COVID Continues To Cause Issues For AHL

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Well over 100 American Hockey League (AHL) players, coaches and team staff members have entered the league's COVID protocol in just the past two weeks.

The exact number is likely closer to double that number as the league doesn't publicly disclose every player that is in the league's protocol, although some teams and local beat reporters have disclosed or uncovered that information.

As of Wednesday evening, the AHL has postponed nearly 60 games league-wide this season due to COVID-protocols directly affecting 19 of the league's 31 teams.

A quick look around the league shows just how widespread COVID has impacted the league..

Bakersfield Condors (Edmonton)

The Condors have one player in COVID protocol and one staff member recently returned from protocol as of Dec. 29 (Mike Griffith/Inside AHL Hockey)

Belleville Senators (Ottawa)

Eighteen positive cases among players/staff as of Dec 20. The team was scheduled to return to the ice Tuesday. (Bruce Garrioch / Ottawa Sun)

Bridgeport Islanders (New York Islanders)

Eight players and a staffer in COVID protocol and one player out of protocol as of Dec 28 per Bridgeport GM Chris Lamoriello (Michael Fornabaio/Conn. Post)

Hershey Bears (Washington)

Two players remain in COVID protocol, while four returned from protocol for their game Wednesday night vs. Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (Julie Beidler/Inside AHL Hockey)

Iowa Wild (Minnesota)

Four players in COVID protocol as of Dec. 29.

Providence Bruins (Boston)

Defenseman Nick Wolff & assistant coach Matt Thomas are in Covid protocol as of Dec. 28. (Mark Divver / New England Hockey Journal)

Rochester Americans (Buffalo)

Still has three players in COVID protocol per HC Seth Appert on Dec 28.

Rockford IceHogs (Chicago)

Three players in protocol on Dec 29, with their game Dec 30 vs Milwaukee postponed.

San Jose Barracuda (San Jose)

Six players, assistant coach Michael Chiasson and an additional staff member in COVID protocol as of Dec 26.

Texas Stars (Dallas)

Fifteen players in COVID protocol as of Dec 28.

Toronto Marlies (Toronto)

Twenty-four players and five staff members in COVID protocol per Leafs GM Kyle Dubas on Dec 26. They returned to the ice for their first team practice since Dec 8 on Wednesday.

Utica Comets (New Jersey)

Four players remain in COVID protocol. (Ben Birnell/Utica OD)

Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins (Pittsburgh)

Eleven players and assistant coach Kevin Porter in COVID protocol, with Kerry Huffman taking over as assistant coach in their game Monday vs. Hershey. Porter and four players returned to action in Wednesday's rematch against Hershey.

In addition to those teams and specific numbers of players/staff in COVID protocol, the Abbotsford Canucks, Charlotte Checkers, Chicago Wolves, Cleveland Monsters, Manitoba Moose, Ontario Reign, San Diego Gulls, Springfield Thunderbirds, Stockton Heat and Syracuse Crunch have also all had postponed games due to in-house COVID-protocol issues.

A majority of those teams continue to follow enhanced protocols at the direction of team medical staff and the AHL.

What's Next for the AHL?

One source familiar with the situation told Inside AHL Hockey Wednesday afternoon that the league is planning a zoom call for Thursday for team staffs across the league to discuss what comes next and how to proceed in order to safely complete the rest of the 2021-22 season.

Among the topics of discussion, Inside AHL Hockey learned, is the potential of expanding the regular season by 7-14 days to help allow teams more opportunities to make up all of the games that have been postponed as well as allow a bit of a cushion for subsequent postponements.

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