The Hershey Bears have an incredible opportunity in their first-round playoff series: They can literally end the Bridgeport Islanders

Key Points:

• The Hershey Bears will face the Bridgeport Islanders in the first round of the 2026 Calder Cup Playoffs, with the potential to end Bridgeport's AHL era as the Islanders are relocating to Hamilton, Ontario, for the 2026-27 season.
• The New York Islanders' move to Hamilton was unanimously approved by the AHL Board of Governors and will bring professional hockey back to the city’s renovated TD Coliseum, ending 25 years of AHL hockey in Bridgeport.
• The Bears and Islanders have a long history, having played 134 regular-season games since 2001-02, with Hershey leading the all-time series and having won both previous Calder Cup playoff series against Bridgeport.
• The relocation marks a significant transition for the Islanders organization, with team executives expressing gratitude to Bridgeport fans and excitement about establishing a new fanbase in Hamilton.
• The playoff series begins Tuesday at Total Mortgage Arena, with subsequent games alternating between Hershey and Bridgeport’s venues, and features notable connections such as Bears defenseman Aaron Ness and former Bridgeport coach Brent Thompson.