2020–21 AHL season: Difference between revisions
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After the [[2019–20 AHL season|previous season]] was curtailed due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic]], there was no certainty for the AHL's 2020–21 season due to continuing limitations on arena capacities and traveling during the pandemic.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/30168975/american-hockey-league-planning-alternatives-dec-4-season-start-date |title=American Hockey League plans alternatives to Dec. 4 season start date |website=[[ESPN]] |date=October 22, 2020}}</ref> The league had originally hoped to start play by December 4, 2020,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://theahl.com/ahl-moves-2020-21-start-date |title=AHL moves 2020-21 start date to Dec. 4 |website=American Hockey League |date=July 30, 2020 |access-date=October 14, 2020}}</ref> but was later pushed back to at least February 5, 2021.<ref name= "COVID-19"/> Similar to the [[National Hockey League]], the league was reportedly exploring the option of playing with an all-Canada division due to increased border travel restrictions between the United States and Canada.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/30197904/inside-pandemic-season-plans-ahl-echl-sphl |title=Inside the pandemic-season plans for the AHL, ECHL and SPHL |website=[[ESPN]] |date=October 27, 2020}}</ref> |
After the [[2019–20 AHL season|previous season]] was curtailed due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic]], there was no certainty for the AHL's 2020–21 season due to continuing limitations on arena capacities and traveling during the pandemic.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/30168975/american-hockey-league-planning-alternatives-dec-4-season-start-date |title=American Hockey League plans alternatives to Dec. 4 season start date |website=[[ESPN]] |date=October 22, 2020}}</ref> The league had originally hoped to start play by December 4, 2020,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://theahl.com/ahl-moves-2020-21-start-date |title=AHL moves 2020-21 start date to Dec. 4 |website=American Hockey League |date=July 30, 2020 |access-date=October 14, 2020}}</ref> but was later pushed back to at least February 5, 2021.<ref name= "COVID-19"/> Similar to the [[National Hockey League]], the league was reportedly exploring the option of playing with an all-Canada division due to increased border travel restrictions between the United States and Canada.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/30197904/inside-pandemic-season-plans-ahl-echl-sphl |title=Inside the pandemic-season plans for the AHL, ECHL and SPHL |website=[[ESPN]] |date=October 27, 2020}}</ref> |
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On January 4, 2021, the league announced its plans and divisional alignment for the shortened season. As expected, the four Canadian teams were placed in their own division pending provincial approval.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://apnews.com/article/vancouver-canucks-nhl-st-louis-blues-coronavirus-pandemic-nashville-predators-5f9f2ece155cd33ded6031fd6ae54df1 |title=3 American Hockey League teams opt out of season, 28 to play |website=[[Associated Press]] |date=January 4, 2021}}</ref> Three teams opted out of the season entirely: the [[Charlotte Checkers]], [[Milwaukee Admirals]], and the [[Springfield Thunderbirds]]. |
On January 4, 2021, the league announced its plans and divisional alignment for the shortened season. As expected, the four Canadian teams were placed in their own division pending provincial approval.