2020–21 AHL season

The 2020–21 AHL season was the 85th season of the American Hockey League. Due to the ongoing restrictions in the COVID-19 pandemic, the start of the regular season was pushed back to February 5, 2021,[1] and the league championship Calder Cup was not awarded for the second consecutive season. The Hershey Bears won the Macgregor Kilpatrick Trophy for the best regular-season record, their eighth regular-season championship. This was the first season under Scott Howson as the league's president after David Andrews announced his retirement after 26 years in the position.

2020–21 AHL season
LeagueAmerican Hockey League
SportIce hockey
DurationFebruary 5 – May 20, 2021
Regular season
Macgregor Kilpatrick TrophyHershey Bears
Season MVPT. J. Tynan (Colorado)
Top scorerAndrew Poturalski (San Diego)

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. The four Canadian teams were placed in their own division with a season start date still pending provincial approval.[5] Three teams opted out of the season entirely: the Charlotte Checkers, Milwaukee Admirals, and the Springfield Thunderbirds. Seven teams temporarily relocated to be closer to their parent teams or due to venue availability during the pandemic: the Belleville Senators to Ottawa;[6] the Binghamton Devils to Newark, New Jersey; the Laval Rocket to Montreal;[7] 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.[8] The San Jose Barracuda also opened their season with home games in Tucson before returning to San Jose.

The schedule for the American divisions was released on January 22; however, the Canadian teams had not yet received provincial clearance.[9] Stockton then moved from the Pacific to the Canadian Division on January 28 causing scheduling changes to the Pacific Division.[10] On February 1, the league announced a revised schedule and that the start of the season for the Canadian Division had been postponed.[11] The beginning of the Canadian schedule was released on February 9 with a February 12 start date, but the two Ontario teams still did not have approval to play at home.[12]

The league allowed each division the choice to hold a divisional postseason. On April 29, it was announced that only the Pacific Division had elected to hold a postseason tournament to name a division champion, with the other four divisions awarding their champions via regular season records. Consequently, the league would not award the Calder Cup for a second consecutive season.[13]

Relocations

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[lower-alpha 1]Florida PanthersCarolina Hurricanes
Chicago WolvesCarolina HurricanesVegas Golden Knights
Henderson Silver Knights[lower-alpha 2]Vegas Golden KnightsSt. Louis Blues
Springfield Thunderbirds[lower-alpha 1]St. Louis BluesFlorida Panthers
AHL team Primary affiliate New secondary affiliate[lower-alpha 3]
Chicago WolvesCarolina HurricanesNashville Predators[14]
Syracuse CrunchTampa Bay LightningFlorida Panthers[15]
Utica CometsVancouver CanucksSt. Louis Blues[16]
  1. Primary affiliation prior to team opting out of the season.
  2. Affiliation change as the San Antonio Rampage
  3. Due to three teams opting out of the season, temporary dual NHL affiliations were permitted

Coaching changes
Off–season
Team2019–20 coach2020–21 coachNotes
Charlotte CheckersRyan WarsofskyGeordie KinnearWarsofsky 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.[17] 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.[18]
Chicago WolvesRocky ThompsonRyan WarsofskyThompson 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.[19] Warsofsky was brought to the Wolves by their new NHL affiliate, the Carolina Hurricanes in September 2020.
Henderson Silver KnightsDrew BannisterEmanuel ViveirosBannister stayed with the Blues' organization when the Rampage franchise was relocated by the Vegas Golden Knights to Henderson. 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.[20]
Ontario ReignMike StothersJohn WroblewskiOn May 30, 2020, the Los Angeles Kings announced that they would not renew Stothers' contract as head coach of the Reign.[21] Wroblewski was hired on August 17, 2020.[22]
Rochester AmericansChris TaylorSeth AppertOn June 16, 2020, the Buffalo Sabres fired the entire Americans' coaching staff including Taylor.[23] Appert was hired on August 14, 2020.[24]
San Jose BarracudaJimmy Bonneau
Michael Chiasson		Roy SommerSommer 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[25] when Sommer was sent back to the Barracuda.[26]
Springfield ThunderbirdsGeordie KinnearDrew BannisterKinnear 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 RoadrunnersJay VaradySteve PotvinPrior to the postponed start of the season, Roadrunners' head coach Jay Varady was brought up to the Arizona Coyotes' staff as an assistant coach[27] and Roadrunners' assistant coach Steve Potvin was promoted as the head coach.[28]
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton PenguinsMike VellucciJ. D. ForrestOn September 2, 2020, Vellucci was promoted to an assistant coach position with the Pittsburgh Penguins.[29] On September 11, Forrest was named head coach after serving as an assistant coach for the WBS Penguins since August 2016.[30]

