The New York Islanders are looking to add some Hamilton flavour as they consider name options for their AHL team.
Islanders Holding LLC, the entity representing the New York Islanders' AHL farm team that is relocating from Bridgeport, Conn., to Hamilton, has filed trademarks for three names for their new AHL team.
The three names are the Mustangs, Havoc and Hammers.
The AHL’s board of governors unanimously approved in March the relocation of the Islanders’ affiliate for the 2026-27 season.
The team will play at the 18,000-seat TD Coliseum, which recently underwent a $300-million upgrade, and will compete in the AHL’s North Division, which also includes Canadian teams in Laval, Toronto and Belleville.
Hamilton has previously hosted AHL teams. The Hamilton Canucks served as the Vancouver Canucks' affiliate from 1992 through 1994, and the Hamilton Bulldogs were the Montreal Canadiens' top farm team from 1996 until 2015.
The Ontario Hockey League's Bulldogs played in Hamilton from 2015-2023 before moving to Brantford, Ont.
The Hamilton Mustangs have ties to a movie starring Rob Lowe and Keanu Reeves called "Youngblood," which was remade into a sports drama film in 2025 starring Ashton James.
Hamilton is often referred to as "The Hammer" because of its rich history as an industrial, steel-making town. The CFL's Hamilton Tiger-Cats have used the phrase "Made in the Hammer" on its alternate uniform to pay tribute to the team and the city's history.
--With files from the Canadian Press