Hamilton (Ontario), a city with deep hockey roots — could soon become the new home of the New York Islanders’ AHL affiliate.
The team is expected to relocate from Bridgeport, Connecticut, to the recently renovated TD Coliseum, which now seats 18,000 fans.
Although the move has not yet been finalized, it would represent a significant shift for the franchise.
The Islanders must terminate their lease agreement in Bridgeport and secure approvals from both Hamilton City Council and the AHL. However, with Oak View Group operating both arenas and no expected league resistance, the transition appears likely to proceed smoothly.
Interestingly, this move runs counter to the recent trend of NHL clubs situating their AHL affiliates nearby to streamline player movement.
Bridgeport is approximately 97 kilometers from the Islanders’ NHL home in Elmont, New York, while Hamilton is considerably farther north.
Still, the Bridgeport team has faced persistent challenges in both performance and attendance in recent seasons.
TD Coliseum, which reopened in November following a $300 million renovation, has already hosted high-profile events — including a sold-out PWHL game earlier this month.
While Hamilton has been without a professional hockey team since 2023, its AHL history is well established, most notably with the Hamilton Bulldogs, who played in the city from 1996 to 2015.
If the relocation is approved, fans in Hamilton could once again have a hometown AHL team as early as the 2026–27 season.
