The New York Islanders and Oak View Group (OVG) announced plans to move the franchise’s American Hockey League affiliate from Bridgeport, Connecticut to Hamilton, Ontario starting the 2026-27 season. The move is pending approval by the AHL Board of Governors.
This return of professional hockey to Hamilton includes a long-term agreement with the state-of-the-art TD Coliseum, operated by OVG. The 18,000-seat venue recently underwent a $300 million transformation.
President of Business Operations for the Islanders and UBS Arena, Kelly Cheeseman, expressed gratitude to the City of Bridgeport and the loyal fans for their support over the past 25 years. General Manager and Executive Vice President of the Islanders, Mathieu Darche, highlighted the excitement of making Hamilton the team’s primary affiliate in the AHL.
Despite the move, the Islanders are committed to working with the City of Bridgeport for a successful transition of Total Mortgage Arena. The return of professional hockey to Hamilton is seen as an exciting new chapter for the city and sports fans, according to Nick DeLuco, Senior Vice President and General Manager of TD Coliseum.
Mayor Andrea Horwath of Hamilton expressed enthusiasm for welcoming an AHL team to the city, emphasizing the positive impact on the community and local businesses. Details such as the team name, logo, and ticketing information for Hamilton will be revealed at a later date pending AHL approval.
