AHL Eyes Hamilton: Bridgeport Islanders Reportedly Set to Relocate to TD Coliseum
The buzz around Hamilton’s TD Coliseum is starting to feel a little more real. After months of speculation, it looks like the American Hockey League is making its return to the Steel City-this time, with the Bridgeport Islanders potentially calling the newly renovated arena home.
Now, let’s be clear: this isn’t the return of the Montreal-affiliated Bulldogs, nor is it a flashy new home for the Toronto Marlies. And no, it’s not a PWHL or OHL expansion either. Instead, the AHL affiliate of the New York Islanders is reportedly on the move from Bridgeport, Connecticut, and Hamilton is the likely landing spot.
Why Hamilton? Why Now?
Bridgeport hasn’t exactly been a hockey hotbed. The Islanders’ AHL affiliate has struggled to draw fans, with attendance often dipping below 4,000. That’s a tough number to sustain, especially in a league where community engagement and local support are critical to long-term success.
Hamilton, on paper, offers a more passionate hockey market. The city has a history with the AHL, previously hosting affiliates for the Montreal Canadiens, Edmonton Oilers, and Vancouver Canucks. The Bulldogs era brought some memorable moments, but even then, attendance rarely soared above 4,300-except when the team was deep in the playoffs.
The newly renovated TD Coliseum is a major upgrade, though. It’s a modernized venue in a region that lives and breathes hockey, situated in the heart of the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area (GTHA), and just a short drive from Niagara. It’s a hockey-mad zone, no doubt-but will that translate to consistent support for a New York Islanders farm team?
That’s the big question.
A Tough Sell?
Let’s be honest: the Islanders don’t exactly have a strong regional pull in Southern Ontario. This isn’t the Marlies, who benefit from direct ties to the Maple Leafs and share facilities with the big club.
That kind of synergy is hard to beat. The Marlies aren’t going anywhere, because their current setup is just too good to walk away from.
Hamilton, meanwhile, has always been a bit of an odd fit. It’s a city that punches above its weight in hockey culture, but it hasn’t always shown up in the seats.
Unless it’s the finals, crowds have historically been underwhelming. That’s not an opinion-it’s just what the numbers have shown over the years.
There’s also the logistical challenge. Moving an AHL team from Bridgeport to Hamilton isn’t just a rebranding exercise-it’s a full-on relocation.
That means longer travel distances, more complicated call-ups, and a heavier burden on the parent club to keep the pipeline running smoothly. If the Islanders can’t consistently draft and develop talent that draws fans and wins games, this could be a short-lived experiment.
A Familiar Face Returns to Toronto
While the AHL news brews in the background, the NHL spotlight was squarely on Toronto last night as Mitch Marner returned to Scotiabank Arena for the first time since his offseason departure.
The reaction? Mixed, but respectful.
No full-on boos or hostile banners-just a fanbase acknowledging a key piece of its recent history. Marner’s time in Toronto was filled with highlight-reel moments and heavy expectations, and while things didn’t end with a Cup, there’s no denying the impact he had on Leafs Nation.
Leafs Still Leaking Goals
Unfortunately, the warm reception for Marner was one of the few bright spots in an otherwise frustrating night for the Maple Leafs. Toronto gave up six goals-again-in a loss that continued a troubling trend. Defensive breakdowns, inconsistent goaltending, and lapses in coverage are becoming all too familiar.
This isn’t a one-off. Just two nights earlier, the Leafs surrendered six to the Seattle Torrent in a 6-4 loss.
If this team wants to be taken seriously come spring, they’ve got to tighten things up in their own zone. The offense can’t keep bailing them out every night.
Sceptres Shut Out, Marlies Hanging On
It wasn’t just the Leafs feeling the sting. The PWHL’s Toronto Sceptres were blanked 5-0 by the last-place Vancouver Goldeneyes, with Sarah Nurse leading the charge in a statement win for the visitors. That’s a tough pill to swallow for a Sceptres team that’s been struggling to find consistency.
As for the Marlies? They’re clinging to a playoff spot, but just barely. It’s been a grind of a season so far, and while there’s still time to turn things around, the margin for error is shrinking.
What’s Next?
No Leafs game tonight, which might be a good thing for fans looking to decompress after a rough stretch. Up next is a Sunday afternoon tilt against the Colorado Avalanche-a matchup that brings both a weather warning and a warning about the level of competition.
Snow’s expected, and so is a tough test on the ice.
So bundle up, enjoy the off night, and keep an eye on Hamilton. If the Bridgeport Islanders do make the move, it could mark the start of a new chapter for AHL hockey in the region-one that will need more than just a shiny arena to succeed.