It may soon become more difficult for Long Island hockey fans to catch a glimpse of the future of the New York Islanders, as the organization’s American Hockey League affiliate is set to relocate. City officials confirmed this week that the team will move out of Total Mortgage Arena at the conclusion of its 25th season this spring.
The Islanders’ AHL franchise, currently known as the Bridgeport Islanders, is expected to relocate to Hamilton, Ontario, pending approval from the American Hockey League Board of Governors. The move would mark the end of more than two decades of professional hockey in Bridgeport connected to the Islanders organization.
Total Mortgage Arena, which seats more than 8,000 for hockey and up to 10,000 for concerts, has been a central hub for sports and entertainment in the region. Over the years, the venue has hosted a wide variety of events, including performances by Bruce Springsteen and Elton John, as well as family shows and major touring attractions.
“We thank the New York Islanders and Oak View Group for bringing sports fans and concertgoers to Bridgeport for more than two decades,” said Joe Ganim, mayor of Bridgeport. “Bridgeport has earned the reputation as the ‘Arts and Entertainment Capital of Connecticut,’ and the arena has been a major part of that story.”
Ganim added that the city is committed to working with state partners on a public process to reimagine the facility and continue building on Bridgeport’s identity as a destination for arts and entertainment.
Originally opened on October 10, 2001, as the Arena at Harbor Yard, the venue was part of a broader waterfront revitalization effort in Bridgeport, Connecticut. Designed as a modern, multi-purpose facility, it has played a key role in the city’s tourism and entertainment landscape.
For Long Island fans, the relocation represents a significant shift. The Bridgeport franchise has long served as the primary development team for the Islanders, giving fans a nearby opportunity to watch rising prospects. If approved, the move to Hamilton will mark a new chapter for the organization — and the end of an era in Bridgeport.