Hamilton’s new AHL team unveiled as the ‘Hamilton Hammers’

A press conference on Thursday has confirmed that the AHL franchise coming to Hamilton will be called the “Hammers”, paying tribute to the city’s historical steelworking heritage.

The logo shows crossed hammers meant to symbolize Hamilton’s connection to metalworking, and is linked to the New York Islanders through its orange and blue colour scheme.

“I really think the brand and the look and the feel, and the tie with the Islanders’ colours is different and unique,” said Nick Deluco, the senior vice president and General Manager at TD Coliseum.

The team is relocating to Hamilton from Bridgeport, Conn. as the affiliate for the Islanders 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 team will be the third AHL franchise to play in Hamilton, with ticket prices starting around $30.

The team will continue to be a way for hockey players to develop and get ready to play in the NHL, a golden opportunity for young aspiring hockey players.

“It’s a fantastic market, an unbelievable hockey tradition,” said Kelly Cheeseman, the president of business operations for the New York Islanders. “We know that our pro players are going to develop into — a little bit of pressure points you need to become a high quality NHL player.”

The Canucks, an affiliate of the NHL’s Vancouver Canucks, played from 1992-94. The Bulldogs also had a lengthy stay from 1996-2015, first as an affiliate of the Edmonton Oilers and then the Montreal Canadiens.

Scott Howson, the president and CEO of the AHL, has personal ties to Hamilton.

“Another Canadian team is exciting for us — the geography works with Toronto, a natural rival, Belleville — Belleville wasn’t around before Rochester, Syracuse, now Laval, so I think it really has a chance to be successful,” said Howson.

“Without our Hamilton ecosystem, we would not have hockey in our blood,” Hamilton’s Mayor Andrea Horwath says.

Horwath says this announcement is about more than revealing a name and logo but about heritage and community pride.

“I think it’s a great name — I think it really does reflect our nickname,” said Horwath. “Everyone talks about Hamilton being ‘the hammer’ so it visually represents that, but it also speaks to our history, our culture of a hardworking community.”

With files from The Canadian Press. 

READ MORE: Hamilton AHL team name to be unveiled May 21 as TD Coliseum builds toward inaugural season