Firebirdsbased inPalm Springs, California,following the construction ofa new arena.[12][13]The original plans for the new arena was eventually cancelled and the team postponed their launch by a year while new arena plans were developed.[14]
In February 2020, theSan Antonio Rampagefranchise was bought and relocated by the NHL'sVegas Golden Knightsfor the2020–21 season[15]as theHenderson Silver Knightsand was moved to the Pacific Division. For the2021–22 season,theVancouver Canucksrelocated their franchise from Utica to Abbotsford while theUtica Cometsagreed to relocate and operate the franchise that was operating as theBinghamton Devils.[16]On May 23, 2022, it was announced that the Stockton Heat would be relocating toCalgary,Alberta,starting the2022–23 season.[17]
For the2023–24 season,the Chicago Wolves are the league's only unaffiliated team, making them the first team to operate without an NHL partner the inaugural1994–95 seasonof theWorcester IceCats,which had not been able to hold on to the affiliation held by itsSpringfield Indianspredecessor.[18]Consequently, theCarolina Hurricanesbecame the only NHL team currently without an AHL affiliate.[19]However, the Hurricanes loaned some players to the Wolves, such asVasili PonomaryovandAntti Raanta.The Hurricanes will be the Wolves affiliate forthe next season.
Teams[edit]
- Atlantic Division
- North Division
- Central Division
- Pacific Division
List of teams[edit]
Notes
Timeline[edit]
Current memberFormer memberOpted out of season due toCOVID-19 pandemic
All-time team list[edit]
Bold teams means they are still active
- Buffalo Bisons(1) (1936; folded)
- Cleveland Falcons(1936–37; renamed the Cleveland Barons)
- New Haven Eagles(1936–43; folded during World War II resurrected 1945)
- Philadelphia Ramblers(1936–41, renamed Philadelphia Rockets)
- Pittsburgh Hornets(1936–56; went on hiatus to wait for new arena, returned 1961)
- Providence Reds(1936–76; renamed Rhode Island Reds)
- Springfield Indians(1936–42; suspended during World War II; returned 1946)
- Syracuse Stars(1936–40; became Buffalo Bisons)
- Cleveland Barons(1937–1973; became Jacksonville Barons)
- Hershey Bears(1938–present)
- Indianapolis Capitals(1939–52; folded)
- Buffalo Bisons(2) (1940–70; folded)
- Philadelphia Rockets(1941–42; folded)
- Washington Lions(1941–43; folded)
- St. Louis Flyers(1944–53; folded)
- New Haven Eagles(1945–46, renamed New Haven Ramblers)
- Springfield Indians(1946–51; became Syracuse Warriors)
- Philadelphia Rockets(1946–49; folded)
- New Haven Ramblers(1946–50, renamed New Haven Eagles)
- Washington Lions(1947–49; became Cincinnati Mohawks)
- Cincinnati Mohawks(1949–52; transferred toIHL)
- New Haven Eagles(1950–51, folded)
- Syracuse Warriors(1951–54; became Springfield Indians)
- Springfield Indians(1954–67; renamed Springfield Kings)
- Rochester Americans(1956–present)
- Quebec Aces(1959–71; became Richmond Robins)
- Pittsburgh Hornets(1961–67; folded)
- Baltimore Clippers(1962–76; folded)
- Springfield Kings(1967–74; renamed Springfield Indians)
- Montreal Voyageurs(1969–71; became Nova Scotia Voyageurs)
- Nova Scotia Voyageurs(1971–84; became Sherbrooke Canadiens)
- Boston Braves(1971–74; suspended, became Moncton Hawks)
- Cincinnati Swords(1971–74; folded)
- Richmond Robins(1971–76; folded)
- Tidewater Wings(1971–72; played in Norfolk; renamed Virginia Wings)
- Virginia Wings(1972–75; played in Norfolk; became Adirondack Red Wings)
