2017–18 AHL season

{{Infobox sports season

| title = 2017–18 AHL season

| league = American Hockey League

| sport = Ice hockey

| duration = October 6, 2017 – April 15, 2018

| attendance =

| season = Regular season

| season_champ_name = Macgregor Kilpatrick Trophy

| season_champs =Toronto Marlies

| MVP = Phil Varone (Lehigh Valley)

| MVP_link = Les Cunningham Award

| top_scorer = Chris Terry (Laval)

| top_scorer_link = John B. Sollenberger Trophy

| playoffs = Playoffs

| playoffs_link = 2018 Calder Cup playoffs

| finals = Calder Cup

| finals_link =

| finals_champ = Toronto Marlies

| finals_runner-up = Texas Stars

| playoffs_MVP = Andreas Johnsson (Toronto)

| playoffs_MVP_link =

|nextseason_year = 2018–19

|prevseason_year = 2016–17

| seasonslist = List of AHL seasons

| seasonslistnames = AHL

}}

The 2017–18 AHL season was the 82nd season of the American Hockey League. The regular season ran from October 6, 2017, to April 15, 2018. The 2018 Calder Cup playoffs followed the conclusion of the regular season. The Toronto Marlies won their first Calder Cup in seven games over the Texas Stars.

League changes

The AHL's only alignment change was moving the Charlotte Checkers from the Central Division of the Western Conference to the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference, significantly decreasing their interdivisional travel and balancing the two conferences' members.{{cite web |url=http://theahl.com/2017-18-ahl-alignment-announced |title=2017-18 AHL ALIGNMENT ANNOUNCED |publisher=AHL |date=May 11, 2017}} Similar to the season scheduling in the previous season, the six California and Arizona based teams continued to have a 68-game season while the rest of the AHL teams play a 76-game season.

=Team and NHL affiliation changes=

The National Hockey League added the Vegas Golden Knights for the 2017–18 season. The Las Vegas management confirmed that the organization would also have an AHL affiliate in their first season, although it was not stated whether the AHL team would be an expansion or relocation. The organization looked into adding an affiliate on the West Coast with the leading candidates being Salt Lake City, Reno, or Fresno.{{cite web |url=http://sinbin.vegas/las-vegas-will-have-ahl-affiliate-by-christmas-share-echl-team/ |title=Las Vegas Will Have AHL Affiliate By Christmas, Share ECHL Team |publisher=Sin Bin |date=August 24, 2016}}{{cite news |url=http://www.reviewjournal.com/sports/hockey-vegas/bill-foley-considers-options-minor-league-affiliates-his-nhl-team |title=Bill Foley considers options for minor league affiliates for his NHL team |newspaper=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=June 23, 2016}} However, as the season went on, they looked into co-affiliations with a pre-existing AHL team since the new NHL team would likely not have a large amount of drafted talent to fully stock an AHL roster.{{cite news |url=http://www.reviewjournal.com/sports/nhl-vegas/bill-foley-seeks-minor-league-affiliate-las-vegas-nhl-team |title=Bill Foley seeks minor-league affiliate for Las Vegas NHL team |newspaper=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=September 26, 2016}} In February 2017, AHL commissioner David Andrews later stated that there was a "50-50 chance" of a 31st team being established for the 2017–18 season.{{cite news |url=http://www.pe.com/articles/andrews-825333-president-gulls.html |title=American Hockey League president talks scheduling, expansion, All-Stars, etc. |newspaper=The Press-Enterprise |date=February 11, 2017}}

