Mayor’s Manor
Rumors about the possible move of the AHL team, the Bridgeport Islanders, began circulating in late June and early July of 2025. It was officially announced yesterday that the Islanders will be relocating to Hamilton, Ontario, starting with the 2026-27 American Hockey League season, according to Frank Seravalli.
Frank Seravalli from Frankly Hockey shared this news in response to a post on X, indicating that an official announcement from the league should be expected soon.
The Islanders are currently ranked sixth in the AHL’s Atlantic Division with a record of 17 wins, 17 losses, 2 overtime losses, and 1 shootout loss over 37 games played. They have 35 games left on their schedule before making the move to Hamilton.
Bridgeport has struggled recently, finishing last in both their division and league during consecutive seasons (2023-24 and 2024-25).
At this point, it’s unclear what name Hamilton’s AHL team will adopt. It’s also not known who their NHL affiliate will be. Since they’re moving from the USA to Canada, it seems likely they’ll affiliate with a nearby NHL team.
While it’s unlikely, the Edmonton Oilers are still without a Canadian-based AHL affiliate. In recent years, most teams have chosen affiliates closer by for quicker call-ups, but some teams still maintain further distances between them and their affiliates.
The impending move felt almost inevitable after Hamilton lost its OHL team following a temporary relocation that became permanent. Now residents of Hamilton can support a professional hockey team again for the first time since 2015 when the Hamilton Bulldogs were part of the AHL.
Considering that the Oilers had previously partnered with Hamilton before the Bulldogs moved to St. John’s, it raises questions about whether they might rekindle ties with a Canadian-based AHL team again. For now, though, that’s just speculation.
Conrad Jack
Conrad Jack is a Manitoba based sportswriter covering the Winnipeg Jets (NHL) and the Manitoba Moose (AHL). He also covers the NHL Draft and World Junior Championship for ITR. He occasionally covers league wide news for Inside The Rink.
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Conrad Jack
Conrad Jack is a Manitoba based sportswriter covering the Winnipeg Jets (NHL) and the Manitoba Moose (AHL). He also covers the NHL Draft and World Junior Championship for ITR. He occasionally covers league wide news for Inside The Rink.
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