2015–16 AHL season

August 2023 March 2026 2015–16 AHL season American Hockey League Ice hockey October 9, 2015 – April 17, 2016 6,693,526 Regular season Macgregor Kilpatrick Trophy Toronto Marlies Chris Bourque (Hershey) Les Cunningham Award Chris Bourque (Hershey) John B. Sollenberger Trophy Playoffs 2016 Calder Cup playoffs Calder Cup Lake Erie Monsters Hershey Bears Oliver Bjorkstrand (Lake Erie) Jack A. Butterfield Trophy 2016–17 2014–15 List of AHL seasons AHL The 2015–16 AHL season was the 80th season of the American Hockey League. The regular season began on October 9, 2015, and ended on April 17, 2016. The 2016 Calder Cup playoffs follow the conclusion of the regular season. An attendance record was set with a league average of 5,982 spectators per game, surpassing the record set in 2004–05.https://theahl.com/news/ahl-teams-establish-all-time-attendance-record AHL teams establish all-time attendance record AHL April 18, 2016 Regular season On May 12, 2015, the AHL unveiled a new, major realignment of its conferences and divisions for the 2015–16 season, a move made as a result of the relocations of seven franchises, including five teams moving to California, one to Manitoba, and one to Newfoundland and Labrador.https://theahl.com/news/ahl-announces-alignment-for-2015-16 AHL announces alignment for 2015-16 AHL May 12, 2015 May 13, 2015 June 29, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150629031226/http://theahl.com/ahl-announces-alignment-for-2015-16-p197883 live Mirroring a change the National Hockey League had taken prior to its 2013–14 season, the AHL moved back to having four divisions of seven or eight teams. The Eastern Conference consists of the Atlantic and North Divisions, while the Western Conference consists of the Central and Pacific Divisions. On June 13, the league commissioner, David Andrews, disclosed that the five California teams would each play 68-game schedule; the other 25 teams (including the two Texas-based teams that share the Pacific division with the California teams) would play 76 games apiece. The implementation of an unbalanced format was seen as a way to ease the California teams' travel costs as well as reducing stretches of 3 games in 3 nights, which can impede player development and hamper attractive forms of play.https://lakingsinsider.com/2015/06/13/california-ahl-teams-to-play-68-games-more-from-commish/ California AHL teams to play 68 games; more from President/CEO LA Kings Insider June 13, 2015 To alleviate the 68/76-game imbalance, the AHL began using an alternative method of ranking its teams and determining playoff seeds. As before, standings points are still awarded (two points for a win, one point for an overtime or shootout loss, none for a regulation loss) but rather than ranking teams by the total number of points earned, they are positioned by their points percentage, determined as the number of points earned divided by points available to them. For example, a team earning one win and one overtime loss after two games would have a .750 points percentage (3 points earned divided by 4 points available). In support of the new division, the AHL played an outdoor game called the Golden State Hockey Rush at Raley Field in West Sacramento, California on December 18, 2015. The Stockton Heat defeated the Bakersfield Condors 3–2 in front of 9,357 fans.https://stocktonheat.com/news/grant-kylington-and-shore-lead-heat-to-3-2-win-at-raley-field/ Grant, Kylington and Shore Lead Heat to 3-2 Win at Raley Field Stockton Heat December 19, 2015 January 20, 2016 October 8, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20211008204647/https://stocktonheat.com/news/grant-kylington-and-shore-lead-heat-to-3-2-win-at-raley-field/ dead Team and NHL affiliation changes Relocations Under a plan approved by the league on January 29, 2015, the league established a Pacific Division, with five