<p>EAST MEADOW, N.Y. — The New York Islanders have renamed their top minor league affiliate to the Bridgeport Islanders. </p>
<p>The NHL club announced the name change Monday. Previously, the AHL team was named the Bridgeport Sound Tigers.</p>
<p>The AHL’s team’s new logo features a “B” to recognize Bridgeport. The stick, which forms the letter “B,” has the parent Islanders “NY” logo as the tape on the blade, a nod to the affiliation between the two clubs. The Islanders’ blue and orange colors remain the same.</p>
<p>“Having the Islanders name associated with Bridgeport, creates a stronger tie between the NHL team and the top development team,” said Chris Lamoriello, Bridgeport’s general manager and the Islanders’ assistant GM said. </p>
<p>“Every time a player puts on the Bridgeport uniform, he will be putting on the identical uniform the NHL team wears, except for the new logo.” </p>
<p>Bridgeport and the Islanders have the fifth-longest current affiliation in AHL history, going back to Bridgeport’s inaugural season in 2001-02. The Islanders purchased the club on July 22, 2004.</p>
<p>The New York Islanders will move into the new UBS Arena at Belmont Park for the 2021-22 NHL season.</p>
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