AHL Selects Four Legends for 2027 Hall of Fame

The American Hockey League has announced its Class of 2027 honorees, who will be inducted in Cleveland this February.

Updated on Oct. 15, 2026 in Hockey

Expressive editorial sports illustration of hockey skates on ice, reflecting the legacy of the AHL Hall of Fame inductees.
The American Hockey League has announced Dave Fenyves, Ross Fitzpatrick, Doug Gibson, and Tom Mitchell as the 2027 Hall of Fame class. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Live Poll

Do you believe minor league sports teams do enough to celebrate their local history?

The American Hockey League has named Dave Fenyves, Ross Fitzpatrick, Doug Gibson, and Tom Mitchell as the inductees for the 2027 Hall of Fame class. These four figures were chosen by the league's selection committee to be honored during the upcoming All-Star Classic.

Why it matters

The AHL Hall of Fame exists to recognize individuals for their significant contributions to the league. This induction marks the latest step in celebrating the history of an organization that serves as a primary developmental pipeline for the NHL.

Dave Fenyves and Ross Fitzpatrick logged 710 and 554 total games respectively during their AHL careers. Currently, 90 percent of NHL players are graduates of the AHL.

The players

Dave Fenyves

He is a former professional hockey player who earned the Eddie Shore Award in consecutive seasons during the late 1980s.

Ross Fitzpatrick

He is a long-time scout for the Philadelphia Flyers who has held his position with the NHL organization since 2006.

Doug Gibson

He is a decorated former player who was recognized as the top coach in the league when he won the Louis A.R. Pieri Award in 1980.

Tom Mitchell

He was an influential hockey executive who oversaw operations for the Binghamton Whalers and Binghamton Rangers for over a decade.

The details

The class includes Fenyves, a two-time Eddie Shore Award winner, and Fitzpatrick, who has worked as a scout for the Philadelphia Flyers since 2006. They are joined by former Louis A.R. Pieri Award winner Doug Gibson and Tom Mitchell, who managed hockey operations in Binghamton for 12 seasons.

Timeline

  1. November 2026: The AHL will unveil its 90th Anniversary Class.

  2. February 8, 2027: The official induction ceremony will occur during the AHL All-Star Classic.

Season Trajectory

These inductions reinforce the historical continuity of the league as it approaches its 90th anniversary milestone. By honoring past contributors, the AHL elevates its developmental narrative amidst a professional landscape where 90 percent of NHL players are AHL graduates.

The upcoming induction ceremony in Cleveland will coincide with the 2027 AHL All-Star Classic, serving as a primary event for fans attending the festivities. Ticket availability and schedule details for the February 8 ceremony will be published on league channels.

The takeaway

The AHL continues to cement its legacy by formally recognizing the individuals who built its foundation over the last nine decades. Fans can look forward to the 90th anniversary celebrations as the league shifts focus toward its long-term historical milestones.

What happens next

The AHL will unveil the members of its special 90th Anniversary Class in November 2026.

Further reading

For more on league history and updates, visit the Hockey section.

More information

View the complete list of inductees and historical data on the online AHL Hall of Fame portal.

Source note: This article includes information reported by Theahl.

Live Poll

Do you believe minor league sports teams do enough to celebrate their local history?