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2021–22 AHL season

The 2021–22 AHL season was the 86th season of the American Hockey League. The regular season began on October 15, 2021, and ended on April 30, 2022.[1] The regular season was followed by the Calder Cup playoffs, which had not been held since 2019 due to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. The playoffs began on May 2, 2022, and ended on June 25, 2022, with the Chicago Wolves winning their third Calder Cup.

2021–22 AHL season
LeagueAmerican Hockey League
SportIce hockey
DurationOctober 15, 2021 – April 30, 2022
Regular season
Macgregor Kilpatrick TrophyChicago Wolves
Season MVPT. J. Tynan (Ontario Reign)
Top scorerAndrew Poturalski (Chicago Wolves)
Playoffs
Playoffs MVPJosh Leivo (Chicago)
Calder Cup
ChampionsChicago Wolves
  Runners-upSpringfield Thunderbirds
AHL seasons

League changes

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Due to the then-ongoing COVID-19 pandemic during the previous season, the league had a temporary alignment consisting of five divisions. The league's Canada-based teams only played intradivisional games and could not cross the international border due to pandemic travel restrictions. The league expected to return to a normal schedule and with an updated alignment following team relocations, teams returning, and the lightening of pandemic restrictions.[1] The new alignment was announced on June 7, 2021, returning to the previous four divisions used in 2019–20 with the exception of the Abbotsford Canucks and the Henderson Silver Knights joining the Pacific Division, increasing it to nine teams, while the Binghamton Devils and the former San Antonio Rampage were removed from the North and Central Divisions, respectively, decreasing each to seven teams.[2]

As part of the alignment, the league would continue to have an imbalanced schedule with each team either playing 76, 72, or 68 games during the regular season.[2] The Macgregor Kilpatrick Trophy for the regular season champion was still awarded based on points percentage. The league planned for this to be the last season with the imbalanced scheduling with the expectation that all teams will play a 72-game schedule in 2022–23.[2]

On October 11, 2021, the league announced it had added female officials, seven referees and three linespeople, to its officiating crew for the first time.[3][4]

On January 1, 2022, the league announced it had extended the regular season by six days, from ending on April 24 to ending April 30, citing COVID-related game postponements.[5]

Team and NHL affiliation changes

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The league returned to 31 active teams with the Charlotte Checkers, Milwaukee Admirals, and Springfield Thunderbirds returning from a pandemic-related hiatus.[1]

Affiliation changes

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Due to the three teams returning from their pandemic hiatus, the temporary secondary NHL affiliations from the previous season ended. However, the addition of a 32nd NHL team in Seattle added one dual affiliation.

AHL team New affiliate[a] Previous affiliate
Abbotsford Canucks[b] St. Louis Blues[c]
Charlotte Checkers[8] Florida Panthers[d]
Seattle Kraken[e]		 Team was on hiatus
Chicago Wolves Nashville Predators[c]
Milwaukee Admirals Nashville Predators[d] Team was on hiatus
Springfield Thunderbirds St. Louis Blues[d] Team was on hiatus
Syracuse Crunch Florida Panthers[c]
  1. ^ Or an affiliate returning as a primary affiliate after the AHL team returned from pandemic-related hiatus.
  2. ^ Affiliation change from the franchise's time as the Utica Comets.
  3. ^ a b c Temporary secondary affiliate during pandemic affected season.
  4. ^ a b c Returned as the team's primary NHL affiliate after team hiatus.
  5. ^ One season dual affiliation before the Kraken launched the Coachella Valley Firebirds in 2022.

