CEDAR PARK, Texas — American Hockey League officials announced this week that the season will get underway on February 5, and include 28 minor league teams. That means the Texas Stars, who play in the Central Division, will be on the ice.
Due to the coronavirus pandemic, last season’s schedule was canceled as of March 12, 2020.
“Details are still being worked out, but this step allows our teams and their National Hockey League partners to better determine their plans for the coming season. We look forward to dropping the puck on Feb. 5,” AHL President and CEO Scott Hown said in a Dec. 30 news release. The AHL is based in Springfield, Massachusetts.
The Charlotte Checkers, Milwaukee Admirals and Springfield Thunderbirds have elected to opt out of play for the 2020-21 season. All three teams will return to play in 2021-22.
In operation since 1936, the AHL serves as the top development league for all 31 National Hockey League teams. Nearly 90 percent of today’s NHL players are American Hockey League graduates, and more than 100 honored members of the Hockey Hall of Fame spent time in the AHL in their careers, according to information posted on the AHL website.
Tickets are not yet available for the 2021 games. The Texas Stars play at the H-E-B Center, 2100 Avenue of the Stars, Cedar Park. The center has been in operation since 2009 when it opened with a sold-out concert by country music singer George Strait. The capacity for hockey games is 6,800.