Other than the Golden Knights adding a team, there were also reports in November 2016 of the St. Louis Blues adding an expansion team in Kansas City.{{cite web |url=http://www.kmov.com/story/33827728/report-blues-ahl-affiliation-to-move-to-kansas-city |title=Report: Blues AHL affiliation to move to Kansas City |publisher=KMOV |date=November 30, 2016}} This would later be denied by the announced potential owner in Kansas City, Lamar Hunt Jr., in a press release from his ECHL team in the area, the Missouri Mavericks,{{cite web |url=http://arenadigest.com/2016/12/02/missouri-mavericks-deny-reports-on-ahl-and-kansas-city/ |title=Missouri Mavericks Deny Reports on AHL and Kansas City |publisher=Arena Digest |date=December 2, 2016}} and further denied by AHL commissioner, David Andrews, after the January 2017 Board of Governors meeting.{{cite news |url=http://www.stltoday.com/sports/hockey/professional/blue-notes-reaves-moving-to-third-line-at-least-to/article_e582beb1-e8b5-593a-ba90-764997251104.html |title=Blue Notes: Reaves moving to third line, at least to start |newspaper=St. Louis Post-Dispatch |date=January 30, 2017}} In May 2017, the 30 team alignment was confirmed and there would be no expansion for 2017–18. The Golden Knights signed a multi-year affiliation with the Chicago Wolves, replacing the Blues as their primary affiliate. The Blues also announced that they would continue to send players to the Wolves for that season, as well as to the San Antonio Rampage, the AHL team that they would affiliate with for 2018–19.

The league confirmed after the 2017 Board of Governors meeting that it had made a commitment to an expansion applicant for a 31st team for the 2018–19 season{{cite web |url=http://theahl.com/ahl-board-of-governors-annual-meeting-concludes |title=AHL BOARD OF GOVERNORS ANNUAL MEETING CONCLUDES |publisher=AHL |date=July 6, 2017}} later revealed to be the Colorado Eagles.{{cite web |url=http://www.coloradoan.com/story/sports/hockey/eagles/2017/10/10/colorado-eagles-moving-ahl-become-top-avalanche-affiliate/749755001/ |title=Colorado Eagles moving to AHL to become top Avalanche affiliate |work=Fort Collins Coloradoan |date=October 10, 2017}}{{cite web |url=https://theahl.com/ahl-awards-expansion-membership-to-colorado-eagles |title=AHL AWARDS EXPANSION MEMBERSHIP TO COLORADO EAGLES |publisher=American Hockey League |date=October 10, 2017}} The Eagles had been a member of the ECHL prior to the promotion and the affiliate of the Colorado Avalanche. The Eagles join other recent ECHL markets in the AHL such as Bakersfield, Charlotte, Ontario, and Stockton.

==Relocations==

The Albany Devils relocated to become the Binghamton Devils to replace the Binghamton Senators.
The Binghamton Senators were purchased by their parent club, the Ottawa Senators, and relocated to Belleville, Ontario, as the Belleville Senators.{{cite web |url=https://www.nhl.com/senators/news/ottawa-senators-owner-eugene-melnyk-purchases-ahl-team-and-partners-with-city-of-belleville/c-282137476 |title=Sens Owner Purchases AHL Team Partners W/ Belleville |publisher=Ottawa Senators |date=September 26, 2016}}
The Montreal Canadiens' AHL franchise, then operating as the St. John's IceCaps, was relocated to the Montreal suburb of Laval, Quebec, as the Laval Rocket.{{cite web |url=http://theahl.com/canadiens-moving-ahl-affiliate-to-laval-in-17-18-p202988 |title=Canadiens moving AHL affiliate to Laval in 17-18 |publisher=AHL |date=11 July 2016 |access-date=11 July 2016 |archive-date=12 July 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160712142344/http://theahl.com/canadiens-moving-ahl-affiliate-to-laval-in-17-18-p202988 |url-status=dead }}{{cite web |url=http://www.cjad.com/cjad-news-human-interest/2016/09/08/new-laval-ahl-team-will-be-known-as-the-rocket |title=New Laval AHL team will be known as the Rocket |publisher=CJAD |date=September 8, 2016}} Danny Williams, owner of the IceCaps team but not a franchise holder, announced on the same day his intentions to find another AHL franchise to replace the Canadiens' owned franchise.{{cite web |url=http://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/icecaps-seek-new-hockey-partner/n-5180937 |title=IceCaps Seek New Hockey Partner |publisher=OurSports Central |date=11 July 2016}} A separate ownership group bought an ECHL expansion team called the Newfoundland Growlers a season later.

