2023–24 AHL season
The 2023–24 AHL season was the 88th season of the American Hockey League. The regular season began on October 13, 2023, and ended on April 21, 2024. The 2024 Calder Cup playoffs followed the conclusion of the regular season, and ended on June 24, with the Hershey Bears winning their 13th Calder Cup in franchise history.
| 2023–24 AHL season | |
|---|---|
| League | American Hockey League |
| Sport | Ice hockey |
| Duration | October 13, 2023 – April 21, 2024 |
| Regular season | |
| Macgregor Kilpatrick Trophy | Hershey Bears |
| Season MVP | Mavrik Bourque (Texas Stars) |
| Top scorer | Mavrik Bourque (Texas Stars) |
| Playoffs | |
| Playoffs MVP | Hendrix Lapierre (Hershey) |
| Calder Cup | |
| Champions | Hershey Bears |
| Runners-up | Coachella Valley Firebirds |
For the first time in league history, both Calder Cup clinching goals came in overtime.
League changes
For the first time since the 1994–95 season, the league featured an unaffiliated team, with the Chicago Wolves ending their affiliation with the Carolina Hurricanes.[1] It only lasted one season; the two clubs announced on May 2, 2024, a new three-year agreement where the Wolves would rejoin the Hurricanes' system.[2]
Team and NHL affiliation changes
| AHL team | New affiliate | Previous affiliate |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago Wolves | Independent | Carolina Hurricanes |
Coaching changes
| Off–season | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Team | 2022–23 coach | 2023–24 coach | Notes |
| Belleville Senators | Troy Mann David Bell (interim) | David Bell | On February 2, 2023, following the Senators game vs the Rochester Americans, Mann was relieved from duties as head coach. Assistant coach David Bell was named as interim head coach the same night.[3] Ottawa removed the interim tag from Bell for the 2023–24 season on May 2, 2023.[4] |
| Bridgeport Islanders | Brent Thompson | Rick Kowalsky | On July 11, 2023, Thompson was named as an assistant coach with the Anaheim Ducks.[5] Bridgeport assistant coach Rick Kowalsky was named as head coach on July 13, 2023.[6] |
| Calgary Wranglers | Mitch Love | Trent Cull | The Washington Capitals hired Love as an assistant coach on June 22, 2023.[7] Cull was hired by the Wranglers on July 17, 2023.[8] |
| Chicago Wolves | Brock Sheahan | Bob Nardella | On June 13, 2023, with the Wolves operation without an NHL affiliate, they hired Nardella as head coach.[9] |
| Colorado Eagles | Greg Cronin | Aaron Schneekloth | On June 5, 2023, Cronin was hired as the head coach of the Anaheim Ducks.[10] Schneekloth was named as head coach of the Eagles on July 6, 2023.[11] |
| Grand Rapids Griffins | Ben Simon | Dan Watson | Shortly following the conclusion of the season, the Griffins parted ways with Simon.[12] Watson was named as head coach of the Griffins on June 14, 2023.[13] |
| Henderson Silver Knights | Manny Viveiros | Ryan Craig | On April 19, 2023, the Golden Knights and Viveiros mutually agreed to part ways.[14] Golden Knights assistant coach Ryan Craig was named as head coach of the Silver Knights on June 26, 2023.[15] |
| Iowa Wild | Tim Army | Brett McLean | On April 22, 2023, the Wild fired most of their coaching staff, including Army.[16] McLean was named as Iowa Wild head coach after spending three seasons as an assistant coach with Minnesota.[17] |
| San Diego Gulls | Roy Sommer | Matt McIlvane | On April 15, 2023, Sommer had announced he intended to retire following the season.[18] On April 25, the Gulls hired McIlvane as head coach.[19] |
