The American Hockey League (AHL) is a 30-team professional ice hockey league based in the United States and Canada that serves as the primary developmental league for the National Hockey League (NHL). Since the 2010–11 season, every team in the league has an affiliation agreement with one NHL team. When NHL teams do not have an AHL affiliate, players are assigned to AHL teams affiliated with other NHL teams. Twenty-six AHL teams are located in the United States and the remaining four are in Canada. The league offices are located in Springfield, Massachusetts, and its current president is David Andrews. 

The annual playoff champion is awarded the Calder Cup, named for Frank Calder, the first President (1917–1943) of the NHL. The reigning champions are the Grand Rapids Griffins. 

The AHL traces its origins directly to two predecessor professional leagues: the Canadian-American Hockey League (the "Can-Am" League), founded in 1926, and the first International Hockey League, established in 1929. Although the Can-Am League never operated with more than six teams, the departure of the Boston Bruin Cubs after the 1935–36 season reduced it down to just four member clubs – Springfield Indians, Philadelphia Ramblers, Providence Reds, and New Haven Eagles – for the first time in its history. At the same time, the then-rival IHL lost half of its eight members after the 1935–36 season, also leaving it with just four member teams: Buffalo Bisons, Syracuse Stars, Pittsburgh Hornets and Cleveland Falcons.
how big is the AHL
how many are in the united states
what is awarded at the anual playoff
whaen was canadianAmerican hockey league founded
how many teams did it operate with
what were the 4 member clubs
who is current president
who are the reigning champions
how many players were lost after the 1935- 36 season
are they based in us
what was established in 1929
what does AHL stand for
Is this Ice Hockey
who was calder cup named after
are there 31 teams
was can-am established in 1929
what does NHL stand for
what years were frank calder alive
does cananda serve as a primary league
are there 30 teams
30 teams
30-team
Twenty-six
Twenty-six
Calder Cup
 Calder Cup
1926
 1926
never more than six teams,
never operated with more than six teams,
Springfield Indians, Philadelphia Ramblers, Providence Reds, and New Haven Eagles
Springfield Indians, Philadelphia Ramblers, Providence Reds, and New Haven Eagles
David Andrews
 David Andrews
Grand Rapids Griffins
Grand Rapids Griffins
4 members
 half of its eight members
no
 based in the United States and Canada
International Hockey League,
International Hockey League,
The American Hockey League
The American Hockey League 
Yes
professional ice hockey
Frank Calder,
Frank Calder,
No
is a 30-team professional ice hockey league
No
 founded in 1926,
National Hockey League
National Hockey League
1917–1943
1917–1943
Yes
 that serves as the primary developmental league 
Yes
 is a 30-team professional ice