- Jacksonville Barons(1973–74; folded, franchise purchased and became Syracuse Eagles)
- New Haven Nighthawks(1972–92; became New Haven Senators)
- Springfield Indians(1974–94; became Worcester IceCats)
- Syracuse Eagles(1974–75; folded)
- Rhode Island Reds(1976–77; became Binghamton Dusters)
- Hampton Gulls(1977–78; folded midseason)
- Binghamton Dusters(1977–80; renamed Binghamton Whalers)
- Maine Mariners(1977–92; original franchise became Utica Devils; expansion franchise became Providence Bruins)
- Philadelphia Firebirds(1977–79; became Syracuse Firebirds)
- New Brunswick Hawks(1978–82; became St. Catharines Saints)
- Adirondack Red Wings(1979–99; became San Antonio Rampage)
- Syracuse Firebirds(1979–80; folded)
- Binghamton Whalers(1980–90; renamed Binghamton Rangers)
- Erie Blades(1981–82; merged into Baltimore Skipjacks)
- Fredericton Express(1981–88; became Halifax Citadels)
- Baltimore Skipjacks(1982–93; became Portland Pirates)
- Moncton Alpines(1982–84; renamed Moncton Golden Flames)
- Sherbrooke Jets(1982–84; folded)
- St. Catharines Saints(1982–86; became Newmarket Saints)
- Nova Scotia Oilers(1984–88; became Cape Breton Oilers)
- Sherbrooke Canadiens(1984–90; became Fredericton Canadiens)
- Moncton Golden Flames(1984–87; folded)
- Newmarket Saints(1986–91; became St. John's Maple Leafs)
- Moncton Hawks(1987–94; folded)
- Utica Devils(1987–93; became Saint John Flames)
- Cape Breton Oilers(1988–96; became Hamilton Bulldogs)
- Halifax Citadels(1988–93; became Cornwall Aces)
- Binghamton Rangers(1990–97; became Hartford Wolf Pack)
- Capital District Islanders(1990–93; became Albany River Rats)
- Fredericton Canadiens(1990–99; became Quebec Citadelles)
- St. John's Maple Leafs(1991–2005; became Toronto Marlies)
- Providence Bruins(1992–present)
- Hamilton Canucks(1992–94; became Syracuse Crunch)
- New Haven Senators(1992–93; became Prince Edward Island Senators)
- Albany River Rats(1993–2010; became Charlotte Checkers)
- Portland Pirates(1993–2016, became Springfield Thunderbirds)
- Prince Edward Island Senators(1993–96; became Binghamton Senators)
- Saint John Flames(1993–2003; became Omaha Ak-Sar-Ben Knights)
- Cornwall Aces(1993–96; dormant until 1999 and became Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins)
- Springfield Falcons(1994–2016; became Tucson Roadrunners)
- Syracuse Crunch(1994–present)
- Worcester IceCats(1994–2005; became Peoria Rivermen)
- Baltimore Bandits(1995–97; became Cincinnati Mighty Ducks)
- Carolina Monarchs(1995–97; became Beast of New Haven)
- Philadelphia Phantoms(1996–2009; became Adirondack Phantoms)
- Hamilton Bulldogs(1996–2015; became second version of the St. John's IceCaps)
- Kentucky Thoroughblades(1996–2001; became Cleveland Barons)
- Cincinnati Mighty Ducks(1997–2005; became Rockford IceHogs)
- Beast of New Haven(1997–99; folded)
- Hartford Wolf Pack(1997–2010, 2013–present; became Connecticut Whale from 2010 to 2013)
- Lowell Lock Monsters(1998–2006; became Lowell Devils)
- Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins(1999–present)
- Louisville Panthers(1999–2001; became Iowa Stars)
- Quebec Citadelles(1999–2002; merged with Hamilton Bulldogs)
- Norfolk Admirals(2000–15; became the San Diego Gulls)
- Bridgeport Sound Tigers(2001–2021; became Bridgeport Islanders)
- Chicago Wolves(2001–present)
- Grand Rapids Griffins(2001–present)
