The American Hockey League (AHL) serves as the primary minor league to the National Hockey League (NHL).
Its role is integral, nurturing young talent, offering a competitive environment for advancing the skills of its players, and providing a proving ground for impressive prospects before they move up to the NHL stage.
The roots of the AHL go back to two earlier leagues: the Canadian-American Hockey League, founded in 1926, and the first International Hockey League, established in 1929. In the mid-1930s, both leagues found themselves in an uncomfortable position. With dwindling team numbers and financial pressures looming, officials from each league decided that survival depended on collaboration. In 1936, leaders from both leagues agreed on an interlocking schedule that laid the groundwork for a merger. This union formed the International-American Hockey League (IAHL), split into two divisions to reflect the geographic identities of its predecessors, Eastern teams from the Can-Am League and Western teams from the IHL.
In the years after the IAHL's inception, the league underwent several consolidations and absorptions as financial realities and the evolving hockey market drove change. The merger was formally completed in 1938, a time when new franchises, such as the Hershey Bears, were absorbed into the league. A couple of years later, the league dropped "International" from its name, becoming the American Hockey League.
The AHL's connection with the NHL has been symbiotic from its earliest days, and this relationship evolved into a formal developmental system in which nearly all NHL teams maintain affiliations with an AHL franchise. This ensures that prospects receive regular, high-caliber competitive play, allowing NHL organizations to evaluate talent in a controlled environment. The influence of the NHL on the AHL is evident in several operational aspects of the league, including player eligibility and roster limitations, as well as the style of play on the ice, which mirrors the demands and pace of the NHL. Currently, all 32 NHL teams maintain affiliations with an AHL team.
The AHL is composed of 32 teams, with 26 based in the United States and 6 in Canada. Its teams are divided into conferences and divisions, a structure that has been periodically realigned to accommodate travel logistics, regional rivalries, and market developments. There are two conferences, Eastern and Western, each with two geographic divisions. The Eastern Conference is divided into the Atlantic and North divisions, while the Western Conference is divided into the Central and Pacific divisions.
Currently, the Eastern Conference's Atlantic Division includes the Bridgeport Islanders, Charlotte Checkers, Hartford Wolf Pack, Hershey Bears, Lehigh Valley Phantoms, Providence Bruins, Springfield Thunderbirds, and Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Pengins, while its North Division has the Belleville Senators, Cleveland Monsters, Laval Rocket, Rochester Americans, Syracuse Crunch, Toronto Marlies, and Utica Comets. The Western Conference's Central Division includes the Chicago Wolves, Grand Rapids Griffins, Iowa Wild, Manitoba Moose, Milwaukee Admirals, Rockford IceHogs, and Texas Stars, while the Pacific Division has the Abbotsford Canucks, Bakersfield Condors, Calgary Wranglers, Coachella Valley Firebirds, Colorado Eagles, Henderson Silver Knights, Ontario Reign, San Diego Gulls, San Jose Barracuda, and Tucson Roadrunners.
Topics related to the American Hockey League are appropriate for this part of our web guide.
Recommended Resources
The professional ice hockey team is based in Abbotsford, British Columbia. It plays in the American Hockey League (AHL) and plays home games at Abbotsford Centre. The franchise is an affiliate of the NFL's Vancouver Canucks. Founded in 1932, when the team was known as the Quebec Beavers, the franchise went through several name changes before becoming the Canucks in 2021. They are one of the oldest professional hockey franchises in existence. Schedules and ticket options are featured.
https://abbotsford.canucks.com/
AHL Tracker is an online platform dedicated to advanced statistics for the American Hockey League (AHL). It aggregates data from game results and detailed scoring breakdowns to in-depth performance metrics for skaters and goalies. The site is designed to serve both casual fans and serious analysts, offering features such as filtering options, rate statistics, and insights into line combinations and team rosters. The Tracker seeks to present every aspect of the game through advanced statistics.
https://www.ahltracker.com/
The American Hockey League (AHL) is a professional ice hockey league in North America that serves as the primary development league for the National Hockey League (NHL). The league comprises 32 teams, with 26 in the United States and 6 in Canada. The official league website features a team directory, the AHL All-Star Classic, the AHL Hall of Fame, and AHL Insider. Career and advertising opportunities are posted on the website, and tickets may be purchased online.
https://theahl.com/
American Hockey League Hall of Fame
The AHL Hall of Fame is an online ice hockey museum honoring members of the American Hockey League. Each year, a new class of inductees is enshrined during the AHL's All-Star Classic. Besides listing those who have been inducted into the Hall of Fame, the website features the history of the AHL, player records (most points, goals, assists, games played, penalty minutes, contending wins, shutouts, coaching wins, games coached, and yearly leaders), the Calder Cup, trophies, and videos.
