2020–21 AHL season

The 2020–21 AHL season is 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 is 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, 2021 – TBD
Regular season

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. 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. 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] Stockton then moved from the Pacific to the Canadian Division on January 28 causing scheduling changes to the Pacific Division.[9] On February 1, the league announced a revised schedule and that the start of the season for the Canadian Division had been postponed.[10]

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[11]
Syracuse CrunchTampa Bay LightningFlorida Panthers[12]
Utica CometsVancouver CanucksSt. Louis Blues[13]
  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.[14] 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.[15]
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.[16] Warsofsky was brought to the Wolves by their new NHL affiliate, the Carolina Hurricanes in September 2020.
Henderson Silver KnightsDrew BannisterEmanuel ViveirosViveiros 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.[17]
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.[18] Wroblewski was hired on August 17, 2020.[19]
Rochester AmericansChris TaylorSeth AppertOn June 16, 2020, the Buffalo Sabres fired the entire Americans' coaching staff including Taylor.[20] Appert was hired on August 14, 2020.[21]
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[22] when Sommer was sent back to the Barracuda.[23]
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[24] and Roadrunners' assistant coach Steve Potvin was promoted as the head coach.[25]
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton PenguinsMike VellucciJ. D. ForrestOn September 2, 2020, Vellucci was promoted to an assistant coach position with the Pittsburgh Penguins.[26] On September 11, Forrest was named head coach after serving as an assistant coach for the WBS Penguins since August 2016.[27]

    Standings

    As of February 5, 2021[28]

    Atlantic Division GP W L OTL SOL Pts Pts% GF GA
    Providence Bruins (BOS)1100021.00041
    Bridgeport Sound Tigers (NYI)101000.00014
    Hartford Wolf Pack (NYR)000000.00000
    Canadian Division GP W L OTL SOL Pts Pts% GF GA
    Belleville Senators (OTT)000000.00000
    Laval Rocket (MTL)000000.00000
    Manitoba Moose (WPG)000000.00000
    Stockton Heat (CGY)000000.00000
    Toronto Marlies (TOR)000000.00000
    North Division GP W L OTL SOL Pts Pts% GF GA
    Utica Comets (VAN/STL)1100021.00032
    Rochester Americans (BUF)101000.00023
    Binghamton Devils (NJ)000000.00000
    Hershey Bears (WSH)000000.00000
    Lehigh Valley Phantoms (PHI)000000.00000
    Syracuse Crunch (TB/FLA)000000.00000
    Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins (PIT)000000.00000
    Central Division GP W L OTL SOL Pts Pts% GF GA
    Texas Stars (DAL)1100021.00084
    Chicago Wolves (CAR/NSH)1100021.00031
    Iowa Wild (MIN)101000.00048
    Grand Rapids Griffins (DET)101000.00013
    Cleveland Monsters (CBJ)000000.00000
    Rockford IceHogs (CHI)000000.00000
    Pacific Division GP W L OTL SOL Pts Pts% GF GA
    San Diego Gulls (ANA)1100021.00041
    Bakersfield Condors (EDM)101000.00014
    Colorado Eagles (COL)000000.00000
    Henderson Silver Knights (VGK)000000.00000
    Ontario Reign (LA)000000.00000
    San Jose Barracuda (SJ)000000.00000
    Tucson Roadrunners (ARI)000000.00000

    Statistical leaders

    Leading skaters

    The following players are sorted by points, then goals. Updated as of February 6, 2021.[29]

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

    Player Team GP G A Pts PIM
    Trevor Zegras San Diego Gulls 22350
    Chase De Leo San Diego Gulls 22240
    Adam Mascherin Texas Stars 21344
    Danny O'Regan Henderson Silver Knights 12130
    Riley Damiani Texas Stars 22130
    Connor Dewar Iowa Wild 22130
    Cavan Fitzgerald Chicago Wolves 22130
    Seth Jarvis Chicago Wolves 22132
    Tommy Novak Chicago Wolves 21232
    Cody Franson Rockford IceHogs 10332

    Leading goaltenders

    The following goaltenders with a minimum 60 minutes played lead the league in goals against average. Updated as of February 7, 2021.[30]

    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
    Ivan ProsvetovTucson Roadrunners 161:1737100.98.973100
    Zane McIntyreLehigh Valley Phantoms 160:4735100.99.971100
    Sam MontembeaultSyracuse Crunch 160:0033101.00.970100
    Jeremy SwaymanProvidence Bruins 160:0027101.00.963100
    Dereck BaribeauIowa Wild 160:0022101.00.955100


    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. "Rocket to play in Montreal in 2020-21". AHL. January 6, 2021.
    7. "28 teams to participate in 2020-21 AHL season". AHL. January 4, 2021.
    8. "American Hockey League Announces 2020-21 Schedule". OurSports Central. January 22, 2021.
    9. "Heat to Play in Calgary for 2020-21 Season". Stockton Heat. January 28, 2021.
    10. "Revised Pacific Division schedule released". AHL. February 1, 2021.
    11. "Wolves take on Predators as second affiliate for 2020-21". AHL. January 7, 2021.
    12. "TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING PARTNER WITH FLORIDA PANTHERS TO OFFER USE OF AHL AFFILIATE SYRACUSE CRUNCH". Syracuse Crunch. January 6, 2021.
    13. "Thunderbirds opt out of 2020-21 AHL season". nhl.com/blues. January 4, 2021. Retrieved January 4, 2021.
    14. "Ryan Warsofksy". Chicago Wolves. Retrieved November 2, 2020.
    15. "GEORDIE KINNEAR RETURNS TO CHARLOTTE AS HEAD COACH". Charlotte Checkers. September 28, 2020.
    16. "Rocky Thompson leaves Chicago Wolves, reportedly to join Sharks coaching staff". SB Nation. July 18, 2020.
    17. "Henderson Silver Knights Announce Hiring Of Head Coach Manny Viveiros". NHL.com. August 31, 2020.
    18. "KINGS WILL NOT RENEW CONTRACT OF REIGN HEAD COACH MIKE STOTHERS". LA Kings Insider. May 30, 2020.
    19. "John Wroblewski to Become Head Coach of the Ontario Reign". nhl.com/kings. August 17, 2020.
    20. "Entire Amerks Coaching Staff Fired". Spectrum News. June 16, 2020.
    21. "SETH APPERT NAMED AMERKS HEAD COACH". Rochester Americans. August 14, 2020.
    22. "Sommer gets call to join Sharks". AHL.com. December 11, 2019.
    23. "San Jose Sharks Announce Organizational Coaching Staff". San Jose Sharks. September 22, 2020. Retrieved September 22, 2020.
    24. "Coyotes Add Jay Varady to Coaching Staff for 2020-21 Season". OurSports Central. January 14, 2021.
    25. "Coyotes Name Steve Potvin as Roadrunners Head Coach". OurSports Central. January 22, 2021.
    26. "Penguins name Todd Reirden, Mike Vellucci as assistant coaches". WPXI News. September 2, 2020.
    27. "Forrest Named Head Coach, Karmanos named GM of Wilkes-Barre/Scranton". Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins. Retrieved September 11, 2020.
    28. "AHL Standings". AHL. Retrieved October 28, 2020.
    29. "American Hockey League Skater Stats 2020-21 Regular Season TheAHL.com". American Hockey League.
    30. "American Hockey League Goalie Stats 2020-21 Regular Season TheAHL.com". American Hockey League.
    Preceded by
    2019–20    		 AHL seasons Succeeded by
    2021–22
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