# 2014–15 AHL season

The 2014–15 AHL season was the 79th season of the American Hockey League. The regular season began in October 2014 and ended in April 2015. The 2015 Calder Cup playoffs followed the conclusion of the regular season.

## Team and NHL affiliation changes
### Relocations

* The Adirondack Phantoms relocated to Allentown, Pennsylvania, to play as the Lehigh Valley Phantoms.
* The Abbotsford Heat relocated to Glens Falls, New York, after the City of Abbotsford terminated their lease agreement with the Calgary Flames. The team became the Adirondack Flames and played out of the Glens Falls Civic Center.
On July 9, 2014, the President of the AHL announced a realignment for the 2014–15 season. Eastern Conference changes include the Lehigh Valley Phantoms relocation and swapping to the East Division from the Northeast Division with the Syracuse Crunch. Western Conference changes include the Lake Erie Monsters moving from the North Division to the Midwest Division, and the Iowa Wild moving from the Midwest to the West Division due to the Adirondack Flames relocation in to the North Division

### Rule changes

* Overtime was extended to seven minutes. Following the first whistle beyond the first three minutes, both teams are reduced further from four to three men on the ice.
* Shootouts switched to the NHL format of three skaters a side.
* If a goaltender deliberately knocks the goal out of place during a breakaway, the goaltender shall be ejected from the game, and the backup goaltender will be required to face a penalty shot against any player of the opposing team's choosing. This rule was imposed midseason after Bridgeport Sound Tigers goaltender David Leggio knocked his goal out of place during a 2-on-0 breakaway, determining (correctly) that the penalty shot he would face under then-current rules would have been easier to defend than the 2-on-0 breakaway he was facing.

## Final standings

y– indicates team clinched division and a playoff spot  x– indicates team clinched a playoff spot  e– indicates team was eliminated from playoff contention

### Eastern Conference

| Atlantic Division | GP | W | L | OTL | SOL | Pts | GF | GA |
| y–Manchester Monarchs (LAK) | 76 | 50 | 17 | 6 | 3 | 109 | 241 | 176 |
| x–Providence Bruins (BOS) | 76 | 41 | 26 | 7 | 2 | 91 | 209 | 185 |
| x–Worcester Sharks (SJS) | 76 | 41 | 29 | 4 | 2 | 88 | 224 | 198 |
| x–Portland Pirates (ARI) | 76 | 39 | 28 | 7 | 2 | 87 | 203 | 190 |
| e–St. John's IceCaps (WPG) | 76 | 32 | 33 | 9 | 2 | 75 | 183 | 235 |
| Northeast Division | GP | W | L | OTL | SOL | Pts | GF | GA |
| y–Hartford Wolf Pack (NYR) | 76 | 43 | 24 | 5 | 4 | 95 | 221 | 214 |
| x–Syracuse Crunch (TBL) | 76 | 41 | 25 | 10 | 0 | 92 | 218 | 219 |
| e–Springfield Falcons (CBJ) | 76 | 38 | 28 | 8 | 2 | 86 | 192 | 209 |
| e–Albany Devils (NJD) | 76 | 37 | 28 | 5 | 6 | 85 | 199 | 201 |
| e–Bridgeport Sound Tigers (NYI) | 76 | 28 | 40 | 7 | 1 | 64 | 213 | 246 |
| East Division | GP | W | L | OTL | SOL | Pts | GF | GA |
| y–Hershey Bears (WSH) | 76 | 46 | 22 | 5 | 3 | 100 | 218 | 181 |
| x–Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins (PIT) | 76 | 45 | 24 | 3 | 4 | 97 | 212 | 163 |
| e–Binghamton Senators (OTT) | 76 | 34 | 34 | 7 | 1 | 76 | 242 | 258 |
| e–Lehigh Valley Phantoms (PHI) | 76 | 33 | 35 | 7 | 1 | 74 | 194 | 237 |
| e–Norfolk Admirals (ANA) | 76 | 27 | 39 | 6 | 4 | 64 | 168 | 219 |

