Professional hockey is making a long-awaited return to Hamilton - and it could be hitting the ice as early as this fall.
According to NHL insider Frank Seravalli, the New York Islanders are set to relocate their AHL affiliate from Bridgeport, Connecticut, to Hamilton, Ontario. The move would bring high-level minor league hockey back to the city for the first time in years, with the team expected to play out of the newly renovated TD Coliseum.
This development marks a major shift for the Islanders’ farm system. The Bridgeport franchise, long entrenched in Connecticut, appears poised to head north of the border following the 2025-26 season. And while the deal isn’t officially finalized just yet, Seravalli reports that it’s essentially a done deal: Hamilton is getting an AHL team.
The groundwork for this move has been in motion for months. Back in June 2025, Seravalli first reported that discussions were heating up around a possible relocation, with Bridgeport being the frontrunner to make the jump. At the time, he noted that Hamilton was expected to rejoin the AHL in the 2026-27 season, pending the completion of a major arena overhaul.
That overhaul is no small detail. The TD Coliseum - a venue steeped in hockey history - has undergone a $300 million renovation, transforming it into a modern arena capable of supporting a professional franchise once again. The investment signals serious commitment from the city and its stakeholders, not just to host a team, but to do it right.
For Hamilton hockey fans, this is more than just a franchise swap - it's a revival. The city has a rich hockey tradition and a passionate fanbase that’s been waiting for a return to the AHL spotlight. With the Islanders’ affiliate on the way, there’s a renewed sense of energy and anticipation around the sport in the region.
While we wait for the final paperwork and official announcements, the writing is on the wall: professional hockey is coming back to the Hammer. And if the buzz is any indication, the city is more than ready to welcome it home.