- Houston Aeros(2001–13; became Iowa Wild)
- Manchester Monarchs(2001–15; became the Ontario Reign)
- Milwaukee Admirals(2001–present)
- Cleveland Barons(2001–06; became Worcester Sharks)
- Manitoba Moose(2001–11, 2015–present; were the St. John's IceCaps from 2011 to 2015)
- Utah Grizzlies(2001–05; became Lake Erie Monsters)
- Binghamton Senators(2002–17; became the Belleville Senators in 2017)
- San Antonio Rampage(2002–20; became Henderson Silver Knights)
- Toronto Roadrunners(2003–04; split from Hamilton Bulldogs, became Edmonton Road Runners)
- Edmonton Road Runners(2004–05; dormant 2005–2010, became the Oklahoma City Barons)
- Iowa Stars(2005–08; became Iowa Chops)
- Omaha Ak-Sar-Ben Knights(2005–07; became Quad City Flames)
- Peoria Rivermen(2005–13; became Utica Comets)
- Toronto Marlies(2005–present)
- Lowell Devils(2006–10; became Albany Devils)
- Worcester Sharks(2006–15; became the San Jose Barracuda)
- Lake Erie Monsters(2007–16; renamed Cleveland Monsters)
- Quad City Flames(2007–09; became Abbotsford Heat)
- Rockford IceHogs(2007–present)
- Iowa Chops(2008–09; became Texas Stars)
- Adirondack Phantoms(2009–14; became Lehigh Valley Phantoms)
- Texas Stars(2009–present)
- Abbotsford Heat(2009–14; became Adirondack Flames)
- Albany Devils(2010–17; became the Binghamton Devils in 2017)
- Charlotte Checkers(2010–present)
- Oklahoma City Barons(2010–15; became the Bakersfield Condors)
- Connecticut Whale(2010–13; reverted to Hartford Wolf Pack)
- St. John's IceCaps(2011–17; original franchise became the Manitoba Moose in 2015, second franchise became the Laval Rocket in 2017)
- Iowa Wild(2013–present)
- Utica Comets(2013–present; original franchise relocated to Abbotsford in 2021)
- Adirondack Flames(2014–15; became the Stockton Heat)
- Lehigh Valley Phantoms(2014–present)
- Bakersfield Condors(2015–present)
- Ontario Reign(2015–present)
- San Diego Gulls(2015–present)
- San Jose Barracuda(2015–present)
- Stockton Heat(2015–22; became the Calgary Wranglers)
- Cleveland Monsters(2016–present)
- Springfield Thunderbirds(2016–present)
- Tucson Roadrunners(2016–present)
- Belleville Senators(2017–present)
- Binghamton Devils(2017–21; became second version of the Utica Comets)
- Laval Rocket(2017–present)
- Colorado Eagles(2018–present)
- Henderson Silver Knights(2020–present)
- Abbotsford Canucks(2021–present)
- Bridgeport Islanders(2021–present)
- Calgary Wranglers(2022–present)
- Coachella Valley Firebirds(2022–present)
Presidents[edit]
| Name | Tenure |
|---|---|
| Maurice Podoloff | 1936–1952 |
| Emory D. Jones | 1952–1953 |
| John B. Sollenberger | 1953–1954 |
| John D. Chick | 1954–1957 |
| Richard F. Canning | 1957–1961 |
| James G. Balmer | 1961–1964 |
| John T. Riley | 1964–1966 |
| Jack A. Butterfield | 1966–1994 |
| David A. Andrews | 1994–2020 |
| D. Scott Howson | 2020–present |
All-Star Game[edit]
The American Hockey League first held an All-Star Game in the 1941–42 season as a fundraiser forAmerican Red CrossandCanadian Red Crossefforts duringWorld War II.Players from the Eastern Division faced off against players from the Western Division at Cleveland Arena.[22]
The event was not played again until the 1954–55 season, and was then held annually until the 1959–60 season. These six annual games pitted a team of all-stars against the defending Calder Cup champions (with the exception of the 1959-60 event, which featured the Springfield Indians).