| Syracuse Crunch | Benoit Groulx | Joel Bouchard | On June 26, 2023, Bouchard was named as head coach of the Crunch. Groulx was offered a different position in the Lightning organization.[20] |
| Toronto Marlies | Greg Moore | John Gruden | On May 19, 2023, shortly after the Marlies were swept by Rochester in the division finals, the Marlies announced they would not renew the contract of Moore.[21] Gruden was named as head coach of the Marlies on July 4, 2023.[22] |
| In-season | |||
| Team | Outgoing coach | Incoming coach | Notes |
| Hartford Wolf Pack | Kris Knoblauch | Steve Smith (interim) | After the Edmonton Oilers fired head coach Jay Woodcroft on November 12, 2023, Knoblauch was named as head coach of the Oilers. On the same day, the Wolf Pack named Smith as interim head coach. |
| Springfield Thunderbirds | Drew Bannister | Daniel Tkaczuk (interim) | After the St. Louis Blues fired head coach Craig Berube on December 12, 2023, Bannister was named as head coach of the Blues and Tkaczuk was elevated to interim head coach of the Thunderbirds. |
Standings
y– indicates team has clinched division and a playoff spot
x– indicates team has clinched a playoff spot
e– indicates team has been eliminated from playoff contention
Standings as of April 21, 2024[23]
Eastern Conference
| Atlantic Division | GP | W | L | OTL | SOL | Pts | Pts% | GF | GA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| y–Hershey Bears (WSH) | 72 | 53 | 14 | 0 | 5 | 111 | .771 | 229 | 151 |
| x–Providence Bruins (BOS) | 72 | 42 | 21 | 6 | 3 | 93 | .646 | 239 | 208 |
| x–Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins (PIT) | 72 | 39 | 24 | 8 | 1 | 87 | .604 | 211 | 194 |
| x–Charlotte Checkers (FLA) | 72 | 39 | 26 | 7 | 0 | 85 | .590 | 217 | 203 |
| x–Hartford Wolf Pack (NYR) | 72 | 34 | 28 | 7 | 3 | 78 | .542 | 204 | 219 |
| x–Lehigh Valley Phantoms (PHI) | 72 | 32 | 31 | 6 | 3 | 73 | .507 | 191 | 217 |
| e–Springfield Thunderbirds (STL) | 72 | 30 | 37 | 3 | 2 | 65 | .451 | 226 | 244 |
| e–Bridgeport Islanders (NYI) | 72 | 25 | 38 | 7 | 2 | 59 | .410 | 162 | 222 |
| North Division | GP | W | L | OTL | SOL | Pts | Pts% | GF | GA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| y–Cleveland Monsters (CBJ) | 72 | 40 | 24 | 5 | 3 | 88 | .611 | 233 | 238 |
| x–Rochester Americans (BUF) | 72 | 39 | 23 | 7 | 3 | 88 | .611 | 234 | 239 |
| x–Syracuse Crunch (TBL) | 72 | 39 | 24 | 4 | 5 | 87 | .604 | 220 | 203 |
| x–Belleville Senators (OTT) | 72 | 38 | 28 | 3 | 3 | 82 | .569 | 209 | 211 |
| x–Toronto Marlies (TOR) | 72 | 34 | 26 | 10 | 2 | 80 | .556 | 249 | 220 |
| e–Utica Comets (NJD) | 72 | 32 | 29 | 5 | 6 | 75 | .521 | 221 | 226 |
| e–Laval Rocket (MTL) | 72 | 33 | 31 | 6 | 2 | 74 | .514 | 235 | 242 |
Western Conference
| Central Division | GP | W | L | OTL | SOL | Pts | Pts% | GF | GA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| y–Milwaukee Admirals (NSH) | 72 | 47 | 22 | 2 | 1 | 97 | .674 | 238 | 193 |
| x–Grand Rapids Griffins (DET) | 72 | 37 | 23 | 8 | 4 | 86 | .597 | 208 | 202 |
| x–Rockford IceHogs (CHI) | 72 | 39 | 26 | 5 | 2 | 85 | .590 | 215 | 208 |
| x–Texas Stars (DAL) | 72 | 33 | 33 | 4 | 2 | 72 | .500 | 234 | 240 |
| x–Manitoba Moose (WPG) | 72 | 34 | 35 | 2 | 1 | 71 | .493 | 225 | 243 |
| e–Iowa Wild (MIN) | 72 | 27 | 37 | 4 | 4 | 62 | .431 | 184 | 245 |
| e–Chicago Wolves (Ind.) | 72 | 23 | 35 | 7 | 7 | 60 | .417 | 192 | 253 |