https://ahlhalloffame.com/
Playing in the AHL, the Condors are owned by and affiliated with the NHL's Edmonton Oilers, and play home games at Dignity Health Arena in Bakersfield, California. The franchise began as the Nova Scotia Oilers in 1984, changing names a few times before becoming the Condors in 2015. Rosters, player statistics, standings, schedules, memberships, and ticket options are featured, along with broadcast information, fan resources, and an online shopping area offering branded merchandise.
https://www.bakersfieldcondors.com/
The B-Sens are a professional hockey organization in the American Hockey League, an affiliate of the NHL's Ottawa Senators. Home games are played at the CAA Arena in Belleville, Ontario. The team began in 1972 as the New Haven Nighthawks and became the Belleville Senators in 2017, although they formerly played as the "Senators" in New Haven, Prince Edward Island, and Binghamton. Team rosters, statistics, standings, schedules, and ticket options are featured on the site.
https://bellevillesens.com/
The Islanders are the AHL affiliate of the NHL's New York Islanders, who own the franchise. The team began as the Bridgeport Sound Tigers, when it was an affiliate of the ECHL Worcester Railers, and was purchased by the Islanders in 2004. They play home games at the Total Mortgage Arena in Bridgeport, Connecticut. Member benefits, ticket options, schedules, team rosters, statistics, and standings are posted on the website, along with an introduction to the arena.
https://www.bridgeportislanders.com/
Playing in the Pacific Division in the Western Conference of the American Hockey League, the Wranglers play at the Scotiabank Saddledome, the home of their NHL affiliate team, the Calgary Flames. The team roster, owners, hockey staff, front office staff, and medical staff are identified, along with schedules, ticket options, and statistics are featured on its website, along with news, fan and community resources, sponsorships, media guidelines, and contacts.
https://calgarywranglers.com/
From 1990 to 1993, the Capital District Islanders were based in Troy, New York. The franchise then became the Albany River Rats before relocating to Charlotte, North Carolina, to become the Checkers in 2010. Formerly part of the ECHL, the Checkers are now members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the American Hockey League and a minor league affiliate of the NHL's Florida Panthers. Schedules, rosters, and ticket options are featured on the site.
https://charlottecheckers.com/
Affiliated with the Carolina Hurricanes of the National Hockey League, the Wolves are a professional ice hockey team in the American Hockey League, where they play home games at the Allstate Arena in the Chicago suburb of Rosemont, Illinois. Originally a member of the International Hockey League, the Wolves joined the AHL when the IHL folded in 2001. Game schedules, ticket options, school programs, and team rosters are posted on the site, which includes an online shop.
https://www.chicagowolves.com/
Founded in 1994 as the Denver Grizzlies, the franchise played as the Utah Grizzlies and the Lake Erie Monsters before becoming the Cleveland Monsters, a professional AHL ice hockey team playing at Rocket Arena in Cleveland, Ohio, as an affiliate of the Columbus Blue Jackets of the NHL. A team roster, standings, statistics, schedules, premium memberships, and ticket options are featured on its website, which includes an online shop selling branded apparel and other merchandise.
https://www.clevelandmonsters.com/
Based in the Coachella Valley in Southern California, the Firebirds are a professional ice hockey team playing in the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the American Hockey League (AHL). Owned and operated as an affiliate of the NHL's Seattle Kraken, the team plays its home games at Acrisure Arena in Thousand Palms. The team roster, statistics, schedules, ticket options, videos, and fan resources are featured, along with an online shopping area offering branded merchandise.
https://cvfirebirds.com/
The Eagles were founded in 2003 as an expansion franchise in the Central Hockey League, where they remained until they joined the ECHL in 2011, and the American Hockey League in 2018 as an affiliate of the NHL's Colorado Avalanche. Game schedules and other events, information about live streaming, ticket options, team rosters, statistics, partnerships, and an introduction to the Blue Arena, where they play in Loveland, Colorado. Photos and other fan resources are included.
https://www.coloradoeagles.com/
The Griffins are a professional ice hockey team based in Grand Rapids, Michigan. They play home games at Van Andel Arena and are an affiliate of the Detroit Red Wings in the American Hockey League. The franchise began in the now-defunct International Hockey League in 1996 and merged into the AHL in 2001. A team roster, statistics, game schedules, and other events are posted, along with ticket plans, sponsors, and community events and initiatives. An online store offers branded apparel.
https://griffinshockey.com/
Established as the Providence Reds in 1926, the team moved to Hartford in 1997 after a series of relocations. It is one of the oldest professional hockey franchises and the oldest continuously operating minor league hockey franchise in North America. Playing its home games at the XL Center in Hartford, Connecticut, the team is a member of the AHL and an affiliate of the NHL's New York Rangers. Game schedules, ticket options, team rosters, and contacts are provided.