The modern AHL All-Star Game was reinstituted for the 1994–95 season and a skills competition was introduced in 1995–96, with the two-day event being dubbed the AHL All-Star Classic. The 1995 and 1996 games featured players from teams based in Canada taking on players from teams based in the United States. Beginning in 1997, Canadian-born players faced players born outside Canada (known as the “World” team in 1997 and “PlanetUSA” from 1998 to 2010).
The format was revamped again in 2011 to pit the Eastern Conference against the Western Conference. In 2014, a team of AHL all-stars hosted theSwedish Hockey LeagueclubFärjestad BK.
Since 2016, the all-star game has been replaced by the AHL All-Star Challenge,[23]a three-on-three round-robin tournament among teams from the league's four divisions; the top two teams advance to the final game, with the winner declared the challenge champions.
The AHL All-Star Classic was postponed in 2021 and 2022 due to theCOVID-19 pandemic.TheLaval Rocket,who had been selected to host, ultimately hosted the event in 2023.
| Date | Arena | City | Winner | Score | Runner-up |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| February 3, 1942 | Cleveland Arena | Cleveland, Ohio | East All-Stars | 5–4 | West All-Stars |
| October 27, 1954 | Hershey Sports Arena | Hershey, Pennsylvania | AHL All-Stars | 7–3 | Cleveland Barons |
| January 10, 1956 | Duquesne Gardens | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania | AHL All-Stars | 4–4 | Pittsburgh Hornets |
| October 23, 1956 | Rhode Island Auditorium | Providence, Rhode Island | Providence Reds | 4–0 | AHL All-Stars |
| October 6, 1957 | Rochester Community War Memorial | Rochester, New York | AHL All-Stars | 5–2 | Cleveland Barons |
| January 15, 1959 | Hershey Sports Arena | Hershey, Pennsylvania | Hershey Bears | 5–2 | AHL All-Stars |
| December 10, 1959 | Eastern States Coliseum | West Springfield, Massachusetts | Springfield Indians | 8–3 | AHL All-Stars |
| January 17, 1995 | Providence Civic Center | Providence, Rhode Island | Canada | 6–4 | USA |
| January 16, 1996 | Hersheypark Arena | Hershey, Pennsylvania | USA | 6–5 | Canada |
| January 16, 1997 | Harbour Station | Saint John, New Brunswick | World | 3–2 (SO) | Canada |
| February 11, 1998 | Onondaga County War Memorial Arena | Syracuse, New York | Canada | 11–10 | PlanetUSA |
| January 25, 1999 | First Union Center | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | PlanetUSA | 5–4 (SO) | Canada |
| January 17, 2000 | Blue Cross Arena | Rochester, New York | Canada | 8–3 | PlanetUSA |
| January 15, 2001 | First Union Arena at Casey Plaza | Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania | Canada | 11–10 | PlanetUSA |
| February 14, 2002 | Mile One Stadium | St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador | Canada | 13–11 | PlanetUSA |
| February 3, 2003 | Cumberland County Civic Center | Portland, Maine | Canada | 10–7 | PlanetUSA |
| February 9, 2004 | Van Andel Arena | Grand Rapids, Michigan | Canada | 9–5 | PlanetUSA |
| February 14, 2005 | Verizon Wireless Arena | Manchester, New Hampshire | PlanetUSA | 5–4 | Canada |
| February 1, 2006 | MTS Centre | Winnipeg, Manitoba | Canada | 9–4 | PlanetUSA |
| January 29, 2007 | Ricoh Coliseum | Toronto, Ontario | PlanetUSA | 7–6 | Canada |
| January 28, 2008 | Broome County Veterans Memorial Arena | Binghamton, New York | Canada | 9–8 (SO) | PlanetUSA |
| January 26, 2009 | DCU Center | Worcester, Massachusetts | PlanetUSA | 14–11 | Canada |
| January 19, 2010 | Cumberland County Civic Center | Portland, Maine | Canada | 10–9 (SO) | PlanetUSA |
| January 31, 2011 | Giant Center | Hershey, Pennsylvania | East All-Stars | 11–8 | West All-Stars |
