The American Hockey League announced on Wednesday that its Board of Governors has approved the structural framework for the 2020-21 season, which will start on Friday, Feb. 5, 2021.
“The American Hockey League Board of Governors has approved the structural framework for an AHL season that will begin on February 5, 2021," said AHL President and Chief Executive Officer Scott Howson.
“Details are still being worked out, but this step allows our teams and their National Hockey League partners to better determine their plans for the coming season. We look forward to dropping the puck on Feb. 5.”
No further details were released regarding the logistics of the upcoming 2020-21 season, nor was it said how many teams would be playing or not be playing this season.
However, Patrick Williams from NHL.com was able to report some key details and dates for the AHL coming up.
Williams first reported that teams will have until Monday, Jan. 4 to decide whether or not to opt out of the season. However, it is his understanding that no teams have ruled out playing the season, but there is still plenty to assess before the opt-out deadline.
Here are some other key details reported by Williams:
The league had originally set its target start date for the 2020-21 season for Dec. 4, 2020 back on July 30 after the league officially canceled the remainder of the 2019-20 season on May 11. However, due to the issues regarding the COVID-19 pandemic, that original target date was pushed back a full two months.
The Rochester Americans officially finished the 2019-20 season with a 33-20-4-5 record (.605 win percentage) in 62 games, which was good for second in the North Division behind the Belleville Senators.
Leading the Amerks is scoring last season was forward Jean-Sebastien Dea with 39 points (15+24) in 57 games played. His 15 goals ended up tied for the team lead with forward Andrew Oglevie. Defenseman Zach Redmond led the Amerks with 25 assists, but he signed a contract to play the 2020-21 season in the Deutsche Eishockey Liga in Germany.
In goal, Jonas Johansson finished the 2019-20 season as one of the best goalies in the AHL with a 14-4-3 record, a 2.28 goals-against average, a .921 save percentage and two shutouts. Johansson was also named to his first AHL All-Star Game this season to represent the North Division.
The Amerks will begin the 2020-21 season led by new head coach Seth Appert after Chris Taylor and his coaching staff were relieved of their duties back in June.
Stay tuned for the latest on this developing story...