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The Calder Cup is the trophy awarded annually to the playoff champion of the American Hockey League (AHL). First awarded in the 1937–38 season, it is named after Frank Calder, inaugural president of the National Hockey League (NHL). The Calder Cup is distinct from the Calder Memorial Trophy, which is awarded annually to the Rookie of the Year in the NHL.[1]
Teams from 28 different cities have won the Calder Cup. The Hershey Bears have won 13 championships, the most of any team currently in the AHL, and have competed in 25 finals, and compiling a 13–12 record in their history. The defunct Cleveland Barons are second, with 9 total championships.[2]
On May 11, 2020, the AHL cancelled the remainder of the 2019–20 AHL season and the 2020 Calder Cup playoffs due to the COVID-19 pandemic, marking the first time that a Calder Cup champion was not awarded in the trophy's history.[3] It was likewise not awarded in 2021 as the league did not hold a playoff (even though the AHL did play a delayed and shortened regular season).[4]
The Most Valuable Player of the playoffs is awarded the Jack A. Butterfield Trophy. It was first awarded in 1984 and is named after the former president of the AHL, Jack Butterfield. The trophy has been won by 35 different players, with none having won it more than once.[5]
- ^ "Calder Memorial Trophy". National Hockey League. Archived from the original on 2006-04-23. Retrieved 2008-06-16.
- ^ "The Story of the Calder Cup". American Hockey League. Archived from the original on 2008-02-10. Retrieved 2008-06-07.
- ^ "AHL cancels remainder of 2019-20 season". American Hockey League. 2020-05-11. Archived from the original on 2021-04-10. Retrieved 2020-05-11.
- ^ "American Hockey League Announces Plans for 2021 Playoffs, Sets Calendar for 2021-22". OurSports Central. April 29, 2021. Archived from the original on April 29, 2021. Retrieved April 29, 2021.
- ^ "Jack A. Butterfield". American Hockey League. 2006-01-05. Archived from the original on 2007-07-01. Retrieved 2008-06-07.