The 1979–80 AHL season

Season (sports)

In an organized sports league, a season is the portion of one year in which regulated games of the sport are in session. For example, in Major League Baseball, one season lasts approximately from April 1 through October 1; in Association football, it is generally from August until May In an...

was the 44th season of the American Hockey League

American Hockey League

The American Hockey League is a 30-team professional ice hockey league based in the United States and Canada that serves as the primary developmental circuit for the National Hockey League...

. Ten teams were scheduled to play 80 games each. The New Haven Nighthawks

New Haven Nighthawks

The New Haven Nighthawks are a former ice hockey team that played in the American Hockey League from 1972 to 1992. They had affiliations with the Minnesota North Stars , New York Islanders , New York Rangers , and Los Angeles Kings...

 finished first overall in the regular season. The Hershey Bears

Hershey Bears

The Hershey Bears Hockey Club is a professional ice hockey team playing in the American Hockey League, and is currently the top affiliate of the NHL Washington Capitals. The hockey club is based in the unincorporated town of Hershey, Pennsylvania, located within Derry Township some 14 miles east of...

 won their sixth Calder Cup

Calder Cup

The Calder Cup is awarded annually to the playoff champion of the American Hockey League. The trophy is the world's second oldest continuous professional ice hockey championship, having first been awarded in 1937 following the 1936-37 AHL season, and continuously being awarded every year.The cup...

 championship.

Team changes

• The Adirondack Red Wings
  Adirondack Red Wings
  The Adirondack Red Wings were a minor professional ice hockey team in the American Hockey League. They played in Glens Falls, New York, USA at the Glens Falls Civic Center. The team was affiliated with the Detroit Red Wings of the National Hockey League...
  
   join the AHL as an expansion team, based in Glens Falls, New York
  Glens Falls, New York
  Glens Falls is a city in Warren County, New York, United States. Glens Falls Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 14,700 at the 2010 census...
  
  , playing in the North Division.
• The Philadelphia Firebirds move to Syracuse, New York
  Syracuse, New York
  Syracuse is a city in and the county seat of Onondaga County, New York, United States, the largest U.S. city with the name "Syracuse", and the fifth most populous city in the state. At the 2010 census, the city population was 145,170, and its metropolitan area had a population of 742,603...
  
   becoming the Syracuse Firebirds.

Final standings

Note: GP = Games played; W = Wins; L = Losses; T = Ties; GF = Goals for; GA = Goals against; Pts = Points;

North	GP	W	L	T	Pts	GF	GA
New Brunswick Hawks New Brunswick Hawks The New Brunswick Hawks were a professional ice hockey team based in Moncton, New Brunswick. Home games were played at the Moncton Coliseum. They were a member of the American Hockey League between 1978 and 1982. The Hawks operated as a minor league affiliate of the Chicago Black Hawks and the...	79	44	27	8	96	325	271
Nova Scotia Voyageurs Nova Scotia Voyageurs The Nova Scotia Voyageurs were a professional ice hockey team, based in Halifax, Nova Scotia. They played in the American Hockey League, from 1971 to 1984. The Voyageurs played their first two seasons , as the Montreal Voyageurs....	79	43	29	7	93	331	271
Maine Mariners Maine Mariners The Maine Mariners were an ice hockey team in the American Hockey League. They played in Portland, Maine, USA at the Cumberland County Civic Center.-History:...	80	41	28	11	93	307	266
Adirondack Red Wings Adirondack Red Wings The Adirondack Red Wings were a minor professional ice hockey team in the American Hockey League. They played in Glens Falls, New York, USA at the Glens Falls Civic Center. The team was affiliated with the Detroit Red Wings of the National Hockey League...	80	32	37	11	75	297	309
Springfield Indians Springfield Indians The Springfield Indians were a minor professional ice hockey franchise, originally based in West Springfield, Massachusetts and later Springfield, Massachusetts. The Indians were founding members of the American Hockey League. They were in existence for a total of 60 seasons from 1926 to 1994, with...	80	31	37	12	74	292	302

