How many teams are in the AHL?

The AHL has 32 teams for the 2025–26 season, organized into 4 divisions: Atlantic, North, Central, and Pacific. Every team is affiliated with one or more NHL organizations; the league operates as the primary developmental circuit for the NHL.

What is the Calder Cup?

The Calder Cup is the AHL's championship trophy, awarded annually to the playoff champion since the 1937–38 season. Named after Frank Calder, the first president of the NHL. The Hershey Bears have won the most Calder Cups (12).

How does the AHL regular season work?

The AHL regular season runs from early October through mid-April, with each team playing 72 games. Top teams from each division qualify for the Calder Cup Playoffs, a best-of-3-to-best-of-7 format depending on the round.

How is the AHL connected to the NHL?

Every AHL team is a developmental affiliate of one or more NHL clubs. NHL teams assign their top prospects, recent draft picks, and signed players who need additional ice time to their AHL affiliate. The AHL does not have independent franchises — it exists to develop NHL talent.

Can a team play in the AHL without an NHL affiliation?

No. Since the early 2000s, the AHL has operated on a strict NHL-affiliate model. Independent franchises have not existed in the AHL for two decades; all 32 current teams are owned by or affiliated with NHL organizations.

Guide

AHL GUIDE

The American Hockey League — 32 teams, the Calder Cup, and the primary development league for the NHL.

WHAT IS THE AHL

The American Hockey League is a professional ice hockey league based in the United States and Canada. Founded in 1936, it has operated as the primary developmental league for the National Hockey League since 2001. Every team is affiliated with one or more NHL organizations, and the league\'s role is to bridge the gap between junior hockey and the NHL.

Founded1936 (as the International-American Hockey League)

HeadquartersSpringfield, Massachusetts, USA

Teams32 (4 divisions, 2 conferences)

Regular season72 games per team, October to April

PlayoffsCalder Cup Playoffs, April to June

AffiliationEvery team is an NHL developmental affiliate

DIVISIONS AND FORMAT

The AHL is split into two conferences and four divisions. The Eastern Conference contains the Atlantic and North divisions; the Western Conference contains the Central and Pacific divisions.

Eastern Conference

Atlantic, North

Western Conference

Central, Pacific

Each division has 8 teams. The top 4 teams in each division qualify for the Calder Cup Playoffs. Teams play a 72-game schedule with home-and-home series against every other team in their division, plus inter-conference and inter-division games to round out the calendar.

THE CALDER CUP PLAYOFFS

16 teams qualify (top 4 from each of the 4 divisions). The format varies by round:

Division Semifinals

8 → 4 · Best-of-5

Top 4 teams in each division. Higher seed hosts Games 1, 2, 5 if necessary.

Division Finals

4 → 2 · Best-of-7

Winners of the Division Semifinals meet within each division.

Conference Finals

2 → 1 · Best-of-7

Eastern Conference Final and Western Conference Final.

Calder Cup Final

2 → 1 · Best-of-7

East vs West. The Calder Cup is awarded to the winner in June.

RECENT CALDER CUP CHAMPIONS

Recent champions and runners-up:

2025Abbotsford CanucksVancouver affiliate

2024Hershey BearsWashington affiliate, 12th title

2023Hershey BearsWashington affiliate

2022Chicago WolvesCarolina affiliate

2021No champion awardedSeason cancelled due to COVID-19

2020No champion awardedSeason cut short due to COVID-19

FRANCHISE LEADERS

The most successful franchises in AHL history by Calder Cup titles:

1Hershey Bears12 Cups

2Springfield Indians / Thunderbirds7 Cups

3Cleveland Barons9 Cups

4Rochester Americans6 Cups

5Pittsburgh Hornets4 Cups

FOLLOW THE AHL

Browse the directory to find AHL teams, scores, and standings.

→ All 32 AHL teams → AHL standings and playoff bracket → Stanley Cup Guide (NHL)→ NHL Draft Guide

RELATED GUIDES

Stanley Cup Guide — the NHL\'s championship trophy
IIHF World Championship Guide
NHL Draft Guide — where AHL players often pass through
Hockey Positions Explained