| January 30, 2012 | Boardwalk Hall | Atlantic City, New Jersey | West All-Stars | 8–7 (SO) | East All-Stars |
| January 28, 2013 | Dunkin' Donuts Center | Providence, Rhode Island | West All-Stars | 7–6 | East All-Stars |
| February 12, 2014 | Mile One Centre | St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador | AHL All-Stars | 7–2 | Färjestad BK |
| January 26, 2015 | Utica Memorial Auditorium | Utica, New York | West All-Stars | 14–12 | East All-Stars |
| February 1, 2016 | Oncenter War Memorial Arena | Syracuse, New York | Round robin results: Pacific 0–1North Central2–1 Atlantic (SO) Central4–2 North Pacific 1–2Atlantic Central 4–6Pacific Atlantic4–1 North | ||
| Central Division | 4–0 | Atlantic Division | |||
| January 30, 2017 | PPL Center | Allentown, Pennsylvania | Round robin results: Central 1–2Atlantic Pacific 3–6North Central2–1 North (SO) Pacific 1–6Atlantic Pacific 3–5Central North 0–2Atlantic | ||
| Central Division | 1–0 (SO) | Atlantic Division | |||
| January 29, 2018[24] | Utica Memorial Auditorium | Utica, New York | Round robin results: Pacific5–3 North Central 2–5Atlantic Central 2–4North Pacific4–3 Atlantic Central 3–4Pacific Atlantic 3–4North | ||
| North Division | 1–0 | Pacific Division | |||
| January 28, 2019 | MassMutual Center | Springfield, Massachusetts | Round robin results: Central 1–3Atlantic Pacific4–2 North Central 2–4North Pacific 2–5Atlantic Central5–3 Pacific North4–1 Atlantic | ||
| North Division | 1–0 (SO) | Atlantic Division | |||
| January 27, 2020[25] | Toyota Arena | Ontario, California | Round robin results: North 5–6Pacific (SO) Atlantic 1–3Central North 5–6Central Atlantic3–2 Pacific Atlantic5–2 North Central 4–5Pacific (SO) | ||
| Atlantic Division | 3–1 | Central Division | |||
| February 6, 2023 | Place Bell | Laval, Quebec | Round robin results: North 2–2 Pacific (SO) Atlantic4–3 Central (SO) North 2–2 Central (SO) Atlantic 2–6Pacific Atlantic3–2 North (SO) Central 2–5Pacific[26] | ||
| Pacific Division | 1–0 | Atlantic Division | |||
| February 5, 2024 | Tech CU Arena | San Jose, California | Round robin results: North 1–1 Pacific (SO) Central4–1 Atlantic North3–2 Central (SO) Atlantic 2–2 Pacific (SO) Atlantic6–1 North Pacific4–3 Central (SO)[27] | ||
| Pacific Division | 3–2 | Atlantic Division | |||
Outdoor games[edit]
Since the 2009–10 season, at least one team in the AHL has hosted anoutdoor ice hockey gameeach year. TheSyracuse Crunchwas the first organization to put on an outdoor game in the AHL on February 20, 2010, building a rink at the New York State Fairgrounds inSyracuse, New York,and packing a record 21,508 fans in for theMirabito Outdoor Classicagainst theBinghamton Senators.The contest, which was also televised to an international audience onNHL Network,was won by the Crunch, 2–1.
The Connecticut Whale hosted theWhale Bowl,the AHL's second outdoor game held on February 19, 2011, as part of a 10-day Whalers Hockey Fest atRentschler FieldinEast Hartford, Connecticut.Attendance for Connecticut's game against theProvidence Bruinswas announced at 21,673, the largest in AHL history to that point. Providence won, 5–4, in a shootout.
On January 6, 2012, the largest crowd in AHL history saw theAdirondack Phantomsdefeat theHershey Bears,4–3, in overtime before 45,653 fans atCitizens Bank ParkinPhiladelphia,as the final event of the week-long activities associated with the2012 NHL Winter Classic,which also included a game between the Philadelphia Flyers and theNew York Rangerson Jan 2 and an alumni game between retired players (including eight honored members of theHockey Hall of Fame) of those two clubs on December 31, 2011. The contest was the third outdoor game in AHL history and it more than doubled the league's previous single-game attendance mark.
