CLEVELAND — After putting the season on hold due to COVID-19 concerns, the American Hockey League has voted to cancel the remainder of the season and the 2020 Calder Cup Playoffs.
The AHL is the primary developmental league for the National Hockey League, which has also put its season on hold but has not announced a cancellation of remaining games.
AHL President and Chief Executive Officer David Andrews issued the following statement:
After a lengthy review process, the American Hockey League has determined that the resumption and completion of the 2019-20 season is not feasible in light of current conditions.
The League’s operational focus has turned toward actively preparing for the 2020-21 season.
We are very grateful to the National Hockey League and its teams for their support and leadership in navigating through the challenges faced over the past two months.
The AHL continues to place paramount importance on the health and safety of our players, officials, staff and fans and all of their families, and we all look forward to returning to our arenas in 2020-21.
Andrews and the league’s Board of Governors voted on the decision and made the announcement Monday.
The league’s current standings, sorted by points percentage, and statistics as of March 12, the date the league suspended play, are the final and official season standings. The league said those standings will serve as the basis for determining league awards for the 2019-20 season.
The Cleveland Monsters ended the season last in the North Division and had the second-lowest points percentage in the AHL.
Cleveland Monsters fans who had tickets to any of the seven unplayed games this season have several options, the team said.
Fans with tickets can receive up to 110% credit toward next tickets to next season’s games, additional benefit options in the case of specific plan holders or a full refund. Emails have been sent to all ticket holders, according to the Monsters.
If you need to contact the team in regards to tickets, call 216-420-0000 or send an email to service@clevelandmonsters.com.
