Toronto Marlies moving to Hamilton in 2025-26 after renovations of the Hamilton Copps Coliseum?

[Martin Veillette]

Click to read more...

 

[GindyDraws]

Huh.
That's... Interesting.

 

[BKarchitect]

Wait I thought the OHL club moving was just temporary for the renovations? Is the Brantford move permanent for the OHL franchise?

 

[Martin Veillette]

Wait I thought the OHL club moving was just temporary for the renovations? Is the Brantford move permanent for the OHL franchise?

That's what they said at first, but.... Brantford wants to keep them

 

[UpwardBoss]

I could see it tbh. This is obviously speculation and I strongly doubt the guy tweeting has inside sources but Andlauer soured his relationship with the city of Hamilton and I could see MLSE trying to swoop in there.

 

[Canadian Game]

I could see it tbh. This is obviously speculation and I strongly doubt the guy tweeting has inside sources but Andlauer soured his relationship with the city of Hamilton and I could see MLSE trying to swoop in there.

It’s actually the opposite. The city soured the relationship with Andlauer over the years. Hamilton Bulldogs fans know that the city has really burned that bridge over the years, and now there is little reason for him to go back to Hamilton.

 

[UpwardBoss]

It’s actually the opposite. The city soured the relationship with Andlauer over the years. Hamilton Bulldogs fans know that the city has really burned that bridge over the years, and now there is little reason for him to go back to Hamilton.

That may be true but regardless of which way round it is I doubt the Bulldogs go back to Hamilton.

 

[Growler]

I'm not sure if I follow. He's saying the Marlies will move to Hamilton and an ECHL franchise will move into the Coca Cola Coliseum?

 

[Roadhog]

I'm not sure if I follow. He's saying the Marlies will move to Hamilton and an ECHL franchise will move into the Coca Cola Coliseum?

He's trying to say that, but MLSE isn't about to leave an arena they operate 10 minutes away to go an hour down the road and pay rent to someone else. Besides, HUPEG has stated they want FOC to be more of a concert venue. The Rock might be the only sports team there in a couple years. And it's more likely the PWHL moves to Triple-C next season given how they completely sold out Mattamy Centre.

 

[DudeWhereIsMakar]

Ottawa likely would before Toronto. But I think Winnipeg should do it in order to increase the sales of Jets tickets considering the Moose get a lot of people at their games as opposed to Jets games. Plus tons of flights going from Winnipeg to Pearson.

 

[axecrew]

Ottawa likely would before Toronto. But I think Winnipeg should do it in order to increase the sales of Jets tickets considering the Moose get a lot of people at their games as opposed to Jets games. Plus tons of flights going from Winnipeg to Pearson.

So you are suggesting that Winnipeg take their what? AHL team from the very same building as the NHL team plays and move it to Hamilton? Is that was you are saying or do you mean an ECHL team affiliated with Winnipeg move into Hamilton?

 

[jetsmooseice]

Ottawa likely would before Toronto. But I think Winnipeg should do it in order to increase the sales of Jets tickets considering the Moose get a lot of people at their games as opposed to Jets games. Plus tons of flights going from Winnipeg to Pearson.

Why would TNSE mind? Either way it's money in their pocket.

 

[DudeWhereIsMakar]

Why would TNSE mind? Either way it's money in their pocket.

I question why you have a Winnipeg Ice logo that's still there. I almost forgot we had a WHL team for a bit.

 

[jetsmooseice]

I question why you have a Winnipeg Ice logo that's still there. I almost forgot we had a WHL team for a bit.

Four glorious seasons. Well, only two full ones. But they were a phenomenal team.

 

[DoyleG]

This would be such an MLSE move.

 

[Dan K]

Yes, Brantford wants to keep the Bulldogs and they will stay if a new arena is built.

 

[Martin Veillette]

AHL back in Hamilton?
Announcement early 2025
Marlies? or an other team?

https://thehockeynews.com/ahl/latest-news/report-the-ahl-could-be-returning-to-hamilton

 

[barriers]

It's no secret OVG is planning to bring an AHL team back to Hamilton but why is the Bulldogs name and logo being thrown around? The Bulldogs trademark is owned by Andlauer (owner of the Senators) and it's being used by the Brantford OHL team he also owns.

