1995–96 AHL season


The 1995–96 AHL season was the 60th season of the American Hockey League. The AHL expands by two teams and realigns into two conferences, and four divisions. The Northern Conference includes the North and Atlantic Divisions. The Southern Conference include the South Division and the newly created Central Division.
The league introduces two new trophies for division champions of the regular season. The Frank Mathers Trophy is first awarded for the south division, and the Sam Pollock Trophy is first awarded for the atlantic Division. The John D. Chick Trophy becomes awarded to the central division.
The AHL revives awarding points for overtime losses, last awarded in the 1987–88 AHL season. Eighteen teams played 80 games each in the schedule. The Albany River Rats finished first overall in the regular season. The Rochester Americans won their sixth Calder Cup championship.

Team changes

''Note: GP = Games played; W = Wins; L = Losses; T = Ties; OTL = Overtime losses; GF = Goals for; GA = Goals against; Pts = Points;

Northern Conference

NorthGPWLTOTLPTSGFGA
Springfield Falcons 804222115100272215
Worcester IceCats 80362812488242244
Portland Pirates 80323410478282283
Providence Bruins 80303610474249280

Southern Conference

SouthGPWLTOTLPTSGFGA
Binghamton Rangers 8039317388333331
Hershey Bears 80363011386301287
Baltimore Bandits 8033369277279299
Carolina Monarchs 80283811370313343

Scoring leaders

Note: GP = Games played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points; PIM = Penalty minutes
PlayerTeamGPGAPtsPIM
Brad SmythCarolina Monarchs68685812680
Jim MontgomeryHershey Bears78347110595
Mike CasselmanCarolina Monarchs70346810246
Gilbert DionneCarolina Monarchs55435810129
Peter FerraroBinghamton Rangers684853101157
Chris FerraroBinghamton Rangers77326799208
Craig CharronRochester Americans7243529579
Jean-Yves RoyPrince Edward Island Senators6740559564
Dixon WardRochester Americans7138569474
Brett HarkinsCarolina Monarchs5523719444
Andrew BrunettePortland Pirates69286694125

All Star Classic

The 9th AHL All-Star Game was played on January 16, 1996, at the Hersheypark Arena in Hershey, Pennsylvania. Team USA defeated Team Canada 6-5. In the inaugural AHL skills competition held the day before the All-Star Game, Team USA won 14-12 over Team Canada.

Trophy and award winners

Team Awards

Individual awards

Other awards