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| The '''Brantford Bulldogs''' are a major ] team in the ] (OHL) that began to play in the ]. Based in ], Canada, the Bulldogs play their home games at ]. They were purchased by now-] owner ] in March 2015 and relocated to Hamilton after 34 years in ], where they were known as the ]. |
The '''Brantford Bulldogs''' are a major ] team in the ] (OHL) that began to play in the ]. Based in ], Canada, the Bulldogs play their home games at ]. They were purchased by now-] owner ] in March 2015 and relocated to Hamilton after 34 years in ], where they were known as the ]. While in Hamilton, the Bulldogs won ] in 2018 and 2022. | ||
| The Bulldogs replaced the ] ], also formerly owned by Andlauer. The original team played in Hamilton from 1996 to 2015, after which they moved to ], to become the second incarnation of the ]. | The Bulldogs replaced the ] ], also formerly owned by Andlauer. The original team played in Hamilton from 1996 to 2015, after which they moved to ], to become the second incarnation of the ]. | ||
Revision as of 18:01, 16 January 2025
Ontario Hockey League team in Brantford For the former American Hockey League team, see Hamilton Bulldogs (AHL).
| Brantford Bulldogs | |
|---|---|
| [REDACTED] | |
| City | Brantford, Ontario |
| League | Ontario Hockey League |
| Conference | Eastern Conference |
| Division | East |
| Founded | 1981 |
| Operated | 2015–present |
| Home arena | Brantford Civic Centre |
| Colours | Black, gold, white |
| General manager | Matt Turek |
| Head coach | Jay McKee |
| Affiliate | Hamilton Kilty B's |
| Franchise history | |
| 1981–2015 | Belleville Bulls |
| 2015–2023 | Hamilton Bulldogs |
| 2023–present | Brantford Bulldogs |
| Championships | |
| Division titles | (2018, 2022) |
| Robertson Cups | (2018, 2022) |
| Current uniform | |
 | |
The Brantford Bulldogs are a major junior ice hockey team in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) that began to play in the 2015–16 season. Based in Brantford, Ontario, Canada, the Bulldogs play their home games at Brantford Civic Centre. They were purchased by now-Ottawa Senators owner Michael Andlauer in March 2015 and relocated to Hamilton after 34 years in Belleville, Ontario, where they were known as the Bulls. While in Hamilton, the Bulldogs won OHL championships in 2018 and 2022.
The Bulldogs replaced the American Hockey League team of the same name, also formerly owned by Andlauer. The original team played in Hamilton from 1996 to 2015, after which they moved to St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, to become the second incarnation of the St. John's IceCaps.
In February 2023, due to upcoming renovations to the FirstOntario Centre, the Bulldogs announced they would be temporarily relocating to the Brantford Civic Centre and renaming as the Brantford Bulldogs for at least three seasons, beginning in the 2023–24 season. The Civic Centre will also be undergoing over $9 million in renovations, funded by both the Bulldogs and the City of Brantford.
On January 13, 2025, it was announced that Edmonton Oilers star forward Zach Hyman and his family had purchased the team from Michael Andlauer, and later that week, it was announced that the new Hyman-led ownership group had signed a memorandum of understanding with the City of Brantford which would see the Bulldogs play at a proposed new sports complex in Brantford for 15 years, eliminating any prospect of a return to Hamilton in spite of $290 million renovations to FirstOntario Centre.
History
On March 12, 2015, Michael Andlauer announced that he had acquired the Belleville Bulls and that they would move into the FirstOntario Centre for the 2015–16 season as the Hamilton Bulldogs. The Hamilton Bulldogs franchise which played in the American Hockey League had been sold to the Montreal Canadiens and moved to St. John's, Newfoundland, for the 2015–16 season.
