It American Hockey League has returned
The 2026-27 AHL season begins on Friday, Oct. 2 with eight games before moving into a 30-game opening weekend featuring all 32 teams.
Since the first game Hamilton Hammers The story of last season’s meeting between the top two teams in the Northern Division, Opening Weekend provides a first-hand look at NHL prospects and teams hoping to establish themselves as Calder Cup contenders.
Here are five AHL games to watch this weekend on FloHockey.
Hamilton Hammers at Belleville Senators
Friday, October 2nd at 7pm ET
A new chapter in AHL history begins Friday night when Hamilton Hammers play their first regular season game against Belleville Senators.
The New York Islanders moved their AHL affiliate from Bridgeport to Hamilton ahead of the 2026-27 season, bringing AHL hockey back to the city for the first time since the Hamilton Bulldogs left in 2015.
Hamilton begins its inaugural season on the road before playing its first home game on Oct. 9. Friday also marks the start of new Ontario play, with Hamilton and Belleville set to meet 10 times during the regular season.
The Hammers will serve as the primary home for the Islanders’ prospect development this offseason, with Cole Eiserman among the young players following in the organization.
Abbotsford Canucks At Calgary Wranglers
Friday, October 2nd at 9pm ET
It Calgary Wranglers began a momentous season at the Scotiabank Saddledome against another Canadian Pacific Division opponent. The Wranglers begin the building bye season vs Abbotsford Canucks Opening night.
Both teams will be looking to bounce back after missing out on the Calder Cup playoffs last season. Abbotsford finished ninth in the Pacific Division at 28-37-4-3, while Calgary finished 10th at 23-34-10-5.
Abbotsford enters the season with new head coach Ryan Papaioannou, who replaced Manny Malhotra after Malhotra was promoted to head coach of the Vancouver Canucks.
The Canucks and Wranglers meet again on Saturday in Calgary.
Charlotte Checkers at Hershey Bears
Saturday, October 3rd at 6pm ET
Two Atlantic Division teams open their seasons against each other at the GIANT Center.
It Charlotte Checkers They finished third in the Atlantic last season with a 44-23-5-0 record and 93 points, but their postseason run ended with a first-round loss to Springfield. Hershey finished fifth at 32-31-6-3 after winning back-to-back Calder Cups in 2024 and 2025.
It Hershey Bears enter 2026-27 with another notable Washington Capitals prospect. Andrew Crystal is coming off his first pro season, while Bogdan Trineev is also among the young players to watch in Hershey.
Saturday kicks off the opening weekend of two games between the teams. Charlotte and Hershey return to the GIANT Center on Sunday at 3pm ET.
Coachella Valley Firebirds in Ontario
Saturday, October 3rd at 9pm ET
Two of last season’s top teams in the Pacific Division meet twice on Opening Weekend.
It Kingdom of Ontario Finished first in the Pacific in 2025-26 with a 47-20-3-2 record and 99 points, while Coachella Valley Firebirds Finished fourth with 88 points at 41-25-6-0.
The matchup also provides an early look at two important NHL development systems. Ontario serves as the AHL affiliate of the Los Angeles Kings, while the Coachella Valley is the affiliate of the Seattle Kraken.
The teams begin their season against each other Friday night at Acrisure Arena before traveling to Ontario on Saturday for the Reign’s home opener.
With two teams that combined for 88 wins last season meeting twice in roughly 24 hours, the Pacific Division is getting an early measuring stick.
Syracuse crunch at the Laval Rocket
Saturday, October 3rd at 3pm ET
Several Opening Weekend matchups feature teams that were as closely matched last season as Syracuse Crunch and: Laval rocket.
Laval won the North Division with a record of 41-23-3-5 and 90 points. Syracuse finished just one point behind at 41-24-3-4 and 89 points.
Now the top two teams in the North Division in 2025-26 begin the new season with a two-game series at Place Bell.
The Rocket and Crunch meet Friday at 7 PM ET before returning to the ice Saturday afternoon for game two of the series.
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