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Hamilton’s forthcoming American Hockey League (AHL) franchise will utilize the Harry Howell Twin-Pad Arena in Flamborough for its practice sessions, according to municipal authorities.
The city announced that building activities at the facility are scheduled to commence shortly. This venue bears the name of National Hockey League Hall of Famer Harry Howell, an acclaimed defenseman who was honored as an All-Star seven times and participated in 1,160 matches for the New York Rangers between 1952 and 1969, with his jersey number 3 being retired by the club.
Hamilton Mayor Andrea Horwath remarked, “Via collaborations like this one, we observe Hamilton progressing into an energetic locale where young people, inhabitants, and all community members flourish.”
The AHL disclosed on Tuesday that its governing board reached a consensus to greenlight the relocation of the Bridgeport Islanders to Hamilton. This relocation was initially made public on March 19.
This franchise is under the ownership of the New York Islanders of the NHL. Every NHL club maintains an associated team, often termed a farm team, responsible for cultivating emerging player talent. The AHL states that almost 90 percent of athletes in the NHL began their careers within its league.
City officials confirmed that the Harry Howell arena is slated for “a renovation, encompassing the addition of a two-story training center dedicated solely to the AHL, which will be incorporated into the current structure.”
The municipality assured that existing service provisions for the arena’s patrons will remain unaltered.
Furthermore, the venue is poised to facilitate public practices, skill-building workshops, and various community-oriented events, which, as stated by the city, will “furnish a significant chance for residents to engage with the club and the game.”
Since 2001, the Islanders have operated out of Connecticut. The organization conveyed its gratitude to the city and its supporters for “two and a half decades of remarkable partnership” in a social media message published on Tuesday afternoon. Their emergent talent, Matthew Schaefer from Hamilton, is a frontrunner for the Calder Trophy, awarded to the league’s top rookie.
Hamilton’s previous AHL presence was in 2015, when the Hamilton Bulldogs served as the affiliate club for the Montreal Canadiens. Numerous ex-AHL Hamilton Bulldogs players went on to compete in the NHL for the Canadiens, such as Brendan Gallagher, P.K. Subban, Carey Price, and Max Pacioretty.
A separate Ontario Hockey League squad, also named the Hamilton Bulldogs, competed in the city from 2015 to 2023, subsequently relocating to Brantford once the Hamilton arena initiated its refurbishment.
The venue is publicizing that it will commence accepting payments for reservations of private boxes and “high-tier” seating starting April 6. Furthermore, it is promoting season ticket subscriptions.
