The American Hockey League officially ended its 2019-20 season and playoffs in an announcement made on Monday.
The AHL Board of Governors has voted to cancel the remainder of the 2019-20 AHL regular season and the 2020 Calder Cup Playoffs due to the ongoing COVID-19 public health crisis.
→ https://t.co/b8XoXIimHE pic.twitter.com/G1fafFhJHV
— AHL (@TheAHL) May 11, 2020
The news is hardly a surprise as it has been rumoured since the AHL’s board of governors met on Friday to discuss their future plans. This also ends league league President and CEO David Andrews tenure. Former Columbus Blue Jackets general manager Scott Howson will take over that position.
This means that the Laval Rocket will end their third season with a record of 30-24-8, in sixth place in the North Division. The season suspension came when the Rocket were on a four-game winning streak and just before they were to host the Binghamton Devils for a two-game series at Place Bell. The Rocket were four points behind the Devils for the final playoff spot.
Laval’s 30 wins ties the franchise high since moving to Laval, set in 2018-19, albeit in 14 fewer games.
The COVID-19 pandemic also puts the future of the 2021 All Star Classic, supposed to be at Laval’s Place Bell, in doubt. Talks of a shortened or delayed season may not include time for an All Star break.
The AHL is a gate-driven league with limited TV revenue which makes it hard for them to play games without crowds.
The Laval Rocket also released a statement regarding tickets that were sold for games that ended up being cancelled.
The AHL officially cancel the remainder of the 2019-20 season.
Full announcement 👉https://t.co/kf7xrpcd9m pic.twitter.com/DdpvUsEQXz— Rocket de Laval (@RocketLaval) May 11, 2020
