AHL season ends, but prospects may get call

The American Hockey League cancelled the rest of its season because of the coronavirus pandemic, but there may be a chance for top prospects with the Toronto Marlies and other clubs to continue to play if the NHL resumes.

The AHL board of governors voted unanimously to call off what’s left of the regular season schedule, postponed since March 12, plus the playoffs.

“It wasn’t a surprise,” Marlies GM Laurence Gilman said on a conference call. “Obviously, we’re in an unprecedented time … but there are more pressing matters for our society.”

According to the Marlies, fans with tickets for cancelled games will be contacted and receive a full refund or credit for the 2020-21 season.

The NHL, meanwhile, is still determining whether it can salvage its season with several scenarios being considered, including a jump straight into a playoff tournament as early as June, but more likely July.

The Leafs have said they would call up top Marlies players if allowed. The NHL club was eliminated from the playoffs earlier than the Marlies for the past three seasons and didn’t call up anyone.

The NHL, however, remains in the first phase of its returnto-work protocol, with the season on pause and no access to facilities except for injured players. Phase two, with limited access, has been discussed but not finalized.

Also, the league has to decide on roster size, with some scenarios including as many as 30 players per team.

Those factors, based on the latest medical data and access to testing, will determine if several top Marlies prospects — including Timothy Liljegren, Kenny Agostino, Jeremy Bracco, Egor Korshkov and Joseph Woll — have a chance to continue their seasons.

“The thing we told our players at the exit interviews is that there will be hockey at some point and it’s your responsibility to be ready,” said Marlies coach Greg Moore.