    Final standings

     y–  indicates team clinched regular season division title

    Final standings as of May 20, 2021[31]

    Atlantic Division GP W L OTL SOL Pts Pts% GF GA
    y–Providence Bruins (BOS)251562232.6807860
    Hartford Wolf Pack (NYR)241491029.6048274
    Bridgeport Sound Tigers (NYI)248142018.3755981
    Canadian Division GP W L OTL SOL Pts Pts% GF GA
    y–Laval Rocket (MTL)362393150.69411387
    Manitoba Moose (WPG)3618133241.569109102
    Belleville Senators (OTT)3518161037.529102111
    Toronto Marlies (TOR)3516170234.486111119
    Stockton Heat (CGY)3011172024.4007995
    North Division GP W L OTL SOL Pts Pts% GF GA
    y–Hershey Bears (WSH)332472050.75811077
    Lehigh Valley Phantoms (PHI)321874243[lower-alpha 1].6729692
    Syracuse Crunch (FLA/TBL)3219103041.64112093
    Utica Comets (STL/VAN)2816110133.5898988
    Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins (PIT)3213134232.50092107
    Rochester Americans (BUF)2911152125.43189116
    Binghamton Devils (NJD)357205222[lower-alpha 1].31489127
    Central Division GP W L OTL SOL Pts Pts% GF GA
    y–Chicago Wolves (CAR/NSH)332191245.68213294
    Cleveland Monsters (CBJ)2916101235.60310186
    Grand Rapids Griffins (DET)3216123136.5639697
    Iowa Wild (MIN)3417134038.559107113
    Texas Stars (DAL)3817183037.487117124
    Rockford IceHogs (CHI)3212191025.39189115
    Pacific Division GP W L OTL SOL Pts Pts% GF GA
    y–Henderson Silver Knights (VGK)3925130151.654125102
    Bakersfield Condors (EDM)3924140149.628129104
    San Diego Gulls (ANA)4426171053.602153142
    San Jose Barracuda (SJS)3615154236.500105127
    Colorado Eagles (COL)3415153134.500101104
    Ontario Reign (LAK)4017194038.475136149
    Tucson Roadrunners (ARI)3613203029.403103126
    1. The March 10 game between Lehigh Valley and Binghamton was suspended after one period with the teams tied 1–1 due a player testing positive for COVID-19. The game was declared a draw with each team earning one point.[32]

    Statistical leaders

    Leading skaters

    The following players are sorted by points, then goals. Final as of May 20, 2021.[33]

    GP = Games played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points; +/– = Plus-minus; PIM = Penalty minutes

    Player Team GP G A Pts PIM
    Andrew Poturalski San Diego Gulls 449344310
    Cooper Marody Bakersfield Condors 3921153618
    Danny O'Regan Henderson Silver Knights 371620364
    Riley Damiani Texas Stars 3611253618
    Tyler Benson Bakersfield Condors 3610263630
    Chase De Leo San Diego Gulls 3715203518
    T. J. Tynan Colorado Eagles 278273512
    Riley Barber Grand Rapids Griffins 3220143422
    Adam Mascherin Texas Stars 3718163414
    Boris Katchouk Syracuse Crunch 2911233418

    Leading goaltenders

    The following goaltenders with a minimum 660 minutes played lead the league in goals against average. Final as of May 20, 2021.[34]

    GP = Games played; TOI = Time on ice (in minutes); SA = Shots against; GA = Goals against; SO = Shutouts; GAA = Goals against average; SV% = Save percentage; W = Wins; L = Losses; OT = Overtime/shootout loss

    Player Team GPTOISAGASOGAASV%WLOT
    Zachary FucaleHershey Bears 11665:362942011.80.932920
    Logan ThompsonHenderson Silver Knights 231349:377684421.96.9431661
    Cayden PrimeauLaval Rocket 16914:033503222.10.9091140
    Alex D'OrioWilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins 11661:062812402.18.915631
    Zane McIntyreLehigh Valley Phantoms 191079:455054212.33.9171133

    Postseason
    2021 Calder Cup playoffs
    ← 2020
    2022 →

    For the second consecutive season, there was no Calder Cup playoffs. The teams in the Pacific Division held a postseason tournament to name a division champion.[13] All seven Pacific teams participated, with the bottom four teams participating in a single-elimination play-in series to face the top seed in the division semifinal. The semifinals and finals were both best-of-three series.[35]

    Pacific Division playoff

    Final results:[36]