Coaching changes

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Off–season
Team 2020–21 coach 2021–22 coach Notes
Abbotsford Canucks — Trent Cull Cull had coached the Canucks' previous affiliate, the Utica Comets, since 2017 and led the team to a 122–93–17–9 record. He was brought over by the Canucks when the team was relocated.[9]
Hershey Bears Spencer Carbery Scott Allen On July 17, 2021, Carbery was hired as an assistant coach by the Toronto Maple Leafs. Carbery compiled an 87–50–9–8 record in three seasons as Bears head coach. Carbery also won the Louis A. R. Pieri Memorial Award in the 2020–21 AHL season as the league's best head coach, and led the Bears to a Macgregor Kilpatrick Trophy, with the best team record during the season. Allen was promoted to head coach from his previous role as assistant on August 5, 2021.[10]
Laval Rocket Joël Bouchard Jean-François Houle Bouchard left the Rocket at the end of his contract, compiling an 83–67–24 record over three seasons,[11] to become the head coach of the San Diego Gulls.[12] The Rocket then hired Houle after he served six seasons working for the Edmonton Oilers as an assistant coach with the Bakersfield Condors.[13]
Lehigh Valley Phantoms Scott Gordon Ian Laperrière The Philadelphia Flyers announced that Gordon and the Flyers' organization had mutually agreed to end their contract following the 2020–21 season. Gordon had led the Phantoms as head coach for six seasons and a 186–121–40 record (and one tie due to a suspended game in 2021) as well as a stint as interim head coach of the Flyers with a 25–22–4 record in 2018–19.[14] On June 5, 2021, Flyers' assistant coach Ian Laperriere was named the head coach of the Phantoms.[15]
Manitoba Moose Pascal Vincent Mark Morrison Vincent stepped down from his position with the Moose to join the Columbus Blue Jackets coaching staff on June 24, 2021.[16] Vincent compiled a 155–139–31 record in 325 games as head coach with Manitoba. Morrison was hired on July 19 after serving as an assistant coach with the Anaheim Ducks since 2017. He had also previously worked for the Winnipeg Jets as an assistant coach for their AHL affiliates, the St. John's IceCaps and the Moose, from 2011 to 2017.[17]
Providence Bruins Jay Leach Ryan Mougenel Leach was hired as an assistant coach with the Seattle Kraken on July 5, 2021.[18] Leach compiled a 136–77–26 record in 239 games as head coach of Providence. Ryan Mougenel was promoted from his assistant coaching position on August 13, 2021.[19]
San Diego Gulls Kevin Dineen Joël Bouchard Dineen's contract was not renewed after two seasons, leading the Gulls to a 56–36–7–2 record, and was replaced by Bouchard.[20]
Stockton Heat Cail MacLean Mitch Love The Calgary Flames promoted MacLean to assistant coach with the Flames after serving as the Heat's head coach for three seasons and a 72–65–16 record.[21] Love was named the next head coach on July 12, 2021, after most recently coaching the Saskatoon Blades.[22]
Tucson Roadrunners Steve Potvin Jay Varady Prior to the postponed start of the previous season, Roadrunners' head coach Jay Varady was brought up to the Arizona Coyotes' staff as an assistant coach[23] and Roadrunners' assistant coach Steve Potvin was promoted as the head coach.[24] Varady returned to his position with the Roadrunners for the 2021–22 season.[25]
Utica Comets Trent Cull Kevin Dineen Cull was retained by the Vancouver Canucks and brought over to their Abbotsford affiliate. Dineen was hired on August 5, 2021.[26]
In-season
Team Outgoing coach Incoming coach Notes
Bakersfield Condors Jay Woodcroft Colin Chaulk (interim) On February 10, 2022, Woodcroft was promoted to Edmonton following the firing of Oilers' head coach Dave Tippett. Condors' assistant coach Chaulk was named the interim head coach the following day.[27]
Rockford IceHogs Derek King Anders Sorensen (interim) On November 6, 2021, King was promoted to Chicago following the firing of Blackhawks head coach Jeremy Colliton.[28]
Ontario Reign John Wroblewski Chris Hajt (interim)
Craig Johnson (interim)		 After taking time away from the Reign on a personal leave of absence, it was mutually determined on March 11, 2022 between the Reign and Wroblewski that Wroblewski would not return as head coach of the Reign.[29]

Final standings

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 y–  indicates team clinched division and a playoff spot
 x–  indicates team clinched a playoff spot
 e–  indicates team was eliminated from playoff contention

Final standings as of April 30, 2022[30]

