Hamilton Hammers settling in as Islanders' new AHL home

The Hamilton Hammers are still looking for their first home win, but the Islanders' affiliate says the move from Bridgeport to Hamilton, Ont., is working out off the ice.

Rochester beat Hamilton 4-1 on Friday night at TD Coliseum, leaving the Hammers 0-2-0-1 in their home games. Attendance was 3,917. The home opener on Oct. 9, a 5-4 shootout loss to the Toronto Marlies, drew 14,131.

The affiliate spent 25 years in Bridgeport, Connecticut, playing in the 10,000-seat Total Mortgage Arena. Now it plays in the 18,000-seat TD Coliseum, run by Oak View Group, which went through a $300 million renovation. The Islanders also put money into new practice facilities at Harry Howell Twin-Pad Arena in nearby Flamborough, roughly 20 minutes from the Coliseum. The rink opens Tuesday.

Islanders general manager Mathieu Darche told Newsday the business case is clear: a bigger revenue stream at the arena, better amenities for players and an easier travel schedule. Shorter bus trips leave room for extra practice days, which matters in a development league. That outweighs having the affiliate a drive from Long Island, in his view.

"Business-wise for our organization, it makes a lot of sense, too," Darche said.

Marshall Warren, a Bridgeport veteran of parts of three seasons, described a warm reception in Hamilton. "I feel like the fans are showing up," he said. "It's a cool city, I've got to know it the past few days. It's been welcoming."

Head coach Jay McKee knows the market from his time coaching the OHL Bulldogs in Hamilton, and he has helped players find places to live. "It's a great hockey town," McKee said. "They know their hockey."

Defenceman Kashawn Aitcheson summed up the city in one word: "Gritty."