Hamilton Hammers News & Notes – Opening Date Set, Coaching Staff Named & More

The Hamilton Hammers revealed their first home game date, updated their coaching staff, and re-signed two players.

Home Opener Date and Guaranteed Dates Revealed

The team announced six confirmed dates for their inaugural season on social media. 

The Hammers will kick off their home games for the 2026-27 season at the TD Coliseum in Hamilton on Oct. 9, with opponents yet to be announced. Other confirmed home dates include Oct. 11, Nov. 25, Dec. 12, Jan. 2, and Feb. 15. 

The complete regular-season schedule is anticipated to be released this summer.

Laise and Tisi Join the Coaching Staff

The Hammers announced on June 18 two familiar names to the team’s coaching staff, with connections to bench boss Jay McKee.

Vince Laise was appointed assistant coach, and Kain Tisi as goalie coach for the 2026-27 season.

Laise reunites with McKee following a two-year stint as associate coach on McKee’s staff with the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) Brantford Bulldogs. Although this is the first professional hockey gig, Laise is no stranger to the Steel City. He was a member of current Toronto Marlies head coach Jon Gruden’s Hamilton Bulldogs coaching staff from 2016 to 2018, guiding the organization to its first OHL Championship in 2018. 

Laise was part of the Bulldogs’ coaching staff under Dave Matsos in 2018-19 before becoming head coach the following season. He was dismissed late in the 2019-20 season. Originally from Brampton, Ontario, he has coached the Erie Otters in the OHL, nurturing future NHL players such as Connor McDavid and Alex DeBrincat. His coaching background also includes the Hamilton Steel U18 AAA in the Ontario Minor Hockey League and Mercyhurst University in the NCAA.

Tisi reconnects with McKee after spending the past five seasons in the Pittsburgh Penguins organization as a goaltending development coach with the American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, Wilkes-Barre Scranton Penguins, the latter two as the farm team’s goaltending coach.

A former goaltender of the NCAA Division-I St. Lawrence University, Tisi’s connection with McKee was with the Kitchener Rangers when he served as the team’s goaltending coach throughout McKee’s tenure as the bench boss in Kitchener. He was part of the organization from 2013 to 2022. 

Last season, Tisi developed the goaltending duo of Sergei Murashov and Joel Blomqvist, who ranked among the league’s fewest goals allowed. 

Rowe and Thiesing Re-sign to New Contracts

On June 23, the New York Islanders re-signed defenceman Luke Rowe and forward Cam Thiesing to one-year AHL contracts with Hamilton.

Rowe rejoins the Islanders organization following a season in which he played 62 games with Bridgeport, recording 11 assists and totalling 13 points. A veteran of 113 AHL games, Rowe played with the Los Angeles Kings affiliate Ontario Reign from 2023 to 2025, and was a 2024 Hobey Baker Memorial Award nominee at the Air Force Academy. 

Thiesing rejoins the Islanders organization after achieving his career-best stats — 63 games, nine goals, eight assists, totalling 17 points with Bridgeport. He entered professional hockey in 2024 following his junior and college career with the NAHL’s Chippewa Steel, United States Hockey League (USHL) Green Bay Gamblers, and Ohio State University in the NCAA. Thiesing was to be a restricted free agent on July 1.

Final Thoughts

For the team to announce the home opener date and the confirmed dates several months before the season starts is the right call from a public relations and marketing standpoint. It will allow fans to prepare early and be aware of what the schedule will look like when it is released next month. 

As for the appointment of the two coaches, familiarity is key when forming a coaching staff in sports, and the hiring of Laise and Tisi is no exception. Beyond the connection, the hirings are well-earned given their proven track record and credibility in developing talent. 

Like McKee, it will be interesting to observe how Laise adjusts to the professional level. The organization may also hire more experienced coaches to support McKee and Laise in their growth. Tisi has some professional background and a postseason appearance with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton last season, but acquiring additional experience might be advantageous.

Rowe and Thiesing are more of the organization depth pieces in the defence and forwards who will be playing key minutes with the Hammers next season.