# 2002–03 AHL season

The 2002–03 AHL season was the 67th season of the American Hockey League. Twenty-eight teams played 80 games each in the schedule. The Hamilton Bulldogs finished first overall in the regular season. The Houston Aeros won their first Calder Cup championship.

## Team changes

* The Quebec Citadelles move to Hamilton, Ontario, merging with the Hamilton Bulldogs, operating with as a joint affiliate for the Edmonton Oilers and Montreal Canadiens.
* The dormant Prince Edward Island Senators resume operations as the Binghamton Senators, based in Binghamton, New York, playing in the east division.
* The Springfield Falcons switch divisions from North to East.
* The Providence Bruins switch divisions from East to North.
* The Grand Rapids Griffins switch divisions from West to Central.
* The San Antonio Rampage join the AHL as an expansion team, based in San Antonio, Texas, playing in the west division.

## 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

| Canadian Division | GP | W | L | T | OTL | Pts | GF | GA |
| y–Hamilton Bulldogs (EDM/MTL) | 80 | 49 | 19 | 8 | 4 | 110 | 279 | 191 |
| x–Manitoba Moose (VAN) | 80 | 37 | 33 | 8 | 2 | 84 | 229 | 228 |
| e–St. John's Maple Leafs (TOR) | 80 | 32 | 40 | 6 | 2 | 72 | 236 | 285 |
| e–Saint John Flames (CGY) | 80 | 32 | 41 | 6 | 1 | 71 | 203 | 223 |
| North Division | GP | W | L | T | OTL | Pts | GF | GA |
| y–Providence Bruins (BOS) | 80 | 44 | 20 | 11 | 5 | 104 | 268 | 227 |
| x–Manchester Monarchs (LAK) | 80 | 40 | 23 | 11 | 6 | 97 | 254 | 209 |
| x–Worcester IceCats (STL) | 80 | 35 | 27 | 15 | 3 | 88 | 235 | 220 |
| x–Portland Pirates (WSH) | 80 | 33 | 28 | 13 | 6 | 85 | 221 | 195 |
| e–Lowell Lock Monsters (CAR) | 80 | 19 | 51 | 7 | 3 | 48 | 175 | 275 |
| East Division | GP | W | L | T | OTL | Pts | GF | GA |
| y–Binghamton Senators (OTT) | 80 | 43 | 26 | 9 | 2 | 97 | 239 | 207 |
| x–Bridgeport Sound Tigers (NYI) | 80 | 40 | 26 | 11 | 3 | 94 | 219 | 198 |
| x–Hartford Wolf Pack (NYR) | 80 | 33 | 27 | 12 | 8 | 86 | 255 | 236 |
| x–Springfield Falcons (PHX/TBL) | 80 | 34 | 38 | 7 | 1 | 76 | 202 | 243 |
| e–Albany River Rats (NJD) | 80 | 25 | 37 | 11 | 7 | 68 | 197 | 235 |

### Western Conference

| Central Division | GP | W | L | T | OTL | Pts | GF | GA |
| y–Grand Rapids Griffins (DET) | 80 | 48 | 22 | 8 | 2 | 106 | 240 | 177 |
| x–Rochester Americans (BUF) | 80 | 31 | 30 | 14 | 5 | 81 | 219 | 221 |
| e–Cincinnati Mighty Ducks (ANA) | 80 | 26 | 35 | 13 | 6 | 71 | 202 | 242 |
| e–Syracuse Crunch (CBJ) | 80 | 27 | 41 | 8 | 4 | 66 | 201 | 256 |
| e–Cleveland Barons (SJS) | 80 | 22 | 48 | 5 | 5 | 54 | 203 | 286 |
| West Division | GP | W | L | T | OTL | Pts | GF | GA |
| y–Houston Aeros (MIN) | 80 | 47 | 23 | 7 | 3 | 104 | 266 | 222 |
| x–Chicago Wolves (ATL) | 80 | 43 | 25 | 8 | 4 | 98 | 276 | 237 |
| x–San Antonio Rampage (FLA) | 80 | 36 | 29 | 11 | 4 | 87 | 235 | 226 |
| x–Milwaukee Admirals (NSH) | 80 | 32 | 27 | 14 | 7 | 85 | 247 | 251 |
| x–Utah Grizzlies (DAL) | 80 | 37 | 34 | 4 | 5 | 83 | 227 | 243 |
| South Division | GP | W | L | T | OTL | Pts | GF | GA |
| y–Norfolk Admirals (CHI) | 80 | 37 | 26 | 12 | 5 | 91 | 201 | 187 |
| x–Hershey Bears (COL) | 80 | 36 | 27 | 14 | 3 | 89 | 217 | 209 |
| x–Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins (PIT) | 80 | 36 | 32 | 7 | 5 | 84 | 245 | 248 |
| e–Philadelphia Phantoms (PHI) | 80 | 33 | 33 | 6 | 8 | 80 | 198 | 212 |

