2018–19 AHL season


The 2018–19 AHL season was the 83rd season of the American Hockey League. The regular season began October 5, 2018 and ended April 15, 2019. The 2019 Calder Cup playoffs followed the conclusion of the regular season.

League changes

The league expanded by adding the Colorado Eagles to the Pacific Division and moved the two Texas-based teams to the Central Division from the Pacific. The Cleveland Monsters were moved from the Central to the North Division.
Similar to the California and Arizona teams in the Pacific Division, Colorado plays 68 games in the regular season. This gave the Pacific Division a balanced schedule for the first time since its creation in 2015 and removed the necessity for playoff qualification based on points percentage. Continuing from previous seasons, the teams in the Atlantic, North, and Central Divisions all play 76 games. The Macgregor Kilpatrick Trophy for the regular season champion is still awarded based on points percentage.

Team and NHL affiliation changes

After the National Hockey League added the Vegas Golden Knights for the 2017–18 season, the NHL had 31 teams while the AHL still had 30. After exploring other AHL expansion options, the NHL Vegas expansion team eventually affiliated with the Chicago Wolves on a multi-year agreement. The affiliation with the Wolves left their former affiliate, the St. Louis Blues, without an affiliate and the Blues would send players to the Wolves and the San Antonio Rampage, the affiliate of the Colorado Avalanche.
After the 2017 Board of Governors meeting, the league confirmed that it had made a commitment to an expansion applicant for a 31st team for the 2018–19 season later revealed to be the Colorado Eagles. The Eagles organization had been a member of the ECHL prior to the promotion and was the affiliate of the Avalanche. The Eagles join other recently added ECHL markets in the AHL such as Bakersfield, Charlotte, Ontario, and Stockton. The Blues then became the primary affiliate of the Rampage.

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

As of April 14, 2019
Atlantic Division
y–Charlotte Checkers 76511771110.724255189
x–Bridgeport Sound Tigers 7643246395.625233228
x–Hershey Bears 7643254494.618211215
x–Providence Bruins 7638278387.572228212
e–Lehigh Valley Phantoms 7639304385.559240244
e–Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins 7636307382.539232228
e–Springfield Thunderbirds 7633299580.526250241
e–Hartford Wolf Pack 7629367469.454209266

Western Conference

As of April 14, 2019
Central Division
y–Chicago Wolves 7644226498.645250199
x–Milwaukee Admirals 76362414288.579217207
x–Iowa Wild 7637268587.572242230
x–Grand Rapids Griffins 7638277487.572217222
e–Manitoba Moose 7639305285.559197219
e–Texas Stars 7637314482.539238231
e–Rockford IceHogs 7635314680.526184214
e–San Antonio Rampage 7631386169.454196244

Pacific Division
y–Bakersfield Condors 6842213289.654242182
x–San Jose Barracuda 6839223485.625227197
x–San Diego Gulls 6836245380.588239221
x–Colorado Eagles 6836274177.560191205
e–Tucson Roadrunners 6834265376.559206202
e–Stockton Heat 6831314268.500235252
e–Ontario Reign 6825336460.441213274

Statistical leaders

Leading skaters

The following players are sorted by points, then goals. Updated as of April 14, 2019.
GP = Games played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points; +/– = Plus-minus; PIM = Penalty minutes
PlayerTeamGPGAPtsPIM
Carter VerhaegheSyracuse Crunch7634488234
Jeremy BraccoToronto Marlies7522577916
Daniel CarrChicago Wolves5230417110
T. J. TynanChicago Wolves7112597128
Andrew PoturalskiCharlotte Checkers7223477034
Alex Barre-BouletSyracuse Crunch7434346816
Cal O'ReillyIowa Wild6716516714
Tyler BensonBakersfield Condors6815516644
Chris MuellerToronto Marlies6033326532
Michael SgarbossaHershey Bears7530356591

Leading goaltenders

The following goaltenders with a minimum 1500 minutes played lead the league in goals against average. Updated as of April 14, 2019.
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
Alex NedeljkovicCharlotte Checkers512917:19130611042.26.9163495
Marcus HogbergBelleville Senators392304:2810688922.32.91721116
Shane StarrettBakersfield Condors422447:4111569542.33.9182775
Edward PasqualeSyracuse Crunch452650:11124110442.35.91627126
Troy GrosenickMilwaukee Admirals462633:49131610612.41.91924146

Calder Cup playoffs

Playoff format

The 2019 Calder Cup playoffs format was retained from the divisional format of the 2016 Calder Cup playoffs. 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 qualify for the 2019 Calder Cup playoffs.
The 2019 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

All-Star Teams

First All-Star Team
  • Alex Nedeljkovic – Charlotte
  • John Gilmour – Hartford
  • Zach Redmond – Rochester
  • Jeremy Bracco – Toronto
  • Daniel Carr – Chicago
  • Carter Verhaeghe – Syracuse
Second All-Star Team
  • Shane Starrett – Bakersfield
  • Aaron Ness – Hershey
  • Ethan Prow – Wilkes-Barre/Scranton
  • Tyler Benson – Bakersfield
  • Chris Mueller – Toronto
  • Andrew Poturalski – Charlotte
All-Rookie Team
  • Shane Starrett – Bakersfield
  • Jake Bean – Charlotte
  • Mitch Reinke – San Antonio
  • Drake Batherson – Belleville
  • Tyler Benson – Bakersfield
  • Alex Barre-Boulet – Syracuse