Brantford Bulldogs

Brantford Bulldogs
CityBrantford, Ontario
LeagueOntario Hockey League
ConferenceEastern Conference
DivisionEast
Founded1981
Operated2023–present
Home arenaTD Civic Centre
ColoursBlack, gold, white
     
General managerSpencer Hyman
Head coachMichael Babcock
AffiliatesMarkham Royals
Franchise history
1981–2015Belleville Bulls
2015–2023Hamilton Bulldogs
2023–presentBrantford Bulldogs
Championships
Division titles(2018, 2022, 2025, 2026)
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 2023–24 season. Based in Brantford, Ontario, Canada, the Bulldogs play their home games at TD 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.[1] 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 and family purchased the Bulldogs in January 2025,[2] 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.[3]

In January 2025, National Hockey League player Zach Hyman and his family purchased the Bulldogs from Michael Andlauer,[4] 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.[5]

On May 29, 2026, it was announced that head coach Jay McKee would be leaving the Bulldogs to be the inaugural head coach of the Hamilton Hammers in the American Hockey League.[6] Shortly thereafter, Michael Babcock was introduced as the Bulldogs' new head coach.[7]

Coaches

General managers

  • 2023–2025, Matt Turek
  • 2025–present, Spencer Hyman

Players

Team captains

  • Lawson Sherk (2023–24)
  • Patrick Thomas (2024–25)
  • Jake O'Brien (2025–26)

Notable players

NHL first-round draft picks

Season-by-season results

Regular season and playoffs results:[9]

Legend: GP = Games played, W = Wins, L = Losses, T = Ties, OTL = Overtime losses, SL = Shoot-out losses, Pts = Points, GF = Goals for, GA = Goals against

Memorial Cup champions OHL champions OHL finalists
SeasonRegular seasonPlayoffs
GPWLOTLSOLPtsPctGFGAFinish
2023–246837209285.6252672432nd EastLost conference quarterfinals (Ottawa 67's) 4–2[10]
2024–256844195093.6842812211st EastWon conference quarterfinals (North Bay Battalion) 4–1 in
Lost conference semifinals (Oshawa Generals) 4–2[11]
2025–2668481082106.7792961901st EastWon conference quarterfinals (Sudbury Wolves) 4–0
Won conference semifinals (North Bay Battalion) 4–0
Lost conference finals (Barrie Colts) 4–3

See also

References

  1. ↑ chlwebproduct (March 12, 2015). "Bulldogs Announce Sale of AHL Franchise to Montreal Canadiens, Andlauer Purchases OHL'S Belleville Bulla". Brantford Bulldogs. Retrieved February 26, 2025.
  2. ↑ Duthie, Reed (January 13, 2025). "Bulldogs Ventures Inc. announces Zach Hyman's purchase of the Brantford Bulldogs Hockey Club has been approved by the OHL". Brantford Bulldogs. Retrieved February 26, 2025.
  3. ↑ Lawson, Samantha (February 8, 2023). "OHL's Hamilton Bulldogs to temporarily call Brantford home". CHCH-DT. Hamilton, Ontario. Retrieved February 9, 2023.
  4. ↑ Collaco, Conrad (January 13, 2025). "OHL's Brantford Bulldogs sold to Edmonton Oilers star Zach Hyman". Retrieved January 16, 2025.
  5. ↑ 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.
  6. ↑ Chandler, Justin (May 29, 2026). "OHL Brantford Bulldogs coach Jay McKee leaves team to lead AHL Hamilton Hammers". Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved July 4, 2026.
  7. ↑ Smiley, Brian (June 10, 2026). "Brantford Bulldogs introduce Michael Babcock as new head coach". Brantford Expositor. Retrieved July 4, 2026.
  8. ↑ "Hamilton Bulldogs Name Jay McKee Head Coach". OurSports Central. July 6, 2021.
  9. ↑ "Brantford Bulldogs Statistics and History". HockeyDB. Retrieved April 3, 2026.
  10. ↑ "2023–24 OHL Playoff Results". HockeyDB. Retrieved April 3, 2026.
  11. ↑ "2024–25 OHL Playoff Results". HockeyDB. Retrieved April 3, 2026.
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