The Blackhawks’ minor league affiliate will have a hockey season, too.
Late Monday afternoon, AHL president and CEO Scott Howson announced that 28 teams will be playing in the upcoming AHL season that begins on Feb. 5.
Three AHL teams opted out, including the AHL affiliates of two of the Blackhawks’ Central Division foes: the Charlotte Checkers (the Panthers’ AHL affiliate), Milwaukee Admirals (Predators) and Springfield Thunderbirds (Blues).
The league already has a plan in place to accommodate the AHL prospects of NHL teams without an AHL affiliate this season:
With their AHL affiliates opting out, Nashville, St.