With hockey returning to Trenton in about five months, the Trenton Ironhawks officially unveiled one of the biggest milestones yet for the franchise this week: an affiliation agreement with the National Hockey League’s New York Islanders.
The announcement came during a press conference in Trenton, where team officials, county leaders, state representatives and hockey executives gathered to celebrate the return of professional hockey to New Jersey’s capital city.
As part of the reveal, organizers played a dramatic video showing an Ironhawk flying from Trenton to Long Island before landing at UBS Arena, home of the Islanders, officially introducing the new partnership.
The agreement makes the Ironhawks the ECHL affiliate of the Islanders organization, joining the team’s American Hockey League affiliate in Hamilton, Ontario as part of the Islanders’ player development system.
“We are excited to partner with Trenton as our new ECHL affiliate and bring professional hockey back to New Jersey’s capital city,” Islanders General Manager and Executive Vice President Mathieu Darche said in a statement released by the team.
The Ironhawks are scheduled to open their inaugural season Oct. 24 against Adirondack at CURE Insurance Arena.
“After 13 years without a team, this community can’t even wait for October,” Mercer County Executive Dan Benson said during the event.
‘Hockey belongs in Trenton’
The Trenton area has a long history with professional hockey.
The city was previously home to the Trenton Titans from 1999 to 2006, followed by the Trenton Devils from 2007 to 2011 before the Titans returned from 2011 to 2013. Over those years, the franchise maintained affiliations with the Philadelphia Flyers, New Jersey Devils, New York Islanders and Los Angeles Kings.
Now, after more than a decade without a team, officials say the Ironhawks represent more than just a new sports franchise.
“Hockey belongs in Trenton,” Islanders Assistant General Manager Chris Lamoriello said during the announcement. “To be part of that relaunch again is a privilege, but it’s also a responsibility.”
Lamoriello said the Islanders organization views the partnership as both a hockey opportunity and a community commitment.
“We’re going to be 100% in sync with Bob, supporting him on and off the ice any way we can,” Lamoriello said.
Trenton Mayor Reed Gusciora called the announcement “a great day for Trenton” and tied the team’s return to broader revitalization efforts underway in the capital city.
Building more than a hockey team
Ironhawks President Bob Ohrablo said several NHL organizations expressed interest in partnering with Trenton before the team selected the Islanders.
“There was no shortage of suitors,” Ohrablo said. “But when I talked to the affiliate who I’m going to announce here shortly, that’s the one I wanted to go with. They have the right culture, they have the right building, and they have the right thing that’s going to help us here in Trenton.”
Ohrablo said the organization’s goals extend beyond simply bringing hockey back.
“Our goal is to win the Kelly Cup,” he said. “That’s the bottom line.”
But he repeatedly emphasized that the franchise also wants to become deeply connected to the surrounding community.
“We wanted a partner that shared the same values, the same culture as the Ironhawks organization,” Ohrablo said. “And has a strong desire to develop players and a winning atmosphere and players that will also work at contributing back to our community.”
The Ironhawks have already begun selling inaugural season memberships, merchandise, and corporate sponsorships ahead of the team’s first season.
Arena upgrades underway
The announcement also highlighted major upgrades currently underway at CURE Insurance Arena ahead of the return of hockey this fall.
Fran Rodowicz of Oak View Group, which manages the arena, said crews are installing:
- a new ice chiller system
- upgraded scoreboards and digital displays
- new hockey boards and glass
- renovated suites and VIP hospitality areas
“This summer is going to be a busy one,” Rodowicz said.
Rodowicz said the improvements are about more than sports alone.
“It’s more about just hockey,” he said. “It’s about the revitalization of our capital city and we’re proud to be a part of the vision to drive positive change here in Trenton.”
Mercer County officials echoed that message throughout the event, describing the Ironhawks as part of broader economic development efforts centered around the arena district and downtown Trenton.
“This team is going to benefit our whole entire community, creating good jobs and bringing visitors and economic activity to this capital city and county,” Benson said.
Countdown to opening night
League officials also noted the ECHL’s growing importance in professional hockey development, pointing to hundreds of players who have advanced from the league to NHL careers.
ECHL Commissioner Ryan Crelin said Trenton’s previous hockey franchises helped develop future NHL players and coaches, and he believes the new Islanders affiliation strengthens the long-term future of hockey in the city.
As the event wrapped up, speakers repeatedly returned to the same theme: hockey is finally coming back to Trenton — and the community appears ready for it.
“This is not just a hockey team,” Ohrablo said, “but something that’s going to be great for Trenton, Mercer County, Bucks County and the surrounding area.”
You can learn more about the Ironhawks and purchase tickets at trentonirohnhawks.com.
