After the Stanley Cup, Hockey’s Not Done Yet

The Stanley Cup has been claimed. The Florida Panthers finished the job in five games, denying the Edmonton Oilers and extending Canada’s NHL championship drought into a 32nd year. But for hockey fans still looking to keep the season alive—or for those wanting to turn their attention to the leagues where next season’s NHL breakouts are currently battling—it’s not over yet.

The Calder Cup Final is still underway, and a Canadian team is in the driver’s seat.

The Abbotsford Canucks, Vancouver’s AHL affiliate, hold a 2–1 series lead over the Charlotte Checkers heading into Game 4 tonight. It’s been a gritty, tightly contested series so far, with two overtime games already on the books. But Abbotsford’s Game 3 blowout on home ice felt like a momentum shift. With two wins in their pocket and the series back in British Columbia, the Canucks are inching closer to a historic finish.

The Trois-Rivières Lions already delivered Canada its second-ever Kelly Cup just a few weeks ago. Now Abbotsford has a chance to secure the Calder Cup—and give Canada both of the top minor league titles in the same season. That has never happened before. And while the Oilers couldn’t quite finish the NHL sweep, an ECHL-AHL double would still be a historic achievement for Canadian professional hockey.

It’s also a reminder that the season doesn’t end with the Stanley Cup. The AHL often finishes after the NHL, and it’s still full of meaningful hockey. These are the final games for prospects, future call-ups, and players trying to prove they belong at the next level. And this year, it’s also about making history—because Canadian pro hockey still has something left to play for.