What is the AHL? NHL affiliates and Swedish players’ routes
The AHL is the NHL’s main development league. Affiliates, recalls and contracts explained through Gustav Nyquist’s season with Grand Rapids and Detroit.
AHL stands for American Hockey League, the NHL’s main development league. Its clubs play their own regular season and compete for the Calder Cup. A player can belong to an NHL organisation while playing for its AHL affiliate.
How do affiliates work?
AHL clubs have affiliation agreements with NHL teams. They provide professional games for developing players, opportunities to regain game fitness and roster alternatives for the NHL organisation. This is senior professional hockey, rather than a junior league or an NHL reserve standings competition.
An AHL roster can include players on NHL contracts and players on AHL contracts. An AHL-only contract does not itself allow NHL appearances. Nor does winning the Calder Cup promote a club into the NHL.
Gustav Nyquist played in both leagues in one season
Gustav Nyquist recorded 60 points in 58 regular-season games for Grand Rapids in 2012/13: 23 goals and 37 assists. He also played 22 NHL games for Detroit that season, with 3 goals and 3 assists.
This illustrates why season records must keep leagues separate. His 60 AHL points do not count toward NHL scoring. Grand Rapids documented his AHL performance when he was selected to the league’s First All-Star Team.
What does a recall mean?
A recall moves a player onto the NHL roster. An assignment or loan moves him in the opposite direction. Such an organisational roster move need not transfer ownership of the contract.
Some assignments require waivers, giving other NHL clubs an opportunity to claim the contract. Other players are exempt based on factors including age, contract history and NHL games. Junior eligibility and special recall rules can also restrict moves.
Is a two-way contract an AHL contract?
No. A two-way contract specifies different pay at different levels and can still be an NHL contract. A one-way contract does not guarantee an NHL roster spot, and salary structure does not determine waiver eligibility.
Our rookie-contract and AAV guide explains the pay terminology. A player’s first NHL appearance is a separate event, recorded in our Swedish NHL debuts archive.