The Hartford Wolf Pack’s 2019-2020 season has ended after the American Hockey League (AHL) on Monday canceled the remainder of the regular season and playoffs due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
AHL CEO David Andrews said the league’s board of governors voted to nix the 2019-20 season because it’s “not feasible in light of current conditions.”
The league, which temporarily suspended play two months ago, is now focusing on the 2020-21 season, which is, for now, scheduled to begin this fall, Andrews said.
“The AHL continues to place paramount importance on the health and safety of our players, officials, staff and fans and all of their families, and we all look forward to returning to our arenas in 2020-21,” he said in a statement.
The Wolf Pack, the top farm team for the New York Rangers, was on pace to earn a playoff berth in the 2020 Calder Cup Playoffs after earning a record of 31-20-6-5. The club, which plays home games at downtown’s XL Center, had the 13th best record in the AHL and was fourth in the Atlantic Division.
The Wolf Pack drew an average of nearly 4,000 fans a game, or a total of 119,015 fans in 30 home games this season, AHL data shows. Average game attendance was up slightly compared to the 2018-19 season.
Team officials say they are working with season ticket members on credits or refunds for home games that were not played.
It’s not yet clear if the National Hockey League will resume play this season. The Hartford Courant on Friday reported the Rangers may look to use the XL Center for practices or games if the league restarts play this summer.
