The New York Islanders have officially announced the hiring of Jay McKee as the head coach of their American Hockey League affiliate, the Hamilton Hammers, just in time for their inaugural season. This strategic move marks a new chapter for the franchise as they transition from Bridgeport after 25 years.
At 48 years old, McKee brings a wealth of experience to the role, having been the 14th overall pick in the 1995 NHL Draft by the Buffalo Sabres. Over a 14-year career in the NHL, he played 802 regular-season games, notching 125 points with 21 goals and 104 assists. His career began in Buffalo, where he spent a decade before moving on to the St. Louis Blues from 2006 to 2009, and wrapping up with the Pittsburgh Penguins in the 2009-10 season.
Following his playing days, McKee quickly transitioned into coaching, starting as a volunteer assistant at Niagara University during the 2010-11 season. He has since gathered significant coaching experience, including a successful two-year stint as head coach of the Hamilton Bulldogs from 2021 to 2023 when the team was part of the Ontario Hockey League.
In addition to his new role with the Hammers, McKee was reportedly a finalist for the head coaching position with the Belleville Senators, the Ottawa Senators’ AHL affiliate. The Islanders’ decision to elevate Rocky Thompson to Pete DeBoer’s staff opened the door for McKee’s appointment, creating the need for a new head coach in Hamilton.
As McKee steps into this pivotal role, expectations are high, and it is anticipated that Thompson’s two assistants, David Cunniff and Chad Kolarik, will join him on the coaching staff, helping to lay the groundwork for the Hammers’ inaugural campaign.
Note: This recap is an independently written summary based on publicly available reporting.
