2004–05 AHL season


The 2004–05 AHL season was the 69th season of the American Hockey League. Twenty-eight teams played 80 games each in the schedule. The Rochester Americans finished first overall in the regular season. The Philadelphia Phantoms won the Calder Cup, defeating the Chicago Wolves in the finals.
game at HSBC Arena in Buffalo, New York
This season featured a wealth of talent in the AHL, as the National Hockey League was in the midst of a lockout which would cause that league's 2004–05 season to be canceled on February 16, 2005. Many players who otherwise may have been called up to be members of NHL teams for the season spent the full season in the AHL instead. The lockout also provided opportunity for several NHL arenas — including those in Anaheim, Buffalo, Nashville, San Jose and Tampa — to host AHL games during the season. The Edmonton Road Runners, meanwhile, played the entire season in Rexall Place, normally the home of the NHL's Edmonton Oilers.
In addition, the shootout was reintroduced to the league, to decide a winner in games which remained tied following the overtime period. The team winning a shootout was credited with a win, and the losing team with an overtime loss.
The AHL also announced a series of experimental rule changes, most notably a restricted area for goaltenders. Playing the puck outside the restricted area results in an automatic two-minute delay of game penalty.

Team changes

''Note: GP = Games played; W = Wins; L = Losses; OTL = Overtime losses; SL = Shootout losses; GF = Goals for; GA = Goals against; Pts = Points;

Eastern Conference

East DivisionGPWLOTLSLPtsGFGA
Binghamton Senators 80472175106276217
Philadelphia Phantoms 80482543103235185
Norfolk Admirals 8043306193200188
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins 8039277792227219
Hershey Bears 8039372282207226
Bridgeport Sound Tigers 8037381479192222
Albany River Rats 8029386771198248

Western Conference

West DivisionGPWLOTLSLPtsGFGA
Chicago Wolves 80492425105245211
Milwaukee Admirals 80472454103247207
Cincinnati Mighty Ducks 8044314193206191
Houston Aeros 8040286692212195
Grand Rapids Griffins 8041352286200200
San Antonio Rampage 8027455362156232
Utah Grizzlies 8023505253156265

Scoring leaders

Note: GP = Games played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points; PIM = Penalty minutes
PlayerTeamGPGAPtsPIM
Jason SpezzaBinghamton Senators80328511750
Mike CammalleriManchester Monarchs79466310960
David LingSt. John's Maple Leafs80286088152
Kyle WellwoodSt. John's Maple Leafs8038498720
Simon GamacheMilwaukee Admirals8029578693
Peter SarnoManitoba Moose8016668253
Chris TaylorRochester Americans7921587950
Andy HilbertProvidence Bruins7937427983
Denis HamelBinghamton Senators8039397875
Eric StaalLowell Lock Monsters7726517788

Leading goaltenders

Note: GP = Games Played; Mins = Minutes Played; W = Wins; L = Losses: OTL = Overtime Losses; SL = Shootout Losses; GA = Goals Allowed; SO = Shutouts; GAA = Goals Against Average
PlayerTeamGPMinsWLSLGASOGAASv%
Steve ValiquetteHartford Wolf Pack351900191115671.770.935
Jason LaBarberaHartford Wolf Pack532937311629061.840.934
Adam HauserManchester Monarchs321867191106051.930.933
Cam WardLowell Lock Monsters502829271739461.990.937
Josh HardingHouston Aeros422388211638042.010.930

Calder Cup Playoffs

All Star Classic

The 18th AHL All-Star Classic was played on February 14, 2005, at the Verizon Wireless Arena in Manchester, New Hampshire. Team PlanetUSA defeated team Canada 5-4 in a shootout win. In the skills competition held the night before, team PlanetUSA defeated team Canada 17-13.

Trophy and award winners

Team awards

Individual awards

Other awards