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Calder Cup

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description Calder Cup Overview

The Calder Cup is the championship trophy awarded to the playoff winner of the American Hockey League, the principal development league affiliated with the National Hockey League. It has been presented since 1937 and is named for Frank Calder, the first president of the NHL. AHL teams compete through a regular season and postseason, and the club that wins the Calder Cup is recognized as that season's league champion.

help Calder Cup FAQ

What does the Calder Cup represent?

The Calder Cup is awarded to the American Hockey League playoff champion. The AHL is the main development league connected to the NHL, so many future NHL players compete for this trophy. [Hockey Hall of Fame](https://www.hhof.com/thecollection/nonnhltrophies.html)

Who is the Calder Cup named after?

The trophy is named after Frank Calder, the NHL's first president, who served from 1917 to 1943. It is different from the NHL's Calder Memorial Trophy, which is awarded to the league's top rookie.

When was the Calder Cup first awarded?

The trophy was established in 1937 and was first awarded for the 1937 to 1938 AHL season. It has been the league's championship prize ever since, except when the AHL playoffs were not completed in 2020.

Which team has won the most Calder Cups?

The Cleveland Barons hold the AHL record with nine Calder Cup championships. The team competed in the AHL from 1936 to 1972. [Hockey Hall of Fame](https://www.hhof.com/thecollection/nonnhltrophies.html)