==Affiliation changes==

class="wikitable"
bgcolor="#DDDDFF" width="45%" \| AHL team ! bgcolor="#DDDDFF" width="25%" \| New affiliate ! bgcolor="#DDDDFF" width="25%" \| Old affiliate
Chicago Wolves{{cite web \|url=http://theahl.com/wolves-golden-knights-announce-partnership \|title=WOLVES, GOLDEN KNIGHTS ANNOUNCE PARTNERSHIP \|publisher=AHL \|date=May 16, 2017}} \| Vegas Golden Knights \| St. Louis Blues{{efn\|Although the Blues would no longer be the Wolves' primary NHL affiliate, they would continue to send players to the Wolves as an unofficial affiliate.{{cite web \|url=https://www.nhl.com/blues/news/armstrong-statement-on-ahl-affiliation/c-289468858 \|title=Armstrong statement on AHL affiliation \|publisher=St. Louis Blues \|date=May 16, 2017}}}}

class="wikitable"

bgcolor="#DDDDFF" width="45%" | AHL team

! bgcolor="#DDDDFF" width="25%" | New affiliate

! bgcolor="#DDDDFF" width="25%" | Old affiliate

Chicago Wolves{{cite web |url=http://theahl.com/wolves-golden-knights-announce-partnership |title=WOLVES, GOLDEN KNIGHTS ANNOUNCE PARTNERSHIP |publisher=AHL |date=May 16, 2017}}

| Vegas Golden Knights

| St. Louis Blues{{efn|Although the Blues would no longer be the Wolves' primary NHL affiliate, they would continue to send players to the Wolves as an unofficial affiliate.{{cite web |url=https://www.nhl.com/blues/news/armstrong-statement-on-ahl-affiliation/c-289468858 |title=Armstrong statement on AHL affiliation |publisher=St. Louis Blues |date=May 16, 2017}}}}

Final standings

Final standings:{{cite web |url=https://theahl.com/stats/standings?standingstype=division&context=overall&specialteams=false&season=57&sortkey=percentage&league=4 |title=AHL Standings |publisher=AHL |access-date=April 27, 2018}}

{{color box|#97DEFF|y–}} indicates team clinched division and a playoff spot

{{color box|#bbffbb|x–}} indicates team clinched a playoff spot

{{color box|#ffcccc|e–}} indicates team was eliminated from playoff contention

= Eastern Conference =

class="wikitable" style="width:50em"
bgcolor="#DDDDFF" ! width="35%" \| Atlantic Division ! width="5%" \| {{abbr\|GP\|Games played}} ! width="5%" \| {{abbr\|W\|Wins}} ! width="5%" \| {{abbr\|L\|Losses}} ! width="5%" \| {{abbr\|OTL\|Overtime losses}} ! width="5%" \| {{abbr\|SOL\|Shootout losses}} ! width="7.5%" \| {{abbr\|Pts\|Points}} ! width="7.5%" \| {{abbr\|Pts%\|Points percentage}} ! width="7.5%" \| {{abbr\|GF\|Goals for}} ! width="7.5%" \| {{abbr\|GA\|Goals against}}
bgcolor=#97DEFF \| y – Lehigh Valley Phantoms (PHI)	76	47	19	5	5	104	.684	260	218
bgcolor=#bbffbb \| x – Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins (PIT)	76	45	22	6	3	99	.651	252	223
bgcolor=#bbffbb \| x – Charlotte Checkers (CAR)	76	46	26	1	3	96	.632	262	212
bgcolor=#bbffbb \| x – Providence Bruins (BOS)	76	45	26	3	2	95	.625	231	187
bgcolor=#ffcccc \| e – Bridgeport Sound Tigers (NYI)	76	36	32	5	3	80	.526	206	214
bgcolor=#ffcccc \| e – Hartford Wolf Pack (NYR)	76	34	33	6	3	77	.507	208	252
bgcolor=#ffcccc \| e – Springfield Thunderbirds (FLA)	76	32	37	5	2	71	.467	210	233
bgcolor=#ffcccc \| e – Hershey Bears (WSH)	76	30	37	4	5	69	.454	201	249

