Pro hockey returns to Hamilton on Friday night: the expansion Hammers open their inaugural AHL season hosting the Toronto Marlies at TD Coliseum — and one local kid told his mom she's about to cry.
Brandon Scanlin coming home to play is the story inside the story: years grinding elsewhere, now skating in front of family. Expansion teams sell hope; homecomings sell tickets.
Hamilton vs. Toronto on ice, forty minutes down the QEW. Marlies fans invading, Hammers fans defending new turf. The AHL just got a derby.
Sources: CBC News. Context from the Young Hadene newsroom.
The Toronto Marlies, Friday at TD Coliseum.
First pro hockey home game in Hamilton in years; instant QEW rivalry.