American Hockey League cancels rest of the season
Barracuda finish season with 2127-5-2 record; playoffs also off
The American Hockey League on Monday cancelled the remainder of its season, including playoffs, and now member teams like the San Jose Barracuda are unsure as to when they will be able to play another game.
In light of the ongoing COVID-19 public health crisis, the league’s board of governors voted on the decision Friday, marking the first time since 1936 that the Calder Cup, the AHL’s championship trophy, will not be awarded.
“After a lengthy review process, the American Hockey League has determined that the resumption and completion of the 2019-20 season is not feasible in light of current conditions,” said AHL president and Chief Executive Officer David Andrews in a news release. “The League’s operational focus has turned toward actively preparing for the 2020-21 season. We are very grateful to the National Hockey League and its teams for their support and leadership in navigating through the challenges faced over the past two months.
“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.”
The AHL also announced that standings and statistics as of March 12 — the day the league halted its schedule — would be considered final and official and would serve as the basis for determining league awards for the 201920 season.
The Barracuda, the AHL affiliate of the San Jose Sharks, finish the season with a 21-27-5-2 record and in seventh and last place in the Pacific Division. Their last game was March 10, a 7-4 win over the Stockton Heat.
This season, 16 players from the Barracuda were called up by the Sharks and played at least one NHL game.
In December, Roy Sommer — the AHL’s all-time leader in coaching victories — was moved from the Barracuda to become an associate coach with the Sharks, and former assistants Jimmy Bonneau and Michael Chiasson became co-head coaches of the Barracuda. Maxim Letunov led the Barracuda with 40 points in 50 games. Jayden Halbgewachs led the team in scoring with 19 goals in 55 games.
According to the team, Barracuda season ticket holders can apply funds from the final four canceled home games towards their 2020-21 season ticket payments, or they can receive refunds to their original form of payment. For more information, season ticket holders are encouraged to contact their Client Development Account Executive for full details and assistance.
Signings announced
The Sharks announced the signing of forward Timur Ibragimov, 19, to a three-year entry-level contract. Ibragimov, listed at 6-foot-1 and 183 pounds, was the Sharks’ sixth round draft choice last year.
Ibragimov had five goals and eight assists in 35 games this past season for SKA-Neva St. Petersburg of the Vysshaya Hokkeinaya Liga ( VHL), Russia’s second highest level of hockey behind the KHL. He also played seven games with SKA-1946 St. Petersburg of the Molodyozhnaya Hokkeinaya Liga, Russia’s major junior league and had five goals and two assists.
The Barracuda also announced the signing of 20-year- old forwards Joseph Garreffa and Kyle Topping to AHL contracts. Garreffa (5-7, 176) finished seventh in the OHL with 90 points in 52 games with the Ottawa 67’s this season. Topping (6- 0, 191) had 33 points in 33 games with the Kelowna Rockets.