The league renames its divisions due to relocating teams.
Eighteen teams played 80 games each in the schedule.
The Philadelphia Phantoms finished first overall in the regular season.
The Hershey Bears won their eighth Calder Cup championship.
Note: GP = Games played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points; PIM = Penalty minutes The 10th AHL All-Star Game was played on January 16, 1997, at the Harbour Station in Saint John, New Brunswick.