The American Hockey League is a professional ice hockey league in North America that serves as the primary developmental circuit for the National Hockey League. 28 of the 30 NHL teams have exclusive affiliation agreements with one of the AHL’s 29 active clubs. The first exception, the Dallas Stars, will have their own AHL affiliate for the 2009–10 season when the Texas Stars begin play. The other, the Anaheim Ducks, will spread their prospects around the league, primarily using the San Antonio Rampage.

The AHL traces its origins directly to two predecessor professional leagues: the Canadian-American Hockey League (aka “Can-Am” League) founded in 1926, and the first International Hockey League established in 1929. Although the Can-Am League never operated with more than six teams, for the first time in its history it dropped after the 1935–36 season to just four member cities: Springfield, Philadelphia, Providence and New Haven. At the same time the then rival International Hockey League lost half of its eight members after the 1935–36 season leaving it as well with just four clubs located in Buffalo, Syracuse, Pittsburgh, and Cleveland.

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