Canada gets a new AHL team!

This just in from NHL insider Frank Seravalli, the AHL's Bridgeport Islanders, affiliate of the NHL's New York Islanders, will be moving to Hamilton, ON for the 2026-27 season.

It's unknown at this time if the Islanders will keep their moniker and branding or if they will rebrand to match the former Hamilton Bulldogs, who played in the AHL from 1996 until 2015. With renovations at TD Coliseum (Formerly FirstOntario Centre and Copps Coliseum) nearing completion, it had been expected that Hamilton would receive an AHL franchise in one way or another this year.

Today's news from Seravalli now confirms that the city is once again back in the big leagues.

As for Bridgeport, CT it's unclear what the city's future looks like with respective to pro hockey. Declining attendance and an aging building are believed to be the biggest reasons as to why the team is relocation. It's worth noting that this move will break a 10 year deal signed in 2021 that was to keep the team in Bridgeport.

Islanders management have so far declined to speak on the reports of their relocation. Stay tuned.