Rest of AHL, Charlotte Checkers season canceled by coronavirus pandemic
The Charlotte Checkers will be holding onto the Calder Cup a little longer than expected. Their title defense was cut short Monday when the AHL announced the cancellation of the remainder of the 2019-20 regular season and playoffs, unable to find a way forward during the COVID-19 pandemic.
In a league where revenue is primarily driven by gate receipts rather than television contracts, playing without fans — at the moment, the only way forward for sports leagues, including the AHL — was financially unfeasible for the AHL. The decision was made during a leaguewide conference call Friday but teams were given the weekend to prepare for the announcement.
“After a lengthy review process, the American Hockey League has determined that the resumption and completion of the 2019-20 season is not feasible in light of current conditions,” AHL president David Andrews said in a statement. “The League’s operational focus has turned toward actively preparing for the 2020-21 season.
“We are very grateful to the National Hockey League and its teams for their support and leadership in navigating through the challenges faced over the past two months. The AHL continues to place paramount importance on the health and safety of our players, officials, staff and fans and all of their families, and we all look forward to returning to our arenas in 2020-21.”
The end of the season also brings closer the potential end of the partnership between the Checkers and Carolina Hurricanes. The Hurricanes have been in discussions to move their AHL affiliation to the Chicago Wolves after the conclusion of the season, with the Checkers potentially linking up with the Florida Panthers. Current Checkers coach Ryan Warsofsky would move with Carolina’s prospects to the Wolves if that deal goes through.
While it may be the end of the Checkers’ season, it may not be the end of some players’ seasons. The NHL still intends to complete its season this summer or fall, whether that’s some portion of the regular season as well as the playoffs or merely some modified version of the playoffs. In either scenario, teams would carry several extra players from their AHL teams as emergency replacements, for injuries or coronavirus or otherwise.
The Checkers beat the Wolves in the finals to win the Calder Cup a year ago, and despite losing their coach and a substantial portion of their roster over the offseason were still in position to defend their title when the season halted because of the coronavirus on March 12. The Checkers were in third place in the Atlantic Division after 61 games with a 34-22-5 record despite juggling six goalies and 46 players, tied for second-most in the AHL.
Defenseman Jake Bean led the Checkers with 48 points in 59 games; Steven Lorentz led the current Checkers with 23 goals, although Julien Gauthier had 26 before he was traded to the New York Rangers on Feb. 18.
Any resumption of AHL play would likely have to wait for the beginning of the 2020-21 NHL season, which in some scenarios might not happen until December or January.
This story was originally published May 11, 2020 at 9:03 AM.
