On Wednesday Afternoon, new AHL President Scott Howson announced that framework for the 2021 AHL Season.

“The American Hockey League Board of Governors has approved the structural framework for an AHL season that will begin on February 5, 2021.

“Details are still being worked out, but this step allows our teams and their National Hockey League partners to better determine their plans for the coming season. We look forward to dropping the puck on Feb. 5.” 

This is huge, with the AHL being one of two minor leagues in North America not playing currently. What will that mean for the Sound Tigers, and the league as a whole? Let’s take a look.

Geographical Division Ideas

The American Hockey League has always had a geographic outlook, as geographic locations have created the outline for divisions. But, this time, in a league where costs are high, it may be necessary to play in smaller regional bubbles of 4-5 teams based on relative location. So, here are some possible mock ideas of divisions based on geography just for this season, although it will be based in conferences and some divisions can cross over like some of the eastern ones.

Eastern Conference

New England Division

Bridgeport

Hartford

Providence

Springfield

Empire Division

Utica

Binghamton

Syracuse

Rochester

Mid-Atlantic

Lehigh Valley

Hershey

Wilkes-Barre/Scranton

Charlotte

North

Manitoba

Toronto

Belleville

Laval

Western Conference

Central

Grand Rapids

Chicago

Iowa

Cleveland

Rockford

Southwest

Texas

Henderson

Colorado

Tucson

Pacific

Bakersfield

Ontario

San Diego

San Jose

Stockton

The divisions are quite uneven, but regardless, it is something the AHL should look into. And some divisions would play each other on the occasion, such as Mid-Atlantic and the other eastern american teams and Mountain and Pacific.

What does today’s news mean for the Sound Tigers?

The Sound Tigers may be able to contact season ticket holders so that games can have at least minimal attendance. Before November, the state of Connecticut had a 15% capacity at outdoor sporting events such as the Hartford Athletic Soccer team. The Sound Tigers could allow only season ticket holders into games for the first couple games, which is something the ECHL’s Wheeling Nailers did for the start of their season. Fans with the longest tenure of being season ticket holders will get first dibs at tickets. This all comes with the new Season Ticket Holder Membership, which allows fans to put a down payment on tickets and select wherever they want in the arena.

It’s going to be an interesting time for the AHL 2020-21 season.