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BRANTFORD BULLDOGS ANNOUNCE HOCKEY OPERATIONS UPDATE

Storm Harding — Fri, 03 Jul 2026 13:00:32 +0000

BRANTFORD, ONTARIO. Brantford Bulldogs President of Hockey Operations & General Manager Spencer Hyman today announced the following updates to the team’s Hockey Operations. Gary Roberts has been promoted, the two-time Robertson & Memorial Champion & 1989 Stanley Cup Champion has been named Vice President of Hockey Operations. Roberts, widely regarded as the top performance, health and wellness mind in the game joined the Bulldogs prior to the 2025-26 season as a Sr. Advisor & Director of Player Development. The veteran of 1225 NHL games will now step into a larger role alongside Spencer Hyman in Hockey Operations. 2026 Hockey Hall of Fame inductee Brian Burke officially joins the Brantford Bulldogs as Sr. Hockey Operations Advisor. Burke brings an incredible hockey history to Brantford having been the Director of Hockey Operations for the Vancouver Canucks (1987-1992), General Manager of the Hartford Whalers (1992-93) & Vancouver Canucks (1999-2004), Executive VP & General Manager of the Anaheim Ducks (2005-2009), President & General Manager of the Toronto Maple Leafs (2009-2013), President of Hockey Operations with the Calgary Flames (2013-2019) & & Pittsburgh Penguins (2020-2023), winning a Stanley Cup in 2007 with Anaheim. Burke additionally has an Olympic Silver Medal as the General Manager for Team USA in 2010 & previously worked directed for the NHL itself as Director of Hockey Operations from 1993-1999. Assistant General Manager Justin Ismael will be joined by newly promoted Assistant General Manager Mike Galati, who remains Director of Scouting. Ismael will play a large part in overseeing Hockey Operations & Player Experience and will add Manager of Hockey Operations & Player Services J.J. Barrett, who will remain OMHA West Scout for the Bulldogs, while Galati will oversee the scouting department with Director of Player Personnel Adam Henrich & Head Scout Pete Goulet. Adrian Vilaca will remain with the team as sole Director of Player Development, the former star mixed martial artist has become one of the best in the athletic development field working with Gary Roberts. Vilaca will be joined by Bulldogs Strength & Conditioning Coach Luke Van Moerkerke who has spent the last three seasons with the Bulldogs and is regarded as one of the best in his field.

BULLDOGS SELECT NEMEC, CALCE & SALEN FORSEBERG IN IMPORT DRAFT

Storm Harding — Wed, 01 Jul 2026 00:54:36 +0000

The Brantford Bulldogs made three selections in the 2026 CHL Import Draft on Tuesday, adding of trio of players who bring tremendous potential to Brantford in Adam Nemec, Max Calce & Vilmer Salen Forsberg to follow in a great history for the Bulldogs with Import selections.

Adam Nemec is lucky 13

In the first round of the CHL Import Draft, the Bulldogs used the 13th overall selection, which the club acquired from the Sudbury Wolves on June 16th, to select Adam Nemec from Bílí Tygři Liberec in the Czech Extraliga. The Czech captain at the U17 World Hockey Challenge and soon to be Hlinka-Gretzky has been outstanding coming up through the Czechia junior ranks. The Vsetin product captained his hometown club before moving to Liberec U17 for the 2024-25 season where, as a 15-year old, Nemec scored 26 goals & 30 assists for 56 points in 43 games, posting another 14 points across 12 playoff games. Nemec earned a call-up to the Liberec U20 side where he posted 2 points in his first 2 games at that level. In his 16-year-old season, 2025-26, Nemec began the season at a blistering pace at the U17 level scoring 9 goals & 14 assists for 23 points in just 16 games. Earning the full-time call-up to the U20 level, the 6'1"/175 left winger struck for 23 goals in 33 games, adding 11 assists for 34 points. Nemec proved his big game ability returning to the U17 side for the playoffs leading Liberec in goals & points with a 9-7-16 line in just 9 playoff games. Representing Czechia on the international stage, Nemec scored a pair of goals in 4 games at the U17, posting 17 goals & 9 assists for 26 points in 22 games across all international U17 competition.

