HAMILTON, ON – The City of Hamilton announced today that the New York Islanders and Oak View Group have selected Harry Howell Twin Pad Arena as the practice and training facility for the Islanders’ American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate. The AHL Board of Governors unanimously approved the relocation of the team to Hamilton on Tuesday March 31, 2026.
“We are so excited for the AHL to practice and train in our very own facility - Harry Howell Twin Pad Arena. This collaboration between the City of Hamilton, the AHL team and Oak View Group (OVG), solidifies our continued partnership as we look ahead to achieving more milestones for the city as a whole,” said Mayor Andrea Horwath. “We are investing in new and upgraded infrastructure, and through partnerships such as this, we see Hamilton continue to grow into a vibrant community where youth, residents and members of our community thrive.”
Construction is set to begin at Harry Howell Arena soon. This partnership between the City of Hamilton and New York Islanders puts the community first while securing a practice facility for the AHL team. The deal will see the team use the City-owned arena as its practice rink and build a state-of-the-art training facility, while also committing to giving back to the community it will call home.
“Harry Howell Twin Pad Arena has become a community hub for youth, adult and recreational hockey players alike,” said City Manager Marnie Cluckie. “We are proud and excited to welcome a professional hockey team into a space that has served the Flamborough community since 2012. Residents can be assured that the City will continue to deliver the high level of customer service they have come to expect from Harry Howell staff, while also benefiting from new opportunities to connect with professional hockey in their community.”
“We are excited to be a part of the Hamilton community and practice at The Harry Howell Twin Pad Arena,” said Mathieu Darche, Islanders General Manager and Executive Vice President. “The Harry Howell Twin Pad Arena provides our prospects everything they need to develop their game and become New York Islanders."
Harry Howell Twin Pad Arena, located at 27 Highway 5 West in Hamilton, will undergo a transformation, including the construction of a two-level AHL-exclusive training facility integrated into the existing arena. Throughout construction and beyond, the City will maintain current service levels for recreation users, residents and visitors. This milestone marks an exciting step forward in strengthening Hamilton’s position as a destination for sport, entertainment, and community activity.
“We’re excited to welcome professional hockey to TD Coliseum,” said Nick DeLuco, Senior Vice President and General Manager of TD Coliseum. “Beyond the impact on the ice, this project represents an important investment in the Hamilton community by supporting local engagement and bringing fans together. A dedicated, high-performance training environment is essential to the team’s success, and we thank the City of Hamilton for its partnership in making this facility a reality.”
Community Impact
Economic growth remains a key priority for the City, and this investment in infrastructure further strengthens Hamilton’s position as a hub for culture, sport and tourism.
Community-focused opportunities, such as open practices and developmental clinics, will be hosted at the arena, creating a valuable opportunity for the public to connect with the team and the sport. The City looks forward to welcoming the Islanders and its players to Harry Howell Twin Pad Arena, where residents of all ages can engage with the game and be part of this exciting new chapter.
Wednesday, April 1, 2026
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment
Your comments are welcome. Please abide by the blog's policy on posting. This blog facilitates discussion from all sides of issues. Opposite viewpoints are welcome, provided they are respectful. Name calling is not allowed and any posts that violate the policy, will not be authorized to appear. This blog also reserves the right to exclude comments that are off topic or are otherwise unprofessional. This blog does not assume any liability whatsoever for comments posted. People posting comments or providing information on interviews, do so at their own risk.
This blog believes in freedom of speech and operates in the context of a democratic society, which many have fought and died for.
Views expressed by commentators or in articles that appear here, cannot be assumed to be espoused by The Hamiltonian staff or its publisher.