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://apnews.com/article/vancouver-canucks-nhl-st-louis-blues-coronavirus-pandemic-nashville-predators-5f9f2ece155cd33ded6031fd6ae54df1 |title=3 American Hockey League teams opt out of season, 28 to play |website=[[Associated Press]] |date=January 4, 2021}}</ref> Three teams opted out of the season entirely: the [[Charlotte Checkers]], [[Milwaukee Admirals]], and the [[Springfield Thunderbirds]]. Six teams temporarily relocated to be closer to their parent teams: the [[Binghamton Devils]] to [[Newark, New Jersey]]; the [[Laval Rocket]] to [[Montreal]];<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://theahl.com/rocket-to-play-in-montreal-in-2020-21 |title=Rocket to play in Montreal in 2020-21 |date=January 6, 2021 |website=AHL}}</ref> the [[Ontario Reign]] to [[El Segundo, California]]; the [[Providence Bruins]] to [[Marlborough, Massachusetts]]; the [[San Diego Gulls]] to [[Irvine, California]]; and the [[Stockton Heat]] to [[Calgary, Alberta]]. The schedule and playoff format were still to be decided.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://theahl.com/28-teams-participate-2020-21-season |title=28 teams to participate in 2020-21 AHL season |website=AHL |date=January 4, 2021}}</ref> |
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The schedule for the American divisions was released on January 22, however, the Canadian teams had not yet received provincial clearance.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/american-hockey-league-announces-2020-21-schedule/n-5662004 |title=American Hockey League Announces 2020-21 Schedule |website=OurSports Central |date=January 22, 2021}}</ref> |
The schedule for the American divisions was released on January 22, however, the Canadian teams had not yet received provincial clearance.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/american-hockey-league-announces-2020-21-schedule/n-5662004 |title=American Hockey League Announces 2020-21 Schedule |website=OurSports Central |date=January 22, 2021}}</ref> |
Revision as of 22:17, 28 January 2021
This article needs additional citations for verification. (October 2020) |
2020–21 AHL season | |
---|---|
League | American Hockey League |
Sport | Ice hockey |
Duration | February 5, 2021 – TBD |
Regular season |
The 2020–21 AHL season will be the 85th season of the American Hockey League. Due to the ongoing restrictions in the COVID-19 pandemic, the regular season was pushed back to February 5, 2021.[1] This will be the first season under Scott Howson as the league's president after David Andrews announced his retirement after 26 years in the position.
League changes
After the previous season was curtailed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, there was no certainty for the AHL's 2020–21 season due to continuing limitations on arena capacities and traveling during the pandemic.[2] The league had originally hoped to start play by December 4, 2020,[3] but was later pushed back to at least February 5, 2021.[1] Similar to the National Hockey League, the league was reportedly exploring the option of playing with an all-Canada division due to increased border travel restrictions between the United States and Canada.[4]
On January 4, 2021, the league announced its plans and divisional alignment for the shortened season. As expected, the four Canadian teams were placed in their own division pending provincial approval.[5] Three teams opted out of the season entirely: the Charlotte Checkers, Milwaukee Admirals, and the Springfield Thunderbirds. Six teams temporarily relocated to be closer to their parent teams: the Binghamton Devils to Newark, New Jersey; the Laval Rocket to Montreal;[6] the Ontario Reign to El Segundo, California; the Providence Bruins to Marlborough, Massachusetts; the San Diego Gulls to Irvine, California; and the Stockton Heat to Calgary, Alberta. The schedule and playoff format were still to be decided.[7]
The schedule for the American divisions was released on January 22, however, the Canadian teams had not yet received provincial clearance.[8]
Team and NHL affiliation changes
Relocations
- The San Antonio Rampage franchise was purchased by the National Hockey League's Vegas Golden Knights and relocated to the Las Vegas area. The team became the Henderson Silver Knights playing out of Orleans Arena in Paradise, Nevada, with plans to move into a new venue in nearby Henderson, Nevada, upon completion.
Hiatus
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, three teams chose to not participate in the season.
