The 1987–88 AHL season was the 52nd season of the American Hockey League. Fourteen teams played 80 games each in the schedule. The league abandoned shootout, but continues to award points for an overtime loss. The Hershey Bears finished first overall in the regular season, and won their seventh Calder Cup championship.

Team changes The original Maine Mariners become the Utica Devils based in Utica, New York, playing in the South Division. A new Maine Mariners join the AHL as an expansion team. The Moncton Golden Flames become the Moncton Hawks. The New Haven Nighthawks & Springfield Indians switch divisions from South to North. The Adirondack Red Wings switch divisions from North to South.

Final standings

indicates team clinched division and a playoff spot indicates team clinched a playoff spot indicates team was eliminated from playoff contention

North Division y–Maine Mariners (BOS) 80 44 25 7 4 99 308 284 x–Fredericton Express (QUE/VAN) 80 42 27 8 3 95 370 318 x–Sherbrooke Canadiens (MTL) 80 42 33 4 1 89 316 243 x–Nova Scotia Oilers (EDM) 80 35 34 9 2 81 323 343 e–New Haven Nighthawks (LAK/NYR) 80 33 37 7 3 76 288 307 e–Moncton Hawks (WIN) 80 27 43 8 2 64 286 358 e–Springfield Indians (NYI) 80 27 44 8 1 63 269 333

South Division y–Hershey Bears (PHI) 80 50 25 3 2 105 343 256 x–Rochester Americans (BUF) 80 46 26 7 1 100 328 272 x–Adirondack Red Wings (DET) 80 42 23 11 4 99 306 275 x–Binghamton Whalers (HFD/WSH) 80 38 31 8 3 87 353 300 e–Utica Devils (NJD) 80 34 33 11 2 81 318 307 e–Newmarket Saints (TOR) 80 33 33 8 6 80 282 328 e–Baltimore Skipjacks (independent) 80 13 58 9 0 35 268 434

Scoring leaders

Note: GP = Games played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points; PIM = Penalty minutes Player Team GP G A Pts PIM Bruce Boudreau Springfield Indians 80 42 74 116 84 Jean-Marc Lanthier Fredericton Express 74 35 71 106 37 Jody Gage Rochester Americans 76 60 44 104 46 Alfie Turcotte Sherbrooke / Baltimore / Moncton 66 36 66 102 64 Gilles Thibaudeau Sherbrooke Canadiens 59 39 57 96 45 Mike Richard Binghamton Whalers 72 46 48 94 23 Murray Eaves Adirondack Red Wings 65 39 54 93 65 Tim Lenardon Utica Devils 79 38 53 91 72 Marty Dallman Newmarket Saints 76 50 39 89 52 Tom Martin Binghamton Whalers 71 28 61 89 344 complete list

Calder Cup playoffs

Trophy and award winners Team awards Calder CupPlayoff champions: Hershey Bears F. G. "Teddy" Oke TrophyRegular Season champions, North Division: Maine Mariners John D. Chick TrophyRegular Season champions, South Division: Hershey Bears Individual awards Les Cunningham AwardMost valuable player: Jody Gage - Rochester Americans John B. Sollenberger TrophyTop point scorer: Bruce Boudreau - Springfield Indians Dudley "Red" Garrett Memorial AwardRookie of the year: Mike Richard - Binghamton Whalers Eddie Shore AwardDefenceman of the year: David Fenyves - Hershey Bears Aldege "Baz" Bastien Memorial AwardBest Goaltender: Wendell Young - Hershey Bears Harry "Hap" Holmes Memorial AwardLowest goals against average: Vincent Riendeau & Jocelyn Perreault - Sherbrooke Canadiens Louis A.R. Pieri Memorial AwardCoach of the year: John Paddock - Hershey Bears & Mike Milbury - Maine Mariners Fred T. Hunt Memorial AwardSportsmanship / Perseverance: Bruce Boudreau - Springfield Indians Jack A. Butterfield TrophyMVP of the playoffs: Wendell Young - Hershey Bears Other awards James C. Hendy Memorial AwardMost outstanding executive: Tom Mitchell James H. Ellery Memorial Awards Outstanding media coverage: Mike Kane, Adirondack, (newspaper)Jeff Rimer, Baltimore, (radio)Frank Chiano, Rochester, (television) Ken McKenzie AwardOutstanding marketing executive: Doug Yingst, Hershey Bears

See also List of AHL seasons

References AHL official site AHL Hall of Fame HockeyDB