https://www.hartfordwolfpack.com/
The Silver Knights are an owned and operated affiliate of the NHL's Vegas Golden Knights, playing in the American Hockey League (AHL). Founded in 1971, the team was acquired by the Golden Knights in 2020. Game schedules, team rosters, and hockey operations are highlighted, along with ticket options, premium memberships, statistics, videos, player interviews, community programs, and contact data. An online shopping area offers branded apparel, gifts, and collectibles.
https://www.hendersonsilverknights.com/
Based in Hershey, Pennsylvania, the Hershey Bears are a professional ice hockey team in the American Hockey League and an affiliate of the NHL's Washington Capitals. Founded in 1932, the Bears have served as the primary development club for the Capitals since 2005 and are the longest continuously operating member club of the AHL still playing in its original city. Game schedules and promotional events are featured, along with ticket options, team rosters, statistics, and a seating chart.
https://www.hersheybears.com/
The online platform delivers deep-dive coverage of the American Hockey League. Going beyond mere scores and statistics, the site offers narrative-driven analysis designed to capture the emotional intensity, strategic intricacies, and behind-the-scenes moments that define AHL contests. The site presents a blend of detailed game breakdowns and expert commentary. By focusing on nuanced details, such as how a coach's decisions can shift the tone of a game, the site offers more than statistics.
https://insideahlhockey.com/
Founded in 1994 as an expansion team in the International Hockey League, the Iowa Wild began play as the AHL affiliate of the Minnesota Wild of the NHL in 2013. Its home games are played at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines, Iowa. Team rosters, historical information, game schedules, ticket options, and promotional events are highlighted, along with team news, partnerships, and fan resources, including Wild Times Digital Magazine, are set forth, and branded apparel may be purchased online.
https://www.iowawild.com/
The Laval Rocket (Rocket de Laval) is a professional ice hockey team in the American Hockey League, and an affiliate of the Montreal Canadiens of the National Hockey League and the Trois-Rivières Lions of the ECHL. Founded in 1969, the team plays home games at Place Bell in Laval, Quebec. Team rosters, standings, player statistics, and hockey operations are featured, along with season ticket sales and other ticket options, game schedules, and an overview of its community programs.
https://www.rocketlaval.com/en/
The Lehigh Valley Phantoms are a professional ice hockey team based in Allentown, Pennsylvania. The team plays home games at PPL Center and competes in the American Hockey League, where it serves as the primary development team for the NHL's Philadelphia Flyers. Team rosters, player statistics, league standings, and franchise history are set forth, along with game schedules, ticket sales, and arena information. An online store offers branded apparel, gifts, and souvenirs.
https://www.phantomshockey.com/
The Moose plays its home games at Canada Life Centre, the home arena of its parent club, the Winnipeg Jets, of the NHL. The Jets compete in the American Hockey League. The franchise was founded in 1994 as the Minnesota Moose, then playing in the International Hockey League. The team played 15 seasons (5 in the IHL and 10 in the AHL) in Winnipeg, followed by 4 seasons in St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, where it was known as the St. John's IceCaps, before returning to Winnipeg in 2015.
https://moosehockey.com/
An affiliate of the National Hockey League's Nashville Predators, the Milwaukee Admirals are a professional ice hockey team in the American Hockey League. Originally an amateur team called the Milwaukee Wings, they play their home games at the University of Wisconsin's Milwaukee Panther Arena in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. They played an independent schedule until 1973 when they joined the United States Hockey League, the International Hockey League in 1977, and the AHL in 2001.
https://www.milwaukeeadmirals.com/
The Reign is a professional ice hockey team in the AHL that began playing in the 2015-16 season. Based in Ontario, California, the franchise is affiliated with the NHL's Los Angeles Kings and plays its home games at the Toyota Arena. The Reign replaced the ECHL team of the same name, which played from 2008 until 2015, after which they moved to Manchester, New Hampshire, to play as the Manchester Monarchs. Game schedules, standings, past results, a team roster, and ticket options are featured.
https://ontarioreign.com/
Established in 1987, the franchise played as the Maine Mariners until 1992, when it moved to Providence, Rhode Island, as the Providence Bruins. The Providence Bruins are a professional ice hockey team in the American Hockey League and the primary development team for the Boston Bruins of the National Hockey League. Membership options, a seating chart, suites, game schedules, partners, and its programs for youth and the community are defined. An online store sells branded apparel and gifts.