On January 21, 2012, the Steeltown Showdown between Ontario rivals, theToronto MarliesandHamilton Bulldogs,was held atIvor Wynne StadiuminHamilton, Ontario,with the Marlies winning 7–2 in front of 20,565 fans, the largest crowd ever for an AHL game in Canada. The AHL game was preceded the previous night by a game betweenToronto Maple LeafsandMontreal Canadiensalumni.
Two outdoor games were announced for the 2012–13 AHL season, but a meeting between theGrand Rapids Griffinsand Toronto Marlies atComerica ParkinDetroitas part of the festivities surrounding theNHL Winter Classicwas not held because of the cancellation of the NHL Winter Classic. On January 20, 2013, the Hershey Bears andWilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguinsmet outdoors atHersheypark StadiuminHershey, Pennsylvaniawith the Penguins earning a 2–1 overtime victory in front of 17,311 fans.
TheRochester Americanshosted an outdoor game in 2013–14, theFrozen Frontier,which was held atFrontier FieldinRochester, New York,on December 13, 2013. The Americans took a 5–4 decision in a shootout against theLake Erie Monstersbefore a standing-room crowd of 11,015 fans. A year after their originally scheduled date, the Griffins and Marlies played at Comerica Park on December 30, 2013, and Toronto prevailed in a shootout, 4–3, becoming the first AHL team ever with two outdoor wins. Attendance in Detroit was 20,337.
As part of the recent addition of the Pacific Division, the AHL played its first outdoor hockey game in California during the 2015–16 season, called the Golden State Hockey Rush. On December 18, 2015, theStockton Heatdefeated theBakersfield Condors,3–2, atRaley FieldinWest Sacramento, California.[28]
For the second consecutive season, the AHL played an outdoor game in California as the Bakersfield Condors hosted the Condorstown Outdoor Classic against theOntario Reignon January 7, 2017, atBakersfield College'sMemorial Stadium.[29]Despite sometimes heavy rain during the first period, the game went on as scheduled and the Condors defeated the Reign 3–2 in overtime.
Hersheypark Stadium hosted its second outdoor game in 2018. Cleveland'sFirstEnergy Stadiumbecame the firstNational Football Leaguevenue to host an AHL outdoor game in 2023, andTruist Fieldin Charlotte hosted the Queen City Outdoor Classic in 2024.
International Games[edit]
Teams from the AHL have competed against non-North American teams, in both international tournaments and one-off matchups.
The first recorded games between an AHL team and international competition took place in 1969, when theMontreal Voyageurshosted theCanadian National Teamin Winnipeg.
Several club teams from the Soviet Union toured the United States and Canada during the 1970s and 1980s and played exhibitions against AHL clubs, including theSoviet Wings(1974–75),HC Spartak Moscow(1976, 1986),Moscow Khimik(1976),HC Dynamo Moscow(1977–78),Traktor Chelyabinsk(1978–79) andSokil Kyiv(1989).
Prior to the1980 Winter Olympicsin Lake Placid, New York, theAdirondack Red Wingshosted exhibition games against the national teams from theUnited States,West Germany,SwedenandFinland.Team USA also played exhibitions against AHL teams leading up to the1994 Olympicsin Lillehammer, Norway.
TheRochester Americansparticipated in the1996and2013editions of theSpengler Cup,held inDavos,Switzerland.The Spengler Cup is an annual invitational tournament featuring teams from leagues around Europe and the world. Theparticipation of the AHLin future Spengler Cups has been discussed by both the tournament organizers and league leadership.[30]
In 2014, Swedish clubFärjestad BKmet theToronto Marliesas part of a visit to Canada that included its participation in the 2014 AHL All-Star Classic.[31]
In February 2018, theOntario Reignhosted and defeated theDEL'sEisbären Berlin,6–3, in a friendly matchup organized byAnschutz Entertainment Group,the owner of both teams.[32]
AHL Hall of Fame[edit]
The formation of an American Hockey League Hall of Fame was announced by the league on December 15, 2005, created to recognize, honor and celebrate individuals for their outstanding achievements and contributions specifically in the AHL.[33]
Trophies and awards[edit]
The following is a list of awards of the American Hockey League. The season the award was first handed out is listed in parentheses.
