The American Hockey League (AHL) is rumored to be coming back to the Steel City. NHL reporter Frank Seravalli responded to a comment from Islanders’ fan @TayhanDenk33 on X writing, “They are moving to Hamilton. It’s happening.” Seravalli, considered a hockey insider in the industry, first wrote remarks about this in June 2025, when he posted “expect AHL to be back in Hamilton in 2026-2027.”
Frank Seravalli June 2025 Tweet
Cameron Kroetsch, Hamilton Ward 2 city councillor, wrote in an email that Seravalli’s comments are “rumours.” Recognizing the attention the posts have gained, he wrote, “An NHL insider has stated this publicly but, as far as I can tell, those officially involved have not confirmed these assertions.”
However, Shane McCoy, an AHL scout and consultant, said he can see the franchise relocation happening eventually. “It’s expected. There has been a lot talked about it. There’s gossip. Sometimes deals do fall through, something doesn’t happen but, in this case, I think it looks more like it’s going to take place at some point.”
Seravalli’s post picked up widespread attention in the hockey world. Immediately following the January comment, Hamilton Spectator sports columnist Scott Radley said, AHL commissioner Scott Howson told him, “No request has been made yet, there’s nothing about this on the agenda for the looming mid-winter meetings in two weeks. So, it likely won’t be discussed at that point.”
Despite the lack of confirmation, McCoy said, “I was told 2026-2027. Nothing is confirmed yet, but it is expected to go forward and I really can’t confirm anything.”
The scout said the main push might be coming from Islanders supporters, “still fighting hard to save Bridgeport.”
After spending 25 years in Connecticut, the organization has been struggling with attendance. In the 2024-2025 season, the team averaged just about 3,331 fans per game, placing them near the bottom of the league in crowd size.
McCoy said the potential to re-establish a team in Hamilton, “is like a second life and a second chance. You learn from past mistakes and things that did work throughout a franchise.”
If it does happen, he said, “They are representing Canada, and Ontario on front pages from puck drop on. It is going to be substantial work for a lot of people, too. But I think Hamilton will get to be very heavily invested in the process.”
Locals, like Evan Colcucci, want the AHL back in the city. The hockey player and one-time Bulldogs hockey fan said it would be great, but “I want to see long-term commitment from the team and ownership. We’ve been through this before with the Bulldogs, and it’s important that the excitement doesn’t fade after a season or two.”
Colcucci said if they play at TD Coliseum downtown attendance will be crucial in building a sense of community. “Hockey can bring together people from different neighbourhoods and backgrounds. That kind of shared experience is powerful, especially in a city as diverse as Hamilton,” he said.