2021–22 AHL season

The 2021–22 AHL season is the 86th season of the American Hockey League. The regular season is scheduled to begin on October 15, 2021, and end on April 24, 2022. The regular season is typically followed by the Calder Cup playoffs, which has not been held since 2019 due to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.

League changes
Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic during the previous season, the league had a temporary alignment consisting for five divisions. The league's Canada-based teams only played intradivisional games and could not cross the international border due to pandemic travel restrictions. The league expects to return to a normal schedule and with an updated alignment following team relocations, teams returning, and the lightening of pandemic restrictions. The new alignment was announced on June 7, 2021, returning to the previous four divisions used in the 2019–20 with exception the Abbotsford team and the Henderson Silver Knights joining the Pacific Division, increasing it to nine teams, while the Binghamton Devils and the former San Antonio Rampage were removed from the North and Central Divisions, respectively, decreasing each to seven teams.

As part of the alignment, the league will continue to have an imbalanced schedule with each team either playing 76, 72, or 68 games during the regular season. The Macgregor Kilpatrick Trophy for the regular season champion is still awarded based on points percentage. The leagues plans for this to be the last season with the imbalanced scheduling with the expectation that all teams will play a 72-game schedule in 2022–23.

Team and NHL affiliation changes
The league expects to return to 31 active teams with the Charlotte Checkers, Milwaukee Admirals, and Springfield Thunderbirds returning from a pandemic-related hiatus.


 * The Binghamton Devils' franchise is relocated to Utica, New York, as the Utica Comets. The Comets adopted a color scheme of red, black, and white, to match the colors of the Devils.
 * The Bridgeport Sound Tigers were rebranded as the Bridgeport Islanders by their parent club, the New York Islanders.
 * The franchise that was operating as the Utica Comets, and owned by the Vancouver Canucks, is relocated to Abbotsford, British Columbia, as the Abbotsford Canucks.

Affiliation changes
Due to the three teams returning from their pandemic hiatus, the temporary secondary NHL affiliations from the previous season ended. However, the addition of a 32nd NHL team in Seattle added one dual affiliation.

Teams as of the 2021–22 season
On June 7, 2021, the alignment for the 2021–22 season was announced.

Standings
To be added upon completion of the regular season <!-- indicates team has clinched division and a playoff spot

indicates team has clinched a playoff spot

indicates team has been eliminated from playoff contention

Alignment as of June 28, 2021 <!--

Western Conference
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Leading skaters
The following players are sorted by points, then goals. Updated as of January 27, 2018.

GP = Games played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points; +/– = Plus-minus; PIM = Penalty minutes

Leading goaltenders
The following goaltenders with a minimum 840 minutes played lead the league in goals against average. Updated as of January 27, 2018.

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

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Calder Cup playoffs
To be added <!--

All-Star Teams
First All-Star Team
 * 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 Team
 * 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
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