Individual awards[edit]
- Les Cunningham Award– Most valuable player(1947–48)
- John B. Sollenberger Trophy– Top point scorer(1947–48)
- Willie Marshall Award– Top goal scorer(2003–04)
- Dudley "Red" Garrett Memorial Award– Rookie of the year(1947–48)
- Eddie Shore Award– Defenceman of the year(1958–59)
- Aldege "Baz" Bastien Memorial Award– Best Goaltender(1983–84)
- Harry "Hap" Holmes Memorial Award– Lowest Goals against average(1947–48)
- Louis A.R. Pieri Memorial Award– Coach of the year(1967–68)
- Fred T. Hunt Memorial Award– Sportsmanship / Perseverance(1977–78)
- Yanick Dupre Memorial Award– Community Service Award(1997–98)
- Jack A. Butterfield Trophy– MVP of the playoffs(1983–84)
Team awards[edit]
- Calder Cup– Playoffs champions(1936–37)
- Richard F. Canning Trophy– Eastern Conference playoff champions(1989–90)
- Robert W. Clarke Trophy– Western Conference playoff champions(1989–90)
- Macgregor Kilpatrick Trophy– Regular season champions, League(1997–98)
- Frank Mathers Trophy– Regular Season champions, Eastern Conference(1995–96)
- Norman R. "Bud" Poile Trophy– Regular Season champions, Western Conference(2001–02)
- Emile Francis Trophy– Regular Season champions, Atlantic Division(2001–02)
- F. G. "Teddy" Oke Trophy– Regular Season champions, North Division(1936–37)†
- Sam Pollock Trophy– Regular Season champions, Central Division(1995–96)
- John D. Chick Trophy– Regular Season champions, Pacific Division(1961–62)
†Trophy predates American Hockey League, established 1926–27 in theCanadian Professional Hockey League.
Other awards[edit]
- James C. Hendy Memorial Award– Executive of the Year(1961–62)
- Thomas Ebright Memorial Award– Outstanding career contributions(1997–98)
- James H. Ellery Memorial Awards– Outstanding media coverage(1964–65)
- Ken McKenzie Award– Marketing Executive of the Year(1978–79)
- Michael Condon Memorial Award– Outstanding service, On-ice official(2001–02)
- President's Awards– two annual awards given out by the AHL. The first award is presented to an AHL organization and recognizes "excellence in all areas off the ice." The second is given to a player as recognition of outstanding accomplishments in that year(2008–09)
Sources:
See also[edit]
- American Hockey Association (1926–1942)
- Calder Cup
- List of AHL head coaches
- List of AHL seasons
- List of American Hockey League arenas
- List of Calder Cup champions
- List of sports attendance figures
- Minor league
- List of ice hockey leagues
- Professional Hockey Players' Association,the collective bargaining union for AHL players
Notes[edit]
References[edit]
- ^"Calder Cup Record Book"ArchivedJanuary 25, 2010, at theWayback Machine,theahl
- ^Scott, Jon C. (2006).Hockey Night in Dixie: Minor Pro Hockey in the American South.Heritage House Publishing Company Ltd. p. xvii.ISBN1-894974-21-2.
- ^"Howson elected AHL President and CEO".theahl.February 14, 2020.RetrievedJuly 24,2020.
- ^"FAQ".Theahl.RetrievedDecember 11,2017.
- ^"Hershey In Hockey League: Admitted to Circuit as American-International Loops Unite"The PhiladelphiaRecord,June 29, 1938
- ^"AHL approves formation of Pacific Division".AHL. January 29, 2015. Archived fromthe originalon April 18, 2015.RetrievedJanuary 31,2015.
- ^"AHL announces franchise transactions".AHL. March 12, 2015. Archived fromthe originalon July 4, 2015.RetrievedMarch 14,2015.
