.@TheAHL Board of Governors has approved the structural framework for an AHL season that will begin on February 5, 2021.
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AHL Board of Governors approve new start date to 2021 season
Photo credit: The AHL
By Nick Barden
Dec 30, 2020, 15:25 ESTUpdated: Dec 30, 2020, 15:41 EST
We are finally getting information on a real start date to the AHL season, according to the AHL.
Back in October, American Hockey League President and CEO, Scott Howson announced that the AHL anticipated a February 5th start date, and it seems like they’re keeping their word.
As the NHL starts their season on January 13th, it seemed like the AHL had to follow suit. If there was no AHL season, teams would be hit hard, and with most team’s revenue coming from fans in the stands, it’s still a good sign for the league that there’s hockey being played.
The AHL’s new season begins three weeks after the NHL’s start date. By then, teams will be able to re-call players, send down players and there will be more understanding to everything, really.
“Details are still being worked out, but this step allows our teams and their National Hockey League partners to better determine their plans for the coming season. We look forward to dropping the puck on Feb. 5.”— Scott Howson, AHL President and CEO
According to Chris Johnston, Canada’s four teams will see each other a lot this season:
There's another AHL Board of Governors call next week to firm up details, but pending government approvals it's expected the four Canadian-based teams (Winnipeg, Toronto, Belleville, Laval) will face each other this season.
There will be more to come in the future regarding travelling and other procedures from the league. But we finally get to say, the AHL is coming back.
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