https://www.providencebruins.com/
Known locally as the Amerks, the Rochester Americans are a professional ice hockey team in the American Hockey League. They play their home games in Rochester, New York, at the Blue Cross Arena at the War Memorial, an owned and operated affiliate of the NHL's Buffalo Sabres. The Americans are the fourth oldest franchise in the AHL, and have the second longest continuous tenure among AHL teams in their current location after the Hershey Bears. Schedules, rosters, and ticket options are featured.
https://www.amerks.com/
The IceHogs play their home games at the BMO Center in Rockford, Illinois, where they are members of the American Hockey League, and the top minor league affiliate of the National Hockey League's Chicago Blackhawks. A seating map, ticket options, game schedules, and other community, youth, or fan events are featured on its website, which includes team rosters, statistics, and the history of the team. Its partnerships, a photo gallery, and an online shopping area are included.
https://www.icehogs.com/
Founded as the Norfolk Admirals in 2000, the AHL franchise was acquired by the NFL's Anaheim Ducks in 2015. They moved to San Diego, California, where they took their current name. The Gulls are a professional ice hockey team that plays its home games at Pechanga Arena. The team's colors are black, orange, blue, and white. Game schedules and information on watching games via live streaming are provided, along with a team roster, standings, statistics, and ticket options are presented.
https://www.sandiegogulls.com/
Playing home games at Tech CU Arena in San Jose, California, since the 2022-23 season, the Barracuda are a relocation of the former Worcester Sharks AHL franchise, which joined several other AHL franchises to form its Pacific Division in 2015. The professional ice hockey franchise was founded in 1996, and previously played as the Kentucky Thoroughblades, the Cleveland Barons, and the Worcester Sharks. Schedules, ticket options, a seating map, a team roster, and an online fan store are available.
https://www.sjbarracuda.com/
The franchise was founded in 1975 and originally part of the North American Hockey League (NAHL). It played as the Erie Blades until 1982, the Baltimore Skipjacks until 1993, and the Portland Pirates until 2016. The professional ice hockey team is in the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the American Hockey League and is the affiliate of the NHL's St. Louis Blues. Home games are played at the MassMutual Center in Springfield, Massachusetts. Schedules and ticket sales are available.
https://springfieldthunderbirds.com/
The primary development affiliate of the NHL's Tampa Bay Lightning, the Syracuse (New York) Crunch is a professional ice hockey team in the North Division, Eastern Conference, of the American Hockey League. They play their home games at the Upstate Medical University Arena. Founded in 1992, they played their first two seasons as the Hamilton Canucks, an affiliate of the Vancouver Canucks. The website features game schedules, team rosters, and ticket options, along with community resources.
https://syracusecrunch.com/
Owned by the National Hockey League's Dallas Stars, the Texas Stars are a professional ice hockey team in the American Hockey League's Central Division, Western Conference. Based in Cedar Park, Texas, the team plays home games at the H-E-B Center. Founded in 1999, the franchise previously played as the Louisville Panthers (1999-2001), Iowa Stars (2005-2008), and the Iowa Chops (2008-2009) before taking their current name in 2009. Schedules, rosters, standings, and ticket sales are available.
https://www.texasstars.com/
The Marlies compete in the American Hockey League (AHL) as a member of the North Division of the Eastern Conference. The franchise is owned by Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment, which owns several sports teams in Toronto, including their NHL affiliate, the Toronto Maple Leafs. Established as the New Brunswick Hawks in 1978, they have played home games at Coca-Cola Coliseum since 2005. The team's history, roster, standings, game schedules, and ticket options are featured on its site.
https://www.marlies.ca/
Playing their home games at the Tucson (Arizona) Convention Center Arena, the Tucson Roadrunners are a professional ice hockey team in the American Hockey League (AHL) as a member of the Pacific Division in the Western Conference. The franchise is affiliated with the NHL's Utah Mammoth. Ticket sales may be arranged through the team's website, which includes game schedules, team rosters, hockey operations, corporate partnerships, and its programs for youth and the community.
https://www.tucsonroadrunners.com/
The affiliate of the NHL's New Jersey Devils, the ice hockey franchise is one of the oldest in existence, dating back to 1932, when it was known as the Quebec Beavers. Over the years, it has changed locations and names several times. Playing its home games at the Adirondack Bank Center in Utica, New York, the Comets are in the North Division in the Eastern Conference of the AHL. Game schedules, team rosters, standings, statistics, a seating chart, and ticket options are featured.
http://www.uticacomets.com/
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins
The WBS Penguins are a professional ice hockey team in the American Hockey League, and the AHL affiliate of the NHL's Pittsburgh Penguins. The team plays its home games at the Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza in Wilkes-Barre Township, Pennsylvania, just outside the city of Wilkes-Barre. Its hockey programs, game schedules, a team roster, standings, statistics, history, and player hall of fame are featured, along with schedules, ticket sales, sponsors, and contacts.
https://www.wbspenguins.com/
