Finally. While hockey has been rolling for weeks at the various levels, it's time for the pros to kick things into high gear. Just days after the NHL opens its season in earnest, the AHL will get things cooking, too. And for the first time, AHL games will be streaming exclusively worldwide on FloHockey.

Opening weekend is set for Oct. 11-13 across the AHL with eight games slated for Friday, a whopping 14 on Saturday and seven on Sunday.

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The puck drops officially Friday at 7 p.m. ET with games between the Milwaukee Admirals and Grand Rapids Griffins, and Syracuse Crunch vs. Utica Comets getting the party started.

In addition to the games, Saturday will mark a momentous night for the Hershey Bears. The reigning back-to-back Calder Cup champions will be raising their championship banner before taking on the Cleveland Monsters. Hershey has won 13 Calder Cups and somehow still have room for the new banner in the GIANT Center. That game is due to start at 7 p.m. ET, preceded by the banner ceremony, so be sure to tune in early.

Notable NHL Prospects Playing During AHL Opening Weekend

Dozens upon dozens of NHL prospects will be action over the course of the opening weekend. Close to 50 first-round draft picks from the last four NHL Drafts will be part of their AHL teams' opening night rosters. Among the players expected to be in AHL lineups starting this weekend will be 13 top-15 selections dating back to the 2019 NHL Draft. Among them will be the youngest player in the AHL this season, Konsta Helenius of the Rochester Americans, who was selected 14th overall by the Buffalo Sabres last June.

Chicago Blackhawks prospect Kevin Korchinski is the highest-drafted player slated to play for an AHL team on opening weekend. Korchinski, who was selected seventh overall in 2022, spent all of last season with Chicago, but is being sent to the Rockford IceHogs to get more seasoning and play the role the Blackhawks will ultimately want him to play for their team long term.

Three of the 13 top-15 picks starting the season on AHL rosters are on one team. The Grand Rapid Griffins will boast three of the Detroit Red Wings' highest profile prospects. Nate Danielson (ninth overall in 2023), Marco Kasper (eighth overall in 2022) and Sebastian Cossa (15th overall in 2021) were all recently sent to Grand Rapids, which should be an especially competitive team once again in 2024-25.

The list could go on and on with so many top young players spending more and more time in the AHL to get themselves especially ready for NHL action.

Below is everything you need to know about opening weekend in the AHL. Every game will be available live and on demand on FloHockey throughout the season. Sign up here.

AHL Schedule For Oct. 11, 2024

• 7:00 PM ET: Milwaukee Admirals vs. Grand Rapids Griffins, Van Andel Arena - Grand Rapids, MI
• 7:00 PM ET: Syracuse Crunch vs. Utica Comets, Adirondack Bank Center - Utica, NY
• 7:05 PM ET: Laval Rocket vs. Providence Bruins, Amica Mutual Pavilion - Providence, RI
• 7:05 PM ET: Belleville Senators vs. Rochester Americans, Blue Cross Arena - Rochester, NY
• 7:00 PM CT: Henderson Silver Knights vs. Texas Stars, H-E-B Center at Cedar Park - Cedar Park, TX
• 7:00 PM MT: Abbotsford Canucks vs. Calgary Wranglers, Scotiabank Saddledome - Calgary, AB
• 7:05 PM MT: Tucson Roadrunners vs. Colorado Eagles, Blue Arena - Loveland, CO
• 7:00 PM PT: Bakersfield Condors vs. Coachella Valley Firebirds, Acrisure Arena - Palm Desert, CA