South	GP	W	L	T	Pts	GF	GA
New Haven Nighthawks New Haven Nighthawks The New Haven Nighthawks are a former ice hockey team that played in the American Hockey League from 1972 to 1992. They had affiliations with the Minnesota North Stars , New York Islanders , New York Rangers , and Los Angeles Kings...	80	46	25	9	101	350	305
Hershey Bears Hershey Bears The Hershey Bears Hockey Club is a professional ice hockey team playing in the American Hockey League, and is currently the top affiliate of the NHL Washington Capitals. The hockey club is based in the unincorporated town of Hershey, Pennsylvania, located within Derry Township some 14 miles east of...	80	35	39	6	76	289	273
Syracuse Firebirds	80	31	42	7	69	303	364
Rochester Americans Rochester Americans The Rochester Americans are a professional ice hockey team in the American Hockey League, and a top affiliate of the Buffalo Sabres. The team plays its home games in Rochester, New York, at the Blue Cross Arena at the War Memorial...	80	28	42	10	66	260	327
Binghamton Dusters Binghamton Dusters The Binghamton Dusters were an ice hockey team in the American Hockey League. They played in Binghamton, New York, USA at the Broome County Veterans Memorial Arena...	80	24	49	7	55	268	334

Scoring leaders

Note: GP = Games played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points; PIM = Penalty minutes

Player	Team	GP	G	A	Pts	PIM
Norm Dube Norm Dubé Normand G. Dubé is a retired professional ice hockey player who played 57 games in the National Hockey League and 148 games in the World Hockey Association. He played with the Kansas City Scouts and Quebec Nordiques.- References :*...	Nova Scotia Voyageurs Nova Scotia Voyageurs The Nova Scotia Voyageurs were a professional ice hockey team, based in Halifax, Nova Scotia. They played in the American Hockey League, from 1971 to 1984. The Voyageurs played their first two seasons , as the Montreal Voyageurs....	79	40	61	101	49
Keith Acton Keith Acton Keith Edward Acton is a Canadian retired professional ice hockey centre who played 15 seasons in the National Hockey League with the Montreal Canadiens, Minnesota North Stars, Edmonton Oilers, Philadelphia Flyers, Washington Capitals and New York Islanders between 1980 and 1994...	Nova Scotia Voyageurs Nova Scotia Voyageurs The Nova Scotia Voyageurs were a professional ice hockey team, based in Halifax, Nova Scotia. They played in the American Hockey League, from 1971 to 1984. The Voyageurs played their first two seasons , as the Montreal Voyageurs....	75	45	53	98	38
Gordie Clark Gordie Clark Gordon Corson Clark is a retired ice hockey right winger. He played in the NHL for the Boston Bruins and in the WHA for the Cincinnati Stingers. He is currently the Director of Player Personnel for the New York Rangers...	Maine Mariners Maine Mariners The Maine Mariners were an ice hockey team in the American Hockey League. They played in Portland, Maine, USA at the Cumberland County Civic Center.-History:...	79	47	43	90	64
Bruce Boudreau Bruce Boudreau Bruce Allan Boudreau is a Canadian professional ice hockey head coach and current head coach of the Anaheim Ducks of the National Hockey League . As a player, Boudreau played professionally for 20 seasons, logging 141 games in the NHL and 30 games in the World Hockey Association...	New Brunswick New Brunswick New Brunswick is one of Canada's three Maritime provinces and is the only province in the federation that is constitutionally bilingual . The provincial capital is Fredericton and Saint John is the most populous city. Greater Moncton is the largest Census Metropolitan Area...	75	36	54	90	47
Bill Lochead Bill Lochead William Alexander "Whip" Lochead is a retired ice hockey forward and current hockey player agent. He started his junior hockey career in 1969-70 with the Sarnia Bees of OHA Western Jr. B league. In 1970-71 he established the current Western Jr. B goal scoring record of 72 goals in 42 games...	New Haven Nighthawks New Haven Nighthawks The New Haven Nighthawks are a former ice hockey team that played in the American Hockey League from 1972 to 1992. They had affiliations with the Minnesota North Stars , New York Islanders , New York Rangers , and Los Angeles Kings...	68	46	43	89	90
Rick Shinske Rick Shinske Richard Charles Shinske is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey forward who played 63 games in the National Hockey League for the Cleveland Barons and St. Louis Blues. Shinske played for the New Westminster Bruins 1978 Memorial Cup winning team...	Adirondack Red Wings Adirondack Red Wings The Adirondack Red Wings were a minor professional ice hockey team in the American Hockey League. They played in Glens Falls, New York, USA at the Glens Falls Civic Center. The team was affiliated with the Detroit Red Wings of the National Hockey League...	78	22	58	80	20
Paul Evans	Maine Mariners Maine Mariners The Maine Mariners were an ice hockey team in the American Hockey League. They played in Portland, Maine, USA at the Cumberland County Civic Center.-History:...	80	21	56	77	66
Rick Meagher Rick Meagher Richard Joseph Meagher is a former Canadian ice hockey player. He played with the Montreal Canadiens, Hartford Whalers, New Jersey Devils and St. Louis Blues. He won the Selke Trophy in 1990 with the Blues. He is currently a scout for the St...	Nova Scotia Voyageurs Nova Scotia Voyageurs The Nova Scotia Voyageurs were a professional ice hockey team, based in Halifax, Nova Scotia. They played in the American Hockey League, from 1971 to 1984. The Voyageurs played their first two seasons , as the Montreal Voyageurs....	64	32	44	76	53
Dan Metivier	Nova Scotia Voyageurs Nova Scotia Voyageurs The Nova Scotia Voyageurs were a professional ice hockey team, based in Halifax, Nova Scotia. They played in the American Hockey League, from 1971 to 1984. The Voyageurs played their first two seasons , as the Montreal Voyageurs....	76	35	40	75	29
Gord Brooks Gord Brooks Gordon John Brooks is a Canadian former professional ice hockey right winger who played parts of three seasons in the National Hockey League for the St. Louis Blues and Washington Capitals.-Playing career:...	Syracuse Firebirds	77	34	41	75	38

