Hamilton hockey fans buzzing with excitement for new AHL team, no matter what it will be called

As the fall puck-drop of Hamilton’s new American Hockey League team draws closer, members of the local hockey community — including some fellow tenants of the AHL team’s practice facility — say they’re already loving the buzz that comes with having professional hockey coming back to the city. 

"For our players and their families, it will be cool,” said Mitchell Payne, general manager of the Wentworth Gryphins, the senior AAA hockey club based at Harry Howell Twin Pad Arena, where the new AHL team will have its training facility.

“[The AHL team is] going to be in there a lot. We're going to be in there a lot. So, no question, we'll cross paths.

“We're really excited to see what they do there and potentially learn a little bit from how they operate,” he said. 

Payne is among many eager future fans of the team looking forward to learning what it will be called. An announcement that will take place May 21, TD Coliseum general manager Nick DeLuco told CBC Hamilton on Tuesday. 

The AHL team is part of the New York Islanders organization, which has applied to trademark the names Hamilton Havoc, Hamilton Mustangs and Hamilton Hammers, fuelling speculation over which will be the final choice. Until the end of this season, the team was called the Bridgeport Islanders and based in Connecticut.

Eager spectator Matt Lupal, 49, says he’s hoping for one of the name options that uses alliteration. 

“Hammers seems too perfect to pass up but I also like the Havoc,” said Lupal, who describes himself as a diehard Toronto Maple Leafs fan eager to have more local options for live games. “Honestly, the name is secondary, as it’s just exciting to get pro hockey back in the city.”

DeLuco, from TD Coliseum, said his team has received numerous