AHL Postseason Reaching Conference Finals

Serving as the primary developmental league for the NHL, since 1936, the American Hockey League’s championship trophy is the Calder Cup.

Members of the Hershey Bears celebrate winning the Calder Cup after defeating the Milwaukee Admirals in game six of the AHL Calder Cup Finals at the Bradley Center in Milwaukee, Wis., on June 15, 2006. Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

The crowning of this season’s American Hockey League champions is rapidly approaching.

Skating into Sunday’s AHL action, only the Charlotte Checkers are qualified for Eastern Conference Finals play. After eliminating the Hershey Bears in the Division Finals, Charlotte, the top minor affiliate of the National Hockey League’s Florida Panthers, await the victor of the Laval Rocket—Rochester Americans series.