| Hamilton Hammers | |
|---|---|
 | |
| City | Hamilton, Ontario |
| League | American Hockey League |
| Conference | Eastern |
| Division | North |
| Founded | 2001 |
| Home arena | TD Coliseum |
| Colours | Blue, orange, white1 |
| Owner | Jon Ledecky |
| Head coach | Jay McKee |
| Affiliates | New York Islanders (NHL) Trenton Ironhawks (ECHL) |
| Franchise history | |
| 2001–2021 | Bridgeport Sound Tigers |
| 2021–2026 | Bridgeport Islanders |
| 2026–present | Hamilton Hammers |
| Championships | |
| Regular season titles | 0 |
| Division titles | 0 |
| Conference titles | 0 |
| Calder Cups | 0 |
The Hamilton Hammers are a professional ice hockey team based in Hamilton, Ontario. They are the American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate of the National Hockey League's New York Islanders, who own the franchise. The team was created after the relocation of the Bridgeport Islanders to Hamilton for the 2026-2027 season.2 The Hammers are set to play their home games at the TD Coliseum, with the home opener scheduled for October 9.3
History
The Hammers trace their history back to the Bridgeport Sound Tigers, who joined the American Hockey League (AHL) as an expansion franchise in 2001.
The Bridgeport Islanders team relocated to Hamilton, Ontario, for the 2026–2027 season, and will play at the renovated TD Coliseum, following unanimous approval by the AHL Board of Governors.45
Jay McKee was named as head coach on May 29, 2026. On June 18, 2026, Vince Laise was brought in as assistant coach, and Kain Tisi as goalie coach. 678
On June 1, 2026, the Hammers signed their first player, forward Matthew Highmore, to a two-year contract.9
The Hamilton Hammers will play their first-ever regular-season home game in franchise history on Friday, October 9, 2026, at TD Coliseum.3
Team identity
Name, logo and colours
On May 21, 2026, the Hamilton Hammers name, logo and colours were officially unveiled. The name and logo is a reference to Hamilton's heritage as a major steel production city, and the colour scheme is that of the Islanders.1
Players
Current roster
Updated June 18, 2026.
| No. | Nat | Player | Pos | S/G | Age | Acquired | Birthplace | Contract |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Matthew Highmore | F | L | 30 | 2026 | Halifax, Nova Scotia | Hammers |
Previous roster
Staff
| Name | Nat. | Title | Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jay McKeee | Canada
|
head coach | 2026 |
| Vince Laise | Canada
|
assistant coach | 2026 |
| Kain Tisi | Canada
|
goalie coach | 2026 |
Notes
Notes
References
References
- "It's Hammer time in Hamilton". American Hockey League (Press release). May 21, 2026. Retrieved May 21, 2026.
Subtle hockey puck details on the hammer knobs pay homage to the iconic puck in the New York Islanders logo, linking the sport's identity with the craftsmanship of the tools and nodding to the franchise's origins, including the fisherman logo era. The orange-and-blue color palette is also drawn from the Islanders' classic team colors, reinforcing the connection to the club's history and evolution. The logo was created by the New York Islanders, while the broader brand identity was developed by Canadian creative agency Recess Creative.
- "AHL officially approves move of New York Islanders' affiliate to Hamilton". CHCH. March 31, 2026. Retrieved June 18, 2026.
- Knox, Shelby (June 17, 2026). "Hamilton Hammers' home opener set for early October". CTVNews. Retrieved June 18, 2026.
- "New York Islanders to Relocate AHL Affiliate to Hamilton, Ontario". Bridgeport Islanders. March 19, 2026. Retrieved April 4, 2026.
- "Islanders to move AHL affiliate to Hamilton". American Hockey League. March 31, 2026. Retrieved April 4, 2026.
- "JAY McKEE NAMED HAMILTON HAMMERS HEAD COACH". www.hamiltonhammers.com. Retrieved June 18, 2026.
- "Bulldogs' Vince Laise joins Hamilton Hammers coaching staff – Ontario Hockey League". June 18, 2026. Retrieved June 18, 2026.
- "Hamilton Hammers Announce Coaching Staff Additions". www.thehockeynews.com. Retrieved June 22, 2026.
- "NY Islanders new AHL affiliate in Hamilton makes their first official signing". Eyes On Isles. June 1, 2026. Retrieved June 18, 2026.