• complete list

Calder Cup playoffs

Trophy and award winners

Team awards

Calder Cup Calder Cup The Calder Cup is awarded annually to the playoff champion of the American Hockey League. The trophy is the world's second oldest continuous professional ice hockey championship, having first been awarded in 1937 following the 1936-37 AHL season, and continuously being awarded every year.The cup... Playoff champions:	Hershey Bears Hershey Bears The Hershey Bears Hockey Club is a professional ice hockey team playing in the American Hockey League, and is currently the top affiliate of the NHL Washington Capitals. The hockey club is based in the unincorporated town of Hershey, Pennsylvania, located within Derry Township some 14 miles east of...
F. G. "Teddy" Oke Trophy Regular Season champions, North Division:	New Brunswick Hawks New Brunswick Hawks The New Brunswick Hawks were a professional ice hockey team based in Moncton, New Brunswick. Home games were played at the Moncton Coliseum. They were a member of the American Hockey League between 1978 and 1982. The Hawks operated as a minor league affiliate of the Chicago Black Hawks and the...
John D. Chick Trophy John D. Chick Trophy The John D. Chick Trophy is presented annually to the AHL's team that has the best record in the West Division.The award is named after John Chick, who served as vice president and treasurer of the American Hockey League.... Regular Season champions, South Division:	New Haven Nighthawks New Haven Nighthawks The New Haven Nighthawks are a former ice hockey team that played in the American Hockey League from 1972 to 1992. They had affiliations with the Minnesota North Stars , New York Islanders , New York Rangers , and Los Angeles Kings...

