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3 American Hockey League teams opt out of season, 28 to play

Christopher Dolan/AP

FILE - In this March 16, 2019, file photo, Lehigh Valley Phantoms' Steven Swavely (11) moves the puck past the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins' Jarrett Burton after a faceoff during an AHL hockey game at Mohegan Sun Arena in Wilkes-Barre, Pa. The American Hockey League has canceled the rest of its season because of the coronavirus pandemic. President and CEO David Andrews announced the league ‘has determined that the resumption and completion of the 2019-20 season is not feasible in light of current conditions.’ The AHL's Board of Governors made that determination in a conference call Friday, May 8, 2020. (Christopher Dolan/The Citizens' Voice via AP, File)

American Hockey League cancels rest of season, playoffs

By: STEPHEN WHYNO/AP Hockey Writer

Posted at 10:55 PM, Jan 04, 2021

and last updated 2021-01-05 09:27:22-05

Three American Hockey League teams have opted out of playing this season because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

That leaves the AHL with 28 teams this season.

The league says the Charlotte Checkers, Milwaukee Admirals and Springfield Thunderbirds opted out and will return in 2021-22.

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Those teams are affiliates of the Florida Panthers, Nashville Predators and St. Louis Blues, respectively.

The Blues say they've worked out an agreement to send players to Utica, which is the top farm team for the Vancouver Canucks.

The Panthers and Predators haven't said what they'll do. Four other AHL teams will play their home games elsewhere this season.

The AHL is planning to start its season on Feb. 5 with temporary realignment.

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