 

[Golden_Jet]

Ottawa likely would before Toronto. But I think Winnipeg should do it in order to increase the sales of Jets tickets considering the Moose get a lot of people at their games as opposed to Jets games. Plus tons of flights going from Winnipeg to Pearson.

I think Ottawa likes the team in Belleville, not sure they would get a closer AHL team than that.

 

[Ratitude]

I am excited to see Hamilton possibly back in the AHL. Used to head up to Hamilton for road games back in 1996/1997 when Albany was still in the American League. I enjoyed the games at the Copps Coliseum and it always reminded me of the old Meadowlands Arena. Always had a great time, and loved the blue collar hard hat fan base of the Bulldogs. The fans there were good people. Friendly, proud of their city, glad they are getting a club back in the city. Even cooler if it's the Bulldogs, entering the ice to "Bad To The Bone" was badass lol.

 

[VaCaps Fan]

Hamilton seems like a solid market if they accept being AHL.

 

[frontsfan2005]

I'd be very surprised if Andlauer relocated the AHL Senators to Hamilton - if anything he wants to get the AHL club closer to the Ottawa-Gatineau region. He's on record saying how he's very impressed with the new rink in Gatineau as the Senators held some of their training camp there - perhaps a potential new home for the AHL Senators?

I think the AHL Senators lease with Belleville is up after the 26-27 season, so expect some shuffling of the AHL and potentially the OHL returning to Belleville that season (Steelheads moving or maybe OHL expansion).

 

[Golden_Jet]

Why would Toronto prefer ECHL in Toronto vs AHL team?

 

[jetsmooseice]

Hamilton seems like a solid market if they accept being AHL.

I wonder what the mood is in Hamilton in that regard... if there can't be a NHL team there (which is a bit of an injustice if you ask me, but that's a topic for another thread), then what do people prefer?

1) Just watch the NHL and cheer for Toronto/Buffalo - this is probably what a lot of people do anyway but it seems like a pretty sad thing for a city like Hamilton to not have any high-profile team of its own to cheer for and to be at the centre of their hockey community.

2) Bring in a AHL team - this is the 'next best thing' but it does leave a lot to be desired... a city like Hamilton might not like the feeling of being a 'farm team' and there are drawbacks like any really good players getting called up in short order, and the AHL game can be kind of dull as it's a very disciplined, systems-oriented game but without any real star power to jazz it up. However, it does provide a focal point for the local hockey community.

3) Bring in a OHL team - arguably more exciting than the AHL to watch, and you do get the occasional star junior player who will be there for at least a couple of seasons before getting drafted. However, the appeal may be more limited since we're basically talking teenagers here.

Personally if I were a Hamilton resident I would opt for door number 3, but I'd be OK with option 2 as well. But I recognize that it could be a tough sell with two NHL options so close by.

 

[Ratitude]

I wonder what the mood is in Hamilton in that regard... if there can't be a NHL team there (which is a bit of an injustice if you ask me, but that's a topic for another thread), then what do people prefer?

1) Just watch the NHL and cheer for Toronto/Buffalo - this is probably what a lot of people do anyway but it seems like a pretty sad thing for a city like Hamilton to not have any high-profile team of its own to cheer for and to be at the centre of their hockey community.

2) Bring in a AHL team - this is the 'next best thing' but it does leave a lot to be desired... a city like Hamilton might not like the feeling of being a 'farm team' and there are drawbacks like any really good players getting called up in short order, and the AHL game can be kind of dull as it's a very disciplined, systems-oriented game but without any real star power to jazz it up. However, it does provide a focal point for the local hockey community.

3) Bring in a OHL team - arguably more exciting than the AHL to watch, and you do get the occasional star junior player who will be there for at least a couple of seasons before getting drafted. However, the appeal may be more limited since we're basically talking teenagers here.

Personally if I were a Hamilton resident I would opt for door number 3, but I'd be OK with option 2 as well. But I recognize that it could be a tough sell with two NHL options so close by.

I have to say that for so many years getting to enjoy AHL hockey locally from the A-Red Wings, CD Islanders, River Rats, and Albany Devils the last couple years of AHL hockey you could clearly see the league headed toward systems development. You saw coaching and decisions made to benefit development over game wining, it was tough. Now that I mainly watch ECHL and D-1 in person it's alot different and it's enjoyable. Individual skill, efforts, and initiative is on full display so the skill level may be a rung just below it's nice to see teams wanting THE WIN over going through the motions development.