| Pacific Division | GP | W | L | OTL | SOL | Pts | Pts% | GF | GA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| y–Coachella Valley Firebirds (SEA) | 72 | 46 | 15 | 6 | 5 | 103 | .715 | 252 | 182 |
| x–Tucson Roadrunners (ARI) | 72 | 43 | 23 | 4 | 2 | 92 | .639 | 222 | 214 |
| x–Ontario Reign (LAK) | 72 | 42 | 23 | 3 | 4 | 91 | .632 | 231 | 198 |
| x–Colorado Eagles (COL) | 72 | 40 | 25 | 5 | 2 | 87 | .604 | 215 | 195 |
| x–Abbotsford Canucks (VAN) | 72 | 40 | 25 | 5 | 2 | 87 | .604 | 234 | 210 |
| x–Bakersfield Condors (EDM) | 72 | 39 | 27 | 4 | 2 | 84 | .583 | 223 | 202 |
| x–Calgary Wranglers (CGY) | 72 | 35 | 28 | 6 | 3 | 79 | .549 | 203 | 212 |
| e–Henderson Silver Knights (VGK) | 72 | 28 | 36 | 3 | 5 | 64 | .444 | 190 | 243 |
| e–San Diego Gulls (ANA) | 72 | 26 | 35 | 10 | 1 | 63 | .438 | 216 | 245 |
| e–San Jose Barracuda (SJS) | 72 | 24 | 34 | 10 | 4 | 62 | .431 | 220 | 260 |
Statistical leaders
Leading skaters
The following players are sorted by points, then goals. As of April 21, 2024.[24]
GP = Games played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points; +/– = P Plus–minus; PIM = Penalty minutes
| Player | Team | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mavrik Bourque | Texas Stars | 71 | 26 | 51 | 77 | 32 |
| Rocco Grimaldi | Chicago Wolves | 72 | 36 | 37 | 73 | 38 |
| Adam Gaudette | Springfield Thunderbirds | 67 | 44 | 27 | 71 | 51 |
| T. J. Tynan | Ontario Reign | 71 | 9 | 57 | 66 | 68 |
| Georgii Merkulov | Providence Bruins | 67 | 30 | 35 | 65 | 20 |
| Kole Lind | Coachella Valley Firebirds | 69 | 17 | 48 | 65 | 65 |
| Andrew Agozzino | San Diego Gulls | 72 | 26 | 38 | 64 | 44 |
| Brett Seney | Rockford IceHogs | 68 | 23 | 40 | 63 | 60 |
| Seth Griffith | Bakersfield Condors | 68 | 15 | 48 | 63 | 32 |
| Samuel Fagemo | Ontario Reign | 50 | 43 | 19 | 62 | 26 |
Leading goaltenders
The following goaltenders with a minimum 1,440 minutes played lead the league in goals against average. As of April 21, 2024.[25]
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 | GP | TOI | SA | GA | SO | GAA | SV% | W | L | OT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hunter Shepard | Hershey Bears | 34 | 2,075:41 | 860 | 61 | 5 | 1.76 | .929 | 27 | 4 | 3 |
| Clay Stevenson | Hershey Bears | 36 | 2,159:20 | 951 | 74 | 7 | 2.06 | .922 | 24 | 10 | 2 |
| Joel Blomqvist | Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins | 45 | 2,636:20 | 1,197 | 95 | 1 | 2.16 | .921 | 25 | 12 | 6 |
| Chris Driedger | Coachella Valley Firebirds | 39 | 2,282:35 | 1,038 | 86 | 4 | 2.26 | .917 | 24 | 7 | 7 |
| Yaroslav Askarov | Milwaukee Admirals | 44 | 2,556:55 | 1,148 | 102 | 6 | 2.39 | .911 | 30 | 13 | 1 |
Calder Cup playoffs
Playoff format
The AHL will continue to use the same playoff format used in the previous playoffs. The playoff field will include the top six finishers in the eight-team Atlantic Division, the top five finishers each in the seven-team North and Central Divisions, and the top seven teams in the 10-team Pacific Division. First Round match-ups will be best-of-three series; the two highest seeds in the Atlantic, the three highest seeds in each of the North and Central, and the first-place team in the Pacific will receive byes into the best-of-five Division Semifinals, with the First Round winners re-seeded in each division. The Division Finals will also be best-of-five series, followed by best-of-seven Conference Finals and a best-of-seven Calder Cup Finals series.