Eastern Conference

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Atlantic Division GP W L OTL SOL Pts Pts% GF GA
y–Charlotte Checkers (FLA/SEA) 72 42 24 5 1 90 .625 234 197
x–Springfield Thunderbirds (STL) 76 43 24 6 3 95 .625 233 221
x–Providence Bruins (BOS) 72 36 25 5 6 83 .576 199 192
x–Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins (PIT) 76 35 33 4 4 78 .513 209 225
x–Hershey Bears (WSH) 76 34 32 6 4 78 .513 202 209
x–Bridgeport Islanders (NYI) 72 31 30 7 4 73 .507 213 226
e–Hartford Wolf Pack (NYR) 72 32 32 6 2 72 .500 205 225
e–Lehigh Valley Phantoms (PHI) 76 29 32 10 5 73 .480 195 239
North Division GP W L OTL SOL Pts Pts% GF GA
y–Utica Comets (NJD) 72 43 20 8 1 95 .660 246 206
x–Syracuse Crunch (TBL) 76 41 26 7 2 91 .599 242 229
x–Laval Rocket (MTL) 72 39 26 5 2 85 .590 246 231
x–Belleville Senators (OTT) 72 40 28 4 0 84 .583 219 218
x–Rochester Americans (BUF) 76 37 29 7 3 84 .553 254 270
e–Toronto Marlies (TOR) 72 37 30 4 1 79 .549 243 244
e–Cleveland Monsters (CBJ) 76 28 35 8 5 69 .454 207 262

Western Conference

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Central Division GP W L OTL SOL Pts Pts% GF GA
y–Chicago Wolves (CAR) 76 50 16 5 5 110 .724 261 194
x–Manitoba Moose (WPG) 72 41 24 5 2 89 .618 228 204
x–Milwaukee Admirals (NSH) 76 39 28 5 4 87 .572 229 228
x–Rockford IceHogs (CHI) 72 37 30 4 1 79 .549 223 221
x–Texas Stars (DAL) 72 32 28 6 6 76 .528 219 230
e–Iowa Wild (MIN) 72 32 31 4 5 73 .507 202 209
e–Grand Rapids Griffins (DET) 76 33 35 6 2 74 .487 209 240
Pacific Division GP W L OTL SOL Pts Pts% GF GA
y–Stockton Heat (CGY) 68 45 16 5 2 97 .713 242 185
x–Ontario Reign (LAK) 68 41 18 5 4 91 .669 259 219
x–Colorado Eagles (COL) 68 39 22 4 3 85 .625 244 207
x–Bakersfield Condors (EDM) 68 37 21 5 5 84 .618 225 192
x–Abbotsford Canucks (VAN) 68 39 23 5 1 84 .618 230 200
x–Henderson Silver Knights (VGK) 68 35 28 4 1 75 .551 209 203
x–San Diego Gulls (ANA) 68 28 33 4 3 63 .463 197 223
e–Tucson Roadrunners (ARI) 68 23 39 5 1 52 .382 182 268
e–San Jose Barracuda (SJS) 68 20 42 4 2 46 .338 202 291

Statistical leaders

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Leading skaters

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The following players are sorted by points, then goals. Final as of April 30, 2022.[31]

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

Player Team GP G A Pts PIM
Andrew Poturalski Chicago Wolves 71 28 73 101 36
T. J. Tynan Ontario Reign 62 14 84 98 18
Stefan Noesen Chicago Wolves 70 48 37 85 112
Seth Griffith Bakersfield Condors 64 30 50 80 54
Kiefer Sherwood Colorado Eagles 57 36 39 75 34
Martin Frk Ontario Reign 58 40 33 73 73
Dylan Sikura Colorado Eagles 60 33 40 73 16
Sheldon Rempal Abbotsford Canucks 55 33 36 69 46
Matthew Phillips Stockton Heat 65 31 37 68 16
JJ Peterka Rochester Americans 70 28 40 68 28

Leading goaltenders

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The following goaltenders with a minimum 1,380 minutes played lead the league in goals against average. Final as of April 30, 2022.[32]

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
Troy Grosenick Providence Bruins 30 1,650:38 821 55 3 2.00 .933 16 6 4
Alex Lyon Chicago Wolves 30 1,665:16 678 60 3 2.16 .912 18 7 3
Charlie Lindgren Springfield Thunderbirds 34 1,979:19 972 73 3 2.21 .925 24 7 1
Stuart Skinner Bakersfield Condors 35 2,088:10 963 77 5 2.21 .920 22 7 5
Joey Daccord Charlotte Checkers 34 1,917:49 970 73 0 2.28 .925 19 11 2

Calder Cup playoffs

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Main article: 2022 Calder Cup playoffs

Playoff format

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Following two seasons of not awarding the Calder Cup due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2022 Calder Cup playoffs format was completely revamped from the previous version format of the 2019 playoffs by expanding from 16 teams to 23 teams that qualify for the postseason. During the regular season, teams receive two points for a win and one point for an overtime or shootout loss with teams in each division ranked by points percentage (points earned divided by points available). At the conclusion of the regular season, all but the bottom two teams in each division qualify for the playoffs: six in the Atlantic, five in the North, five in the Central, and seven in the Pacific.[33] The first round is organized so that four teams per division remain to play in the divisional semifinals.