AHL Schedule For Oct. 12, 2024

• 4:00 PM ET: San Diego Gulls vs. Toronto Marlies, Coca-Cola Coliseum - Toronto, ON
• 6:05 PM ET: Charlotte Checkers vs. Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza - Wilkes-Barre, PA
• 7:00 PM ET: Providence Bruins vs. Bridgeport Islanders, Total Mortgage Arena - Bridgeport, CT
• 7:00 PM ET: Cleveland Monsters vs. Hershey Bears, Giant Center - Hershey, PA
• 6:00 PM CT: Manitoba Moose vs. Iowa Wild, Wells Fargo Arena - Des Moines, IA
• 7:00 PM ET: Belleville Senators vs. Syracuse Crunch, Upstate Medical University Arena - Syracuse, NY
• 7:00 PM ET: Rochester Americans vs. Utica Comets, Adirondack Bank Center - Utica, NY
• 7:05 PM ET: Hartford Wolf Pack vs. Lehigh Valley Phantoms, PPL Center - Allentown, PA
• 7:05 PM ET: Laval Rocket vs. Springfield Thunderbirds, MassMutual Center - Springfield, MA
• 7:00 PM CT: Milwaukee Admirals vs. Chicago Wolves, Allstate Arena - Rosemont, IL
• 7:00 PM CT: Grand Rapids Griffins vs. Rockford IceHogs, BMO Center - Rockford, IL
• 7:00 PM CT: Henderson Silver Knights vs. Texas Stars, H-E-B Center at Cedar Park - Cedar Park, TX
• 6:00 PM PT: San Jose Barracuda vs. Ontario Reign, Toyota Arena - Ontario, CA
• 7:05 PM MT: Tucson Roadrunners vs. Colorado Eagles, Blue Arena - Loveland, CO

AHL Schedule For Oct. 13, 2024

• 1:00 PM MT: Abbotsford Canucks vs. Calgary Wranglers, Scotiabank Saddledome - Calgary, AB
• 3:00 PM ET: Charlotte Checkers vs. Bridgeport Islanders, Total Mortgage Arena - Bridgeport, CT
• 3:05 PM ET: Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins vs. Springfield Thunderbirds, MassMutual Center - Springfield, MA
• 3:00 PM CT: Manitoba Moose vs. Iowa Wild, Wells Fargo Arena - Des Moines, IA
• 4:00 PM ET: San Diego Gulls vs. Toronto Marlies, Coca-Cola Coliseum - Toronto, ON
• 5:00 PM ET: Cleveland Monsters vs. Hershey Bears, Giant Center - Hershey, PA
• 3:00 PM PT: San Jose Barracuda vs. Ontario Reign, Toyota Arena - Ontario, CA

When Does The AHL Season Start in 2024?

The season begins on Oct. 11, 2024 with the Milwaukee Admirals traveling to the Grand Rapids Griffins at 7 p.m. ET and the Syracuse Crunch traveling to the Utica Comets at the same time. 

There are a total of 29 games over the opening weekend. 

How Does The AHL Hockey Schedule Work?

Here’s the breakdown of games scheduled by the week: 

• Monday will feature 15 games this season. 
• Tuesday will feature 57 games this season. 
• Wednesday will feature 197 games this season. 
• Thursday will feature 15 games this season.  
• Friday will feature 302 games this season.
• Saturday will feature 392 games this season.  
• Sunday will feature 174 games this season.

When Do The Hershey Bears Begin The Season?

The defending AHL Champions and winners of 13 Calder Cup championships will begin their seasons and raise the banner on Oct. 12 against the Cleveland Monsters at the Giant Center. It’s a rematch of the Eastern Conference finals. The banner-raising ceremony is scheduled for 6:40 p.m. ET.

When Is The AHL All-Star Classic?

The 2025 AHL All-Star Classic is being hosted by the Coachella Valley Firebirds in Palm Desert, Calif. From Feb. 2 to Feb. 3. The all-star game is on Feb. 3 and will follow the AHL Hall of Fame Induction and Awards Ceremony. 

How To Watch The AHL On FloHockey 

The AHL is streaming on FloHockey and the FloSports app. Live games, replays, highlights and breaking news will be on both platforms. 

NHL Prospect Coverage On FloHockey

The best and most complete coverage of the NHL minor league hockey and NHL Draft news is found on FloHockey. Don't miss the latest new prospect guides, rankings and more from Chris Peters and the FloHockey staff.

Watch ECHL, USHL, AHL And More On FloHockey

FloHockey is the streaming home to some of the best hockey leagues in North America, including the ECHL and more. Check out the broadcast schedule to watch more hockey.

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