Hamilton Hammers name gives new AHL franchise a Steel City identity

The new logo for the Hamilton Hammers AHL franchise is shown in this handout image released May 21, 2026. The team name and logo were unveiled Thursday, weeks after the New York Islanders announced plans to relocate their American Hockey League affiliate from Bridgeport, Conn., to Hamilton beginning in the 2026-27 season. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Handout — Hamilton Hammers (Mandatory Credit)

HAMILTON — The American Hockey League team coming to Hamilton is drawing inspiration from the city’s steelworking history, and its nickname, for its branding.

Team owners Oak View Group (OVG), TD Coliseum and the NHL’s New York Islanders jointly announced Thursday that the team playing in the city known colloquially as “The Hammer” will be called, fittingly, the Hamilton Hammers.

The Hammers’ name and logo were revealed at an event Thursday attended by Hamilton Mayor Andrea Horvath and representatives from the Islanders, TD Coliseum, Oak View Group, and the AHL.

The logo features crossed hammers, symbolizing Hamilton’s connection to metalworking, and is linked to the Islanders through its orange and blue colour scheme.

The Islanders announced in March that they were moving their AHL affiliate from Bridgeport, Conn., to play at the 18,000-seat TD Coliseum, which has recently completed a $300 million renovation.

The Hammers will begin play in the AHL’s North Division next season.

The Hammers will be the third AHL franchise to play in the city. The Canucks, an affiliate of the NHL’s Vancouver Canucks, played there from 1992-94. The Bulldogs then had a lengthy stay from 1996-2015, first as an affiliate of the Edmonton Oilers and then the Montreal Canadiens.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 21, 2026.

The Canadian Press