AHL Cancels Remainder of 2019-2020 Season
The American Hockey League was suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic
Professional sports, along with the rest of the world, are on pause due to the COVID-19 pandemic with some leagues beginning talks of returning to finish up or begin their 2019-2020 seasons. One league that will not be returning is the AHL, as this morning the NHL’s primary minor league affiliate announced it is cancelling the remainder of the 2019-20 regular season and playoffs.
The AHL Board of Governors has voted to cancel the remainder of the 2019-20 AHL regular season and the 2020 Calder Cup Playoffs due to the ongoing COVID-19 public health crisis.
— AHL (@TheAHL) May 11, 2020
→ https://t.co/b8XoXIimHE pic.twitter.com/G1fafFhJHV
While it is not surprising that the AHL went this route, it’s still disappointing that it had to shut everything down. It’s also a rather disappointing ending to what was going to be one of the best Hartford Wolf Pack seasons in recent memory, as the Pack finished the year with 73 points in 62 games and sat 4th overall in the AHL standings.
On the bright side; this gives teams, players, and staff a chance to not worry about travelling and breaking quarantine to complete a shortened season and can focus on preparing for a safe return for the 2020-21 season.