The American Hockey League (AHL) is a professional ice hockey league that serves as the primary developmental league for the National Hockey League (NHL). The league consists of 31 teams, 28 of which are located in the United States and three in Canada. The league is divided into two conferences, the Eastern Conference and the Western Conference, which are further divided into four divisions each. The AHL season typically runs from October to April, and the playoffs culminate in the Calder Cup championship. Many NHL players have honed their skills in the AHL before being called up to the NHL, and the league is known for its high level of competition.