teams based in the state of California. All five teams are affiliated with NHL franchises based in western North America. In the season prior to the realignment, the league had no teams west of Texas (and only one western team, the Abbotsford Heat, had played in the AHL in the five seasons prior to that), causing call-up issues for western NHL teams. In return, the three ECHL franchises already based in the cities where the AHL franchises were relocated, went east and took the place of AHL teams that had left those cities.https://theahl.com/news/ahl-approves-formation-of-pacific-division AHL approves formation of Pacific Division AHL January 29, 2015 January 30, 2015 April 18, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150418144228/http://theahl.com/ahl-approves-formation-of-pacific-division-p196033 live On March 12, 2015, the AHL announced that the True North Sports & Entertainment-owned franchise, the St. John's IceCaps, was relocating back to Winnipeg, Manitoba, to make it easier for their NHL team, the Winnipeg Jets, to call-up players. In order to fulfill their arena contract in St. John's, they negotiated with the Montreal Canadiens to move the Hamilton Bulldogs to St. John's and take on the IceCaps identity; in turn, the Bulldogs fulfilled their arena obligation by transferring their lease and intellectual property rights to the former Belleville Bulls, a junior hockey team.https://theahl.com/news/ahl-announces-franchise-transactions AHL announces franchise transactions AHL March 12, 2015 March 13, 2015 July 4, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150704053008/http://theahl.com/ahl-announces-franchise-transactions-p196769 live The franchise changes for the 2015–16 season are listed as follows: The Adirondack Flames relocated to Stockton, California, to become the Stockton Heat as part of a new Pacific Division. The Calgary Flames purchased the ECHL's Stockton Thunder and relocated the team to replace the Adirondack Flames in Glens Falls as the Adirondack Thunder.http://poststar.com/news/local/adirondack-flames-to-announce-move-to-echl/article_19ff84ca-a7e1-11e4-9a11-8fd417ed7b16.html Adirondack Flames to announce move to the ECHL Glens Falls Post-Star January 29, 2015 The Hamilton Bulldogs relocated to St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, and took on the identity of the St. John's IceCaps. The Montreal Canadiens purchased the Bulldogs franchise from Michael Andlauer prior to the announcement of the relocation.https://canadiens.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=757730 https://web.archive.org/web/20150314152318/http://canadiens.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=757730 dead March 14, 2015 The Montreal Canadiens announce the transfer of the Hamilton Bulldogs to St.John's, Newfoundland Montreal Canadiens March 12, 2015 Andlauer purchased an Ontario Hockey League franchise to replace the AHL team and gave it the same name. The Manchester Monarchs relocated to Ontario, California, to become the Ontario Reign as part of a new Pacific Division. The franchise swapped places with the Ontario Reign of the ECHL as both franchises were owned and operated by the Los Angeles Kings. The Norfolk Admirals relocated to San Diego, California, to become the San Diego Gulls as part of a new Pacific Division. The Admirals franchise was purchased by the Anaheim Ducks as their owned and operated AHL team.http://wavy.com/2015/01/28/admirals-move-ahl-relocation-announcement-coming-thursday/ AHL announces relocation, Norfolk Admirals move WAVY-TV January 29, 2015 On December 18, 2014, the Oklahoma City Barons announced it would cease operations at the end of the 2014–15 season after the Barons' management failed to come to an extended affiliation agreement with their NHL affiliate and franchise owner, the Edmonton