Affiliation changes
AHL team | New affiliate | Previous affiliate |
---|---|---|
Charlotte Checkers[a] | Florida Panthers | Carolina Hurricanes |
Chicago Wolves | Carolina Hurricanes | Vegas Golden Knights |
Henderson Silver Knights | Vegas Golden Knights | St. Louis Blues |
Springfield Thunderbirds[a] | St. Louis Blues | Florida Panthers |
AHL team | Primary affiliate | New secondary affiliate[b] |
Chicago Wolves | Carolina Hurricanes | Nashville Predators[9] |
Syracuse Crunch | Tampa Bay Lightning | Florida Panthers[10] |
Utica Comets | Vancouver Canucks | St. Louis Blues[11] |
Coaching changes
Off–season | |||
---|---|---|---|
Team | 2019–20 coach | 2020–21 coach | Notes |
Charlotte Checkers | Ryan Warsofsky | Geordie Kinnear | Warsofsky left the Checkers for the Chicago Wolves when the Carolina Hurricanes switched affiliations. Warsofsky had coached the Checkers for one season and 34–22–5–0 record after coming from the ECHL's South Carolina Stingrays.[12] After the Checkers affiliated with the Florida Panthers, Kinnear was named the new head coach on September 28, 2020, after serving in the same position with the Panthers' previous affiliate, the Springfield Thunderbirds. Kinnear had previously served as an assistant coach in Charlotte from 2010 to 2016.[13] |
Chicago Wolves | Rocky Thompson | Ryan Warsofsky | Thompson left the Wolves on July 18, 2020, after three seasons and a 113–71–18–11 record to join the San Jose Sharks coaching staff.[14] Warsofsky was brought to the Wolves by their new NHL affiliate, the Carolina Hurricanes in September 2020. |
Henderson Silver Knights | Drew Bannister | Emanuel Viveiros | Viveiros was named the Silver Knights' first head coach on August 31, 2020, after serving as the head coach of the Spokane Chiefs in the Western Hockey League with a 41–18–4–1 record.[15] |
Ontario Reign | Mike Stothers | John Wroblewski | On May 30, 2020, the Los Angeles Kings announced that they would not renew Stothers' contract as head coach of the Reign.[16] Wroblewski was hired on August 17, 2020.[17] |
Rochester Americans | Chris Taylor | Seth Appert | On June 16, 2020, the Buffalo Sabres fired the entire Americans' coaching staff including Taylor.[18] Appert was hired on August 14, 2020.[19] |
San Jose Barracuda | Jimmy Bonneau Michael Chiasson |
Roy Sommer | Sommer was called up as an associate coach for the San Jose Sharks during the previous season after serving as the head coach of the Sharks' AHL affiliate since first being named to the position with the Kentucky Thoroughblades on May 28, 1998. Assistant coaches Bonneau and Chiasson were named as co-coaches of the Barracuda until the end of the season[20] when Sommer was sent back to the Barracuda.[21] |
Springfield Thunderbirds | Geordie Kinnear | Drew Bannister | Kinnear left the Thunderbirds after their affiliate, the Florida Panthers, changed their affiliation to the Charlotte Checkers. Kinnear had led the Thunderbirds since 2016 and a 128–126–26–9 record. Bannister was brought on as the new head coach from the San Antonio Rampage, the former St. Louis Blues' affiliate that was sold and relocated as the Henderson Silver Knights. |
Tucson Roadrunners | Jay Varady | Steve Potvin | Prior to the postponed start of the season, Roadrunners' head coach Jay Varady was brought up to the Arizona Coyotes' staff as an assistant coach[22] and Roadrunners' assistant coach Steve Potvin was promoted as the head coach.[23] |
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins | Mike Vellucci | J.D. Forrest | On September 2, 2020, Vellucci was promoted to an assistant coach position with the Pittsburgh Penguins.[24] On September 11, Forrest was named head coach after serving as an assistant coach for the WBS Penguins since August 2016.[25] |
Standings
Alignment as of January 7, 2021[26]
Atlantic Division | GP | W | L | OTL | SOL | Pts | Pts% | GF | GA |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Bridgeport Sound Tigers (NYI) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 | 0 | 0 |
Hartford Wolf Pack (NYR) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 | 0 | 0 |
Providence Bruins (BOS) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 | 0 | 0 |
Canadian Division | GP | W | L | OTL | SOL | Pts | Pts% | GF | GA |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Belleville Senators (OTT) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 | 0 | 0 |
Laval Rocket (MTL) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 | 0 | 0 |
Manitoba Moose (WPG) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 | 0 | 0 |
Toronto Marlies (TOR) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 | 0 | 0 |
Stockton Heat (CGY) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 | 0 | 0 |
North Division | GP | W | L | OTL | SOL | Pts | Pts% | GF | GA |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Binghamton Devils (NJ) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 | 0 | 0 |
Hershey Bears (WSH) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 | 0 | 0 |
Lehigh Valley Phantoms (PHI) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 | 0 | 0 |
Rochester Americans (BUF) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 | 0 | 0 |
Syracuse Crunch (TB/FLA) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 | 0 | 0 |
Utica Comets (VAN/STL) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 | 0 | 0 |
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins (PIT) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 | 0 | 0 |
Central Division | GP | W | L | OTL | SOL | Pts | Pts% | GF | GA |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Chicago Wolves (CAR/NSH) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 | 0 | 0 |
Cleveland Monsters (CBJ) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 | 0 | 0 |
Grand Rapids Griffins (DET) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 | 0 | 0 |
Iowa Wild (MIN) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 | 0 | 0 |
Rockford IceHogs (CHI) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 | 0 | 0 |
Texas Stars (DAL) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 | 0 | 0 |
Pacific Division | GP | W | L | OTL | SOL | Pts | Pts% | GF | GA |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Bakersfield Condors (EDM) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 | 0 | 0 |
Colorado Eagles (COL) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 | 0 | 0 |
Henderson Silver Knights (VGK) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 | 0 | 0 |
Ontario Reign (LA) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 | 0 | 0 |
San Diego Gulls (ANA) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 | 0 | 0 |
San Jose Barracuda (SJ) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 | 0 | 0 |
Tucson Roadrunners (ARI) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 | 0 | 0 |
See also
References
- ^ a b "2020-21 start date moved back to Feb. 5". American Hockey League. October 28, 2020. Retrieved October 28, 2020.