    Play-in Games
    (May 18)     		Play-in Final Game
    (May 19)     		Semifinals
    (best-of-3)     		Finals
    (best-of-3)
                
    1 Henderson Silver Knights 2
    4 San Jose Barracuda 0
    4 San Jose Barracuda 2
    7 Tucson Roadrunners 1
    4 San Jose Barracuda 5
    5 Colorado Eagles 1
    5 Colorado Eagles 5 (OT)
    6 Ontario Reign 4
    1 Henderson Silver Knights 1
    2 Bakersfield Condors 2
    2 Bakersfield Condors 2
    3 San Diego Gulls 1

    AHL awards
    AwardWinner
    Calder Cup Not awarded[13]
    Les Cunningham Award T. J. Tynan, Colorado Eagles[37]
    John B. Sollenberger Trophy Andrew Poturalski, San Diego Gulls[38]
    Willie Marshall Award Cooper Marody, Bakersfield Condors[38]
    Dudley "Red" Garrett Memorial Award Riley Damiani, Texas Stars[39]
    Eddie Shore Award Ryan Murphy, Henderson Silver Knights[40]
    Aldege "Baz" Bastien Memorial Award Logan Thompson, Henderson Silver Knights[41]
    Harry "Hap" Holmes Memorial Award Pheonix Copley and Zachary Fucale, Hershey Bears[42]
    Louis A. R. Pieri Memorial Award Spencer Carbery, Hershey Bears[43]
    Fred T. Hunt Memorial Award Cal O'Reilly, Lehigh Valley Phantoms[44]
    Yanick Dupre Memorial Award All 31 teams' athletic trainers[45]
    Jack A. Butterfield Trophy Not awarded[13]
    Richard F. Canning Trophy Not awarded[13]
    Robert W. Clarke Trophy Not awarded[13]
    Macgregor Kilpatrick TrophyHershey Bears[46]
    Frank Mathers Trophy
    (Canadian Division regular season champion)[13]    		Laval Rocket[47]
    Emile Francis Trophy
    (Atlantic Division regular season champion)[13]    		Providence Bruins
    F. G. "Teddy" Oke Trophy
    (North Division regular season champion)[13]    		Hershey Bears
    Sam Pollock Trophy
    (Central Division regular season champion)[13]    		Chicago Wolves
    John D. Chick Trophy
    (Pacific Division tournament champion)[13]    		Bakersfield Condors
    Norman R. "Bud" Poile TrophyNot awarded[13]
    James C. Hendy Memorial AwardMelissa Caruso, AHL[48]
    Thomas Ebright Memorial AwardJon Gustafson, San Jose Barracuda[48]
    James H. Ellery Memorial AwardsTony Brown, Cleveland Monsters
    Ken McKenzie AwardZack Fisch, Hershey Bears[49]
    Michael Condon Memorial AwardTim Mayer[48]
    President's Awards

    All-star teams

    Instead of the traditional first and second all-star teams, the league named an all-star team for each division in addition to the annual all-rookie team.[50][51]