class="wikitable" style="width:50em"
bgcolor="#DDDDFF" ! width="35%" \| North Division ! width="5%" \| {{abbr\|GP\|Games played}} ! width="5%" \| {{abbr\|W\|Wins}} ! width="5%" \| {{abbr\|L\|Losses}} ! width="5%" \| {{abbr\|OTL\|Overtime losses}} ! width="5%" \| {{abbr\|SOL\|Shootout losses}} ! width="7.5%" \| {{abbr\|Pts\|Points}} ! width="7.5%" \| {{abbr\|Pts%\|Points percentage}} ! width="7.5%" \| {{abbr\|GF\|Goals for}} ! width="7.5%" \| {{abbr\|GA\|Goals against}}
bgcolor=#97DEFF \| y – Toronto Marlies (TOR)	76	54	18	2	2	112	.737	254	170
bgcolor=#bbffbb \| x – Syracuse Crunch (TBL)	76	46	22	3	5	100	.658	234	189
bgcolor=#bbffbb \| x – Rochester Americans (BUF)	76	37	22	11	6	91	.599	234	221
bgcolor=#bbffbb \|x – Utica Comets (VAN)	76	38	26	8	4	88	.579	211	216
bgcolor=#ffcccc \| e – Binghamton Devils (NJD)	76	25	38	9	4	63	.414	193	247
bgcolor=#ffcccc \| e – Belleville Senators (OTT)	76	29	42	2	3	63	.414	194	266
bgcolor=#ffcccc \| e – Laval Rocket (MTL)	76	24	42	7	3	58	.382	206	281

= Western Conference =

class="wikitable" style="width:50em"
bgcolor="#DDDDFF" ! width="35%" \| Central Division ! width="5%" \| {{abbr\|GP\|Games played}} ! width="5%" \| {{abbr\|W\|Wins}} ! width="5%" \| {{abbr\|L\|Losses}} ! width="5%" \| {{abbr\|OTL\|Overtime losses}} ! width="5%" \| {{abbr\|SOL\|Shootout losses}} ! width="7.5%" \| {{abbr\|Pts\|Points}} ! width="7.5%" \| {{abbr\|Pts%\|Points percentage}} ! width="7.5%" \| {{abbr\|GF\|Goals for}} ! width="7.5%" \| {{abbr\|GA\|Goals against}}
bgcolor=#97DEFF \|y – Chicago Wolves (STL/VGK)	76	42	23	7	4	95	.625	244	208
bgcolor=#bbffbb \| x – Grand Rapids Griffins (DET)	76	42	25	2	7	93	.612	237	210
bgcolor=#bbffbb \| x – Manitoba Moose (WPG)	76	42	26	4	4	92	.605	253	198
bgcolor=#bbffbb \| x – Rockford IceHogs (CHI)	76	40	28	4	4	88	.579	239	234
bgcolor=#ffcccc \| e – Iowa Wild (MIN)	76	33	27	10	6	82	.539	232	246
bgcolor=#ffcccc \| e – Milwaukee Admirals (NSH)	76	38	32	4	2	82	.539	216	235
bgcolor=#ffcccc \| e – Cleveland Monsters (CBJ)	76	25	41	7	3	60	.395	190	258

