The 2023–24 AHL season was the 88th season of the American Hockey League. The regular season began on October 13, 2023, and ended on April 21, 2024. The 2024 Calder Cup playoffs followed the conclusion of the regular season, and ended on June 24, with the Hershey Bears winning their 13th Calder Cup in franchise history.
League changes
For the first time since the 1994–95 season, the league featured an unaffiliated team, with the Chicago Wolves ending their affiliation with the Carolina Hurricanes.[1] It only lasted one season; the two clubs announced on May 2, 2024, a new three-year agreement where the Wolves would rejoin the Hurricanes' system.[2]
On February 2, 2023, following the Senators game vs the Rochester Americans, Mann was relieved from duties as head coach. Assistant coach David Bell was named as interim head coach the same night.[3] Ottawa removed the interim tag from Bell for the 2023–24 season on May 2, 2023.[4]
On July 11, 2023, Thompson was named as an assistant coach with the Anaheim Ducks.[5] Bridgeport assistant coach Rick Kowalsky was named as head coach on July 13, 2023.[6]
Shortly following the conclusion of the season, the Griffins parted ways with Simon.[12] Watson was named as head coach of the Griffins on June 14, 2023.[13]
On April 19, 2023, the Golden Knights and Viveiros mutually agreed to part ways.[14] Golden Knights assistant coach Ryan Craig was named as head coach of the Silver Knights on June 26, 2023.[15]
On April 22, 2023, the Wild fired most of their coaching staff, including Army.[16] McLean was named as Iowa Wild head coach after spending three seasons as an assistant coach with Minnesota.[17]
On May 19, 2023, shortly after the Marlies were swept by Rochester in the division finals, the Marlies announced they would not renew the contract of Moore.[21] Gruden was named as head coach of the Marlies on July 4, 2023.[22]
After the Edmonton Oilers fired head coach Jay Woodcroft on November 12, 2023, Knoblauch was named as head coach of the Oilers. On the same day, the Wolf Pack named Smith as interim head coach.
After the St. Louis Blues fired head coach Craig Berube on December 12, 2023, Bannister was named as head coach of the Blues and Tkaczuk was elevated to interim head coach of the Thunderbirds.
Standings
y–indicates team has clinched division and a playoff spot x–indicates team has clinched a playoff spot e–indicates team has been eliminated from playoff contention
The following goaltenders with a minimum 1,440 minutes played lead the league in goals against average. As of April 21, 2024.[25]
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
The AHL will continue to use the same playoff format used in the previous playoffs. The playoff field will include the top six finishers in the eight-team Atlantic Division, the top five finishers each in the seven-team North and Central Divisions, and the top seven teams in the 10-team Pacific Division. First Round match-ups will be best-of-three series; the two highest seeds in the Atlantic, the three highest seeds in each of the North and Central, and the first-place team in the Pacific will receive byes into the best-of-five Division Semifinals, with the First Round winners re-seeded in each division. The Division Finals will also be best-of-five series, followed by best-of-seven Conference Finals and a best-of-seven Calder Cup Finals series.