The AHL is heading back to Hamilton. After months of speculation, it’s now official: the Bridgeport Islanders, the longtime affiliate of the New York Islanders, will relocate to Hamilton, Ontario, starting with the 2026-27 season. The move marks a significant shift for a franchise that’s been a fixture in Bridgeport since the early 2000s, and it brings pro hockey back to a city that’s been without a team since 2023.
Let’s rewind for a moment. The franchise debuted as the Bridgeport Sound Tigers in the 2001-02 season and made an immediate splash, reaching the Calder Cup Final in its inaugural campaign.
That early success set expectations high, but the years since have been a rollercoaster. The Islanders purchased the team in 2004, and while there have been some bright spots-like a Northeast Division title in the 2011-12 season-the club has yet to return to that Calder Cup stage.
Now, the AHL affiliate is getting a fresh start in a hockey-hungry market. Hamilton’s been on the sidelines since the OHL’s Bulldogs temporarily relocated to Brantford in 2023.
That move became permanent when Edmonton Oilers forward Zach Hyman purchased the team in 2025, keeping them in Brantford for the long haul. That left Hamilton without a team-until now.
What this means for the identity of the team remains to be seen. There’s no word yet on whether the relocated Islanders will take on a new name-perhaps even reviving the Bulldogs moniker-or stick with their current branding. But one thing is clear: Hamilton is getting back in the game.
Islanders Injury Updates: Horvat Nearing Return, Pulock Day-to-Day
While the franchise’s AHL affiliate is making headlines off the ice, the big club is dealing with some roster news of its own.
Bo Horvat appears ready to rejoin the Islanders’ lineup. After missing the last three weeks with a lower-body injury, Horvat was back on the ice at practice in a regular jersey and told reporters he feels “ready to go.”
That’s a strong sign he’ll be available for tomorrow’s matchup. The Islanders never placed him on injured reserve, so his return won’t require any roster shuffling.
Getting Horvat back would be a big boost for New York. His two-way presence and leadership have been missed during his absence, and with the team looking to gain ground in the standings, his return couldn’t come at a better time.
However, not all the news is positive. Defenseman Ryan Pulock is now considered day-to-day with an upper-body injury.
He didn’t skate at practice and is meeting with team doctors, so his availability for tomorrow’s game against the Buffalo Sabres is very much in doubt. If he’s ruled out, it would mark his first missed game of the season-a testament to his durability and importance on the Islanders’ blue line.
So while the organization is making moves both on and off the ice, the focus remains on staying healthy and staying competitive. The return of Horvat helps.
The potential absence of Pulock hurts. But as the AHL chapter in Bridgeport closes and a new one begins in Hamilton, the Islanders are navigating change with an eye on the future.