Oilers.http://prohockeytalk.nbcsports.com/2014/12/18/ahls-oklahoma-city-barons-to-cease-operations-at-end-of-season/ AHL's Oklahoma City Barons to cease operations at end of season NBC Sports December 18, 2014 January 29, 2015 On January 29, 2015, it was announced the franchise would establish a new team in Bakersfield, California, to become the Bakersfield Condors as part of the new Pacific Division. Unlike the Barons, the Condors are owned and operated by the Oilers organization. The Condors replaced the Oilers' ECHL team of the same name who relocated to Norfolk and took on the Norfolk Admirals identity in the ECHL. The franchise owned by the Winnipeg Jets that played as the St. John's IceCaps since the 2011–12 season, relocated back to Winnipeg, Manitoba, to play in the same arena as its parent club and returned to its previous identity as the Manitoba Moose.https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/sports/hockey/ahl/True-North-will-move-their-AHL-franchise-back-to-Winnipeg-from-St-Johns-296130451.html?cx_navSource=d-top-story Moose 2.0? True North will move AHL franchise back to Winnipeg March 12, 2015 Winnipeg Free Press The Worcester Sharks relocated to San Jose, California, to become the San Jose Barracuda as part of the new Pacific Division and share the SAP Center with its parent club, the San Jose Sharks.http://www.sjbarracuda.com/news/detail/san-jose-sharks-unveil-american-hockey-league-franchise-as-san-jose-barracuda Sharks, Barracuda Networks Agree to Revolutionary Multi-Year Presenting Partnership San Jose Barracuda April 2, 2015 Affiliation changes AHL team New affiliate Old affiliate Lake Erie Monstershttp://theahl.com/falcons-monsters-rampage-swap-nhl-affiliates-p197468 Falcons, Monsters, Rampage swap NHL affiliates AHL April 17, 2015 2015-04-17 https://web.archive.org/web/20150417230456/http://theahl.com/falcons-monsters-rampage-swap-nhl-affiliates-p197468 2015-04-17 dead Columbus Blue Jackets Colorado Avalanche Portland Pirateshttps://theahl.com/news/pirates-announce-affiliation-with-florida Pirates announce affiliation with Florida AHL March 18, 2015 March 18, 2015 April 26, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150426011835/http://theahl.com/pirates-announce-affiliation-with-florida-p196853 live Florida Panthers Arizona Coyotes San Antonio Rampage Colorado Avalanche Florida Panthers Springfield Falcons Arizona Coyotes Columbus Blue Jackets Rule changes Overtime During the regular season, the sudden-death overtime period is reduced to five minutes (5:00) in length but full playing strength is 3-on-3 (plus goaltenders) for the entire period. Overtime will be preceded by a "dry scrape" of the entire ice surface. Teams will change ends at the start of overtime. If the game is still tied following overtime, a winner will be determined by a three-player shootout.https://theahl.com/news/board-of-governors-approves-changes-for-15-16 Board of Governors approves changes for 15-16 AHL July 10, 2015 July 11, 2015 July 12, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150712144427/http://theahl.com/board-of-governors-approves-changes-for-15-16-p198633 live This change mimics the change made in the National Hockey League for the 2015–16 season. In the previous season, the AHL first experimented with 3-on-3 overtime but had three minutes of 4-on-4 play before reducing the number of players on the ice. This change caused 75 percent of games tied at the end of regulation to end in overtime in the 2014–15 season. This was reduced from just 35 percent in the 2013–14 season, decreasing the number of games decided by shootout.https://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nhl-puck-daddy/american-hockey-league-adopts-nhl-ot-format--coach-s-challenge-200516000.html AHL rule changes: NHL OT format, points percentage for playoffs, coach's challenge Yahoo Sports July 10, 2015 Video Review A team may use a "coach's challenge" to initiate an