St. John's Maple Leafs face five new opponents in 2003-04
July 15, 2003 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Toronto Marlies News Release
The American Hockey League announced today the schedule format for the 2003-04 season. The board of governors approved the 1,120-game schedule format for the 2003-04 regular season, based on the new four-division alignment that was announced last week. Each of the AHL's 28 teams will play an unbalanced 80-game schedule including, 40 home dates, 40 road dates and featuring traditional plus regional rivalries. The frequency of games between opponents can be found in the accompanying grid. The league's governors also amended AHL Rule #51 (Delaying the Game), eliminating the automatic minor penalty for shooting a puck out of the playing surface in the defensive zone. The rule still calls for a delay of game penalty on any player who deliberately shoots or bats the puck outside the playing area. The divisional alignment will see the St. John's Maple Leafs move to the Western Conference in the North Division with the Hamilton Bulldogs, Manitoba Moose, Toronto Road Runners, Cleveland Barons, Rochester Americans and Syracuse Crunch. The Maple Leafs will play 56 of its 80 games against their division rivals.
North Division: Games: Home / Away:
Hamilton Bulldogs (Montreal) 12 (6/6)
Toronto Road Runners (Edmonton) 12 (6/6)
Cleveland Barons (San Jose) 8 (4/4)
Manitoba Moose (Vancouver) 8 (4/4)
Rochester Americans (Buffalo) 8 (4/4)
Syracuse Crunch (Columbus) 8 (4/4)
In total the Maple Leafs will face 12 of the 28 teams in the league (excluding itself). The other teams the club will face include the Portland Pirates - Washington (2/2), Binghamton Senators - Ottawa (2/2), and the Hershey Bears - Colorado (2/2). The Maple Leafs will also face the Chicago Wolves - Atlanta (2/2), Grand Rapids Griffins â Detroit (2/2) and the Milwaukee Admirals â Nashville (2/2) for the first time in franchise history along with division rivals Cleveland and Toronto.
The AHL's 68th season will open on October 8th and conclude on April 11th. The complete regular season schedule will be announced in early August.
To inquire about St. John's Maple Leafs season tickets visit or call the Mile One Stadium Box Office (709) 576-7657 or go online at www.sjmapleleafs.ca. Box office hours are Monday thru Saturday, 9am â 5pm and Sunday 12noon - 5pm.
American Hockey League Stories from July 15, 2003
- Monarchs 2003-04 Schedule Format Announced - Manchester Monarchs
- Mighty Ducks, Severson Agree on One-Year Deal - Cincinnati RailRaiders
- American Hockey League Schedule Format & Rule Change Announced for 2003-04 Season - San Antonio Rampage
- Falcons Announce Schedule Format for 10th Campaign - Springfield Falcons
- Sound Tigers Keep Rivalries, Add Two Opponents - Bridgeport Islanders
- Columbus Signs Center Mark Hartigan - Syracuse Crunch
- Phantoms' 2003-04 schedule format announced - Adirondack Phantoms
- Admirals Invade Canada - Milwaukee Admirals
- Moose Yearling Foundation Hands Out Cheques Totalling $122,816 to 17 Local Children's Charities - Manitoba Moose
- Canucks Re-Sign Goaltender Dan Cloutier - Manitoba Moose
- Canucks Re-Sign Defenceman Marek Malik - Manitoba Moose
- AHL Releases Schedule Format - Rochester Americans
- Michel Therrien Named Head Coach of Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins - Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins
- St. John's Maple Leafs face five new opponents in 2003-04 - Toronto Marlies
- Bears Unveil 2003-04 AHL Opponents - Hershey Bears
- Pirates Announce 2003-2004 Opponents - Portland Pirates
- Aeros 2003-04 Schedule Format Announced - Houston Aeros
- Rampage/Panthers Sweepstakes Begins Today - San Antonio Rampage
- Stats Prove AHL Home to NHL's Stars of Tomorrow - Manitoba Moose
- Moose Renew Old Rivalries - Manitoba Moose
- Wolf Pack Announce 2003-04 Schedule Format - Connecticut Whale
- AHL Announces 03-04 Schedule Format - Worcester IceCats
- Board of Governors meeting concludes - AHL
- Capitals Resign Defensemen Fortin, Hajt - Portland Pirates
- AHL Announces Schedule Format - Syracuse Crunch
- Scheduling Matrix Announced - Binghamton Senators
- Buffalo Sabres Sign Defenseman David Cullen - Rochester Americans
- Capitals Trade Farrell To Nashville For Riazantsev - Portland Pirates
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.