### Western Conference

| West Division | GP | W | L | OTL | SOL | Pts | GF | GA |
| y–San Antonio Rampage (FLA) | 76 | 45 | 23 | 7 | 1 | 98 | 248 | 222 |
| x–Texas Stars (DAL) | 76 | 40 | 22 | 13 | 1 | 94 | 242 | 216 |
| x–Oklahoma City Barons (EDM) | 76 | 41 | 27 | 5 | 3 | 90 | 224 | 212 |
| e–Charlotte Checkers (CAR) | 76 | 31 | 38 | 6 | 1 | 69 | 172 | 231 |
| e–Iowa Wild (MIN) | 76 | 23 | 49 | 2 | 2 | 50 | 172 | 245 |
| Midwest Division | GP | W | L | OTL | SOL | Pts | GF | GA |
| y–Grand Rapids Griffins (DET) | 76 | 46 | 22 | 6 | 2 | 100 | 249 | 185 |
| x–Rockford IceHogs (CHI) | 76 | 46 | 23 | 5 | 2 | 99 | 222 | 180 |
| x–Chicago Wolves (STL) | 76 | 40 | 29 | 6 | 1 | 87 | 210 | 198 |
| e–Lake Erie Monsters (COL) | 76 | 35 | 29 | 8 | 4 | 82 | 211 | 240 |
| e–Milwaukee Admirals (NSH) | 76 | 33 | 28 | 8 | 7 | 81 | 206 | 218 |
| North Division | GP | W | L | OTL | SOL | Pts | GF | GA |
| y–Utica Comets (VAN) | 76 | 47 | 20 | 7 | 2 | 103 | 219 | 182 |
| x–Toronto Marlies (TOR) | 76 | 40 | 27 | 9 | 0 | 89 | 207 | 203 |
| e–Hamilton Bulldogs (MTL) | 76 | 34 | 29 | 12 | 1 | 81 | 201 | 208 |
| e–Adirondack Flames (CGY) | 76 | 35 | 33 | 6 | 2 | 78 | 233 | 240 |
| e–Rochester Americans (BUF) | 76 | 29 | 41 | 5 | 1 | 64 | 209 | 251 |

## Statistical leaders
### Leading skaters

The following players are sorted by points, then goals. Updated as of April 18, 2015.
GP = Games played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points; +/– = P Plus–minus; PIM = Penalty minutes
| Player | Team | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM |
| Brian O'Neill | Manchester Monarchs | 71 | 22 | 58 | 80 | 55 |
| Andy Miele | Grand Rapids Griffins | 71 | 26 | 44 | 70 | 42 |
| Jordan Weal | Manchester Monarchs | 73 | 20 | 49 | 69 | 56 |
| Jonathan Marchessault | Syracuse Crunch | 68 | 24 | 43 | 67 | 38 |
| Chris Bourque | Hartford Wolf Pack | 73 | 29 | 37 | 66 | 66 |
| Shane Prince | Binghamton Senators | 72 | 28 | 37 | 65 | 31 |
| Andrew Agozzino | Lake Erie Monsters | 74 | 30 | 34 | 64 | 55 |
| Dustin Jeffrey | Bridgeport Sound Tigers | 69 | 25 | 39 | 64 | 22 |
| Travis Morin | Texas Stars | 63 | 22 | 41 | 63 | 40 |
| Teemu Pulkkinen | Grand Rapids Griffins | 46 | 34 | 27 | 61 | 30 |

### Leading goaltenders

The following goaltenders with a minimum 1500 minutes played lead the league in goals against average. Updated as of April 19, 2015.
GP = Games played; TOI = Time on ice (in minutes); SA = Shots against; GA = Goals against; SO = Shutouts; GAA = Goals against average; SV% = Save percentage; W = Wins; L = Losses; OT = Overtime/shootout loss
| Player | Team | GP | TOI | SA | GA | SO | GAA | SV% | W | L | OT |
| Matt Murray | Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins | 40 | 2320:49 | 1029 | 61 | 12 | 1.58 | .941 | 25 | 10 | 3 |
| Jacob Markstrom | Utica Comets | 32 | 1879:36 | 895 | 59 | 5 | 1.88 | .934 | 22 | 7 | 2 |
| Anton Forsberg | Springfield Falcons | 30 | 1763:51 | 808 | 59 | 3 | 2.01 | .927 | 20 | 8 | 1 |
| Jeremy Smith | Providence Bruins | 39 | 2277:53 | 1156 | 78 | 3 | 2.05 | .933 | 22 | 11 | 5 |
| Aaron Dell | Worcester Sharks | 26 | 1544:08 | 728 | 53 | 4 | 2.06 | .927 | 15 | 8 | 2 |