official video review; only those situations which are subject to review by rule may be challenged. A team may only request a coach's challenge if it has its timeout available, and the coach's challenge must be effectively initiated prior to the resumption of play. If the coach's challenge does not result in the original call on the ice being overturned, the team exercising such challenge will be charged with a timeout. This change is identical to the rule change implemented by the NHL for its 2015–16 season. Face-offs For face-offs conducted on any of the 8 face-off dots outside center ice, the defending team's player (i.e. the player closer to his team's goal) shall place his stick on the ice first, followed immediately by the attacking team's player. For face-offs at the center ice dot, the order of stick placement shall proceed as before, with the player from the visiting team placing his stick on the ice first, followed immediately by the home team's player. This rule change mirrors one the NHL also implemented for 2015–16;NHL Board of Governors approve 2015-16 rule changes," from NHL.com, 6/24/2015 previously in both leagues, the visiting team's player placed his stick on the ice first regardless of the face-off location. Playoff format The 2016 playoff format changed as a result of the realignment and unbalanced regular season schedules. The new playoff format was finalized at the Annual Board of Governors meeting that took place July 6–9, 2015. 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 2016 Calder Cup Playoffs, with one exception in each conference: if the fifth-place team in the Atlantic or Central Division finishes with a better points percentage than the fourth-place team in the North or Pacific Division, it would cross over and compete in the other division's bracket. The 2016 Calder Cup Playoffs will feature 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. Final standings #97DEFF y– darkgray indicates team clinched division and a playoff spot #bbffbb x– darkgray indicates team clinched a playoff spot #ffcccc e– darkgray indicates team was eliminated from playoff contention Eastern Conference Updated as of April 17, 2016 Atlantic Division GP Games played W Wins L Losses OTL Overtime losses SOL Shootout losses Pts Points Pts% Points percentage GF Goals for GA Goals against y–Hershey Bears (WSH) 76 43 21 5 7 98 .645 259 220 x–Providence Bruins (BOS) 76 41 22 9 4 95 .625 238 198x–Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins (PIT) 76 43 27 4 2 92 .605 230 203 x–Portland Pirates (FLA) 76 41 27 6 2 90 .592 215 207 x–Bridgeport Sound Tigers (NYI) 76 40 29 4 3 87 .572 209 220 e–Hartford Wolf Pack (NYR) 76 41 32 3 0 85 .559 202 199 e–Lehigh Valley Phantoms (PHI) 76 34 35 4 3 75 .493 215 222 e–Springfield Falcons (ARI) 76 26 42 3 5 60 .395 194 265 North Division GP Games played W Wins L Losses OTL Overtime losses SOL Shootout losses Pts Points Pts% Points percentage GF Goals for GA Goals against y–Toronto Marlies (TOR) 76 54 16 5 1 114 .750 294 191 x–Albany Devils (NJD) 76 46 20 8 2 102 .671 212 167 x–Utica Comets (VAN) 76 38 26 8 4 88 .579 224 217 e–Syracuse Crunch (TBL) 76 32 29 11 4 79 .520 213 240 e–St. John's IceCaps (MTL) 76 32 33 8 3 75 .493 208 239 e–Rochester Americans (BUF) 76 34 38 3 1 72 .474 199 249 e–Binghamton Senators (OTT) 76 31 38 6 1 69 .454 204 241 Western Conference Updated as of April 17, 2016 Central Division GP Games played W Wins L Losses OTL Overtime losses SOL Shootout losses Pts Points Pts% Points percentage GF Goals for GA Goals against y–Milwaukee Admirals (NSH) 76 48 23 3 2 101 .664 224 193 x–Lake Erie Monsters (CBJ) 76 43 22 6 5 97 .638 211 188x–Rockford IceHogs (CHI) 76 40 22 10 4 94 .618 214 205 x–Grand Rapids Griffins (DET) 76 44 30 1 1 90 .592 238 195 e–Charlotte Checkers (CAR) 76 36 32 3 5 80 .526 214 229 e–Chicago Wolves (STL) 76 33 35 5 3 74 .487 194 228 e–Manitoba