GAME PREVIEW: AMERKS OPEN UP 71ST SEASON VERSUS REIGNING CALDER CUP CHAMPS
Rochester was eliminated by Toronto in opening round of the 2026 Calder Cup Playoffs
Oct 2, 2026By Griffin Della Penna | @GriffinDP_
After 155 days, Amerks hockey finally returns to the Flower City.
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The 2026-27 AHL season gets underway as the Rochester Americans host the reigning Calder Cup champion Toronto Marlies at 7:05 p.m. at Blue Cross Arena. The last time we saw the red, white, and blue on the ice was against these same Marlies, who defeated the Amerks 4-2 in Game 3 of the Opening Round before eventually going on to claim their second AHL title in eight years.
Here’s what you need to know before the organization’s 71st season gets underway:
WHOLE LOTTA NEW
While some might still have a sour taste in their mouth from Toronto ending their season back in late April, there were plenty of current Amerks who weren’t around for that series. New general manager Stacy Roest was appointed into his new role back in July and didn’t waste any time signing plenty of impact free agents this offseason.
The opening night roster features 10 newcomers who will make their Amerk debuts, including veterans like Conor Sheary and Matthew Peca. The duo has played a combined 1,431 professional games and 693 at the AHL level. Forwards Thomas Bordeleau, Jason Polin, and Aidan McDonough provide additional experience, all registering at least 134 AHL appearances, while goaltender Matthew Villalta has logged 235 games in between the pipes during his AHL career.
Mix these veterans with plenty of youth on the blueline, and this roster provides a different feel compared to previous seasons in Rochester.
WHOLE LOTTA NEW (PART 2)
The players on the ice weren’t the only changes for Rochester this offseason. Head coach Michael Leone welcomes three new assistant coaches to his staff for his third season behind the bench.
Scott Moser, Philip Samuelsson, and Neil Conway all transition to the AHL coaching ranks with vastly different paths to this point. Moser primarily climbed his way through the collegiate ranks, with stops at Canisius, RPI and Vermont.
Samuelsson is a rookie coach after hanging up the skates following a 15-year playing career.
Conway utilized the junior ranks in the USHL for his start in coaching after being a former teammate of Leone in the ECHL.
Even in their short time with the organization, all three have made a positive impression and will be crucial parts to the Amerks’ success this season.
EARLY OCTOBER HOCKEY
If you’ve asked yourself, “the season mostly doesn’t start this early, right?” you’d be correct. This is the earliest start date for the Amerks since the 1999-2000 opener, due to the league taking a precautionary measure against the Y2K millennium and scheduling a gap between games that season.
Since the turn of the century, the NHL has primarily begun a week before the AHL. That changed this offseason as both leagues now mirror one another to synchronize player development and transactions between parent clubs and their affiliates. The trickle-down effect meant no traditional training camp for AHL squads, making the few days prior to the home opener extra meaningful.
Rochester ramped up the intensity throughout this week’s practices after breaking main camp in Buffalo, spending extra time on instruction of systems and expectations.
HOME SWEET HOME
The Amerks have gotten very used to playing in the friendly confines of Blue Cross Arena in recent history for Game #1. This season marks the fifth consecutive (and 14th of 15) season where Rochester has opened the campaign at home.
Adding to the uniqueness is Rochester playing the same opponent on home ice in back-to-back years for the season opener since 2007-08 and 2008-09 versus Syracuse. Friday also marks the third time in franchise history that the Amerks host the reigning Calder Cup champions to kick-off the season. Most recently, Rochester lost 8-1 to Grand Rapids on Oct. 4, 2013, following the Griffins first championship in franchise history.
Rochester opens its 71st American Hockey League season a home on Friday, Oct. 2 against the defending Calder Cup champion Toronto Marlies at The Blue Cross Arena. Season Ticket Memberships for the 2026-27 season, which start as low as $22 per game, are on sale now and come with several Members-only perks and benefits. Full and Half Season Membership options are also available. For more information on Amerks Season Tickets or to sign up today, call 585-454-5335 or visit www.amerks.com/memberships.