PREVIEW: OPENING NIGHT AWAITS AS HAMMERS BEGIN INAUGURAL SEASON
Oct 2, 2026
Back in May, it was announced that the American Hockey League was returning to Hamilton. Now, 134 days later, the wait is over.
The Hamilton Hammers will officially begin their inaugural season Friday night when they visit the Belleville Senators, the AHL affiliate of the Ottawa Senators, as part of an eight-game slate across the league on opening night. Puck drop is set for 7:00 p.m. ET at CAA Arena.
Fans can watch the game live on FloHockey.tv.
Here is what you need to know ahead of puck drop:
VETERANS LEAD THE WAY
Hamilton’s opening night roster brings together a group of established veterans and young players eager to make their mark.
The roster features 1,425 games of NHL experience, with Pierre Engvall and goaltender Vitek Vanecek accounting for 590 of those games. Engvall returns to action after missing the entirety of last season due to injury, while Vanecek made 19 starts for the Utah Mammoth in 2025-26, posting a 2.93 goals-against average.
The roster also features 19 players who suited up for the club in Bridgeport last season, including Matt Luff, who tallied 18 goals and 34 assists for 52 points in 62 games between Bridgeport and Springfield. The former Hamilton Bulldog enters his 10th professional campaign carrying 355 games of AHL experience including playoffs.
FIRST TIME PROS
While veterans will provide experience, several Hammers are preparing to take their first steps in professional hockey.
Kashawn Aitcheson, Quinn Finley and Ryan Healey were all named to the opening night roster, with each set to make their pro debuts this season.
Aitcheson, 20, was selected 17th overall by the New York Islanders in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft. The defenceman spent the previous four seasons with the Barrie Colts of the Ontario Hockey League, recording 63 goals and 108 assists for 171 points.
Finley and Healey, both 22, are also making the jump to the professional ranks after completing their collegiate careers at the University of Wisconsin and Harvard University respectively.
BEHIND THE BENCH
Leading the group is head coach Jay McKee, who brings plenty of experience in Hamilton to the club’s inaugural campaign.
The former first-round NHL Draft pick was named the first head coach in franchise history on June 1, 2026, following five seasons behind the bench with the Hamilton and Brantford Bulldogs of the Ontario Hockey League.
McKee guided the Bulldogs to a OHL Championship in 2022 and compiled a 213-91-36 regular-season record during his five seasons with the organization.
FINAL TUNE-UP
The Hammers closed out their preseason Sunday at TD Coliseum, giving Season Ticket Members, package holders and partners their first opportunity to see the club in action on home ice.
The home squad built a 4-2 lead before the Toronto Marlies rallied to force overtime, with Toronto ultimately earning a 5-4 shootout victory. Cam Berg, Daniil Prokhorov, Hunter Drew and Gleb Veremyev scored for the Hammers, while Josh Kotai turned aside 14 of 16 shots in 40 minutes of action.
WHAT'S AHEAD
The Hammers will remain on the road Saturday, travelling to Toronto to face the Marlies in the first of eight regular-season meetings between the clubs.
Hamilton will then return to TD Coliseum for Home Opener Weekend on October 9 and 11, when the Marlies come to town for a pair of matchups. Tickets are available now at HamiltonHammers.com.