AHL notebook: Twelve players who thrived in first half of season

The American Hockey League has continued to develop future NHL talent through some of the most significant turbulence in its history.

The 2022 AHL All-Star Classic, scheduled for this past Sunday and Monday in Laval, Quebec, was cancelled as part of that turbulence, but we've picked our 12 brightest through what would have been the All-Star break for the league.
Here are the selections:
FIRST TEAM
GOALIE
Dustin Wolf, Stockton (Calgary Flames)
Wolf was selected by the Flames in the seventh round (No. 214) of the 2019 NHL Draft. Nearly three years later, the 20-year-old is looking like a potential goalie of the future in Calgary.
In 24 games for Pacific Division leader Stockton, Wolf (6-foot, 156 pounds) is 19-2-3 with a 2.01 goals-against average (third in the AHL) and a .934 save percentage, trailing
Akira Schmid
of Utica (New Jersey Devils), who leads with .947 in 13 games.
DEFENSEMEN
Jordan Gross, Colorado (Colorado Avalanche)
Gross (5-10, 190) has thrived in a new home since signing as a free agent July 31, 2021.
After a four-season college career at the University of Notre Dame, Gross played his first three pro seasons in the Arizona Coyotes system. The 26-year-old leads AHL defensemen with 32 points (seven goals, 25 assists) in 33 games.
Jordan Spence, Ontario (Los Angeles Kings)
Spence (5-10, 180) is another strong prospect in the talent-rich Los Angeles system.
The Kings made Spence a fourth-round pick (No. 95) in the 2019 draft, and the 20-year-old rookie is thriving. As Ontario continues to pursue Stockton for the Pacific lead, Spence is helping to drive the league's top power play (27.6 percent).
Through 34 games, Spence leads AHL defensemen with 26 assists and is third with 28 points.
FORWARDS
Andrew Poturalski, Chicago (Carolina Hurricanes)
No matter the season or the team, Poturalski (5-10, 183) usually is a strong bet to be found among the AHL scoring leaders.
Last season with San Diego (Anaheim Ducks), Poturalski had a league-leading 43 points (nine goals, 34 assists) in 44 games. After returning to the Hurricanes as a free agent Aug. 11, 2021, the 28-year-old continues to thrive with a league-leading 53 points (20 goals, 33 assists) in 38 games. He is tied for second in the AHL in goals behind Chicago teammate
Stefan Noesen
(21).
T.J. Tynan, Ontario (Los Angeles Kings)
Tynan won the Les Cunningham Award as the most valuable player in the AHL last season with Ontario.
Tynan (5-8, 160), who turns 30 on Feb. 25, has not missed a step since signing with Los Angeles as a free agent July 28, 2021. He leads the AHL with 40 assists and has eight goals in 31 games; his 48 points have him second behind Poturalski in league scoring.
Matias Maccelli, Tucson (Arizona Coyotes)
The Coyotes may have found a bargain in the 21-year-old, who was selected in the fourth round (No. 98) of the 2019 draft.
After two pro seasons in Finland, Maccelli has adapted to North America quickly. His 45 points (11 goals, 34 assists) in 35 games have him leading AHL rookies in scoring, and he is third among all AHL players, behind Poturalski and Tynan.
SECOND TEAM
GOALIE
Connor Ingram, Milwaukee (Nashville Predators)
Ingram (6-2, 196) has found new life in the Predators organization and has pulled Milwaukee into playoff contention.
The 24-year-old, a third-round pick (No. 88) by the Tampa Bay Lightning in the 2016 NHL Draft, went to Nashville in a trade June 14, 2019 for a seventh-round pick in the 2021 NHL Draft.
In the 2019-20 season with Milwaukee, he was on the AHL Second All-Star Team and shared the Harry "Hap" Holmes Memorial Award, with
Troy Grosenick
, for the fewest goals-against in the league (2.24).
This season, his 32 games tie him with
Justus Annunen
of Colorado for the AHL lead among goalies. He is 18-11-3 with a 2.53 GAA and a .922 save percentage, which is fifth-best in the AHL.
DEFENSEMEN
Reilly Walsh, Utica (New Jersey Devils)
Walsh (6-0, 185) has broken out in his second pro season.
Selected by New Jersey in the third round (No. 81) of the 2017 NHL Draft, the 22-year-old is second among AHL defensemen with 30 points (six goals, 24 assists) in 38 games.
Tarmo Reunanen, Hartford (New York Rangers)
It may not be much longer before the 23-year-old has a full-time role with the Rangers.
The Rangers selected Reunanen (6-0, 185) in the fourth round (No. 98) of the 2016 draft; he has scored 16 points (one goal, 15 assists) in 27 games.
FORWARDS
Jack Quinn, Rochester (Buffalo Sabres)
Buffalo selected Quinn (6-0, 185) with the No. 8 pick in the 2020 NHL Draft.
With the Ontario Hockey League not playing last season, Quinn had the opportunity to play in the AHL. That chance has paid off.
The 20-year-old has battled mononucleosis this season but still ranks third among AHL rookies with 35 points (18 goals, 17 assists) in 24 games. While on recall to the Sabres, he sustained a lower-body injury Jan. 20 and remains out.
Jakob Pelletier, Stockton (Calgary Flames)
Pelletier (5-9, 160) went to the Flames in the first round (No. 26) in the 2019 draft and is meeting expectations as an AHL rookie.
The 20-year-old ranks second in rookie scoring with 36 points (14 goals, 22 assists) in 36 games.
Martin Frk, Ontario (Los Angeles Kings)
The 28-year-old may be the most exciting player in the AHL to watch when he has the puck.
Frk (6-1, 210) has scored 40 points (20 goals, 20 assists) in 32 games with Ontario. His 10 power-play goals tie him for the league lead with teammate
Jaret Anderson-Dolan
and
Scott Reedy
of San Jose (San Jose Sharks).