Hamilton Hammers name gives new AHL franchise a Steel City identity

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, 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.

“This is an exciting new chapter for Hamilton and another major milestone in our city’s growing reputation as a premier destination for sports and entertainment,” said Hamilton Mayor Andrea Horwath. “Today’s announcement officially launches the identity of Hamilton’s new AHL franchise and sets the stage for the inaugural season at TD Coliseum. The Hamilton Hammers brand reflects our city’s industrial heritage, resilience, and community pride while embracing the future of professional hockey in Hamilton. We are proud to welcome the Hamilton Hammers to our city and look forward to the energy, visitors, and opportunities this team will bring to Hamiltonians, local businesses, and our downtown community.”

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 city of Hamilton can now unite as Hammers fans. We look forward to seeing the Hammers logo proudly represented across the city as we head into the season this fall,” said TD Coliseum General Manager Nick DeLuco. “We’re excited for the energy and atmosphere this team will bring to TD Coliseum night after night.”

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