Bracket
| First Round April 23–28 | Division Semifinals April 26–May 12 | Division Finals May 15–May 26 | Conference Finals May 29–June 12 | Calder Cup Finals June 14– | ||||||||||||||||||||
| A1 | Hershey | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| A3 | Wilkes-Barre/Scranton | 0 | A6 | Lehigh Valley | 1 | |||||||||||||||||||
| A6 | Lehigh Valley | 2 | Atlantic Division | A1 | Hershey | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||
| A5 | Hartford | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| A2 | Providence | 1 | Eastern Conference | |||||||||||||||||||||
| A4 | Charlotte | 1 | A5 | Hartford | 3 | |||||||||||||||||||
| A5 | Hartford | 2 | A1 | Hershey | 4 | |||||||||||||||||||
| N1 | Cleveland | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| N1 | Cleveland | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| N4 | Belleville | 2 | N4 | Belleville | 1 | |||||||||||||||||||
| N5 | Toronto | 1 | North Division | N1 | Cleveland | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||
| N3 | Syracuse | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| N2 | Rochester | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| N3 | Syracuse | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| A1 | Hershey | 4 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| P1 | Coachella Valley | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| C1 | Milwaukee | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| C4 | Texas | 2 | C4 | Texas | 2 | |||||||||||||||||||
| C5 | Manitoba | 0 | Central Division | C1 | Milwaukee | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||
| C2 | Grand Rapids | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| C2 | Grand Rapids | 3 | Western Conference | |||||||||||||||||||||
| C3 | Rockford | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| P1 | Coachella Valley | 4 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| C1 | Milwaukee | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| P1 | Coachella Valley | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| P2 | Tucson | 0 | P7 | Calgary | 1 | |||||||||||||||||||
| P7 | Calgary | 2 | Pacific Division | P1 | Coachella Valley | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||
| P3 | Ontario | 2 | P3 | Ontario | 0 | |||||||||||||||||||
| P6 | Bakersfield | 0 | P3 | Ontario | 3 | |||||||||||||||||||
| P4 | Colorado | 1 | P5 | Abbotsford | 0 | |||||||||||||||||||
| P5 | Abbotsford | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
AHL awards
All-Star Teams
First All-Star Team[26]
- Hunter Shepard (G) – Hershey Bears
- Kyle Capobianco (D) – Manitoba Moose
- Brad Hunt (D) – Colorado Eagles
- Mavrik Bourque (F) – Texas Stars
- Adam Gaudette (F) – Springfield Thunderbirds
- Logan Stankoven (F) – Texas Stars
Second All-Star Team[26]
- Joel Blomqvist (G) – Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins
- Jake Christiansen (D) – Cleveland Monsters
- Brandt Clarke (D) – Ontario Reign
- Samuel Fagemo (F) – Ontario Reign
- Trey Fix-Wolansky (F) – Cleveland Monsters
- Rocco Grimaldi (F) – Chicago Wolves
All-Rookie Team[27]
- Joel Blomqvist (G) – Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins
- Brandt Clarke (D) – Ontario Reign
- Logan Mailloux (D) – Laval Rocket
- Josh Doan (F) – Tucson Roadrunners
- Brad Lambert (F) – Manitoba Moose
- Logan Stankoven (F) – Texas Stars
References
- "Chicago Wolves To Play As An Independent AHL Team". Pro Hockey Rumors. April 5, 2023. Retrieved May 13, 2023.
- "TOGETHER AGAIN: WOLVES AND CANES FORGE NEW PARTNERSHIP". Chicago Wolves. May 2, 2024. Retrieved May 9, 2024.
