PREVIEW: HAMMERS WELCOME MARLIES FOR HISTORIC HOME OPENER
Oct 9, 2026
More than four thousand days after the city last hosted American Hockey League action, the Hamilton Hammers (1-1-0-0) take the ice at TD Coliseum for their Home Opener against the Toronto Marlies (1-1-0-0), AHL affiliate of the Toronto Maple Leafs.
The matchup marks the second meeting between the two clubs in the opening weeks of the campaign, adding another chapter to the longstanding sports rivalry between Hamilton and Toronto. More importantly, it marks the return of AHL hockey to Hamilton and the beginning of a new era of professional hockey at TD Coliseum.
Puck drop is set for shortly after 7:00 p.m. ET, following a pre-game ceremony commemorating the historic occasion. Fans can watch live on Cable14 and FloHockey. Tickets remain available at HamiltonHammers.com.
SCORING AND SPECIAL TEAMS IN FOCUS
The Hammers have generated plenty of offence through their first two games, scoring eight goals to open the campaign. Mitchell Chaffee’s hat trick highlighted the five-goal outburst in Belleville, while five different Hamilton players found the back of the net during the opening weekend road trip. Liam Foudy leads the club with five points, including a team-high four assists.
Hamilton’s power play has also provided an early spark, converting on three of 13 opportunities for a 23.1 per cent success rate. Tonight the Hammers will face one of the league’s early standout penalty kills. Toronto has allowed just one goal on 12 shorthanded opportunities this season, operating at a 91.7 per cent efficiency and presenting a significant challenge for Hamilton’s power play.
A HOMECOMING YEARS IN THE MAKING
Friday will mark a major milestone for the organization, while also carrying special significance for several members of the team.
Now in his sixth AHL season, Brandon Scanlin grew up attending games in the building while playing minor hockey with the Hamilton Huskies organization. His connection to the city continued when he was selected by the Hamilton Bulldogs in the 2015 Ontario Hockey League Priority Selection.
Head coach Jay McKee and forward Matt Luff also return to familiar surroundings.
McKee spent five seasons behind the bench of the Hamilton/Brantford Bulldogs from 2021-26, leading the club to the 2022 OHL Championship. Luff played 106 regular-season games with the Bulldogs from 2015-17, recording 106 points during his time in Hamilton.
Now, all three return to Hamilton with the Hammers, bringing their own personal connections to the city as a new chapter of professional hockey begins.
OPENING WEEKEND RECAP
The Hammers opened their inaugural season with a memorable 5-2 victory in Belleville. Chaffee opened the scoring with the first goal in Hammers history before completing a hat trick, while Vitek Vanecek turned aside 25 of 27 shots to record the victory. Foudy added three assists in his 200th AHL game, while Kashawn Aitcheson and Ryan Healey made their professional debuts. Aitcheson also picked up his first professional point.
Hamilton then made the short trip to Toronto the following night, meeting the Marlies for the first time this season. Toronto built a sizeable lead before Hamilton mounted a push in the second half of the game, with Pierre Engvall, Ethan Bear and Foudy finding the back of the net in the 5-3 loss.
Now, the two clubs meet again with the stage shifting to Hamilton.
A NEW CHAPTER
Friday night is about more than the first game on home ice. It is the return of AHL action to Hamilton and the first opportunity for Hammers fans to experience regular-season hockey inside TD Coliseum.
From the pre-game ceremony through the opening faceoff and final buzzer, the night will introduce fans to the Hammers’ experience while beginning to establish a new hockey tradition in the city.
LOOKING AHEAD
The Hammers and Marlies will meet again Sunday afternoon to close out Home Opener Weekend at TD Coliseum. Puck drop is set for 3:00 p.m. ET. Tickets are available now at HamiltonHammers.com.