class="wikitable" style="width:50em"
bgcolor="#DDDDFF" ! width="35%" \| Pacific Division ! width="5%" \| {{abbr\|GP\|Games played}} ! width="5%" \| {{abbr\|W\|Wins}} ! width="5%" \| {{abbr\|L\|Losses}} ! width="5%" \| {{abbr\|OTL\|Overtime losses}} ! width="5%" \| {{abbr\|SOL\|Shootout losses}} ! width="7.5%" \| {{abbr\|Pts\|Points}} ! width="7.5%" \| {{abbr\|Pts%\|Points percentage}} ! width="7.5%" \| {{abbr\|GF\|Goals for}} ! width="7.5%" \| {{abbr\|GA\|Goals against}}
bgcolor=#97DEFF \| y – Tucson Roadrunners (ARI)	68	42	20	5	1	90	.662	214	173
bgcolor=#bbffbb \| x – Texas Stars (DAL)	76	38	24	8	6	90	.592	223	231
bgcolor=#bbffbb \| x – Ontario Reign (LAK)	68	36	25	4	3	79	.581	200	194
bgcolor=#bbffbb \| x – San Jose Barracuda (SJS)	68	34	26	4	4	76	.559	186	198
bgcolor=#ffcccc \| e – San Diego Gulls (ANA)	68	36	28	3	1	76	.559	202	197
bgcolor=#ffcccc \| e – Stockton Heat (CGY)	68	34	28	2	4	74	.544	211	204
bgcolor=#ffcccc \| e – Bakersfield Condors (EDM)	68	31	27	9	1	72	.529	188	206
bgcolor=#ffcccc \| e – San Antonio Rampage (COL/STL)	76	35	31	10	0	80	.526	198	219

Statistical leaders

= Leading skaters =

The following players are sorted by points, then goals. Updated as of April 15, 2018.{{cite web|title=Player Stats TheAHL.com |url=http://theahl.com/stats/player-stats |publisher=AHL}}

GP = Games played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points; +/– = P Plus–minus; PIM = Penalty minutes

style="width:12em" \| Player ! style="width:15em" \| Team ! style="width:4em" \| GP ! style="width:4em" \| G ! style="width:4em" \| A ! style="width:4em" \| Pts ! style="width:4em" \| PIM
class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center"
align=left\|Chris Terry \| align=left\|Laval Rocket \| 62	32	39	71	45
align=left\|Phil Varone \| align=left\|Lehigh Valley Phantoms \| 74	23	47	70	36
align=left\|Austin Czarnik \| align=left\|Providence Bruins \| 64	25	44	69	24
align=left\|Mason Appleton \| align=left\|Manitoba Moose \| 76	22	44	66	57
align=left\|Daniel Sprong \| align=left\|Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins \| 65	32	33	65	28
align=left\|Teemu Pulkkinen \| align=left\|Chicago Wolves \| 75	29	36	65	44
align=left\|Ben Street \| align=left\|Grand Rapids Griffins \| 73	21	44	65	22
align=left\|Eric Tangradi \| align=left\|Grand Rapids Griffins \| 74	31	33	64	51
align=left\|Cal O'Reilly \| align=left\|Iowa Wild \| 75	15	49	64	10
align=left\|Curtis Valk \| align=left\|Springfield Thunderbirds \| 73	20	42	62	41

= Leading goaltenders =

The following goaltenders with a minimum 1440 minutes played lead the league in goals against average. Updated as of April 15, 2018.{{cite web |title=Top Goalies - 2017-18 Regular Season - Goals Against Average |url=https://theahl.com/stats/goalie-stats |publisher=AHL}}

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

style="width:12em" \| Player ! style="width:15em" \| Team ! GP	TOI	SA	GA	SO	GAA	SV%	W	L	OT
class="wikitable sortable"
Garret Sparks	Toronto Marlies \| 43	2507:04	1181	75	6	1.79	.936	31	9	2
Jordan Binnington	Providence Bruins \| 28	1605:53	744	55	1	2.05	.926	17	9	1
Michael Hutchinson	Manitoba Moose \| 26	1560:32	831	54	2	2.08	.935	17	5	4
Edward Pasquale	Bakersfield/Syracuse \| 31	1782:18	842	65	2	2.19	.923	16	6	7
Adin Hill	Tucson Roadrunners \| 36	1949:57	863	74	5	2.28	.914	19	11	4

Calder Cup playoffs

=Playoff format=

The 2018 Calder Cup playoffs format was retained from the divisional format of the 2017 Calder Cup playoffs. The playoff format was finalized at the Annual Board of Governors meeting that took place July 2017. During the regular season, teams receive two points for a win and one point for an overtime or shootout loss. The top four teams in each division ranked by points percentage (points earned divided by points available) qualify for the 2017 Calder Cup playoffs.