- "Senators announce changes to the Belleville Senators coaching staff". Ottawa Senators. February 2, 2023. Retrieved May 8, 2023 – via NHL.com.
- "Senators promote Belleville Senators' David Bell". Ottawa Senators. May 2, 2023. Retrieved May 13, 2023 – via NHL.com.
- "Ducks Name Brent Thompson Assistant Coach". Anaheim Ducks. July 11, 2023. Retrieved July 11, 2023 – via NHL.com.
- "Rick Kowalsky Named Bridgeport Islanders Head Coach". New York Islanders. July 13, 2023. Retrieved July 13, 2023 – via NHL.com.
- "Capitals Name Mitch Love Assistant Coach". Washington Capitals. June 22, 2023. Retrieved June 22, 2023 – via www.nhl.com/capitals.
- "WRANGLERS NAME TRENT CULL HEAD COACH". Calgary Wranglers. July 17, 2023. Retrieved July 17, 2023 – via calgarywranglers.com.
- "BOB NARDELLA NAMED HEAD COACH OF CHICAGO WOLVES". Chicago Wolves. June 13, 2023. Retrieved June 13, 2023 – via chicagowolves.com.
- "Ducks Name Greg Cronin Head Coach". Anaheim Ducks. June 5, 2023. Retrieved June 5, 2023 – via NHL.com.
- "SCHNEEKLOTH NAMED COLORADO EAGLES HEAD COACH". Colorado Eagles. July 6, 2023. Retrieved July 6, 2023 – via NHL.com.
- "Griffins part ways with head coach Ben Simon after 5 seasons". WOOD 8 TV. April 16, 2023. Retrieved May 13, 2023 – via www.woodtv.com.
- "DAN WATSON NAMED HEAD COACH". Grand Rapids Griffins. June 14, 2023. Retrieved June 14, 2023 – via www.griffinshockey.com.
- "Vegas Golden Knights, Manny Viveiros Mutually Agree to Part Ways". Vegas Golden Knights. April 19, 2023. Retrieved May 17, 2023 – via www.nhl.com/goldenknights.
- "RYAN CRAIG NAMED HEAD COACH OF HENDERSON SILVER KNIGHTS". Henderson Silver Knights. June 26, 2023. Retrieved June 26, 2023 – via hendersonsilverknights.com.
- "Wild Fire Most Of AHL Coaching Staff". Pro Hockey Rumors. April 22, 2023. Retrieved May 17, 2023 – via www.prohockeyrumors.com/.
- "BRETT MCLEAN NAMED IOWA WILD HEAD COACH". Iowa Wild. May 30, 2023. Retrieved May 30, 2023 – via iowawild.com.
- "ROY SOMMER ANNOUNCES HIS INTENTION TO RETIRE FOLLOWING THE 2022-23 SEASON". San Diego Gulls. April 15, 2023. Retrieved May 13, 2023 – via sandiegogulls.com.
- "San Diego Gulls Hire Matt McIlvane". Pro Hockey Rumors. April 25, 2023. Retrieved May 13, 2023 – via www.prohockeyrumors.com/.
- "JOEL BOUCHARD NAMED SYRACUSE CRUNCH HEAD COACH". Syracuse Crunch. June 26, 2023. Retrieved June 26, 2023 – via syracusecrunch.com/.
- "Toronto Marlies Announce Changes To Coaching Staff". Toronto Marlies. May 19, 2023. Retrieved May 19, 2023 – via www.marlies.ca.
- "Toronto Maple Leafs Announce John Gruden as Head Coach of the Toronto Marlies". Toronto Marlies. July 4, 2023. Retrieved July 4, 2023 – via www.marlies.ca.
- "AHL Standings". AHL. Retrieved May 13, 2023.
- "Skater Stats". American Hockey League. Retrieved April 22, 2024.
- "Goalie Stats – Top Goalies". American Hockey League. Retrieved April 22, 2024.
- "2023-24 AHL First, Second All-Star Teams unveiled". American Hockey League. April 18, 2024. Retrieved June 5, 2024.
- "2023-24 AHL All-Rookie Team named". American Hockey League. April 17, 2024. Retrieved June 5, 2024.
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