2012–13 AHL season


The 2012–13 AHL season is the 77th season of the American Hockey League. The regular season began on October 12, 2012 and ended on April 21, 2013. The 2013 Calder Cup playoffs followed the conclusion of the regular season. The Calder Cup was won by the Grand Rapids Griffins for their first Calder Cup in franchise history.

Regular season

On June 28, the Board of Governors approved a minor realignment for the league for the 2012–13 season. The only changes were made in the Western Conference, as three teams swapped divisions for this season: Abbotsford moves to the North Division, Grand Rapids moves to the Midwest Division and Charlotte moves to the newly renamed South Division. The Eastern Conference remains the same as the previous season. Among the rule changes for this season, the league has adopted video-review for goals, which has been in use in the NHL for years.
Because of the 2012–13 NHL lockout, all NHL players who were still eligible to play in the AHL without clearing waivers were assigned to their AHL teams for the duration of the lockout. The lockout also forced the cancellation of one of the two AHL Outdoor Classics for 2012; as a result, there was only one Outdoor Classic in 2013. The Hershey Bears hosted the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins at Hersheypark Stadium on January 20. The Penguins won the game 2–1 in overtime before a crowd of 17,653 spectators.

Team and NHL affiliation changes

Relocations

As a result of the aforementioned lockout, the Rochester Americans moved a portion of its home schedule to the First Niagara Center in Buffalo, New York to fill the void of its parent club, the Buffalo Sabres, during the lockout. The team's name and branding remain unchanged.

Affiliation changes

Standings

indicates team has clinched division and a playoff spot
indicates team has clinched a playoff spot
indicates team has been eliminated from playoff contention

Eastern Conference

Northeast Division
y–Springfield Falcons 7645225499235186
e–Connecticut Whale 7635326379213222
e–Bridgeport Sound Tigers 7632327576218242
e–Albany Devils 76313211275193225
e–Adirondack Phantoms 7631383469187223

East Division
y–Syracuse Crunch 7643226597247201
x–Binghamton Senators 7644241796227188
x–Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins 7642302288185178
x–Hershey Bears 7636313681204196
e–Norfolk Admirals 7637344179188207

Western Conference

Midwest Division
y–Grand Rapids Griffins 7642264492234205
x–Milwaukee Admirals 7641284389197200
e–Rockford IceHogs 7642312187246225
e–Chicago Wolves 7637305483204207
e–Peoria Rivermen 7633355374183218

South Division
y–Texas Stars 7643225697235201
x–Charlotte Checkers 7642264492226202
x–Oklahoma City Barons 7640252991240228
x–Houston Aeros 7640265590212199
e–San Antonio Rampage 7629382767195241

Statistical leaders

Leading skaters

The following players are sorted by points, then goals. Updated as of the end of the regular season.
GP = Games played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points; +/– = Plus-minus; PIM = Penalty minutes
PlayerTeamGPGAPtsPIM
Rockford IceHogs7622537572
Hershey Bears7318537127
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins7631376855
Oklahoma City Barons7422466848
Manchester Monarchs7422456732
Springfield Falcons7421466765
Peoria Rivermen7619486750
Syracuse Crunch6237286534
Syracuse Crunch7131326353
Connecticut Whale70204262127

Leading goaltenders

The following goaltenders with a minimum 1500 minutes played lead the league in goals against average. Updated as of the end of the regular season.
GP = Games played; TOI = Time on ice ; SA = Shots against; GA = Goals against; SO = Shutouts; GAA = Goals against average; SV% = Save percentage; W = Wins; L = Losses; OT = Overtime/shootout loss
PlayerTeamGPTOISAGASOGAASV%WLOT
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins49279911319051.930.92026200
Abbotsford Heat4021089277232.050.92218102
Binghamton Senators31184110466532.120.93818102
Milwaukee Admirals3921079917562.140.92422130
Providence Bruins482872138410442.170.9253782

Calder Cup playoffs

AHL awards

All-star teams

First All-Star Team
Second All-Star Team