On May 10, 2021, the New York Islanders' AHL farm team formerly known as the Bridgeport Sound Tigers announced it was throwing away 21 seasons of history, legacy and tradition to rebrand as the Bridgeport Islanders.

Leave aside the fact that Bridgeport is not an island city (nor Connecticut an island state), Sound Tigers fans stayed loyal even during the team's recent on-ice troubles.  In addition, the Tigers logo was praised as one of the league's best, the mascot Storm the Tiger was extremely popular among fans young and old, and the team had a strong fanbase even among non-Islanders fans (particularly those who were Rangers fans).  Said Rangers fans will likely have no desire to cheer for a team called the Islanders, which will mark a steep drop in attendance and fan support going forward

This is not even the first time a team with Lou Lamoriello as the GM even dispatched its traditional name for the parent club's; as the Lowell Lock Monsters had changed their name to the Lowell Devils in 2006.  As they moved to Albany four years later, Bridgeport fans have reason to fear their team will move as well.

As such, we urge the Islanders to reverse the "reboot," reinstate the Sound Tigers name and logo for Bridgeport's team, and keep the city's rich hockey legacy intact for years to come.