Is The AHL Returning To Hamilton?

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PALM DESERT, CA - American Hockey League (AHL) President/CEO Scott Howson delivered his annual state of the league address to a handful of reporters in advance of Monday night's 2025 AHL All-Star Challenge to conclude the 2025 AHL All-Star Classic in Coachella Valley.

Howson discussed a wide range of topics in his statement and there's plenty to discuss moving forward, but perhaps most importantly Howson was able to respond to comments made by Oakview Group-Canada's (OVG) president Tom Pistore in the beginning of October.

Pistore told the Sports Business Journal "OVG is in conversations with the American Hockey League (AHL) about a new team in Hamilton, with an announcement expected early in 2025."

OVG-Canada is paying for the $280 million renovation of the FirstOntario Centre in Hamilton, Ontario and will operate the city-owned building when it is expected to reopen in late 2025.

"First of all, they have to get a team to play there. I know that they're probably trying to work on that, but there's nothing imminent that I know of that is going to happen," Howson began in response to being asked by InsideAHLHockey.com about how those talks have progressed,

There has been plenty of speculation that the Belleville Senators could be on their way out of town over the past couple months.

Ottawa Senators and Belleville Senators Owner Michael Andlauer has addressed recent rumours back on January 10 surrounding the relocation of the American Hockey League club and says the Belleville Sens and the City of Belleville continue to be an important piece to the organization.

Currently, the OVG hasn't formally approached the AHL yet according to Howson and that it is up to them to find a team willing to move to Hamilton.

"I'm not saying it won't happen. We've been in Hamilton a number of times. The AHL has history in Hamilton," Howson clairified, adding, "They do have a newly renovated building coming but as of now, there's nothing going on right now, or nothing that I can tell you that I think it's gonna happen."

OVG expanding their company with a Canada division and undertaking the $280 million renovation in Hamilton is certainly putting them in the market for another hockey franchise.

It remains to be seen how they will acquire a new franchise, but they are certainly working to put at least one hockey team in Hamilton when their newly renovated building is complete.