The brand new proprietor of the Brantford Bulldogs is coming off a 50-goal season for the Edmonton Oilers within the Nationwide Hockey League.
The Bulldogs introduced on Monday the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) workforce has been bought to Zach Hyman.
The “settlement to buy the Brantford Bulldogs by a bunch led by Zach Hyman has been accepted by the Ontario Hockey League’s board of administrators,” stated a information launch despatched Monday morning. “Hyman will assume management of the group’s operations, efficient Jan. 16.”
Hyman, a star ahead, scored 54 targets within the 2023-24 season, taking part in alongside three-time NHL MVP Connor McDavid. Hyman completed tied for fourth in league scoring through the Oilers’ playoff run final spring.
Hyman performed for the Hamilton Purple Wings of the Ontario Junior Hockey League from 2008 to 2011 whereas the workforce was owned by his father, Stu, earlier than leaving for the College of Michigan. After that, his NHL profession started with the Toronto Maple Leafs within the metropolis the place he was born.
In 2021, Hyman, now 32, left the Leafs for the Oilers after signing a seven-year, $38.5-million contract.
In Monday’s information launch, Hyman stated the Bulldogs had been “an incredible group, from the gamers, to the employees, to probably the most passionate fanbase within the OHL. My household and I are thrilled to formally be part of the Bulldogs household and the Brantford neighborhood.”
Hyman purchased the workforce from Michael Andlauer, who owns the NHL’s Ottawa Senators and had owned a minority share of the Montreal Canadiens since 2009, till he purchased the Senators in 2023.
“I need to congratulate Zach Hyman and his household on the acquisition of the Brantford Bulldogs,” Andlauer stated within the information launch. “The eagerness they’ve portrayed to me in proudly owning an OHL franchise, and their dedication to the Brantford neighborhood, a neighborhood who has confirmed to be so deserving of OHL hockey, is the most important motive for my determination to promote the membership. I would like our followers and neighborhood to know that I might not promote the workforce except I felt sure it was in good arms.”
Crew moved from Hamilton to Brantford
The workforce relocated to Brantford from Hamilton in 2023 because of long-term renovations at Hamilton’s FirstOntario Centre, the place they’d performed since 2015.
The transfer was supposed to go away the workforce in Brantford till 2025. It is unclear if the sale of the workforce makes it extra doubtless they will not return to Hamilton as soon as renovations are accomplished.
A information convention is scheduled for Wednesday, Jan. 15, in Brantford, the identical day town hosts the OHL’s Prime Prospects Sport, that includes among the greatest gamers within the league.
Brantford Mayor Kevin Davis stated he was “very excited to warmly welcome Zach and all the Hyman household to Brantford,” Davis stated within the launch.
“We very a lot look ahead to supporting them in each means we are able to to construct on the successes of the Brantford Bulldogs and stick with it the custom of showcasing distinctive hockey in our metropolis.”
OHL commissioner Bryan Crawford welcomed the sale, saying, “On behalf of the League’s Board of Governors, I would firstly wish to thank Michael Andlauer for his great management and contributions to the sport. I am excited to welcome the Hyman household to the OHL neighborhood and am trying ahead to seeing the OHL proceed to thrive in Brantford for years to return.”
