The American Hockey League announced on Monday morning that they have cancelled the remainder of the 2019-20 season and subsequent Calder Cup Playoffs, due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.
In a press release from the American Hockey League, President and Chief Executive Officer David Andrews had the following to say:
“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.
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.”
With the season officially in the books, the Rochester Americans finish their 2019-20 campaign with 75 points (33-20-9) in 62 games. This is good enough for second in the North Division.
Rochester was slated to reach the Calder Cup Playoffs for the third time in three seasons, under head coach Chris Taylor’s tutelage.
American Hockey League veteran Jean-Sebastien Dea finishes the season, leading the team in points with 39 (15 goals, 24 assists).
Dea tied for the team lead in goals (15) with forward Andrew Oglevie.
Oglevie became quite the success story for the Americans this past season after returning from two concussions that took away most of his 2018-19 campaign.
Defensively, it appears we have seen the last of defenseman Zach Redmond in an Americans uniform.
Redmond spent the last three seasons with the Americans, tallying 127 points (41 goals, 86 assists) in 183 games.
With Rochester, Redmond was awarded with the Eddie Shore Award. This is given to the best defenseman in the American Hockey League.
Redmond’s career will continue overseas with EHC München of the DEL.
Confirmed: Zach Redmond (D) | Rochester Americans -> EHC München | https://t.co/hZuoRwH5H8 #DEL
— EP Transfers (@ep_transfers) April 26, 2020
In goal for the Americans, this season provided a coming out party of sorts for prospect Jonas Johansson.
While Johansson struggled in a brief appearance with the Buffalo Sabres this season, he was most certainly on-pace to finish among the top goaltenders in the American Hockey League.
Johansson’s 14-4-3 record marks a personal career-high, while his .921 save percentage marks seventh-best in the entire league.
Johansson also finished with the sixth-best goals-allowed-average (2.28) in the American Hockey League.
It is hard to say what would have become of the remaining handful of regular season games and subsequent Calder Cup Playoffs but one thing is for certain – the Rochester Americans continue to march in the right direction under Chris Taylor’s leadership.
Looking toward the projected 2020-21 American Hockey League season, the sky most certainly is the limit for the Buffalo Sabres of tomorrow.