Another year in the American Hockey League (AHL) has come and gone for the Rochester Americans. The Amerks were eliminated on May 10th against the Syracuse Crunch in Game 5 of the North Division Semi-Final. They came back in Game 4 from down 3-0 to win in overtime 4-3 to force Game 5. Ultimately, they went on to lose 5-2 in the final game of the series. However, it was a season to remember for the team from The Flower City. During the 2023-24 regular season, the team ended the season with a 39-23-7-3 and getting 88 points. They did tie the North Division winners in the Cleveland Monsters in points but the Monsters won the division because of having one more win.
Despite that, it was a solid season for the Americans who had a decent first half of the season. After the All-Star Classic, the Amerks went on a run that saw them climb the North Division and make the title race tight until the end. What stood out from the regular season?
The Young Guns
One of the main things that stood out for the Americans was how good their young talent was from the start. The young guns for Americans who helped lead the way were Jiri Kulich and Isak Rosen. They made the season fun for the team and the fans. It is more so because both players were named to the 2024 AHL All-Star Classic for the North Division. At that point of the announcement, Kulich in 23 games was leading the team with 16 goals and was second with 22 points. He sat only two points behind All-Star Classic partner Rosen. On the flip side, Rosen was having a stellar season for the Americans as he was third on the team at the time in goals with nine, which puts him seven behind leader Kulich.
It made sense for how good those guys were as Kulich finished the regular season with 27 goals and 45 points in 57 games. Rosen tallied 20 goals and 50 points in 67 games respectively. Kulich led the ninth in assists (18) team in goals while Rosen finished third in goals and second in assists (30). Points-wise, Rosen tied for first on the team alongside Mason Jobst and Kulich third.
Related: Americans’ Kulich & Rosen Named to 2024 AHL All-Star Classic
While he only played in nine regular season games, it is clear that 18-year-old Swedish forward Anton Wahlberg is going to make himself a name in the AHL. He tallied one goal and four points in those nine games but he kicked off the Amerks postseason with a goal. Give Wahlberg a full AHL season and watch what the 6’3 Malmo, Sweden native can do for the Americans with the other young guns.
The last young gun that people need to keep an eye on is Noah Ostlund. Ostlund in the Calder Cup Playoffs added his name to the goal sheet in Game 1 for his first-ever AHL goal. He alongside fellow Swedes in Wahlberg and Rosen is going to be dangerous for the Americans.
Devon Levi is That Dude
In 26 games for the Americans, netminder Devon Levi made his presence felt. He finished the regular season with a 16-6-4 record. Furthermore, he added on a .927 save percentage (SV%) along with a 2.42 goals against average (AAV). Even in the Calder Cup Playoffs, he was solid for the Amerks. Despite his 2-3 record, he stood tall for Rochester in their series versus the Crunch. Levi had a 2.57 GAA and a staggering .923 SV%. To be able to have an SV% above .920 is what any coach would love to have. Unfortunately, the Americans were not able to capitalize more and give support for Levi in the Semi-Final.
After a tough 2023-24 season going up and down from Rochester to the Buffalo Sabres, it was good to see Levi just stay in the AHL and build his confidence. Let’s not forget that he is only 22 years old and is a former 2020 7th-round Pick (#212 overall). He was originally drafted by the Florida Panthers before joining the Sabres organization. The Montreal native is looking for stability so it will be interesting if the Sabres give him that chance next season. Hopefully, it’s a full season with the Americans in the AHL and head coach Seth Appert.
Growing & Learning for the Americans in 2024-25
While it was disappointing to bow out in the North Division Semi-Final, the Americans finished the regular season on a high note. They went 8-1-1-0 in their last 10 games. Furthermore, the team’s overall defense got better as the season went along. Appert said that over the last 20+ games of the regular season, the defense just grew into a shutdown unit. The Americans relied on the offense to do everything while struggling on the defense. However, as the season went on it got better as each game went by.
The hope for the Americans is to build off the second half of their regular season and learn from their early playoff exit. If they can use that as fuel and carry the momentum into the 2024-25 season. It would not be surprising if the Americans make a run for the North Division title next season. It all comes down to who comes back on the defense, goaltending, and leadership. Also, it comes to being able to grow the young and exciting players that they have. Either way, 2023-24 is a season to remember and 2024-25 is going to be an exciting one if you are a Rochester American fan.
