Gabriel Pizza Gameday Build-Up: Belleville begins 10th season against visitors from Hamilton

Friday, October 2, 2026, vs. Hamilton Hammers (NHL Affiliate: New York Islanders)

The Set Up

It’s finally that time of year. A fresh new season brings familiar faces, new additions and a clean slate for the Belleville Senators. The Senators will open their 2026–27 campaign at home tonight, welcoming the newest addition to the North Division, the Hamilton Hammers, to CIBC Place. While the Hammers are new to the league after moving from Bridgeport, Connecticut, and this will be the first of 10 meetings between the two teams this season, the matchup itself is not entirely unfamiliar. Belleville faced the New York Islanders’ AHL affiliate twice last season, going 0-1-1-0 while being outscored 10-5. But this is a new season, a new city and, for both teams, an opportunity to start fresh. The Senators enter their 10th anniversary season in Belleville looking to turn the page after finishing last in the North Division a season ago with a 28-35-8-1 record. With several new additions joining the organization, including forwards Philip Tomasino, Sammy Blais and Ryan Suzuki, Belleville will look to establish its identity from the opening night. Hamilton has also added plenty of new talent. While returning forwards Matt Luff and Liam Foudy provide some familiarity from the Bridgeport group, the Hammers will also introduce several exciting young players, including highly touted prospects Cole Eiserman and Kashawn Aitcheson. With both organizations looking to begin a new chapter, tonight’s opener should provide the first glimpse at what these two teams can become over the course of the season. For Belleville, it is also the beginning of a new decade of Senators hockey in the city.

Previous History

Although Hamilton is a new addition to the North Division, Belleville has plenty of recent history against the organization. Over the last five seasons, the Senators have posted a 7-4-1-0 record against the Islanders’ AHL affiliate. Their most recent meeting came on December 14, 2025, when Belleville fell 4-3 in overtime at home.  Jackson Parsons made 21 of 25 saves in the loss, while current Senators Scott Harrington and Xavier Bourgault each recorded an assist. The two teams will meet 10 times throughout the 2026–27 campaign, giving Belleville plenty of opportunities to build a new rivalry with the Hammers. Following Friday’s opener, the Senators will travel to Hamilton for their next meeting on November 20, with the matchup taking place at TD Coliseum.

Roster Notes

With the season opener finally here, the Senators will unveil a roster featuring a mix of returning players, offseason additions and young prospects looking to establish themselves at the professional level.  Full roster and lineup details will be available closer to puck drop on the Senators’ social media channels (@BellevilleSens).

Who to Watch

From the Belleville side, Kasper Halttunen is a forward to watch. The Finnish winger brings plenty of size and offensive upside to the Senators’ forward group as he enters his second AHL season. Halttunen made his professional debut with the San Jose Barracuda last season, recording 16 goals and 35 points in 69 games. The 21-year-old was a key piece in the William Eklund deal from the San Jose Sharks back in the summer. At 6-foot-3, Halttunen gives Belleville a big body up front and a dangerous shot that can cause havoc in the offensive zone. After his first full season of professional hockey, Friday’s opener will be an early chance for Halttunen to build on that experience and establish himself as an important part of the Senators’ forward group.

Kashawn Aitcheson enters the season as one of the young players to watch for Hamilton. The 6-foot-2 defenceman brings a physical presence to the Hammers’ blue line and has already built a reputation for playing a hard, competitive style. Drafted in the first round by the New York Islanders, Aitcheson is entering an important stage of his development as he makes the jump to the professional game. The defender recorded 28 goals for 70 points in 56 games last season for the OHL’s Barrie Colts, playing in key matchups and minutes for the Simcoe County team. His combination of size, physicality and willingness to compete can make him difficult to play against, particularly around the net and along the boards. Aitchenson will be looking to make a name for himself, so Belleville’s forwards will have to be prepared for his physical style as the Senators look to establish their offensive game early.

Follow the Action:

Puck drop tonight is set for 7:00 p.m. ET from CIBC Place in Belleville, Ontario. Broadcast coverage begins at 6:45 p.m. with David Foot and Zach McGibbon, and can be seen on AHLTV on FloHockey.

Once again, the full 2026-27 Belleville Senators schedule is available by clicking here.

More information on season seat memberships, Sens on Demand ticketing, premium seating, the Business Edge program, and more can be found by visiting the Belleville Sens Website.