Coaches
- 2015–2016, George Burnett
- 2016–2018, John Gruden
- 2018–2019, Dave Matsos
- 2019–2020, Vince Laise
- 2020, Steve Staios (interim)
- 2021–present, Jay McKee
General managers
- 2015–2016, George Burnett
- 2016–2022, Steve Staios (6)
- 2022–present, Matt Turek
Players
Team captains
- Justin Lemcke (2015–2018)
- MacKenzie Entwistle (2018–2019)
- Matthew Strome (2018–2019 )
- Isaac Nurse (2019–2020)
- Colton Kammerer (2021–2022)
- Logan Morrison (2022–2023)
- Lawson Sherk (2023–2024)
Notable players
- William Bitten
- Nick Caamano
- MacKenzie Entwistle
- Kaden Fulcher
- Ben Gleason
- Jan Jeník
- Arthur Kaliyev
- Matt Luff
- Mason Marchment
- Connor McMichael
- Mason McTavish
- Christian Mieritz
- Logan Morrison
- Riley Stillman
- Marian Studenic
- Robert Thomas
- Ryan Winterton
- Arber Xhekaj
NHL first-round draft picks
- 2017: Robert Thomas, 20th overall, St. Louis Blues
- 2019: Connor McMichael, 25th overall, Washington Capitals
- 2021: Mason McTavish, 3rd overall, Anaheim Ducks
- 2024: Marek Vanacker, 27th overall, Chicago Blackhawks
Season-by-season results
Regular season
Legend: OTL = Overtime loss, SL = Shootout loss
| Season | Games | Won | Lost | OTL | SL | Points | Pct % | Goals For |
Goals Against |
Standing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015–16 | 68 | 25 | 35 | 8 | 0 | 58 | .426 | 197 | 260 | 5th East |
| 2016–17 | 68 | 33 | 27 | 4 | 4 | 74 | .544 | 238 | 225 | 4th East |
| 2017–18 | 68 | 43 | 18 | 4 | 3 | 93 | .684 | 252 | 207 | 1st East |
| 2018–19 | 68 | 29 | 34 | 3 | 2 | 63 | .463 | 241 | 283 | 4th East |
| 2019–20 | 62 | 24 | 30 | 7 | 1 | 56 | .452 | 235 | 267 | 4th East |
| 2020–21 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 | 0 | 0 | Season cancelled |
| 2021–22 | 68 | 51 | 12 | 3 | 2 | 107 | .787 | 300 | 176 | 1st East |
| 2022–23 | 68 | 33 | 30 | 5 | 0 | 71 | .522 | 226 | 251 | 3rd East |
| 2023–24 | 68 | 37 | 20 | 9 | 2 | 85 | .625 | 267 | 243 | 2nd East |
Playoffs
- 2015–16: Did not qualify.
- 2016–17: Lost to Kingston Frontenacs 4-games-to-3 in conference quarter-finals.
- 2017–18: Defeated Ottawa 67's 4-games-to-1 in conference quarter-finals.
Defeated Niagara IceDogs 4-games-to-1 in conference semi-finals.
Defeated Kingston Frontenacs 4-games-to-1 in conference finals.
Won championship vs Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds 4-games-to-2.
Third-place finish in 2018 Memorial Cup. - 2018–19: Lost to Ottawa 67's 4-games-to-0 in conference quarter-finals.
- 2019–20: Playoffs cancelled
- 2020–21: Season cancelled
- 2021–22: Defeated Peterborough Petes 4-games-to-0 in conference quarter-finals.
Defeated Mississauga Steelheads 4-games-to-0 in conference semi-finals.
Defeated North Bay Battalion 4-games-to-0 in conference finals.
Won championship vs Windsor Spitfires 4-games-to-3.
Second-place finish in 2022 Memorial Cup. - 2022–23: Lost to Barrie Colts 4-games-to-2 in conference quarter-finals.
- 2023-24: Lost to Ottawa 67's 4-games-to-2 in conference quarter-finals.
See also
References
- Lawson, Samantha (February 8, 2023). "OHL's Hamilton Bulldogs to temporarily call Brantford home". CHCH-DT. Hamilton, Ontario. Retrieved February 9, 2023.
- Collaco, Conrad (January 13, 2025). "OHL's Brantford Bulldogs sold to Edmonton Oilers star Zach Hyman". Retrieved January 16, 2025.
- Collaco, Conrad; Chandler, Justin (January 16, 2025). "OHL's Bulldogs won't return to Hamilton, new owners sign 15-year-deal in Brantford, Ont." Retrieved January 16, 2025.
- "Hamilton Bulldogs sell AHL franchise, buy the OHL Belleville Bulls". CBC News. Retrieved March 12, 2015.
- "Bulldogs Name Vince Laise Head Coach". OurSports Central. August 20, 2019.
- "'It was a culmination of things' says Hamilton Bulldogs GM on firing of coach Vince Laise". Global News. March 4, 2020.
- "Hamilton Bulldogs Name Jay McKee Head Coach". OurSports Central. July 6, 2021.
External links
| Brantford Bulldogs | |
|---|---|
| |
| The Franchise | |
| Arenas | |
| Conference Championships | |
| Division Championships | |
| J. Ross Robertson Cup | |
| Retired numbers | |
![[REDACTED]](https://u3vuiephb.global.ssl.fastly.net/File:Hamilton_Bulldogs_logo.svg){kind=link}