- ^"Montreal Canadiens' farm team relocating to St. John's next season".The Compass. March 12, 2015.RetrievedMarch 13,2015.
- ^"Sens Owner Purchases AHL Team Partners W/ Belleville".Ottawa Senators. September 26, 2016.
- ^"New Jersey Devils to Relocate AHL Affiliate to Binghamton N.Y. for 2017-18 Season".Binghamtonsenators.Archived fromthe originalon February 19, 2017.RetrievedDecember 11,2017.
- ^"AHL awards expansion membership to Colorado Eagles".AHL. October 10, 2017.
- ^"NHL Seattle chooses Palm Springs as site for new AHL farm team".The Seattle Times.June 26, 2019.
- ^"AHL expanding to Palm Springs in 2021-22".American Hockey League.September 30, 2019.
- ^"Seattle Kraken delays AHL franchise by 1 year".ESPN.September 16, 2020.
- ^"San Antonio Rampage Sold and Will Relocate After 2019-2020 Season".San Antonio Current.February 6, 2020.[permanent dead link]
- ^"Board of Governors Approves Franchise Relocations".AHL.May 6, 2021.
- ^"American Hockey League approves Stockton Heat move to Calgary".Calgary.May 23, 2022.RetrievedMay 23,2022.
- ^"Blues announce affiliation with Worcester".United Press International.May 23, 1995.RetrievedMay 4,2024.
- ^"What Lack of AHL Affiliate Means for Carolina Hurricanes".The Hockey News.May 23, 2022.RetrievedJanuary 10,2022.
- ^"Together Again: Wolves and Canes Forge New Partnership"(Press release). Chicago Wolves. May 2, 2024.RetrievedMay 4,2024.
- ^https://cronkitenews.azpbs.org/2024/04/23/arizona-coyotes-leaving-relocation-roadrunners-tucson-hockey-nhl/
- ^"Patriotic duty: The 1942 AHL All-Star Game".AHL.February 3, 2012.RetrievedFebruary 13,2024.
- ^"AHL All-Star Challenge format announced".AHL.November 19, 2015.
- ^"North rallies for thrilling All-Star Challenge title".theahl.AHL. January 29, 2018.
- ^"Atlantic Division Prevails in 2020 AHL All-Star Challenge".OurSports Central.January 28, 2020.
- ^"Pacific Division wins thrilling All-Star Challenge".American Hockey League.February 18, 2023.
- ^"Canucks' Bains leads Pacific to All-Star Challenge win".The AHL.February 6, 2024.
- ^"Grant, Kylington and Shore Lead Heat to 3-2 Win at Raley Field".Stockton Heat. December 19, 2015. Archived fromthe originalon October 8, 2021.RetrievedJanuary 20,2016.
- ^"Condors bringing outdoor hockey to Memorial Stadium".Bakersfield. August 23, 2016.
- ^"Williams: Developing a European audience – the AHL has eyes on Spengler Cup - EP Rinkside".EP Rinkside.RetrievedSeptember 1,2023.
- ^"Marlies to host Farjestad BK in exhibition".TheAHL.November 19, 2013.RetrievedDecember 18,2023.
- ^"Ontario Reign ignite in third to defeat Eisbären Berlin".Press Enterprise.February 14, 2018.RetrievedSeptember 2,2023.
- ^"AHL Hall of Fame announces Class of '15".Theahl.RetrievedJanuary 30,2017.
- Scott, Jon C. (2006).Hockey Night in Dixie: Minor Pro Hockey in the American South.Heritage House Publishing Company Ltd. pp.137–201.ISBN1-894974-21-2.
External links[edit]
- Official website
- Historic standings and statistics– at Internet Hockey Database
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
- American Hockey League
- Minor league ice hockey
- 1936 establishments in North America
- Sports leagues established in 1936
- Professional ice hockey leagues in the United States
- Professional ice hockey leagues in Canada
- Multi-national professional sports leagues
- Second tier ice hockey leagues
- Multi-national ice hockey leagues in North America