Patrick WilliamsTheAHL.com Features Writer
The long Thanksgiving weekend in the United States means busy AHL buildings and a time for teams and fans to express their gratitude as they reflect on the year.
Earlier we looked at things Eastern teams can be thankful for. Now it’s time to move across the Western Conference.
Abbotsford Canucks
While winning the first Calder Cup title for the Vancouver Canucks affiliate, head coach Manny Malhotra His players took fans on an unforgettable ride last spring. Some of those players moved to Vancouver, and others found new opportunities elsewhere. But they will all be linked together in AHL history and provide Abbotsford fans with rich memories.
Bakersfield Condors
After his well-documented personal challenge on the ice, Connor Ingram Looking for his way back to the ice with the Condors. The parent Edmonton Oilers acquired the two-time AHL All-Star from Utah during training camp. Ingram has gained a legion of fans over the years, with people in Bakersfield and beyond rooting for him.
calgary wrangler
calgary fans Matvey Gerdinthe Flames’ first-round pick in the 2024 NHL Draft. The 19-year-old forward leads all AHL rookies with 20 points (eight goals, 12 assists) in 18 games with the Wranglers.
chicago wolves
Kayden Primo He was expected to be the Chicago Wolves’ first goalie before being claimed off waivers by the Toronto Maple Leafs in October. But Carolina brought him back on Nov. 8, and he finally arrived in Rosemont. Primo had a record of 21 wins, 2 draws and 2 losses in 26 games with Laval last season, helping the Rockets win the AHL regular season championship.
Coachella Valley Firebirds
second year professional Jagger FilkusThe 2022 second-round pick of the Seattle Kraken took a big step forward this fall, scoring 20 points (nine goals, 11 assists) in 17 games with Coachella Valley. As is often the case with top prospects, he may soon join his NHL parent team. But at least now, the Firebirds have a top offensive threat of their own.
Colorado Eagles
In addition to another stellar start, the top-ranked Hawks received some exciting news in September when they broke ground on a new arena near Greeley, Colorado, that will open in 2028. The project is part of a larger mixed-use entertainment district that will eventually include a hotel, water park, dining options and three ice fields, as well as residential and office space. Combine these amenities with the vibrant Eagles fan base, and the team should continue to have one of the top atmospheres in the AHL.
Grand Rapids Griffins
Things are going great for the Griffins so far this season (15-1-0-1). They lead the league in scoring, are second in defense, and even have a setback losing their goaltender. Sebastian Cosa and Michal Postava Despite the injuries, they managed to thrive. While parent team the Detroit Red Wings are celebrating their centennial, the Griffins have been in the AHL for 25 years and the 2025-26 season looks like it could be a special one.
Henderson Silver Knights
How the Silver Knights will respond to losing their standout goaltender Karl Lindbom Recalling the Vegas Golden Knights? It turns out, very good. A team that has struggled with wins and losses in recent years, the Silver Knights are atop the Pacific Division after an active offseason and significantly strengthening their blueline. This team has the best facilities and resources in the AHL and now they are having success.
iowa wild
In need of some offensive punch, the Wild turned to a familiar name from the past, introducing Gerry Mayhew Mayhew signed an extension with the AHL on October 17. The 2019-20 AHL MVP, Mayhew scored seven goals and 10 points in his first 15 games back in Des Moines.
manitoba moose
The Moose have had a very active summer so far, and they have a balanced offense led by freshmen Walker Doerr and Samuel Fagermo Each had six goals. Manitoba has won seven of its past eight games while seeing the defense Elias Salomonson and goalkeeper Thomas Millidge This week, they will make their NHL debut in Winnipeg.
milwaukee admirals
No matter what is going on around them, the admirals continue to go about their business. The parent team, the Nashville Predators, has been struggling, and when NHL teams go through tough times, it can affect the AHL affiliate. But the head coach Carl Taylor Always eliminating any potential distractions for his team, the focus remained on what the Admirals had to do. The Milwaukee Bucks are 11-3-2-0, ranking in the top five in the league while continuing to provide the Preds with NHL-ready prospects.
Ontario Reign
Akil Thomas He has struggled with injuries throughout his career, including playing in just 25 games for Los Angeles last season. But so far, he has appeared in all 18 games for the Reign in the 2025-26 season and has contributed 13 points (four goals, nine assists) as Ontario competes for a spot in the Pacific Division.
Rockford IceHogs
You can choose which prospect in Rockford excites Chicago Blackhawks fans the most — there are many. rookie Nick Radicehe scored 19 points in 19 games. goalkeeper Drew Comeso. defensive player Ethan del Mastro and Kevin Korchinski. Oliver MooreHe’s already making a big impression in Chicago after a hot start in Rockford. IceHogs, under first-year head coach Jared Nightingalea key part of the Blackhawks’ organizational rebuilding effort.
san diego gulls
Matthew Phillips Just keep producing. Phillips, a two-time 30-goal prospect as a rookie with the Calgary Flames, played 31 games in the NHL in 2023-24, won a Calder Trophy in Hershey in 2024 and led the division champion Colorado Eagles in scoring in 2024-25. Now in the first year of a two-year contract in San Diego, Phillips has scored a team-high 17 points in 18 games.
san jose barracuda
Like Rockford, the Barracuda find themselves an important part of the NHL’s rebuilding plans. The San Jose Sharks provide Cuda with such Philip Best, Igor Chernyshov, Kaspar Harttunen, Matthias Haverid, Cam Lund and Quentin Musti – All recent first or second round draft picks – making the AHL club a fun team to watch this season. They show youthfulness at times, but that’s a natural part of player development. San Jose’s 11-game scoring streak (9-0-1-1) ended Friday, but San Jose remains second in the Pacific Division.
texas star
As a team that has always valued its employees, the Stars have now named three members of the 2014 Calder Cup championship team as their new head coaches. Toby Peterson Assistant has been added Max Fortunus and Travis Moran. And the captain Curtis McKenzieA rookie on the championship team and one of the most respected figures in the AHL, he is entering his ninth year with the Texans after helping them reach the conference finals last spring.
Tucson Roadrunners
Cameron Herbig He is entering his sixth season with the Roadrunners after a forgettable 2024-25 season in which he earned a chance to play in the AHL All-Star Classic and sign his first NHL contract with Utah. Herbig, who signed a two-year contract extension with the Mammoths this summer, has eight goals and 15 points in 18 games with Tucson so far.
About two decades in the American Hockey League, TheAHL.com feature writer Patrick Williams also currently covers the league for NHL.com and FloSports and is a regular contributor to SiriusXM NHL Network Radio. In 2016, he received the AHL’s James H. Ellery Memorial Award for outstanding coverage of the league.