The 2022 playoffs continued to feature a divisional playoff format, leading to the conference finals and ultimately the Calder Cup finals. The first round was a best-of-three series, followed by division semifinals and finals as best-of-five series, and the conference finals and Calder Cup finals were a best-of-seven. The top two teams in the Atlantic, top three teams in each of the North and Central, and the first-place team in the Pacific Division received byes into the division semifinals.[33]

Bracket

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First round Division semifinals Division finals Conference finals Calder Cup finals
A1 Charlotte 3
A3 Providence 0 A6 Bridgeport 1
A6 Bridgeport 2 Atlantic DivisionA1 Charlotte 0
A2 Springfield 3
A2 Springfield 3 Eastern Conference
A4 Wilkes-Barre/Scranton 2 A4 Wilkes-Barre/Scranton 0
A5 Hershey 1 A2 Springfield 4
N3 Laval 3
N1 Utica 2
N4 Belleville 0 N5 Rochester 3
N5 Rochester 2 North DivisionN5 Rochester 0
N3 Laval 3
N2 Syracuse 2
N3 Laval 3
A2 Springfield 1
C1 Chicago 4
C1 Chicago 3
C4 Rockford 2 C4 Rockford 0
C5 Texas 0 Central DivisionC1 Chicago 3
C3 Milwaukee 1
C2 Manitoba 2 Western Conference
C3 Milwaukee 3
C1 Chicago 4
P1 Stockton 2
P1 Stockton 3
P4 Bakersfield 2 P4 Bakersfield 0
P5 Abbotsford 0 Pacific DivisionP1 Stockton 3
P2 Ontario 2 P3 Colorado 1
P7 San Diego 0 P2 Ontario 0
P3 Colorado 2 P3 Colorado 3
P6 Henderson 0

AHL awards

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Award Winner
Calder Cup Chicago Wolves
Les Cunningham Award T. J. Tynan, Ontario Reign
John B. Sollenberger Trophy Andrew Poturalski, Chicago Wolves
Willie Marshall Award Stefan Noesen, Chicago Wolves
Dudley "Red" Garrett Memorial Award Jack Quinn, Rochester Americans
Eddie Shore Award Jordan Gross, Colorado Eagles
Aldege "Baz" Bastien Memorial Award Dustin Wolf, Stockton Heat
Harry "Hap" Holmes Memorial Award Alex Lyon, Chicago Wolves
Louis A. R. Pieri Memorial Award Mitch Love, Stockton Heat
Fred T. Hunt Memorial Award Sam Anas, Springfield Thunderbirds
Yanick Dupre Memorial Award Dakota Mermis, Iowa Wild
Jack A. Butterfield Trophy Josh Leivo, Chicago Wolves
Richard F. Canning Trophy Springfield Thunderbirds
Robert W. Clarke Trophy Chicago Wolves
Macgregor Kilpatrick Trophy Chicago Wolves
Frank Mathers Trophy
(Eastern Conference regular season champions)		 Utica Comets
Norman R. "Bud" Poile Trophy
(Western Conference regular season champions)		 Chicago Wolves
Emile Francis Trophy
(Atlantic Division regular season champions)		 Charlotte Checkers
F. G. "Teddy" Oke Trophy
(North Division regular season champions)		 Utica Comets
Sam Pollock Trophy
(Central Division regular season champions)		 Chicago Wolves
John D. Chick Trophy
(Pacific Division regular season champions)		 Stockton Heat
James C. Hendy Memorial Award Jon Greenberg, Milwaukee Admirals
Thomas Ebright Memorial Award Kevin MacDonald, Springfield Thunderbirds
James H. Ellery Memorial Awards Scott Leber, Rockford IceHogs
Ken McKenzie Award Gavin Riches, Colorado Eagles
Michael Condon Memorial Award Brent Colby (linesperson)
President's Awards Organization: Springfield Thunderbirds
Player: Stefan Noesen, Chicago Wolves

All-Star Teams

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First All-Star Team[34]

Second All-Star Team[34]

