Calder Cup Playoffs Round of 16: Everything You Need to Know

Lehigh Valley Phantoms and Wilkes-Barre Scranton Penguins (Photo credit: JustSports Photography)

Calder Cup Playoffs Round of 16: Everything You Need to Know

Originally posted on The Hockey Writers | By Mike Fink | Last updated Apr 28, 2025 9:55 AM ET

It’s that time of the year when all eyes are on the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Well, almost all eyes are on the playoffs. There’s nothing like playoff hockey, and the American Hockey League (AHL) features the Calder Cup Playoffs, which are already underway and provide great moments for hockey fans. The first round took place last week, and the round of 16 is set and ready to go.

Now is when the playoffs heat up and the grind to the Calder Cup begins. There are plenty of intriguing matchups, so for those who are following from a distance or have a team but don’t know much about the other teams in the playoffs, here’s a rundown of the upcoming matchups and the teams featured in them.

Hershey Bears vs Lehigh Valley Phantoms

Charlotte Checkers vs Providence Bruins

Laval Rocket vs Cleveland Monsters

Rochester Americans vs Syracuse Crunch

Milwaukee Admirals vs Rockford IceHogs

Texas Stars vs Grand Rapids Griffins

Colorado Eagles vs San Jose Barracuda

Abbotsford Canucks vs Coachella Valley Firebirds

Other Calder Cup Storylines

The big one is if the Bears can win the Calder Cup title for the third year in a row. It’s something that hasn’t happened in the modern league, where there’s stability across the league, it’s a more even playing field, and there are significantly more teams (we’re up to 32 for those keeping track). It would be the biggest storyline in hockey, and the Bears would be the first team to do it since the 1960s when Springfield won three in a row (they had a nickname that is better off not mentioned).

The other long-time AHL team eager for a title are the Americans. The “Amerks” have six titles in team history, but haven’t won one since 1996. Interestingly, their head coach was John Tortorella (who said he can’t work with younger skaters! That’s a myth, at least 30 years ago it was the case). This could be their year as they have the team to do it.

Is there something you’ll watch as the Calder Cup Playoffs heat up? Let us know in the comments section below!