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After years of professional hockey in Hamilton, the wait is almost over.
The Hamilton Hammers will play their first regular season home game on Friday night, hosting the Toronto Marlies at TD Coliseum in their season opener. Balloon drop is at 7pm
For Brandon Scanlin, the game carries extra meaning.
The 26-year-old defenseman grew up in Hamilton’s Westmount, attended Westmount High School and played minor hockey in the city.
Now he’s back home as a professional.
“It’s a very exciting moment,” Scanlin said. “I love the city. I love the people of this city, and to be able to represent the city is something special for me.”
Scanlin said her family was excited when she said she was coming home.
“When I broke the news to my mom, she almost started crying,” he said.
Brandon Scanlin says he’ll have friends and family at Friday’s home opener. (Vince Neal Media)
Friday’s game will give people who have supported him throughout his career a chance to finally see him play professionally in his hometown, he said.
Scanlin has already shown his teammates his favorite spots in Hamilton.
“We’ve got a lot of good food here,” he said, citing Plank Restobar, The Mule and Chicago style pizza on Mt., as his favourite.
But the biggest draw for him is the chance to play hockey in what he considers a hockey town.
Hamilton was previously home to the AHL’s Hamilton Bulldogs, who won the Calder Cup in 2007, before the city later became the home of an OHL franchise.
“I think the city is definitely hungry for hockey,” Scanlin said. “It’s a great hockey town and we love it here.”
The return of professional hockey
The Hammers’ arrival comes after the AHL board of governors unanimously approved Bridgeport Islanders move to Hamilton in March. The team is owned by the New York Islanders and the Oak View Group, whose investors include Hamilton native and NBA star Shai Gilges-Alexander.
For Kashawn Aitcheson, Friday will be his first attempt at playing for the Hamilton crowd instead of against it.
The Scarborough-born defenseman faced Hamilton’s former OHL team a few times and remembers how difficult the atmosphere could be for the visitors.
They had great fans here,” Aitcheson said. “It was always a mess. It’s tough to play against in this barn.”
Now he looks forward to their support.
“Definitely excited to have these fans on my side.”
Aitcheson described himself as a physical, two-way defenseman who likes to play aggressively and create offensive opportunities.
Hamilton Hammers celebrate their first win against Belleville Senators on October 2, 2026. (Jana Chytilova/Freestyle Photography)
He said he really likes the Hammers’ starting roster, which includes veterans and top prospects.
The team enters its first season as the Islanders’ AHL affiliate, part of a league designed to develop players for NHL organizations.
And while players know their time in the AHL can sometimes come to an abrupt end, moving to other leagues throughout the season, Aitcheson said he’s focused on the team in front of him.
“You’re Hamilton Hammer for now,” he said. “Wherever you are, you want to win games and that’s the whole point.”
The Hammers will play 36 regular season home games at TD Coliseum this season. Their home opener against Toronto on Friday will be followed by another game against the Marlies on Sunday.
For Scanlin, stepping on the ice Friday will bring some nerves, but mostly excitement.
“I can’t wait to see what it looks like here,” he said.
He thinks the team name fits his new home.
The “hammer” represents Hamilton’s blue-collar identity, he said.
“We’re working with what we’ve got,” Scanlin said. “We’re definitely a blue-collar, gritty, hard-working bunch here, but we’re proud of what we do. So I think Hammer is the perfect name for us.”
And as Hamilton prepares to welcome professional hockey back to town, Scanlin has a simple message for fans who have been waiting.
“We are ready to have you in the building,” he said. “We can’t wait to produce something for you guys!”