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The NHL’s New York Islanders are set to move their American Hockey League affiliate — the Bridgeport Islanders — to Hamilton in time for the start of the 2026-2027 season.
The Islanders made the announcement Thursday.
If approved by the AHL’s board of directors, it’d mark the return of professional hockey to Hamilton.
The Hamilton Canucks served as the Vancouver Canucks’ AHL affiliate from 1992 through 1994. The Hamilton Bulldogs were the Montreal Canadiens’ top farm team from 1996 until 2015. The Ontario Hockey League team, also called the Bulldogs, played in Hamilton from 2015-2023 before moving to Brantford, Ont.
“The historic return … centres on a long-term agreement with the state-of-the-art TD Coliseum,” which is operated by Oak View Group, an Islanders news release said.
Oak View Group also built the USB Arena in Elmont, N.Y., where the Islanders play.
“We are excited to make Hamilton our primary affiliate in the AHL,” said Mathieu Darche, New York’s general manager and executive vice-president.
Darche played for the AHL’s Hamilton Bulldogs in the 2009-2010 season.
AHL teams play an important role with the 32 NHL teams. Each has an affiliate — or farm team —that serves as a key development source for player prospects. The AHL has a list of each NHL team and its affiliate, a mix from Canada and the U.S.
Hamilton prepares for ‘exciting new chapter’
Hamilton Mayor Andrea Horwath said the city’s “thrilled” about the relocation efforts.
“This is an exciting moment for Hamiltonians and a major step forward in building on the momentum we’re seeing in our downtown,” she said in a statement.
An NHL rising star, Matthew Schaefer, who is from Hamilton, is a New York Islanders defenceman.
The TD Coliseum, where the Hamilton affiliate will be based, is an 18,000-seat venue that recently underwent a $300-million facelift after two years of renovations.
TD Coliseum general manager Nick DeLuco said the move “marks an exciting new chapter” for Hamilton and sports fans in the region.
“TD Coliseum is proud to play a role in energizing downtown, supporting a passionate fan base and strengthening our connection to the community.”
Team’s name, logo to be announced later
Tim Leiweke, Oak View Group’s former CEO, pledged to bring back a hockey team to Hamilton after the venue would be renovated.
“There isn’t an NHL team coming here right now. But realistically, there has been an AHL team that has had great success here,” he said when he visited the arena in 2023. “There is a history in this marketplace with hockey, and it deserves a franchise with the Hamilton name on its chest.”
According to the statement from the Islanders, the team’s name, logo and ticketing information for will be announced “at a later date,” after the AHL has approved the move.
The Bulldogs moved to Brantford in 2023 due to long-term renovations at FirstOntario Centre. They were supposed to return when the renovations were done. However, in 2025, the team’s owners, Edmonton Oilers star forward Zach Hyman and his family, announced the squad would stay in nearby Brantford.
In the news release, the president of business operations for the Islanders, Kelly Cheeseman, thanked the City of Bridgeport and the fans “who have supported this team for the past 25 years.”
“This community has been the heart of our AHL operations. We are grateful for the memories, the partnerships, and the passion the fans in Connecticut have shown our players and staff.”