## Calder Cup playoffs

| Conference Quarterfinals | Conference Quarterfinals | Conference Quarterfinals | | | Conference Semifinals | Conference Semifinals | Conference Semifinals | Conference Finals | Conference Finals | Conference Finals | | Calder Cup Finals | Calder Cup Finals | Calder Cup Finals |
| 1 | Manchester | 3 | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| 8 | Portland | 2 | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| 8 | Portland | 2 | | | 1 | Manchester | 4 | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | 4 | W-B/Scranton | 1 | | | | | | | |
| 2 | Hershey | 3 | | | 4 | W-B/Scranton | 1 | | | | | | | |
| 7 | Worcester | 1 | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| 7 | Worcester | 1 | | | | | | 1 | Manchester | 4 | | | | |
| Eastern Conference | Eastern Conference | Eastern Conference | Eastern Conference | Eastern Conference | Eastern Conference | Eastern Conference | Eastern Conference | 1 | Manchester | 4 | | | | |
| Eastern Conference | Eastern Conference | Eastern Conference | Eastern Conference | Eastern Conference | Eastern Conference | Eastern Conference | Eastern Conference | 3 | Hartford | 0 | | | | |
| 3 | Hartford | 3 | | | | | | | | | 3 | Hartford | 0 | | | | |
| 6 | Providence | 2 | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| 6 | Providence | 2 | | | 2 | Hershey | 2 | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | 3 | Hartford | 4 | | | | | | | |
| 4 | W-B/Scranton | 3 | | | 3 | Hartford | 4 | | | | | | | |
| 5 | Syracuse | 0 | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| 5 | Syracuse | 0 | | | | | | | | | | E1 | Manchester | 4 |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | W1 | Utica | 1 |
| 1 | Utica | 3 | | | | | | | | | | | | | W1 | Utica | 1 |
| 8 | Chicago | 2 | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| 8 | Chicago | 2 | | | 1 | Utica | 4 | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | 6 | Oklahoma City | 3 | | | | | | | |
| 2 | Grand Rapids | 3 | | | 6 | Oklahoma City | 3 | | | | | | | |
| 7 | Toronto | 2 | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| 7 | Toronto | 2 | | | | | | 1 | Utica | 4 | | | | |
| Western Conference | Western Conference | Western Conference | Western Conference | Western Conference | Western Conference | Western Conference | Western Conference | 1 | Utica | 4 | | | | |
| Western Conference | Western Conference | Western Conference | Western Conference | Western Conference | Western Conference | Western Conference | Western Conference | 2 | Grand Rapids | 2 | | | | |
| 3 | San Antonio | 0 | | | | | | | | | 2 | Grand Rapids | 2 | | | | |
| 6 | Oklahoma City | 3 | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| 6 | Oklahoma City | 3 | | | 2 | Grand Rapids | 4 | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | 4 | Rockford | 1 | | | | | | | |
| 4 | Rockford | 3 | | | 4 | Rockford | 1 | | | | | | | |
| 5 | Texas | 0 | | | | | | | | | | | | |

## AHL awards

* Calder Cup : Manchester Monarchs
* Les Cunningham Award : Brian O'Neill, Manchester
* John B. Sollenberger Trophy : Brian O'Neill, Manchester
* Willie Marshall Award : Teemu Pulkkinen, Grand Rapids
* Dudley "Red" Garrett Memorial Award : Matt Murray, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton
* Eddie Shore Award : Chris Wideman, Binghamton
* Aldege "Baz" Bastien Memorial Award : Matt Murray, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton
* Harry "Hap" Holmes Memorial Award : Matt Murray & Jeff Zatkoff, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton
* Louis A. R. Pieri Memorial Award : Mike Stothers, Manchester
* Fred T. Hunt Memorial Award : Jeff Hoggan, Grand Rapids
* Yanick Dupre Memorial Award : Kyle Hagel, Charlotte
* Jack A. Butterfield Trophy : Jordan Weal, Manchester
* Richard F. Canning Trophy : Manchester Monarchs
* Robert W. Clarke Trophy : Utica Comets
* Macgregor Kilpatrick Trophy: Manchester Monarchs
* Frank Mathers Trophy: Hershey Bears
* Norman R. "Bud" Poile Trophy: Grand Rapids Griffins
* Emile Francis Trophy : Manchester Monarchs
* F. G. "Teddy" Oke Trophy: Hartford Wolf Pack
* Sam Pollock Trophy: Utica Comets
* John D. Chick Trophy: San Antonio Rampage
* James C. Hendy Memorial Award: Vance Lederman, Syracuse
* Thomas Ebright Memorial Award: Michael Andlauer, Hamilton
* James H. Ellery Memorial Awards: Brendan Burke, Utica
* Ken McKenzie Award: Brian Coe, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton
* Michael Condon Memorial Award: Mike Emanatian

### All-Star Teams

First All-Star Team
* Matt Murray (G)
* Brad Hunt (D)
* Chris Wideman (D)
* Chris Bourque (LW)
* Andy Miele (C)
* Teemu Pulkkinen (RW)
Second All-Star Team
* Jacob Markstrom (G)
* Colin Miller (D)
* Bobby Sanguinetti (D)
* Shane Prince (LW)
* Jordan Weal (C)
* Brian O'Neill (RW)
All-Rookie Team
* Matt Murray (G)
* Ville Pokka (D)
* Ryan Pulock (D)
* Viktor Arvidsson (F)
* Connor Brown (F)
* Charles Hudon (F)