The Brantford Bulldogs are a major junior ice hockey team in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) that began to play in the 2023–24 season. Based in Brantford, Ontario, Canada, the Bulldogs play their home games at Brantford Civic Centre.
The franchise was founded in 1981 as the Belleville Bulls, playing in Belleville, Ontario for 34 years before being purchased by owner Michael Andlauer in March 2015 and relocated to Hamilton. After playing for eight seasons in Hamilton, Ontario as the Hamilton Bulldogs, the team relocated to Brantford for the 2023–24 OHL season; though the move was initially temporary because of ongoing renovations at FirstOntario Centre, Zach Hyman purchased the Bulldogs in January 2025, with the team signing a long-term lease with Brantford and making the relocation permanent.
History
In February 2023, due to upcoming renovations to the FirstOntario Centre, the Hamilton 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.[1]
In January 2025, National Hockey League player Zach Hyman and his family purchased the Bulldogs from Michael Andlauer,[2] and signed a memorandum of understanding with the City of Brantford for the Bulldogs to play at a proposed sports complex in Brantford for 15 years, making the relocation to Brantford permanent.[3]
Coaches
General managers
- 2023–present, Matt Turek
Players
Team captains
- Lawson Sherk (2023–2024)
Notable players
NHL first-round draft picks
- 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023–24 | 68 | 37 | 20 | 9 | 2 | 85 | .625 | 267 | 243 | 2nd East |
Playoffs
- 2023–24: Lost to Ottawa 67's 4-games-to-2 in conference quarterfinals.
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 Name Jay McKee Head Coach". OurSports Central. July 6, 2021.
