
AHL Announces Conference And Divisional Alignment
July 5, 2011 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Oklahoma City Barons News Release
Oklahoma City - The American Hockey League Board of Governors approved the conference and divisional alignment for the 2011-12 hockey season earlier today. The Oklahoma City Barons will be one of five teams in the Western Division of the 15-team Western Conference.
All 30 National Hockey League teams will have their own primary affiliate for the 11-12 season. (see alignment and NHL affiliations below)
Western Conference Eastern Conference
West Division North Division Atlantic Division Northeast Division
Oklahoma City Barons (EDM) Grand Rapids Griffins (DET) Manchester Monarchs (LA) Adirondack Phantoms (PHI)
Abbotsford Heat (CGY) Hamilton Bulldogs (MTL) Portland Pirates (PHX) Albany Devils (NJ)
Houston Aeros (MIN) Lake Erie Monsters (COL) Providence Bruins (BOS) Bridgeport Sound Tigers (NYI)
San Antonio Rampage (FLA) Rochester American (BUF) St. John's (WPG) Connecticut Whale (NYR)
Texas Stars (DAL) Toronto Marlies (TOR) Worcester Sharks (SJ) Springfield Falcons (CBJ)
Midwest Division East Division
Charlotte Checkers (CAR) Binghamton Senators (OTT)
Chicago Wolves (VAN) Hershey Bears (WSH)
Milwaukee Admirals (NSH) Norfolk Admirals (TB)
Peoria Rivermen (STL) Syracuse Crunch (ANA)
Rockford IceHogs (CHI) Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins (PIT)
The AHL Board of Governors also approved the format for the 2012 Calder Cup Playoffs. Eight teams in each conference will qualify for the postseason, with the three division winners earning the top three seeds and the next five best teams in order of regular season points seeded fourth through eighth. The conference quarterfinals will be a best-of-five series. The subsequent series will be a best-of-seven series. Teams will be re-ordered after the first round so that the highest-remaining seed plays the lowest-remaining seed.
The Barons will serve as the primary development team for the Edmonton Oilers. In operation since 1936, the AHL continues to serve as the top development league for all 30 NHL teams. More than 87 percent of today's NHL players are American Hockey League graduates.
Oklahoma City will open their 38-game home schedule at the Cox Convention Center on October 15. Season tickets are available for the 11-12 season by calling 232-GOAL (4625) or by visiting the Barons website at okcbarons.com.
American Hockey League Stories from July 5, 2011
- Bruins Sign Tardif and Hennessy - Providence Bruins
- Anaheim Ducks Sign Defenseman Bryan Rodney - Syracuse Crunch
- Blackhawks to Host Prospect Camp July 7-11 - Rockford IceHogs
- Rampage Prospects Invited to Florida Panthers Development Camp - San Antonio Rampage
- Predators Sign Pair - Milwaukee Admirals
- Kings Announce 2011 Development Camp Schedule - Manchester Monarchs
- Aeros Featured on Reality TV Show - Houston Aeros
- AHL Sets Divisional Alignment for 11-12 - Milwaukee Admirals
- Canadiens Sign Goaltender Nathan Lawson - Hamilton Bulldogs
- Columbus Blue Jackets Sign Defenseman Aaron Johnson - Springfield Falcons
- Wolves Move to Midwest Division as AHL Alters Division Alignment - Chicago Wolves
- Admirals Sign Forwards Eric Neilson and Cory Conacher - Norfolk Admirals
- Two New Head Coaches Headline Latest Episode of Puska on Pucks - OSC Original by Denis Puska
- Blues Sign Ben Bishop to One-Year Contract - Peoria Rivermen
- Wild Names Torchetti Aeros New Head Coach - Houston Aeros
- Admirals Re-Sign Forward Matt Fornataro - Norfolk Admirals
- AHL Realignment Approved - Adirondack Phantoms
- AHL Announces Division Alignment for 2011-12 - Syracuse Crunch
- AHL Announces New Divisional Alignment and Playoff Format - Peoria Rivermen
- AHL Announces Conference And Divisional Alignment - Oklahoma City Barons
- Amerks to Remain in North Division for 2011-12 AHL Season - Rochester Americans
- AHL Announces Division Alignment for 2011-12 - Providence Bruins
- AHL Announces Re-Alignment and Playoff Format Change - AHL
- Islanders Agree to Terms with Frischmon - Bridgeport Islanders
- Lightning Sign Free Agent Center Trevor Smith - Norfolk Admirals
- Montreal Canadiens Ink Peter Delmas - Hamilton Bulldogs
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
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