American Hockey League

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. … The American Hockey League has announced the inaugural AHL Top Prospects Team, determined by the league’s hockey operations department in conjunction with AHL general managers as the three forwards, two defensemen and one goaltender projected to be the best future NHL players. To qualify for the AHL Top Prospects Team, skaters must

The Anaheim Ducks have named Greg Cronin head coach, the 11th in franchise history. Cronin, 60, begins his first stint as an NHL head coach after spending the last five years as head coach of the American Hockey League’s Colorado Eagles. Cronin guided the Eagles to a record of 164-104-21-9 (.601) and three Calder Cup

The oldest franchise in the American Hockey League will face off against the newest one for the AHL championship when the Hershey Bears meet the Coachella Valley Firebirds in the 2023 Calder Cup Finals beginning Thursday night at Acrisure Arena in Palm Desert, Calif. Led by former Stanley Cup winning head coach Dan Bylsma, the

📝 by Patrick Williams You know the Hershey Bears have been playing late in the spring just by the sounds of the roller coasters from nearby Hersheypark. On Monday morning, cars and school buses dotted the parking lot that separates Giant Center from the expansive 117-year-old testament to all things chocolate. Inside the arena, meanwhile,

The AHL’s newest franchise has a date with its most storied one. AHL Rookie of the Year Tye Kartye scored twice to lift the Coachella Valley Firebirds into the Calder Cup Finals with a 4-3 victory over the Milwaukee Admirals at Acrisure Arena on Monday night. The first-year Firebirds will host the Hershey Bears in

📝 by Patrick Williams The end of a Calder Cup Playoff run is an abrupt one. A week ago, the Rochester Americans were fully locked in a fight with the Hershey Bears for the right to represent the Eastern Conference in the Calder Cup Finals. This weekend, the Amerks are packing their bags, gathering for

Max McCormick’s goal with 3:17 left in the second period held up as the difference as the Coachella Valley Firebirds moved to within one victory of the Calder Cup Finals with a 2-1 win over the Milwaukee Admirals on Saturday night. With a 3-2 lead in the best-of-seven Western Conference Finals, the Firebirds return home

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. … Willie Marshall, the American Hockey League’s all-time leader in goals, assists, points and games played and a charter member of the league’s Hall of Fame, passed away today at his home in Lebanon, Pa. Marshall was 91. “At a time when there were only six teams in the National Hockey League, Willie

The Hershey Bears captured the Richard F. Canning Trophy as the American Hockey League’s Eastern Conference champions for 2022-23, claiming the title with a 1-0 victory over the Rochester Americans in Game 6 of their best-of-seven series at Blue Cross Arena tonight. Shane Gersich scored his first goal of the postseason with 7:20 left in

📝 by Patrick Williams The word came from goaltending coach Dave Rook on the long trip back home from California on Sunday. “You’re in tomorrow night.” Devin Cooley was getting the call for Game 3 of the Western Conference Finals. Against the loaded Coachella Valley Firebirds. And down two games to none. Lose Game 3

The Milwaukee Admirals squared the Western Conference Finals at two games apiece with a 5-2 win over the Coachella Valley Firebirds at UW-Milwaukee Panther Arena on Thursday night. The Ads will host Game 5 on Saturday before the series heads back to Palm Desert for Game 6 (and, if necessary, Game 7). Isaac Ratcliffe and

📝 by Patrick Williams If a hockey team eventually takes on the demeanor of its head coach, then the Hershey Bears have followed the axiom with Todd Nelson. “He’s so poised,” said forward Sam Anas. “You look at him on the bench, and you wouldn’t know what the score of the game was. We could

A sold-out Giant Center was ready for a celebration on Wednesday night, but the Rochester Americans had other plans. Malcolm Subban made 32 saves, Lukas Rousek scored twice, and the Amerks improved to 4-0 this postseason when facing elimination with a 4-1 victory over the Hershey Bears in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Finals.

Brett McLean has been named the new head coach of the Iowa Wild. McLean, 44, spent the last three seasons as an assistant with the NHL’s Minnesota Wild, helping the club to three consecutive Stanley Cup Playoff berths. Prior to that, he served three seasons as an assistant in Iowa (2017-20), including the team’s first-ever

📝 by Patrick Williams The Calder Cup Playoffs keep chugging along, but work for the 2023-24 season is well underway at AHL headquarters. Much of the heavy lifting is done by Melissa Caruso, the AHL’s vice president of hockey operations/governance. Caruso has worked her way from intern to a full-time role in 2009, fresh out

Down two with 10 minutes to go, the Hershey Bears stormed back to take a commanding 3-1 series lead in the Eastern Conference Finals with a 4-2 victory in Rochester on Monday evening. The Bears are one victory away from advancing to the Calder Cup Finals, and will host Game 5 of the best-of-seven series

Joakim Kemell scored the go-ahead goal late in the second period and Devin Cooley made 28 saves in his first appearance this postseason, helping Milwaukee to a 3-1 win over Coachella Valley in Game 3 of the Western Conference Finals at UW-Milwaukee Panther Arena on Monday evening. The Firebirds still hold a 2-1 lead in

Hunter Shepard made 31 saves and the Hershey Bears took back home-ice advantage in the Eastern Conference Finals with a 4-2 win over the Rochester Americans in Game 3 on Saturday night. The Bears will take a 2-1 series lead into Game 4 on Monday evening. Logan Day and Sam Anas notched a goal and