    Atlantic Division

    Canadian Division

    Central Division

    North Division

    Pacific Division

    All-Rookie

    See also

    References
    1. "2020-21 start date moved back to Feb. 5". American Hockey League. October 28, 2020. Retrieved October 28, 2020.
    2. "American Hockey League plans alternatives to Dec. 4 season start date". ESPN. October 22, 2020.
    3. "AHL moves 2020-21 start date to Dec. 4". American Hockey League. July 30, 2020. Retrieved October 14, 2020.
    4. "Inside the pandemic-season plans for the AHL, ECHL and SPHL". ESPN. October 27, 2020.
    5. "3 American Hockey League teams opt out of season, 28 to play". Associated Press. January 4, 2021.
    6. "Belleville Senators Announce Temporary Relocation For Home Games for 2020-21 Season". Belleville Senators. February 23, 2021.
    7. "Rocket to play in Montreal in 2020-21". AHL. January 6, 2021.
    8. "28 teams to participate in 2020-21 AHL season". AHL. January 4, 2021.
    9. "American Hockey League Announces 2020-21 Schedule". OurSports Central. January 22, 2021.
    10. "Heat to Play in Calgary for 2020-21 Season". Stockton Heat. January 28, 2021.
    11. "Revised Pacific Division schedule released". AHL. February 1, 2021.
    12. "February schedule set for Canadian Division clubs". AHL. February 9, 2021.
    13. "American Hockey League Announces Plans for 2021 Playoffs, Sets Calendar for 2021-22". OurSports Central. April 29, 2021.
    14. "Wolves take on Predators as second affiliate for 2020-21". AHL. January 7, 2021.
    15. "TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING PARTNER WITH FLORIDA PANTHERS TO OFFER USE OF AHL AFFILIATE SYRACUSE CRUNCH". Syracuse Crunch. January 6, 2021.
    16. "Thunderbirds opt out of 2020-21 AHL season". nhl.com/blues. January 4, 2021. Retrieved January 4, 2021.
    17. "Ryan Warsofksy". Chicago Wolves. Retrieved November 2, 2020.
    18. "GEORDIE KINNEAR RETURNS TO CHARLOTTE AS HEAD COACH". Charlotte Checkers. September 28, 2020.
    19. "Rocky Thompson leaves Chicago Wolves, reportedly to join Sharks coaching staff". SB Nation. July 18, 2020.
    20. "Henderson Silver Knights Announce Hiring Of Head Coach Manny Viveiros". NHL.com. August 31, 2020.
    21. "KINGS WILL NOT RENEW CONTRACT OF REIGN HEAD COACH MIKE STOTHERS". LA Kings Insider. May 30, 2020.
    22. "John Wroblewski to Become Head Coach of the Ontario Reign". nhl.com/kings. August 17, 2020.
    23. "Entire Amerks Coaching Staff Fired". Spectrum News. June 16, 2020.
    24. "SETH APPERT NAMED AMERKS HEAD COACH". Rochester Americans. August 14, 2020. Archived from the original on October 16, 2020. Retrieved October 14, 2020.
    25. "Sommer gets call to join Sharks". AHL.com. December 11, 2019.
    26. "San Jose Sharks Announce Organizational Coaching Staff". San Jose Sharks. September 22, 2020. Retrieved September 22, 2020.
    27. "Coyotes Add Jay Varady to Coaching Staff for 2020-21 Season". OurSports Central. January 14, 2021.
    28. "Coyotes Name Steve Potvin as Roadrunners Head Coach". OurSports Central. January 22, 2021.
    29. "Penguins name Todd Reirden, Mike Vellucci as assistant coaches". WPXI News. September 2, 2020.
    30. "Forrest Named Head Coach, Karmanos named GM of Wilkes-Barre/Scranton". Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins. Retrieved September 11, 2020.
    31. "AHL Standings". AHL. Retrieved May 19, 2021.
    32. "Game Preview – Phantoms at Devils – Game #22". Lehigh Valley Phantoms. April 26, 2021.
    33. "American Hockey League Skater Stats 2020-21 Regular Season TheAHL.com". American Hockey League.
    34. "American Hockey League Goalie Stats 2020-21 Regular Season TheAHL.com". American Hockey League.
    35. "American Hockey League Announces Details for Pacific Division Playoffs". OurSports Central. May 7, 2021.
    36. "2021 Playoffs". AHL. Retrieved May 29, 2021.
    37. "Eagles' Tynan voted AHL MVP". American Hockey League. June 4, 2021.
    38. "San Diego's Poturalski, Bakersfield's Marody Win AHL Scoring Awards for 2020-21". OurSports Central. May 20, 2021.
    39. "Stars' Damiani wins Garrett Award". TheAHL.com. June 3, 2021.
    40. "Henderson's Ryan Murphy Wins Eddie Shore Award". OurSports Central. June 2, 2021.
    41. "Silver Knights' Thompson wins Bastien Award". TheAHL.com. June 1, 2021.
    42. "Hershey's Copley, Fucale Win AHL's Harry "Hap" Holmes Memorial Award". OurSports Central. May 18, 2021.
    43. "Spencer Carbery Wins Louis A.R. Pieri Memorial Award as AHL's Outstanding Coach". OurSports Central. May 28, 2021.
    44. "Lehigh Valley's Cal O'Reilly Wins Fred T. Hunt Memorial Award". OurSports Central. May 27, 2021.
    45. "AHL recognizes athletic trainers with Dupré Award". TheAHL.com. June 14, 2021.
    46. "Bears clinch Kilpatrick Trophy as regular-season champions". AHL. May 15, 2021.
    47. "Rocket vs. Marlies recap & highlights: Laval clinches the division title in an overtime loss". SB Nation. May 5, 2021.
    48. "American Hockey League Announces Winners of 2020-21 Excellence Awards". OurSports Central. August 9, 2021.
    49. "Hershey's Zack Fisch Named 2020-21 Recipient of Ken McKenzie Award". OurSports Central. June 24, 2021.
    50. "2020-21 American Hockey League All-Star Teams Named". OurSports Central. May 26, 2021.
    51. "2020-21 American Hockey League All-Rookie Team Named". OurSports Central. May 25, 2021.
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