Moose (WPG) 76 26 41 4 5 61 .401 180 250e–Iowa Wild (MIN) 76 24 41 5 6 59 .388 169 225 Pacific Division GP Games played W Wins L Losses OTL Overtime losses SOL Shootout losses Pts Points Pts% Points percentage GF Goals for GA Goals againsty–Ontario Reign (LAK) 68 44 19 4 1 93 .684 192 138 x–San Diego Gulls (ANA) 68 39 23 4 2 84 .618 208 200 x–Texas Stars (DAL) 76 40 25 8 3 91 .599 277 246 x–San Jose Barracuda (SJS) 68 31 26 8 3 73 .537 198 193 e–Bakersfield Condors (EDM) 68 31 28 7 2 71 .522 212 222 e–Stockton Heat (CGY) 68 32 32 2 2 68 .500 194 224 e–San Antonio Rampage (COL) 76 33 35 8 0 74 .487 213 240 Statistical leaders Scoring leaders The following players are sorted by points, then goals. Updated as of April 17, 2016.Top Scorers - 2015-16 Regular Season - All Players https://theahl.com/stats/player-stats AHL GP = Games played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points; +/– = P Plus–minus; PIM = Penalty minutes Player Team GP G A Pts PIMChris BourqueHershey Bears 72 30 50 80 56Seth GriffithProvidence Bruins 57 24 53 77 32T. J. BrennanToronto Marlies 69 25 43 68 53Alexander KhokhlachevProvidence Bruins 60 23 45 68 12Dustin JeffreySpringfield/W-B/Scranton 64 20 44 64 20Andy MieleGrand Rapids Griffins 75 18 44 62 77Austin CzarnikProvidence Bruins 68 20 41 61 24Bud HollowaySt. John's IceCaps 70 19 42 61 14Mikko RantanenSan Antonio Rampage 52 24 36 60 42Mark ArcobelloToronto Marlies 49 25 34 59 22 Leading goaltenders The following goaltenders with a minimum 1500 minutes played lead the league in goals against average. Updated as of April 16, 2016.Top Goalies - 2015-16 Regular Season - Goals Against Average http://theahl.com/stats/statdisplay.php?type=top_goalies&subType=0&season_id=51&league_id=4&division_id=-1&confId=0 https://web.archive.org/web/20151115050637/http://theahl.com/stats/statdisplay.php?type=top_goalies&subType=0&season_id=51&league_id=4&division_id=-1&confId=0 dead November 15, 2015 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 Player Team GP TOI SA GA SO GAA SV% W L OT Peter Budaj Ontario Reign 60 3574:33 1535 104 9 1.75 .932 42 14 4 Matt Murray Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins 31 1827:16 932 64 4 2.10 .931 20 9 1 Yann Danis Albany Devils 47 2681:16 1081 99 8 2.22 .908 28 12 5 Juuse Saros Milwaukee Admirals 38 2247:53 1052 84 4 2.24 .920 29 8 0 Dan Ellis Hershey Bears 43 2440:28 1051 97 4 2.38 .908 25 12 5 Calder Cup playoffs 2016 Calder Cup playoffs Division semifinals Division finals Conference finals Calder Cup final 140 25 Eastern Conference Western Conference A1 Hershey 3 A4 Portland 2 A2 Providence 0 A3 W-B/Scranton 3 N1 Toronto 3 A5 Bridgeport 0 N2 Albany 3 N3 Utica 1 C1 Milwaukee 0 C4 Grand Rapids 3 C2 Lake Erie 3 C3 Rockford 0 P1 Ontario 3 P4 San Jose 1 P2 San Diego 3 P3 Texas 1 A1 Hershey 4 A3 W-B/Scranton 3 N1 Toronto 4 N2 Albany 3 C4 Grand Rapids 2 C2 Lake Erie 4 P1 Ontario 4 P2 San Diego 1 A1 Hershey 4 N1 Toronto 1 C2 Lake Erie 4 P1 Ontario 0 A1 Hershey 0 C2 Lake Erie 4 AHL awards Calder Cup : Lake Erie Monsters Les Cunningham Award : Chris Bourque, Hershey John B. Sollenberger Trophy : Chris Bourque, Hershey Willie Marshall Award : Frank Vatrano, Providence Dudley "Red" Garrett Memorial Award : Mikko Rantanen, San Antonio & Frank Vatrano, Providence Eddie Shore Award : T. J. Brennan, Toronto Aldege "Baz" Bastien Memorial Award : Peter Budaj, Ontario Harry "Hap" Holmes Memorial Award : Peter Budaj, Ontario Louis A. R. Pieri Memorial Award : Rick Kowalsky, Albany Fred T. Hunt Memorial Award : Tom Kostopoulos, Wilkes-Barre/Scrantonhttp://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/wilkes-barre-scrantons-tom-kostopoulos-voted-winner-of-ahls-fred-t-hunt-memorial-award/n-5121407 Wilkes-Barre/Scranton's Tom Kostopoulos Voted Winner of AHL's Fred T. Hunt Memorial Award OurSports Central April 8, 2016 Yanick Dupre Memorial Award : Ryan Carpenter, San