## Scoring leaders

Note: GP = Games played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points; PIM = Penalty minutes
| Player | Team | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM |
| Steve Maltais | Chicago Wolves | 79 | 30 | 56 | 86 | 86 |
| Jean-Guy Trudel | Houston Aeros | 79 | 31 | 54 | 85 | 85 |
| Michel Picard | Grand Rapids Griffins | 61 | 41 | 44 | 85 | 99 |
| Mark Mowers | Grand Rapids Griffins | 78 | 34 | 47 | 81 | 47 |
| Simon Gamache | Chicago Wolves | 76 | 35 | 42 | 77 | 37 |
| Darren Haydar | Milwaukee Admirals | 75 | 29 | 46 | 75 | 36 |
| Cory Larose | Houston Aeros / Hartford Wolf Pack | 82 | 27 | 48 | 75 | 77 |
| Craig Darby | Albany River Rats | 76 | 23 | 51 | 74 | 42 |
| Mark Greig | Philadelphia Phantoms | 73 | 30 | 44 | 74 | 127 |
| Keith Aucoin | Providence Bruins | 78 | 25 | 49 | 74 | 71 |
* complete list

## Calder Cup playoffs

| Conference Qualifiers | Conference Qualifiers | Conference Qualifiers | Conference Quarterfinals | Conference Quarterfinals | Conference Quarterfinals | Conference Semifinals | Conference Semifinals | Conference Semifinals | Conference Finals | Conference Finals | Conference Finals | Calder Cup Final | Calder Cup Final | Calder Cup Final |
| | | | 1 | Hamilton | 3 | | | | | | | |
| | | | 10 | Springfield | 1 | | | | | | | |
| | | | 10 | Springfield | 1 | 1 | Hamilton | 4 | | | | |
| | | | | | | 9 | Manitoba | 3 | | | | |
| | | | 2 | Providence | 1 | 9 | Manitoba | 3 | | | | |
| 7 | Hartford Wolf Pack | 0 | 9 | Manitoba | 3 | | | | | | | |
| 7 | Hartford Wolf Pack | 0 | 9 | Manitoba | 3 | | | | 1 | Hamilton | 4 | |
| 10 | Springfield Falcons | 2 | Eastern Conference | Eastern Conference | Eastern Conference | | | | 1 | Hamilton | 4 | |
| 10 | Springfield Falcons | 2 | Eastern Conference | Eastern Conference | Eastern Conference | | | | 3 | Binghamton | 1 | |
| | | | 3 | Binghamton | 3 | | | | 3 | Binghamton | 1 | |
| 8 | Portland Pirates | 1 | 6 | Worcester | 0 | | | | | | | |
| 8 | Portland Pirates | 1 | 6 | Worcester | 0 | 3 | Binghamton | 4 | | | | |
| 9 | Manitoba Moose | 2 | | | | 3 | Binghamton | 4 | | | | |
| 9 | Manitoba Moose | 2 | | | | 5 | Bridgeport | 2 | | | | |
| | | | 4 | Manchester | 0 | 5 | Bridgeport | 2 | | | | |
| | | | 5 | Bridgeport | 3 | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | 5 | Bridgeport | 3 | | | | | | | E1 | Hamilton | 3 |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | W2 | Houston | 4 |
| | | | 1 | Grand Rapids | 3 | | | | | | | W2 | Houston | 4 |
| | | | 8 | Wilkes-Barre/Scranton | 1 | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | 8 | Wilkes-Barre/Scranton | 1 | 1 | Grand Rapids | 4 | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 4 | Chicago | 0 | | | | | | |
| | | | 2 | Houston | 3 | 4 | Chicago | 0 | | | | | | |
| 7 | Milwaukee Admirals | 2 | 7 | Milwaukee | 0 | | | | | | | | | |
| 7 | Milwaukee Admirals | 2 | 7 | Milwaukee | 0 | | | | 1 | Grand Rapids | 3 | | | |
| 10 | Rochester Americans | 1 | Western Conference | Western Conference | Western Conference | | | | 1 | Grand Rapids | 3 | | | |
| 10 | Rochester Americans | 1 | Western Conference | Western Conference | Western Conference | | | | 2 | Houston | 4 | | | |
| | | | 3 | Norfolk | 3 | | | | 2 | Houston | 4 | | | |
| 8 | Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins | 2 | 6 | San Antonio | 0 | | | | | | | | | |
| 8 | Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins | 2 | 6 | San Antonio | 0 | 2 | Houston | 4 | | | | | | |
| 9 | Utah Grizzlies | 0 | | | | 2 | Houston | 4 | | | | | | |
| 9 | Utah Grizzlies | 0 | | | | 3 | Norfolk | 2 | | | | | | |
| | | | 4 | Chicago | 3 | 3 | Norfolk | 2 | | | | | | |
| | | | 5 | Hershey | 2 | | | | | | | | | |

