The AHL Development Rule Explained: How It Affects Bridgeport

Bridgeport Islanders are playing well, but roster limits could force tough decisions

(Photo Credit: Jackson Sokoloski / Bridgeport Islanders)

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The Bridgeport Islanders have been playing some of their best hockey lately. However, with the additions of Ethan Bear and C.J. Smith and Julien Gauthier likely returning to the lineup, the coaching staff will now need to navigate the American Hockey League’s development rule.

Here is the rule directly from the book: “Of the eighteen (18) skaters (not counting two goaltenders) that teams may dress for a game, at least thirteen (13) must be qualified as ‘development players.” Of those 13, twelve (12) must have played in 260 or fewer professional games (including AHL, NHL, and European elite leagues), and one must have played in 320 or fewer professional games. All calculations for development status are based on regular-season totals as of the start of the season.”

So, in layman’s terms, there are two categories of “Veterans.” The AHL defines a Veteran (V) as a player who has played 320 or more professional games (excluding the ECHL). There is also Veteran Exempt (VE) status, which applies to players who have appeared in 261–320 professional games, also excluding the ECHL. Playoff games are also excluded from the total number of professional games. The total is calculated before the season.

So this is how it breaks down for Bridgeport:

Veterans (320+ games):

• Ethan Bear – 426 games

• Sean Day – 324 games

• Julien Gauthier – 395 games

• Matthew Highmore – 418 games

• CJ Smith – 355 games

• Chris Terry – 973 games

Veteran Exempt (261–320 games):

• Hunter Drew – 303 games

Something important to note is that teams may dress a maximum of five full veterans. If Bridgeport wants to dress six experienced skaters, one of them must be a Veteran Exempt skater. As it currently stands, Hunter Drew is the only player who fits that category, meaning that if all six veterans are available, one of the full veterans would need to be scratched to remain compliant.

It’s also worth noting that goaltenders do not count toward this total, so despite Marcus Högberg and Jeremy Smith being over the games-played threshold, it does not factor into the calculation.

This is another factor to consider when constructing the roster next year. Adam Beckman and Liam Foudy will carry Veteran Exempt status, meaning that if the Islanders keep them around, the team might want to move on from three of the aforementioned players to remain compliant. Teams can carry as many Veterans or Veteran Exempt players as they want, but only five or six can dress for a game. Teams usually try to avoid exceeding this limit

This is one of the tougher rules to understand, so if any fan needs clarification, shoot me a DM on Twitter/X mentioned above.