SPRINGFIELD, Mass. … The American Hockey League today unveiled a special new logo to help commemorate the league’s 70th anniversary in 2005-06.
Modeled after an old-style hockey jersey, and in the AHL’s traditional colors, the logo pays homage to the American Hockey League’s rich history. The blue sweater features an “AHL 70” designation in white as the jersey crest; yoke and dual elbow stripes in red; a white heritage laced neck; and seven white stars across a red front hem stripe.
The tag line on the logo, which will be used by the AHL throughout the coming year, is “Seven Decades of Excellence.”
The American Hockey League was formed in 1936 when the Canadian-American Hockey League and the International Hockey League merged. Originally consisting of eight teams, the AHL today has 27 clubs set to begin the league’s historic 70th season on Wed., October 5.
The AHL continues to serve as the top development league for all 30 National Hockey League teams, as over 80 percent of NHL players in 2003-04 were AHL graduates. In 2004-05, more than 7.1 million fans – an all-time league record – attended AHL games across North America.