## All Star Classic

The 16th AHL All-Star Game was played on February 3, 2003 at the Cumberland County Civic Center in Portland, Maine. Team Canada defeated Team PlanetUSA 10-7. In the skills competition held the day before the All-Star Game, Team Canada won 15-13 over Team PlanetUSA.

## Trophy and award winners
### Team awards

| Calder Cup Playoff champions: | Houston Aeros |
| Richard F. Canning Trophy Eastern Conference playoff champions: | Hamilton Bulldogs |
| Robert W. Clarke Trophy Western Conference playoff champions: | Houston Aeros |
| Macgregor Kilpatrick Trophy Regular season champions, league: | Hamilton Bulldogs |
| Frank Mathers Trophy Regular season champions, South Division: | Norfolk Admirals |
| Norman R. "Bud" Poile Trophy Regular season champions, West Division: | Houston Aeros |
| Emile Francis Trophy Regular season champions, North Division: | Providence Bruins |
| F. G. "Teddy" Oke Trophy Regular season champions, East Division: | Binghamton Senators |
| Sam Pollock Trophy Regular season champions, Canadian Division: | Hamilton Bulldogs |
| John D. Chick Trophy Regular season champions, Central Division: | Grand Rapids Griffins |

### Individual awards

| Les Cunningham Award Most valuable player: | Jason Ward - Hamilton Bulldogs |
| John B. Sollenberger Trophy Top point scorer: | Steve Maltais - Chicago Wolves |
| Dudley "Red" Garrett Memorial Award Rookie of the year: | Darren Haydar - Milwaukee Admirals |
| Eddie Shore Award Defenceman of the year: | Curtis Murphy - Houston Aeros |
| Aldege "Baz" Bastien Memorial Award Best goaltender: | Marc Lamothe - Grand Rapids Griffins |
| Harry "Hap" Holmes Memorial Award Lowest goals against average: | Marc Lamothe, Joey MacDonald - Grand Rapids Griffins |
| Louis A.R. Pieri Memorial Award Coach of the year: | Claude Julien & Geoff Ward - Hamilton Bulldogs |
| Fred T. Hunt Memorial Award Sportsmanship / Perseverance: | Chris Ferraro - Portland Pirates & Eric Healey - Manchester Monarchs |
| Yanick Dupre Memorial Award Community Service Award: | Jimmy Roy - Manitoba Moose |
| Jack A. Butterfield Trophy MVP of the playoffs: | Johan Holmqvist - Houston Aeros |

### Other awards

| James C. Hendy Memorial Award Most outstanding executive: | Jeff Barrett, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins |
| Thomas Ebright Memorial Award Career contributions: | Bill Watters |
| James H. Ellery Memorial Awards Outstanding media coverage: | Joe Conklin, Grand Rapids, (newspaper) Dave Ahlers, Portland, (radio) Rogers Sportsnet, (television) |
| Ken McKenzie Award Outstanding marketing executive: | Don Helbig, Cincinnati Mighty Ducks |
| Michael Condon Memorial Award Outstanding service, on-ice official: | Marty Demers |