Why the AHL’s Rising Talent Deserves Your Attention
- Mayline Ruiz
- 5 minutes ago
- 3 min read
San Jose, CA. — The 2024-25 National Hockey League season was filled with exciting moments that brought more viewers than ever. Notable players such as Macklin Celebrini and Will Smith made their NHL debut on October 10, 2024, and the infamous 2025 4 Nations Face-Off grew the rivalry between the USA and Canada. These momentous events brought more eyes to the NHL; however, the developmental league, the American Hockey League, deserves some love, too.
Many teams have struck gold with their minor league affiliate teams. Teams such as the San Jose Sharks have an affiliate team, the San Jose Barracuda, which has made the 2025 Calder Cup Playoffs. Sharks fans can watch the Barracuda play and see the young talent they have on their roster. Young players like Collin Graf have had a breakout season, totaling 51 points with 15 goals and 36 assists. Collin Graf, who went undrafted, signed an entry-level contract with the San Jose Sharks on April 4, 2024. In the regular season, he has scored 8 goals with 27 assists, for a total of 35 points, just in his rookie year in the AHL. Imagine how exciting it is to see a young group of players make it to such crucial games, which you can use for the upcoming season.
These AHL teams are spread throughout the country. Some teams remain local to their NHL team, such as the San Jose Sharks and their affiliate team, the San Jose Barracuda. Other teams are further apart, such as the Edmonton Oilers, whose AHL team is the Bakersfield Condors, located in California. The AHL allows hockey fans to watch their favorite team at a much more affordable rate and see future stars.
Not to mention, who doesn’t love hidden gems? The NHL does a great job of building storylines for such talented players. Many more players deserve the spotlight, even if they're playing at a lower level.
Other players like Artūrs Šilovs, the goalie for the Abbotsford Canucks, has made flashes in the NHL. Šilovs got to play 10 games in the NHL and obtained 2 wins. While he spent a short time with the Vancouver Canucks, he has played a pivotal role in Abbotsford. Abbotsford has made it to the Pacific Division Finals (3rd round) against the Colorado Eagles. He spent the regular season playing 21 games, where he won 14 games and lost only 5 games. During his playoff run, he has played in 10 games, winning 7 of them and losing only 3.
Many of these players are fighting for a spot in the NHL. NHL teams can have a maximum of 23 players, meaning everyone is fighting for their spot to get to the big leagues. Each player has to play their best to ensure they get an opportunity to play in the NHL. Yaroslav Askarov started with the San Jose Barracuda before making his way into the Sharks' roster and making 13 starts with 4 wins. With the impressive playoff run Askarov has made, it will be interesting to see if the San Jose Sharks will make him the main goalie for the 2025-26 season.
Many other players are also going to play a crucial role in the NHL. Magnus Chrona, who originally started with the San Jose Barracuda, was traded to the Milwaukee Admirals in 2024. The Milwaukee Admirals are the AHL affiliate team of the Nashville Predators. He has played 30 games this season with 12 wins and 11 losses. A team needs to have variety. You can never have enough players because you never know when injuries can arise.
Justin Hryckowian, who plays with the Texas Stars, the Dallas Stars' AHL team, could play a pivotal role in the Stars’ upcoming season. In only his second year in the AHL, Hryckowian has played in 67 games. Hryckowian averaged 60 points, with 22 goals and 38 assists. Look out for these players because you never know, they may make their way into the NHL and thrive!
The coaching staff is also fighting for a spot in the NHL, not only the players. Ryan Warsofsky, who coached the San Jose Sharks, was a head coach with the Chicago Wolves, the AHL affiliate team of the Carolina Hurricanes. He climbed his way into an assistant coach position with the San Jose Sharks before stepping into the head coach role for the 2024-2025 season.
The American Hockey League has exciting young talent, and I do not doubt that they will get their flowers. Should more people watch their affiliate teams? Let me know what you think!