American Hockey League Minor League Hockey Teams
The American Hockey League, commonly known as AHL, is a professional ice hockey league in North America, comprising 31 teams: 28 in the United States and three in Canada. It serves as the primary developmental league for the National Hockey League (NHL).
The AHL was founded in 1936 and is considered as one of the most prestigious minor leagues in North America. Players in the AHL are often those who are not yet ready for NHL action, but with hard work, dedication and consistent performance, many of them have been able to make the leap. The AHL is a great place for young players to gain experience and refine their skills in order to eventually make it to the big league.
History
The AHL was first known as the International-American Hockey League (IAHL) and was created as a result of the merger between the Canadian-American Hockey League (CAHL) and the International Hockey League (IHL). Initially, the league had six teams, but over the years, it has grown significantly, with more and more teams added.
Some of the historic franchises in the AHL include the Hershey Bears, Rochester Americans, Springfield Indians, and Providence Bruins. These teams have been around for over 80 years and have produced some of the greatest players in the history of the league.
The league has undergone a few name changes over the years. In 1940, it was changed to the American Hockey League (AHL), and in 1995, it was changed to the International Hockey League (IHL). However, in 2001, the league reverted back to the American Hockey League name.
Teams
As mentioned earlier, the AHL has 31 teams, with 28 in the United States and three in Canada. Each team is affiliated with an NHL team and serves as a developmental league for them.
Here are the teams in the AHL:
- Bakersfield Condors
- Belleville Senators
- Binghamton Devils
- Bridgeport Sound Tigers
- Charlotte Checkers
- Chicago Wolves
- Cleveland Monsters
- Colorado Eagles
- Grand Rapids Griffins
- Hartford Wolf Pack
- Hershey Bears
- Iowa Wild
- Laval Rocket
- Lehigh Valley Phantoms
- Manitoba Moose
- Milwaukee Admirals
- Ontario Reign
- Providence Bruins
- Rockford IceHogs
- San Antonio Rampage
- San Diego Gulls
- San Jose Barracuda
- Springfield Thunderbirds
- Syracuse Crunch
- Texas Stars
- Toronto Marlies
- Tucson Roadrunners
- Utica Comets
- Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins
- Winnipeg Jets
Each team in the AHL has its own unique identity and culture, but they all share a common goal of developing players for NHL teams. Some of the AHL teams are affiliated with multiple NHL teams to provide more opportunity for their players to develop.
Conclusion
The American Hockey League is an important stepping stone for young players looking to make it to the NHL. With 31 teams and over 80 years of history, the AHL has become a prestigious minor league, producing some of the greatest players in the history of the sport. If you are a fan of hockey or just looking to watch some great hockey games, be sure to check out one of the AHL teams in your area.
