Ontario Hockey League players who are drafted to NHL contracts are often first sent to develop in the AHL before advancing to their corresponding affiliate NHL team .
The AHL is a slightly higher level professional league that serves as the main development source for the NHL .
Ontario Hockey League players who are drafted to NHL contracts are often first sent to develop in the league before advancing to NHL 's corresponding NHL NHL team .
The AHL is a slightly higher level professional league that serves as the main development source for the NHL .