Hamilton, Ontario has a rich hockey tradition, and it looks like the city might soon welcome the New York Islanders’ American Hockey League affiliate.
The Islanders are planning to relocate their AHL team from Bridgeport, Conn., to downtown Hamilton, where they’ll play in the newly updated 18,000-seat TD Coliseum. NHL insider Frank Seravalli first reported this move, but according to league sources talking to The Athletic’s Pierre Le Brun, a deal hasn’t been finalized yet.
There are some obstacles that need to be addressed before the Bridgeport Islanders can head north in time for the 2026-27 AHL season as possibly a new Hamilton team.
The NHL’s Islanders have to exit the 10-year lease they signed in 2021 that keeps them playing at Total Mortgage Arena, which is a 10,000-seat venue in Bridgeport that has hosted an AHL team since the Bridgeport Sound Tigers joined the league during the 2001-02 season. The Islanders later acquired the Sound Tigers and rebranded them in 2021. Oak View Group manages both Total Mortgage Arena and TD Coliseum, so this should be a straightforward process.
The Islanders also need approval from the Hamilton City Council, which is expected next month. Additionally, they must receive consent from the AHL; however, a league source informed Le Brun that they do not plan on obstructing this relocation.
Shifting from Bridgeport to Hamilton goes against the recent trend of NHL teams bringing their AHL affiliates closer for easier player movement when it comes to call-ups and assignments. Bridgeport is located about 60 miles away from the Islanders’ home base in Elmont, N. Y.
However, this franchise has faced challenges with performance and attendance lately. While Bridgeport holds a record of 17-17-2-1 this season, they had an AHL-worst record of 15-50-4-3 in 2024-25 and have consistently ranked low in the Atlantic Division standings since 2018-19. The Islanders usually rank near the bottom of average attendance figures as well but did see an increase up to 4,235 fans during the 2025-26 season.
On another note, TD Coliseum officially reopened last November with a concert by Paul Mc Cartney after undergoing renovations costing $300 million. The arena hosted its first hockey game on January 3rd-a thrilling shootout victory for Seattle Torrent over Toronto Sceptres in front of over 16,000 fans as part of this season’s PWHL Takeover Tour across North America.
Hamilton was once central to Jim Balsillie’s unsuccessful attempts to bring an NHL franchise there and had its own AHL team from 1996 until 2015. The Bulldogs were affiliated with Edmonton Oilers until they switched ownership for one season before becoming solely tied with Montreal Canadiens until closing down operations in 2015.
The Bulldogs’ owner Michael Andlauer-who now owns NHL’s Ottawa Senators-sold his franchise back to Canadiens who then relocated their affiliate team to St. John’s Newfoundland. Andlauer picked up Ontario Hockey League’s Belleville Bulls and moved them under Bulldogs name into Hamilton afterward.
The Bulldogs remained in Hamilton for eight seasons before being sold and moved out of town due renovations at what was called First Ontario Centre starting back in early-to-midway through year twenty twenty-three ahead opening again named TD Coliseum come June hosting plenty sports events concerts throughout four decades since establishment back then too!
Source link
Source link
