The 2002-03 season, will mark the league's 67th year of operation and begins on Thurs., Oct. 10.
Each of the league's 28 clubs will play a balanced scheduale of 80 games, 40 at home and 40 on the road.
The 2001-02 season was the AHL's most successful to date, seeing a membership expansion of 35 percent and experiencing an all-time high in average attendance.
Nearly 6.7 million fans attended games across North America.
The AHL has grown into the premier developmental league for the NHL. More than 75 percent of all players to compete in the NHL last season were AHL graduates, and more than 350 players took the ice in both leagues.
Defending Champs - The Chicago Wolves 2002 Calder Cup Champions
Impact Change - San Antonio Rampage, first-year affiliate of the Florida Panthers, hold their inaugural home opener against the rival Houston Aeros at the brand new SBC Center.
The AHL returns to Binghamton on Fri., Oct. 11 when the first-year Senators, under head coach John Paddock, host the defending Eastern Conference champion Bridgeport Sound Tigers at the Broome County Arena.
For the first time in 65 years, the Hershey Bears have a new home. The puck will drop at the 10,500-seat Giant Center on Sat., Oct. 19 when the Bears host the Rochester Americans.
Knocking On The Door
Players With Potential To Play At Next Level -Drafted by the St. Louis Blues in the 2000 NHL Draft, Justin Papineau led the AHL in goals with 38 for the Worcester IceCats last season.
This could be the year he makes the jump for good.
Rick DiPietro’s solid play between the pipes guided the Bridgeport Sound Tigers all the way to the Calder Cup finals in the team’s inaugural season.
He led all AHL net-minders with 30 victories and ranked second in total minutes played.
Jason Chimera had 77 points in 77 games last year for the Hamilton Bulldogs and spent some time with their NHL affiliate Edmonton Oilers.
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Division and League Previews: AAA: AHL | AA: CHL, ECHL, WCHL | A: ACHL