- ^ "American Hockey League plans alternatives to Dec. 4 season start date". ESPN. October 22, 2020.
- ^ "AHL moves 2020-21 start date to Dec. 4". American Hockey League. July 30, 2020. Retrieved October 14, 2020.
- ^ "Inside the pandemic-season plans for the AHL, ECHL and SPHL". ESPN. October 27, 2020.
- ^ "3 American Hockey League teams opt out of season, 28 to play". Associated Press. January 4, 2021.
- ^ "Rocket to play in Montreal in 2020-21". AHL. January 6, 2021.
- ^ "28 teams to participate in 2020-21 AHL season". AHL. January 4, 2021.
- ^ "American Hockey League Announces 2020-21 Schedule". OurSports Central. January 22, 2021.
- ^ "Wolves take on Predators as second affiliate for 2020-21". AHL. January 7, 2021.
- ^ "TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING PARTNER WITH FLORIDA PANTHERS TO OFFER USE OF AHL AFFILIATE SYRACUSE CRUNCH". Syracuse Crunch. January 6, 2021.
- ^ "Thunderbirds opt out of 2020-21 AHL season". nhl.com/blues. January 4, 2021. Retrieved January 4, 2021.
- ^ "Ryan Warsofksy". Chicago Wolves. Retrieved November 2, 2020.
- ^ "GEORDIE KINNEAR RETURNS TO CHARLOTTE AS HEAD COACH". Charlotte Checkers. September 28, 2020.
- ^ "Rocky Thompson leaves Chicago Wolves, reportedly to join Sharks coaching staff". SB Nation. July 18, 2020.
- ^ "Henderson Silver Knights Announce Hiring Of Head Coach Manny Viveiros". NHL.com. August 31, 2020.
- ^ "KINGS WILL NOT RENEW CONTRACT OF REIGN HEAD COACH MIKE STOTHERS". LA Kings Insider. May 30, 2020.
- ^ "John Wroblewski to Become Head Coach of the Ontario Reign". nhl.com/kings. August 17, 2020.
- ^ "Entire Amerks Coaching Staff Fired". Spectrum News. June 16, 2020.
- ^ "SETH APPERT NAMED AMERKS HEAD COACH". Rochester Americans. August 14, 2020.
- ^ "Sommer gets call to join Sharks". AHL.com. December 11, 2019.
- ^ "San Jose Sharks Announce Organizational Coaching Staff". San Jose Sharks. September 22, 2020. Retrieved September 22, 2020.
- ^ "Coyotes Add Jay Varady to Coaching Staff for 2020-21 Season". OurSports Central. January 14, 2021.
- ^ "Coyotes Name Steve Potvin as Roadrunners Head Coach". OurSports Central. January 22, 2021.
- ^ "Penguins name Todd Reirden, Mike Vellucci as assistant coaches". WPXI News. September 2, 2020.
- ^ "Forrest Named Head Coach, Karmanos named GM of Wilkes-Barre/Scranton". Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins. Retrieved September 11, 2020.
- ^ "AHL Standings". AHL. Retrieved October 28, 2020.