Giving thanks within the West

Patrick Williams, TheAHL.com Options Author

The lengthy Thanksgiving vacation weekend in the USA means busy AHL buildings, and a time for groups and followers to present their very own model of thanks as they give the impression of being again on the 12 months.

We had a have a look at what Japanese Convention groups can be grateful for earlier. Now it’s time to maneuver by the Western Convention.

Abbotsford CanucksIn profitable the primary Calder Cup championship ever for a Vancouver Canucks affiliate, head coach Manny Malhotra and his gamers took their followers on a memorable trip final spring. A few of these gamers moved on to Vancouver, others discovered new alternatives elsewhere. However all of them will likely be linked in AHL historical past and go away an abundance of recollections for Abbotsford followers.

Bakersfield CondorsAfter his well-documented private challenges off the ice, Connor Ingram is discovering his manner again on the ice with the Condors. The mum or dad Edmonton Oilers acquired the two-time AHL All-Star from Utah in coaching camp. Ingram has received loads of followers by the years, and individuals are rooting for him in Bakersfield and past.

Calgary WranglersCalgary followers had appreciable hope for Matvei Gridin, the Flames’ first-round choose within the 2024 NHL Draft. The 19-year-old ahead leads all AHL rookies with 20 factors (eight objectives, 12 assists) in 18 video games for the Wranglers.

Chicago WolvesCayden Primeau was poised to be the Chicago Wolves’ number-one goaltender earlier than being claimed off waivers by the Toronto Maple Leafs in October. However Carolina claimed him again on Nov. 8 and he lastly made it to Rosemont. Primeau was 21-2-2 in 26 video games with Laval final season because the Rocket received the AHL’s regular-season title.

Coachella Valley FirebirdsSecond-year professional Jagger Firkus, a 2022 second-round choose by the Seattle Kraken, has taken a large step this fall, posting 20 factors (9 objectives, 11 assists) by 17 video games with Coachella Valley. As is all the time the case with a high prospect, he could find yourself going to the NHL mum or dad group earlier than lengthy. However for now, at the very least, the Firebirds have themselves a top-end offensive menace.

Colorado EaglesAside from one other glorious begin, the first-place Eagles additionally acquired some thrilling off-ice information again in September once they broke floor on a brand new area in close by Greeley, Colo., that’s set to open in 2028. Half of a bigger mixed-use leisure district, the undertaking finally may also entail a lodge, water park, eating choices and three ice sheets together with residential and workplace area. Mix these facilities with the spirited Eagles fan base, and the group ought to proceed to have one of many high atmospheres within the AHL.

Grand Rapids GriffinsJust about every part has gone proper thus far this season for the Griffins (15-1-0-1). They lead the league in scoring, rank second in protection, and even once they had a setback in dropping goaltenders Sebastian Cossa and Michal Postava to damage they managed to thrive. Whereas the mum or dad Detroit Pink Wings are celebrating their centennial season, the Griffins are of their twenty fifth 12 months within the AHL and this 2025-26 marketing campaign is wanting prefer it may very well be a particular one.

Henderson Silver KnightsHow would the Silver Knights deal with dropping standout goaltender Carl Lindbom on recall to the Vegas Golden Knights? Fairly properly, because it seems. A group that has struggled within the win-loss column in recent times, the Silver Knights are proper within the Pacific Division combine following an energetic offseason that fortified their blue line significantly. This can be a group with among the finest services and sources within the AHL, and now they’ve the success to go along with that.

Iowa WildNeeding some offensive punch, the Wild turned to a well-recognized identify from the previous, bringing in Gerry Mayhew on an AHL contract again on Oct. 17. The AHL’s MVP in 2019-20, Mayhew has seven objectives and 10 factors in his first 15 video games again in Des Moines.

Manitoba MooseA very energetic summer time has paid off thus far for the Moose, who’ve a balanced offense led by newcomers Walker Duehr and Samuel Fagemo with six objectives apiece. Manitoba has seven wins in its previous eight video games whereas seeing defenseman Elias Salomonsson and goaltender Thomas Milic make their NHL debuts with Winnipeg this week.

Milwaukee AdmiralsNo matter what’s going on round them, the Admirals hold dealing with their enterprise. The mum or dad Nashville Predators have struggled, and when the NHL group goes by a tough time it may well impression the AHL affiliate. However head coach Karl Taylor all the time shoos away any potential distractions for his group, the place the main focus stays strictly on what the Admirals should do. At 11-3-2-0, Milwaukee has a top-five document within the league whereas persevering with to supply NHL-ready prospects to the Preds.

Ontario ReignAkil Thomas has had a troublesome battle with accidents in his profession, together with being restricted to only 25 video games with Los Angeles final season. However he has performed all 18 contests for the Reign thus far in 2025-26 and has offered 13 factors (4 objectives, 9 assists) as Ontario jostles for Pacific Division positioning.

Rockford IceHogsTake your choose as to which prospect in Rockford ought to most excite Chicago Blackhawks followers – there are a lot. Rookie Nick Lardis, along with his 19 factors in 19 video games. Goaltender Drew Commesso. Defensemen Ethan Del Mastro and Kevin Korchinski. Oliver Moore, who’s already making an impression in Chicago after a scorching begin in Rockford. The IceHogs, underneath first-year head coach Jared Nightingale, are a key a part of the Blackhawks group’s rebuilding effort.

San Diego GullsMatthew Phillips simply retains producing. A two-time 30-goal scorer as a Calgary Flames prospect, Phillips performed 31 video games within the NHL in 2023-24, received a Calder Cup in Hershey in 2024, and led the division-champion Colorado Eagles in scoring in 2024-25. Now in San Diego on the primary 12 months of a two-year contract, Phillips has a team-best 17 factors in 18 video games.

San Jose BarracudaA lot like Rockford, the Barracuda discover themselves an important a part of an NHL rebuilding plan. The San Jose Sharks have offered the Cuda with the likes of Filip Bystedt, Igor Chernyshov, Kasper Halttunen, Mattias Havelid, Cam Lund and Quentin Musty – all latest first- or second-round draft picks – this season, making the AHL membership an entertaining group to look at. Typically their youth exhibits, however that may be a pure a part of participant growth. An 11-game factors streak (9-0-1-1) ended on Friday, however San Jose nonetheless sits second within the Pacific Division.

Texas StarsA franchise that has all the time valued its individuals, the Stars now have three members of their 2014 Calder Cup championship group behind the bench as new head coach Toby Petersen has joined assistants Max Fortunus and Travis Morin. And captain Curtis McKenzie, a rookie on that title group and one of the vital revered figures within the AHL, is again for his ninth 12 months with Texas after serving to them attain the convention finals final spring.

Tucson RoadrunnersCameron Hebig returned for his sixth season with the Roadrunners after a memorable 2024-25 season wherein he earned a visit to the AHL All-Star Basic and signed his first NHL contract with Utah. Hebig, who inked a two-year extension with the Mammoth over the summer time, has responded with eight objectives and 15 factors in 18 video games for Tucson thus far.

On the American Hockey League beat for twenty years, TheAHL.com options author Patrick Williams additionally presently covers the league for NHL.com and FloSports and is a daily contributor on SiriusXM NHL Community Radio. He was the recipient of the AHL’s James H. Ellery Memorial Award for his excellent protection of the league in 2016.