The Veteran Rule

Captain Chase De Leo makes his return from injury. Credit San Diego Gulls.

Updated: 4th July 2025

The AHL Veteran rule has always existed as a preventive measure to stop teams from straight up stacking their rosters with talent to the detriment of those players still trying to find and fine-tune their game at the professional level. First and foremost the AHL is a developmental league whose sole purpose is for NHL clubs to develop and eventually graduate their incoming prospects. Yes clubs like to win and yes their main focus is to win a Calder Cup but all must adhere to the same enforced roster restriction.

The Rule:

Like most rules it is worded in a way that prevents any potential loop holes but to put it succinctly.

Teams can only dress a maximum of five veteran players (goaltenders not included) in a game.

What constitutes a veteran player?

• Must have played over 320 NHL, AHL or “elite-level” European regular season games

Additionally teams may dress one “veteran-exempt” player – one who has played between 261-320 NHL, AHL or high-level European regular season contests. I call this one the “Wild-Card Vet”.

So who do the Gulls currently have under contract that fit The AHL Veteran rule criteria?
Note: Updated for the 2024-2025 season

Then there are those who deserve honorable mention as quickly approaching veteran status. It is a good idea to keep an eye on these because it means they either need to gradate to the NHL, get dealt or the same needs to happen to one of the above established veterans to create a spot on the veteran exempt list.

Honourable Mentions – On The Cusp