American Hockey League

The American Hockey League (AHL) is regarded as the top professional hockey league in North America outside the National Hockey League (NHL). It serves as a developmental league for the NHL, and all of its 27 active teams have affiliation agreements with NHL clubs.

The league traces its history back to 1926 with the formation of the Canadian-American Hockey League and teams in Springfield, Boston, Quebec City, Providence and New Haven. In 1936, the "Can-Am" League merged with the original International Hockey League (created in 1929) to form the International-American Hockey League. With the withdrawal of its last Canadian teams, the league was renamed the American Hockey League in 1941. The league gained six teams in the 2001-2002 season with the folding of the International Hockey League.

League offices are in Springfield, Massachusetts, moving from West Springfield in the early 1990's. The AHL's current president is David Andrews.

The AHL's annual playoff champion is awarded the Calder Cup trophy.

Teams

(affiliated teams in brackets)

Eastern Conference

Atlantic Division

East Division

Western Conference

North Division

West Division

Future Teams

Cleveland, OH — (2007-08) relocation of dormant Utah Grizzlies

2006 Calder Cup Playoffs

Defunct teams

Adirondack Red Wings (1979-1999)
Baltimore Bandits (1995-1997; became Cincinnati Mighty Ducks)
Baltimore Clippers (1962-1976)
Baltimore Skipjacks (1982-1993; became Portland Pirates)
Binghamton Dusters (1977-1997; renamed Binghamton Whalers in 1980, renamed Binghamton Rangers in 1990; became Hartford Wolf Pack)
Boston Braves (1971-1974)
Buffalo Bisons (1936)
Buffalo Bisons (1940-1970)
Cape Breton Oilers (1988-1996; became Hamilton Bulldogs)
Capital District Islanders (1990-1993; became Albany River Rats)
Carolina Monarchs (1995-1997)
Cincinnati Mighty Ducks (1997-2005)
Cincinnati Mohawks (1949-1952)
Cincinnati Swords (1971-1974)
Cleveland Barons (1937-1972; became Jacksonville Barons)
Cleveland Barons (2001-2006; became Worcester Sharks)
Cleveland Falcons (1936-1937)
Cornwall Aces (1993-1996)
Edmonton Road Runners (2004-2005)
Erie Blades (1981-1982)
Fredericton Canadiens (1990-1999; became Quebec Citadelles)
Fredericton Express (1981-1988; became Halifax Citadels)
Halifax Citadels (1988-1993)
Hamilton Canucks (1992-1994; became Syracuse Crunch)
Hamilton Bulldogs (1996-2002; became Toronto Roadrunners)
Hampton Gulls (1977-1978)
Indianapolis Capitals (1939-1952)
Jacksonville Barons (1972-1974)
Kentucky Thoroughblades (1996-2001; became the Cleveland Barons)
Louisville Panthers (1999-2001; became Iowa Stars)

Maine Mariners (1977-1992; became Providence Bruins)
Moncton Alpines (1982-1994; renamed Moncton Golden Flames in 1984, renamed Moncton Hawks in 1987)
Montreal Voyageurs (1969-1971; became Nova Scotia Voyageurs)
New Brunswick Hawks (1978-1982; became Moncton Alpines)
Beast of New Haven (1997-1999)
New Haven Eagles (1936-1943, 1945-1951, renamed New Haven Ramblers in 1946)
New Haven Nighthawks (1972-1992)
Newmarket Saints (1986-1991; became St. John's Maple Leafs)
New Haven Senators (1992-1993; became Prince Edward Island Senators)
Nova Scotia Oilers (1984-1988; became Cape Breton Oilers)
Nova Scotia Voyageurs (1971-1984)
Philadelphia Firebirds (1977-1979; became Syracuse Firebirds)
Philadelphia Ramblers (1936-1940)
Philadelphia Rockets (1940-1942, 1946-1949; became Cincinnati Mohawks)
Pittsburgh Hornets (1936-1956; became Rochester Americans)
Pittsburgh Hornets (1961-1967)
Prince Edward Island Senators (1993-1996; became Binghamton Senators)
Providence Reds (1936-1976; named Rhode Island Reds (1976-1977) became Binghamton Dusters)
Quebec Aces (1959-1971)
Quebec Citadelles (1999-2002; became Hamilton Bulldogs)

Richmond Robins (1971-1976)
Saint John Flames (1993-2003; became Omaha Ak-Sar-Ben Knights)
Sherbrooke Canadiens (1984-1990; became Fredericton Canadiens)
Sherbrooke Jets (1982-1984)
Springfield Indians (1936-1942, 1946-1951; became Syracuse Warriors)
Springfield Indians (1954-1994; named Springfield Kings (1967-1974), became Worcester IceCats)
St. Catharines Saints (1982-1986; became Newmarket Saints)
St. John's Maple Leafs (1991-2005; became Toronto Marlies)
St. Louis Flyers (1944-1953)
Syracuse Eagles (1974-1975)
Syracuse Firebirds (1979-1980)
Syracuse Stars (1936-1940; became Buffalo Bisons)
Syracuse Warriors (1951-1954; became Springfield Indians)
Tidewater Wings (1971-1972; named Virginia Wings (1972-1975)
Toronto Roadrunners (2003-2004; became Edmonton Road Runners)
Utah Grizzlies (2001-2005; currently in ECHL)
Utica Devils (1987-1993)
Washington Lions (1941-1943)
Washington Lions (1947-1949; became Cincinnati Mohawks)
Worcester IceCats (1994-2005; became Peoria Rivermen)

AHL All Star Classic

Year	Won	Lost
1997	Team World 3	Canada 2
1998	Canada 11	Planet USA 10
1999	Planet USA 5	Canada 4
2000	Planet USA 17	Canada 12
2001	Canada 10	Planet USA 10
2002	Canada 13	Planet USA 11
2003	Canada 10	Planet USA 7
2004	Canada 9	Planet USA 5
2005	Planet USA 5	Canada 4 SO
2006	Canada 9	Planet USA 4
2007	Toronto, Ontario, Canada