SPRINGFIELD, Mass. - American Hockey League President and CEO David Andrews announced that the league will operate with 30 active teams in 2010-11, which will also mark the AHL’s historic 75^th season.  This is the first time in league history that 30 franchises will be on the ice.

All 30 National Hockey League teams will have their own primary affiliate playing in the AHL next fall. The league’s Board of Governors approved the following conference and division alignment for 2010-11 (NHL affiliates in parentheses):

Western Conference

North Division                                                      West Division

Abbotsford Heat (CAL)                           Texas Stars (DAL)

Grand Rapids Griffins (DET)                              Chicago Wolves (ATL)

Lake Erie Monsters (COL)                        Houston Aeros (MIN)

Manitoba Moose (VAN)                           Milwaukee Admirals (NSH)

Rochester Americans (BUF)                     Oklahoma City Barons (EDM)

Toronto Marlies (TOR)                            Peoria Rivermen (STL)

Hamilton Bulldogs (MTL)                        Rockford Ice Hogs (CHI)

San Antonio Rampage (PHX)

Eastern Conference

Atlantic Division                                            East Division

Bridgeport Sound Tigers (NYI)                Adirondack Phantoms (PHI)

Hartford Wolf Pack (NYR)                        Albany Devils (NJ)

Manchester Monarchs (LA)                      Binghamton Senators (OTT)

Portland Pirates (BUF)                            Charlotte Checkers (CAR)

Providence Bruins (BOS)                         Hershey Bears (WSH)

Springfield Falcons (CBJ)                        Norfolk Admirals (TB)

Worcester Sharks (SJ)                            Syracuse Crunch (ANA)
                                                         WB/ScrantonPenguins (PIT)

The 2010-11 regular season will begin on Oct. 8. The complete schedule will be announced later this summer. The Western Conference Champion Texas Stars remain in the West Division. The Oklahoma City Barons will join the West Division, bringing the total to eight teams in the division and 15 teams in the Western Conference.

In operation since 1936, the AHL continues to serve as the top development league for all 30 National Hockey League teams. More than 85 percent of today’s NHL players are American Hockey League graduates, and for the ninth year in a row, more than 6 million fans attended AHL games across North America in 2009-10.

Contact Comment@prohockeynews.com