All-Rookie Team[35]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c "American Hockey League Announces Plans for 2021 Playoffs, Sets Calendar for 2021-22". OurSports Central. April 29, 2021.
  2. ^ a b c "AHL Board of Governors Approves Plan for Schedule Unification". OurSports Central. June 7, 2021.
  3. ^ "2021-22 AHL officiating staff includes 10 female officials". theahl.com. October 11, 2021.
  4. ^ "American Hockey League to Have 10 Female Officials This Year". U.S. News & World Report. October 11, 2021.
  5. ^ "Regular-season calendar extended to April 30". theahl.com. January 1, 2022.
  6. ^ a b "AHL Board of Governors Approves Two Franchise Relocations for 2021-22". OurSports Central. May 6, 2021.
  7. ^ "Sound Tigers rebrand as 'Bridgeport Islanders'". Connecticut Post. May 10, 2021.
  8. ^ "CHECKERS ADD SEATTLE KRAKEN AS NHL AFFILIATE". Charlotte Checkers. June 28, 2021.
  9. ^ "Coaching and Training Staff for Abbotsford Canucks Announced". Vancouver Canucks. July 16, 2021.
  10. ^ "Scott Allen Named Head Coach of Hershey Bears, Steve Bergin Hired as Assistant Coach". OurSports Central. August 5, 2021.
  11. ^ "Joël Bouchard quitte le Rocket de Laval". journaldemontreal.com (in French). July 9, 2021.
  12. ^ "Anaheim Ducks Name Joel Bouchard San Diego Gulls Head Coach". OurSports Central. July 9, 2021.
  13. ^ "Jean-François Houle Appointed Head Coach of the Laval Rocket". OurSports Central. July 20, 2021.
  14. ^ "Phantoms/Flyers Organization Mutually Agree to Part Ways with Phantoms Head Coach Scott Gordon". OurSports Central. May 18, 2021.
  15. ^ "Ian Laperriere Named Phantoms Head Coach". Lehigh Valley Phantoms. June 5, 2021.
  16. ^ "CBJ name Pascal Vincent associate coach". NHL.com. June 25, 2021.
  17. ^ "Mark Morrison Hired as Moose Head Coach". OurSports Central. July 19, 2021.
  18. ^ "Bruins coaching corps takes another big hit as Jay Leach reportedly heads to Seattle". bostonsportsjournal.com. July 5, 2021.
  19. ^ "Ryan Mougenel Named 13th Head Coach of the Providence Bruins". OurSports Central. August 13, 2021.
  20. ^ "Gulls replace Kevin Dineen as coach with Joel Bouchard". The San Diego Union-Tribune. July 9, 2021.
  21. ^ "Flames, Heat Announce Staff Changes". OurSports Central. June 10, 2021.
  22. ^ "Flames Name Mitch Love as Stockton Heat Head Coach". Stockton Heat. July 12, 2021.
  23. ^ "Coyotes Add Jay Varady to Coaching Staff for 2020-21 Season". OurSports Central. January 14, 2021.
  24. ^ "Coyotes Name Steve Potvin as Roadrunners Head Coach". OurSports Central. January 22, 2021.
  25. ^ "Coyotes Name Jay Varady as Tucson Roadrunners' Head Coach". OurSports Central. July 7, 2021.
  26. ^ "Kevin Dineen Named New Head Coach of Utica Comets". OurSports Central. August 5, 2021.
  27. ^ "Report: Oilers fire coach Dave Tippett, name Jay Woodcroft interim coach". Yahoo Sports Canada. February 10, 2022.
  28. ^ "IceHogs Head Coach Derek King Named Interim Head Coach Of Blackhawks". Rockford IceHogs. November 6, 2021.
  29. ^ "REIGN COACHING STAFF UPDATE". Ontario Reign. March 11, 2022.
  30. ^ "AHL Standings". AHL. Retrieved April 30, 2022.
  31. ^ "Player Stats TheAHL.com". AHL.
  32. ^ "Top Goalies - 2021-22 Regular Season - Goals Against Average". AHL.
  33. ^ a b "Format Approved for AHL's 2022 Calder Cup Playoffs". OurSports Central. August 5, 2021.
  34. ^ a b "2021-22 AHL First, Second All-Star Teams unveiled". American Hockey League. April 28, 2022.
  35. ^ "2021-22 AHL All-Rookie Team named". American Hockey League. April 27, 2022.
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