The 2018 Calder Cup playoffs features a divisional playoff format, leading to conference finals and ultimately the Calder Cup finals. The division semifinals are best-of-five series; all subsequent rounds are best-of-seven.

=Bracket=

AHL awards

class="wikitable" ! Award !! Winner
Calder Cup :	Toronto Marlies
Les Cunningham Award :	Phil Varone, Lehigh Valley
John B. Sollenberger Trophy :	Chris Terry, Laval
Willie Marshall Award :	Valentin Zykov, Charlotte
Dudley "Red" Garrett Memorial Award :	Mason Appleton, Manitoba
Eddie Shore Award :	Sami Niku, Manitoba
Aldege "Baz" Bastien Memorial Award :	Garret Sparks, Toronto
Harry "Hap" Holmes Memorial Award :	Garret Sparks and Calvin Pickard, Toronto
Louis A. R. Pieri Memorial Award :	Pascal Vincent, Manitoba
Fred T. Hunt Memorial Award :	Bracken Kearns, Binghamton
Yanick Dupre Memorial Award :	Scooter Vaughan, Chicago
Jack A. Butterfield Trophy :	Andreas Johnsson, Toronto
Richard F. Canning Trophy :	Toronto Marlies
Robert W. Clarke Trophy :	Texas Stars
Macgregor Kilpatrick Trophy: (regular season champions)	Toronto Marlies
Frank Mathers Trophy: (Eastern Conference regular season champions)	Toronto Marlies
Norman R. "Bud" Poile Trophy: (Western Conference regular season champions)	Tucson Roadrunners
Emile Francis Trophy : (Atlantic Division regular season champions)	Lehigh Valley Phantoms
F. G. "Teddy" Oke Trophy: (North Division regular season champions)	Toronto Marlies
Sam Pollock Trophy: (Central Division regular season champions)	Chicago Wolves
John D. Chick Trophy: (Pacific Division regular season champions)	Tucson Roadrunners
James C. Hendy Memorial Award:	Tim Gortsema, Grand Rapids
Thomas Ebright Memorial Award:	Wendell Young, Chicago
James H. Ellery Memorial Awards:	Ben Birnell, Utica
Ken McKenzie Award:	Pam Frasco, Cleveland
Michael Condon Memorial Award:	Frank Murphy
President's Awards:	Organization: Toronto Player: Mike McKenna

=All-Star Teams=

First All-Star Team{{cite web |url=https://theahl.com/2017-18-ahl-first-second-all-star-teams |title=2017-18 American Hockey League First and Second All-Star Teams Named |publisher=AHL |date=April 5, 2018}}

Garret Sparks (G) – Toronto
Jacob MacDonald (D) – Binghamton
Sami Niku (D) – Manitoba
Mason Appleton (F) – Manitoba
Chris Terry (F) – Laval
Phil Varone (F) – Lehigh Valley

Second All-Star Team

Michael Hutchinson (G) – Manitoba
T. J. Brennan (D) – Lehigh Valley
Zach Redmond (D) – Rochester
Austin Czarnik (F) – Providence
Andreas Johnsson (F) – Toronto
Ben Smith (F) – Toronto

All-Rookie Team{{cite web |url=https://theahl.com/2017-18-ahl-all-rookie-team |title=2017-18 AHL All-Rookie Team Named |publisher=AHL |date=April 5, 2018}}

Ville Husso (G) – San Antonio
Filip Hronek (D) – Grand Rapids
Sami Niku (D) – Manitoba
Mason Appleton (F) – Manitoba
Daniel Sprong (F) – Wilkes-Barre/Scranton
Dylan Strome (F) – Tucson

References

External links

[http://www.theahl.com/ AHL official site]

{{succession box

|before = 2016–17

|after = 2018–19

|title = AHL seasons

|years =

}}

Category:American Hockey League seasons

Category:2017–18 in American ice hockey by league

Category:2017–18 in Canadian ice hockey by league