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
Eastern Conference championsSpringfield Thunderbirds
  Eastern Conference runners-upLaval Rocket
Western Conference championsChicago Wolves
  Western Conference runners-upStockton Heat
Playoffs MVPJosh Leivo (Chicago)
Calder Cup
ChampionsChicago Wolves
  Runners-upSpringfield Thunderbirds

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.

League changes

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 team 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

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

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[lower-alpha 1] Previous affiliate
Abbotsford Canucks[lower-alpha 2] St. Louis Blues[lower-alpha 3]
Charlotte Checkers[8]Florida Panthers[lower-alpha 4]
Seattle Kraken[lower-alpha 5]
Team was on hiatus
Chicago Wolves Nashville Predators[lower-alpha 3]
Milwaukee AdmiralsNashville Predators[lower-alpha 4]Team was on hiatus
Springfield ThunderbirdsSt. Louis Blues[lower-alpha 4]Team was on hiatus
Syracuse Crunch Florida Panthers[lower-alpha 3]
  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. 1 2 3 Temporary secondary affiliate during pandemic affected season.
  4. 1 2 3 Returned as the team's primary NHL affiliate after team hiatus.
  5. One season dual affiliation before the Kraken launch the Coachella Valley Firebirds in 2022.

Coaching changes

Off–season
Team2020–21 coach2021–22 coachNotes
Abbotsford CanucksTrent CullCull 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 BearsSpencer CarberyScott AllenOn 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 RocketJoël BouchardJean-François HouleBouchard 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 PhantomsScott GordonIan LaperrièreThe 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 MoosePascal VincentMark MorrisonVincent 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 BruinsJay LeachRyan MougenelLeach 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 GullsKevin DineenJoël BouchardDineen'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 HeatCail MacLeanMitch LoveThe 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 RoadrunnersSteve PotvinJay VaradyPrior 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 CometsTrent CullKevin DineenCull 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 CondorsJay WoodcroftColin 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 IceHogsDerek KingAnders Sorensen (interim)On November 6, 2021, King was promoted to Chicago following the firing of Blackhawks head coach Jeremy Colliton.[28]
Ontario ReignJohn WroblewskiChris 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

 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

Atlantic Division GP W L OTL SOL Pts Pts% GF GA
y–Charlotte Checkers (FLA/SEA)7242245190.625234197
x–Springfield Thunderbirds (STL)7643246395.625233221
x–Providence Bruins (BOS)7236255683.576199192
x–Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins (PIT)7635334478.513209225
x–Hershey Bears (WSH)7634326478.513202209
x–Bridgeport Islanders (NYI)7231307473.507213226
e–Hartford Wolf Pack (NYR)7232326272.500205225
e–Lehigh Valley Phantoms (PHI)76293210573.480195239
North Division GP W L OTL SOL Pts Pts% GF GA
y–Utica Comets (NJD)7243208195.660246206
x–Syracuse Crunch (TBL)7641267291.599242229
x–Laval Rocket (MTL)7239265285.590246231
x–Belleville Senators (OTT)7240284084.583219218
x–Rochester Americans (BUF)7637297384.553254270
e–Toronto Marlies (TOR)7237304179.549243244
e–Cleveland Monsters (CBJ)7628358569.454207262

Western Conference

Central Division GP W L OTL SOL Pts Pts% GF GA
y–Chicago Wolves (CAR)76501655110.724261194
x–Manitoba Moose (WPG)7241245289.618228204
x–Milwaukee Admirals (NSH)7639285487.572229228
x–Rockford IceHogs (CHI)7237304179.549223221
x–Texas Stars (DAL)7232286676.528219230
e–Iowa Wild (MIN)7232314573.507202209
e–Grand Rapids Griffins (DET)7633356274.487209240
Pacific Division GP W L OTL SOL Pts Pts% GF GA
y–Stockton Heat (CGY)6845165297.713242185
x–Ontario Reign (LAK)6841185491.669259219
x–Colorado Eagles (COL)6839224385.625244207
x–Bakersfield Condors (EDM)6837215584.618225192
x–Abbotsford Canucks (VAN)6839235184.618230200
x–Henderson Silver Knights (VGK)6835284175.551209203
x–San Diego Gulls (ANA)6828334363.463197223
e–Tucson Roadrunners (ARI)6823395152.382182268
e–San Jose Barracuda (SJS)6820424246.338202291

Statistical leaders

Leading skaters

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; +/– = Plus-minus; PIM = Penalty minutes

Player Team GP G A Pts PIM
Andrew Poturalski Chicago Wolves 71287310136
T. J. Tynan Ontario Reign 6214849818
Stefan Noesen Chicago Wolves 70483785112
Seth Griffith Bakersfield Condors 6430508054
Kiefer Sherwood Colorado Eagles 5736397534
Martin Frk Ontario Reign 5840337373
Dylan Sikura Colorado Eagles 6033407316
Sheldon Rempal Abbotsford Canucks 5533366946
Matthew Phillips Stockton Heat 6531376816
JJ Peterka Rochester Americans 7028406828

Leading goaltenders

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 GPTOISAGASOGAASV%WLOT
Troy GrosenickProvidence Bruins 301,650:388215532.00.9331664
Alex LyonChicago Wolves 301,665:166786032.16.9121873
Charlie LindgrenSpringfield Thunderbirds 341,979:199727332.21.9252471
Stuart SkinnerBakersfield Condors 352,088:109637752.21.9202275
Joey DaccordCharlotte Checkers 341,917:499707302.28.92519112

Calder Cup playoffs

Playoff format

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

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

AwardWinner
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 TrophyChicago 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 AwardJon Greenberg, Milwaukee Admirals
Thomas Ebright Memorial AwardKevin MacDonald, Springfield Thunderbirds
James H. Ellery Memorial AwardsScott Leber, Rockford IceHogs
Ken McKenzie AwardGavin Riches, Colorado Eagles
Michael Condon Memorial AwardBrent Colby (linesperson)
President's AwardsOrganization: Springfield Thunderbirds
Player: Stefan Noesen, Chicago Wolves

All-Star Teams

First All-Star Team[34]

Second All-Star Team[34]

All-Rookie Team[35]

See also

References

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  2. 1 2 3 "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. 1 2 "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.
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  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. 1 2 "Format Approved for AHL's 2022 Calder Cup Playoffs". OurSports Central. August 5, 2021.
  34. 1 2 "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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