The 2016 Calder Cup playoffs of the American Hockey League started on April 20, 2016, with a changed playoff format. The sixteen teams that qualifies, eight from each conference, will play best-of-five series in the division semifinals, with the playoffs to continue with best-of-seven series for the division finals, conference finals, and Calder Cup finals. The Lake Erie Monsters defeated the Hershey Bears in a four game sweep to win the Calder Cup for the first time in franchise history, and the tenth time the Calder Cup has been won by a team representing Cleveland, Ohio.