The American Hockey League had the 2019-20 season end early because of the COVID-19 global pandemic.
The League’s 2020-21 season also won’t start on time for similar reasons.
The Rockford IceHogs, the AHL affiliate for the Blackhawks, and the other 30 teams in the League won’t start play until at least Friday, Dec. 4, the AHL announced Thursday after a Board of Governs meeting. The date was the recommendation of the AHL’s Return to Play Task Force, which includes NHL executives and AHL officials.
The AHL normally starts its 76-game regular season schedule in early October.