1977–78 AHL season


The 1977–78 AHL season was the 42nd season of the American Hockey League. The season was in jeopardy when the last of the original eight franchises of the "International-American Hockey League", the Rhode Island Reds folded in the offseason, and the AHL was left with five teams. The league increased its member teams by four, when the North American Hockey League and Southern Hockey Leagues both folded before the 1977–78 season. Two teams joined from the NAHL, and another from the SHL, along with one expansion team.
North and south divisions were resumed. The F. G. "Teddy" Oke Trophy resumes as the regular season championship trophy for the north division, and the John D. Chick Trophy resumes as the regular season championship trophy for the south division. The Fred T. Hunt Memorial Award is first awarded to the player best exemplifying sportsmanship, determination and dedication to hockey.
Nine teams were scheduled to play 80 games each, however the Hampton Gulls folded on February 10, 1978, playing 46 games. The Maine Mariners finished first overall in the regular season, and won the Calder Cup championship as a first year expansion team.

Team changes

''Note: GP = Games played; W = Wins; L = Losses; T = Ties; GF = Goals for; GA = Goals against; Pts = Points;
NorthGPWLTPtsGFGA
Maine Mariners 804328995305256
Nova Scotia Voyageurs 8137281690304250
Springfield Indians 813933987348350
Binghamton Dusters 812746862287377

SouthGPWLTPtsGFGA
Rochester Americans 814331793332296
New Haven Nighthawks 8038311187313292
Philadelphia Firebirds8135351181294290
Hershey Bears8127441064281324
Hampton Gulls461528333142171

Suspended operations.

Scoring leaders

Note: GP = Games played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points; PIM = Penalty minutes
PlayerTeamGPGAPtsPIM
Gord BrooksPhiladelphia Firebirds8142569840
Rick AdduonoRochester Americans7638609834
Al HillMaine Mariners80325991118
Bob CollyardPhiladelphia Firebirds7928629042
Andre PeloffySpringfield Indians6733558873
Gordie ClarkRochester Americans7537518818
Joe HardyBinghamton Dusters7324638756
Tom ColleyNew Haven Nighthawks8032548617
Charlie SimmerSpringfield Indians75424183100

Trophy and award winners

;Team awards
;Individual awards
;Other awards