The New York Islanders have announced plans to relocate their American Hockey League affiliate from Bridgeport, Connecticut, to Hamilton, Ontario, starting next season.
This move is subject to approval by the AHL Board of Governors.
If approved, the team now known as the Bridgeport Islanders will play at TD Coliseum in Hamilton, which underwent significant renovations last fall.
The team name, logo, and ticketing details for the Hamilton area will be revealed later once they receive AHL approval, according to the franchise.
“We are excited to make Hamilton our primary affiliate in the American Hockey League,” Islanders general manager and executive vice president Mathieu Darche said in a statement. “The support the city has shown our organization throughout this transition has been incredible. We look forward to having our top young talent play in front of such a strong fanbase inside the newly renovated, world-class TD Coliseum and we are committed to establishing ourselves in the community to engage a new generation of hockey fans.”
The Islanders’ top minor-league affiliate has been based in Bridgeport for 25 years.
“I am committed to working with our state partners on a public process that will reimagine what this facility can be, and how we can continue to foster Bridgeport’s arts and entertainment identity,” said Bridgeport Mayor Joe Ganim after the announcement.
Since their first game in 2001 when they were called the Sound Tigers, Laurie Uilecan has been a fan and leads the Bridgeport Hockey Booster Club.
She didn’t expect that this season would mark the end of games at Total Mortgage Arena.
“The players are like a second family,” Uilecan said. “You embrace them; you want nothing but the best for them.”
The booster club now includes 66 members who are all season-ticket holders. Even casual fans express disappointment about the relocation.
“I just like hockey and enjoy it being so close to home,” Islanders fan Randy Shapiro shared. “It takes five minutes to get here and five minutes to get home.”
Fans mentioned they’ll still travel to watch New York Islanders games but feel it won’t be quite like supporting their local team over the years. They hope another professional hockey franchise might move into that arena.
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