Individual awards

Les Cunningham Award Les Cunningham Award The Les Cunningham Award is given annually to American Hockey League's "Most Valuable Player" of the regular season, as voted on by AHL media and players.... Most valuable player:	Norm Dube Norm Dubé Normand G. Dubé is a retired professional ice hockey player who played 57 games in the National Hockey League and 148 games in the World Hockey Association. He played with the Kansas City Scouts and Quebec Nordiques.- References :*...  - Nova Scotia Voyageurs Nova Scotia Voyageurs The Nova Scotia Voyageurs were a professional ice hockey team, based in Halifax, Nova Scotia. They played in the American Hockey League, from 1971 to 1984. The Voyageurs played their first two seasons , as the Montreal Voyageurs....
John B. Sollenberger Trophy John B. Sollenberger Trophy The John B. Sollenberger Trophy is given to American Hockey League's leading scorer for the season.The award was named for John B. Sollenberger in 1955. Sollenberger was a long-time contributor to the league as manager and president of the Hershey Bears and former Chairman of the Board of Governors... Top point scorer:	Norm Dube Norm Dubé Normand G. Dubé is a retired professional ice hockey player who played 57 games in the National Hockey League and 148 games in the World Hockey Association. He played with the Kansas City Scouts and Quebec Nordiques.- References :*...  - Nova Scotia Voyageurs Nova Scotia Voyageurs The Nova Scotia Voyageurs were a professional ice hockey team, based in Halifax, Nova Scotia. They played in the American Hockey League, from 1971 to 1984. The Voyageurs played their first two seasons , as the Montreal Voyageurs....
Dudley "Red" Garrett Memorial Award Rookie of the year:	Darryl Sutter Darryl Sutter Darryl John Sutter is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey forward and coach, and former general manager of the Calgary Flames in the National Hockey League...  - New Brunswick Hawks New Brunswick Hawks The New Brunswick Hawks were a professional ice hockey team based in Moncton, New Brunswick. Home games were played at the Moncton Coliseum. They were a member of the American Hockey League between 1978 and 1982. The Hawks operated as a minor league affiliate of the Chicago Black Hawks and the...
Eddie Shore Award Eddie Shore Award The Eddie Shore Award is presented annually to the AHL's best defenceman. The award winner is chosen by AHL media and players. The award is named after Hockey Hall of Fame inductee Eddie Shore.-Winners:-Other Eddie Shore Award:... Defenceman of the year:	Rick Vasko Rick Vasko Richard John Vasko was drafted by the Detroit Red Wings in round 3 #37 overall in the 1977 NHL Amateur Draft...  - Adirondack Red Wings Adirondack Red Wings The Adirondack Red Wings were a minor professional ice hockey team in the American Hockey League. They played in Glens Falls, New York, USA at the Glens Falls Civic Center. The team was affiliated with the Detroit Red Wings of the National Hockey League...
Harry "Hap" Holmes Memorial Award Lowest goals against average:	Rick St. Croix Rick St. Croix Richard St. Croix is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender. He is currently one of the assistant coaches of the AHL's Manitoba Moose. He was a 4th round NHL draft pick, as were his two sons.-Playing career:St...  & Robbie Moore Robbie Moore Robert David "Robbie" Moore is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender who played for the Philadelphia Flyers and Washington Capitals. He played his college hockey at the University of Michigan and the University of Western Ontario. Author John U...  - Maine Mariners Maine Mariners The Maine Mariners were an ice hockey team in the American Hockey League. They played in Portland, Maine, USA at the Cumberland County Civic Center.-History:...
Louis A.R. Pieri Memorial Award Coach of the year:	Doug Gibson - Hershey Bears Hershey Bears The Hershey Bears Hockey Club is a professional ice hockey team playing in the American Hockey League, and is currently the top affiliate of the NHL Washington Capitals. The hockey club is based in the unincorporated town of Hershey, Pennsylvania, located within Derry Township some 14 miles east of...
Fred T. Hunt Memorial Award Fred T. Hunt Memorial Award The Fred T. Hunt Memorial Award is an American Hockey League trophy awarded annually to the player best exemplifying sportsmanship, determination and dedication to hockey. The award is voted upon by players and members of the media around the American Hockey League.The award is named for Fred T... Sportsmanship / Perseverance:	Norm Dube Norm Dubé Normand G. Dubé is a retired professional ice hockey player who played 57 games in the National Hockey League and 148 games in the World Hockey Association. He played with the Kansas City Scouts and Quebec Nordiques.- References :*...  - Nova Scotia Voyageurs Nova Scotia Voyageurs The Nova Scotia Voyageurs were a professional ice hockey team, based in Halifax, Nova Scotia. They played in the American Hockey League, from 1971 to 1984. The Voyageurs played their first two seasons , as the Montreal Voyageurs....

Other awards

James C. Hendy Memorial Award James C. Hendy Memorial Award The James C. Hendy Memorial Award is presented annually to an executive who has made the most outstanding contribution to the American Hockey League.... Most outstanding executive:	Ned Harkness Ned Harkness Nevin D. "Ned" Harkness was a successful NCAA head coach of ice hockey and lacrosse at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and Cornell University and of ice hockey at Union College. Harkness was also head coach of the Detroit Red Wings and later was the team's general manager...
James H. Ellery Memorial Awards James H. Ellery Memorial Awards The James H. Ellery Memorial Awards are presented annually to the individuals of the news media for outstanding media coverage of the American Hockey League. The awards honor the late James Ellery, former publicity director for the AHL. The first award was handed out to one individual in 1965...   Outstanding media coverage:	Paul Marslano, New Haven, (newspaper) Bill Brady, Springfield, (radio) Dale Darling, Maine, (television)
Ken McKenzie Award Ken McKenzie Award The Ken McKenzie Award is presented annually to an individual who accomplished the most during the season in promoting his or her American Hockey League team, by marketing and public relations. The award is named for Ken McKenzie, the co-founder and longtime president and publisher of The Hockey... Outstanding marketing executive:	Bruce Landon Bruce Landon Bruce Landon is a retired professional ice hockey goaltender who is the longtime general manager and owner of the Springfield Falcons of the American Hockey League.- Playing career :... , Springfield Indians Springfield Indians The Springfield Indians were a minor professional ice hockey franchise, originally based in West Springfield, Massachusetts and later Springfield, Massachusetts. The Indians were founding members of the American Hockey League. They were in existence for a total of 60 seasons from 1926 to 1994, with...