03 October 2024 The AHL Could Be Returning To Hamilton
Sports Business Journal reports Oak View Group is in conversations with the league about an AHL team returning to Hamilton
The American Hockey League could be returning to Hamilton, Ontario, according to a report from Bret McCormick of Sports Business Journal.
SBJ reports that Oak View Group, the company paying for the renovation of Hamilton's FirstOntario Centre, are in discussions with the league about an AHL team returning to the city.
An announcement could reportedly come as early as next year according to Oak View Group Canada President Tom Pistore, with the arena renovations set to by completed in Fall 2025.
The OHL's Hamilton Bulldogs moved to Brantford prior to the 2023-24 season. The NLL's Toronto Rock moved to Mississauga, and the CEBL's Hamilton Honey Badgers permanently relocated to Brampton when the renovations began.
Oak View Group are spending $280 million to renovate the FirstOntario Centre - formerly Copps Coliseum - which is owned by the City of Hamilton. The arena opened in 1985.
Tim Leiweke, former president and CEO of Maple Leafs Sports and Entertainment, is Chairman and CEO of Oak View Group. The company has developed a number of arenas, including the venues for the AHL's Bridgeport Islanders, Coachella Valley Firebirds, Providence Bruins, Colorado Eagles, and the NHL's Pittsburgh Penguins and Seattle Kraken.
Renderings of the Hamilton Arena Project can be seen here.
The AHL originally moved to Hamilton for the 1996-97 season when the Cape Breton Oilers were forced to relocate.
Hamilton served as the AHL affiliate for the Edmonton Oilers from 1996-2002 and the Montreal Canadiens from 2002-2015 before the team was sold to the Canadiens and relocated to St. John's.
Hamilton won the 2007 Calder Cup with a team that featured future NHLers Carey Price, Mikhail Grabovski, Matt D'Agostini, Kyle Chipchura, and Zack Stortini.
Current Ottawa Senators owner Michael Andlauer invested in the team when they originally moved to Hamilton and was majority owner by 2004. He later purchased the OHL's Belleville Bulls and moved them to Hamilton.
2011 AHL MVP Corey Locke is the Hamilton Bulldogs all-time leader in goals, assists, and points with 85 goals, 144 assists and 229 points in 313 games with the franchise.
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See original article posted in The Hockey News.