Jose Jack A. Butterfield Trophy : Oliver Bjorkstrand, Lake Erie Richard F. Canning Trophy : Hershey Bears Robert W. Clarke Trophy : Lake Erie Monsters Macgregor Kilpatrick Trophy: Toronto Marlies Frank Mathers Trophy (Eastern Conference regular season champions): Toronto Marlieshttp://ahlhalloffame.com/frank-s-mathers-trophy-p139061 FRANK S. MATHERS TROPHY AHL April 21, 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160509124712/http://ahlhalloffame.com/frank-s-mathers-trophy-p139061 2016-05-09 dead Norman R. "Bud" Poile Trophy (Western Conference regular season champions): Ontario Reignhttp://ahlhalloffame.com/norman-r-bud-poile-trophy-p139062 NORMAN R. (BUD) POILE TROPHY AHL April 21, 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160414074854/http://ahlhalloffame.com/norman-r-bud-poile-trophy-p139062 2016-04-14 dead Emile Francis Trophy (Atlantic Division regular season champions): Hershey Bearshttp://ahlhalloffame.com/emile-francis-trophy-p139082 EMILE FRANCIS TROPHY AHL April 21, 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160414074827/http://ahlhalloffame.com/emile-francis-trophy-p139082 2016-04-14 dead F. G. "Teddy" Oke Trophy (North Division regular season champions): Toronto Marlieshttp://ahlhalloffame.com/fg-teddy-oke-trophy-p139083 F.G. (TEDDY) OKE TROPHY AHL April 21, 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160414074832/http://ahlhalloffame.com/fg-teddy-oke-trophy-p139083 2016-04-14 dead Sam Pollock Trophy (Central Division regular season champions): Milwaukee Admiralshttp://ahlhalloffame.com/sam-pollock-trophy-p139084 SAM POLLOCK TROPHY AHL April 21, 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160405004620/http://ahlhalloffame.com/sam-pollock-trophy-p139084 April 5, 2016 dead mdy-all John D. Chick Trophy (Pacific Division regular season champions): Ontario Reignhttp://ahlhalloffame.com/john-d-chick-trophy-p139085 JOHN D. CHICK TROPHY AHL April 21, 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160414074839/http://ahlhalloffame.com/john-d-chick-trophy-p139085 2016-04-14 dead James C. Hendy Memorial Award: Tera Black, Charlotte Thomas Ebright Memorial Award: Jim Schoenfeld, Hartford James H. Ellery Memorial Awards: Patrick Williams, Manitoba Ken McKenzie Award: Mike Peck, Rockford Michael Condon Memorial Award: Joe Ross President's Awards: Organization - Lake Erie; Player - Michael Leighton, Rockford All-Star teams First All-Star teamhttp://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/2015-16-american-hockey-league-first-and-second-all-star-teams-named/n-5120741 2015-16 American Hockey League First and second All-Star teams Named OurSports Central April 7, 2016 Peter Budaj (G) – Ontario T. J. Brennan (D) – Toronto Brandon Montour (D) – San Diego Chris Bourque (F) – Hershey Seth Griffith (F) – Providence Frank Vatrano (F) – Providence Second All-Star team Matt Murray (G) – Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Will O'Neill (D) – Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Robbie Russo (D) – Grand Rapids Dustin Jeffrey (F) – Springfield/Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Mikko Rantanen (F) – San Antonio Mike Sislo (F) – Albany All-Rookie Teamhttp://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/2015-16-american-hockey-league-all-rookie-team-named/n-5120135 2015-16 American Hockey League All-Rookie Team Named OurSports Central April 6, 2016 Juuse Saros (G) – Milwaukee Brandon Montour (D) – San Diego Robbie Russo (D) – Grand Rapids Austin Czarnik (F) – Providence Mikko Rantanen (F) – San Antonio Frank Vatrano (F) – Providence Milestones June 2015 See also List of AHL seasons 2015 in ice hockey 2016 in ice hockey References External links AHL official site 2014–15 2016–17 AHL seasons Category:American Hockey League seasons Category:2015–16 in American ice hockey by league Category:2015–16 in Canadian ice hockey by league