AHL’s Hamilton Hammers introduce Jay McKee as head coach, unveil jerseys
Written by The Canadian Press on July 7, 2026
HAMILTON — New Hammers head coach Jay McKee wants to implement a “relentless” playing style that will appeal to Hamilton fans in their inaugural American Hockey League season.
The team unveiled its jerseys — almost identical to the look of the New York Islanders’ jerseys — for the upcoming season along with introducing McKee, who was alongside Islanders general manager Mathieu Darche. The team name and logo were revealed on May 21.
The AHL’s board of governors unanimously approved the relocation of the Islanders’ affiliate from Bridgeport, Conn., to Hamilton, beginning with the 2026-27 season, on March 31.
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, Que., Toronto and Belleville, Ont.
Hamilton previously hosted AHL teams. The Hamilton Canucks served as the Vancouver Canucks’ affiliate from 1992 through 1994, while the Hamilton Bulldogs were the Montreal Canadiens’ top farm team from 1996 until 2015.
McKee had been the head coach of the Ontario Hockey League’s Bulldogs — which moved from Hamilton to Brantford, Ont., in 2023-24 — for the last five seasons.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 7, 2026.
The Canadian Press