German Engineering at 57 with Max Calce

With the club's second pick of the opening round, 57th, and seeing some high profile graduations at the center position, the Bulldogs added one of the most talented 2009-born centers in the world in Germany's Max Calce. From Mannheim, Calce has come through the ranks with hometown club at a blistering pace, making the U17 level as a 14-year old in the 2023-24 season where posted 29 goals & 26 assists for 54 points in 34 games, leading his team in every offensive category, which Calce followed up in the playoffs where he again led the team in goals & points with 7 goals & 4 assists for 11 points in 8 games. Calce made another jump as a 15-year old in the 2024-25 season, moving to the U20 level, playing against competition up to 5 years older and still proving a dominant force. Calce collected 22 goals & 28 assists for 50 points in 41 games before leading his team in goals and finishing 2nd in points in the playoffs with an 8-6-14 line across 11 games. The 6'1"/185 centerman opened the 2025-26 season at the U20 level striking for 12 goals & collecting 11 assists for 23 points across 17 games which earned him his biggest move yet, debuting for Adler Mannheim as a 16-year old. Calce wouldn't let the opportunity out of his hands, becoming the youngest player to ever score a goal in the DEL, the top hockey league in Germany, posting a pair of goals across 14 games as the youngest player in the league, even getting into a pair of playoff games. Calce returned to the U20 level in the post-season and returned to dominant form, scoring 6 goals & 4 assists for 10 points in 9 games to lead Jungadler Mannheim U20 to DNL U20 Championship. Internationally, Calce who is expected to be the German captain for the 2026 Hlinka-Gretzky Tournament, has already represented Germany in the 2025 Hlinka-Gretzky & a pair of World U18 Championships posting 4 goals & 3 assists for 7 points in 10 games.

The Viking Arrives; Vilmer Salen Forsberg selected at 62

The Bulldogs third and final selection came at 62nd overall, a pick acquired from the Oshawa Generals on June 10th, where the Bulldogs solidified their goaltending corps with towering Södertälje, Sweden product Vilmer Salen Forsberg. Standing 6'6"/235 Forsberg will become the first import goaltender for the Bulldogs, the biggest goaltender in Bulldogs history and the first Swedish player to suit up for the club upon his debut. Playing for his hometown Södertälje SK club, Forsberg has excelled in the J18 Region Competition as a 15 & 16-year old with a 2.05/.913 line in 24 games at the level carrying a 17-6-0-0 record. Södertälje SK struggled as a club at the J18 Nationell level though Salen Forsberg continued to provide his club a chance to win over his past two seasons posting a combined 3.40/.894 line but dominated after willing his team into the post-season at the Nationell level with a 2.60/.903 line in 6 playoff games as a double-underage player. The presumptive Swedish starter for the 2026 Hlinka-Gretzky has earned a call-up to the vaunted Swedish U20 league in each of his 15 & 16-year old seasons showing his potential in both stints, going 2-2 with a 2.48/.890 line as a 15-year old in the U20 across 5 games and turning in a gem in his lone start at the U20 level as a 16-year old with a 2.34/.939 line. Salen Forsberg will combine with Maks Corovic to comprise one of the highest potential goaltending tandems in junior hockey.

BULLDOGS SIGN UCONN COMMIT FORWARD JACK TORR

Storm Harding — Mon, 29 Jun 2026 13:00:03 +0000

BRANTFORD, ONTARIO. Brantford Bulldogs General Manager Spencer Hyman today announced the signing of forward Jack Torr from the Fargo Force of the USHL to an OHL Scholarship & Development Agreement. Torr, from Philadelphia, PA, grew up in the Philadelphia Flyers Elite program before spending his 15U season split between the AYHL’s Valley Forge Minutemen & Haverford School in the Pennsylvania High School circuit. Torr was productive in both spots, posting 8 goals & 10 assists for 18 points in 20 games in Valley Forge before striking 18 times & adding 12 assists for 30 points in 16 games for Haverford while skating to a plus-19 rating, all team leading marks as were his 7 points in 2 playoff games. The 6’2”/201 right-shot winger moved from Pennsylvania to Massachusetts for the 2024-25 season with The Governor’s Academy Prep-School where he posted 10 goals & 9 assists for 19 points in 30 games and was the youngest regular on the team (the only ’08 to skate in all 30 games). After starting the 2025-26 season with 5 points in 4 games for the East Coast Militia U18 AAA program, Torr was signed by the Fargo Force of the USHL where he went on to skate in 43 games, recording 2 goals & 8 assists for 10 points while bringing the added versatility of being able to skate in multiple positions. Torr becomes the second UConn commit to sign with the Bulldogs in 2026, joining Nathan Hauad. “We’re extremely excited to add Jack Torr to our organization.” said Brantford Bulldogs General Manager Spencer Hyman. “He gives us valuable versatility with the ability to play both centre and wing, but what really stands out is his combination of size, physicality, and NHL calibre tools. Jack is a big, heavy player who fits exactly the identity we’re building in Brantford. He’s going to make a significant impact on our hockey club, and we’re thrilled to welcome him and his family to the Bulldogs.”.

MALHOTRA MOMENT HIGHLIGHTS BULLDOGS NHL DRAFT

Storm Harding — Sun, 28 Jun 2026 04:17:33 +0000

Caleb Malhotra's franchise record setting selection to the Vancouver Canucks on Friday night highlighted a 2026 NHL Draft that saw a pair of Bulldogs selected from the 2025-26 season and one joining the team for the 2026-27 season, as Malhotra led defensemen Vladimir Dravecky & Jean-Samuel Daigneault in selection through the draft process.

A MALHOTRA MOMENT MEANS MORE BULLDOGS HISTORY

With the 3rd overall pick, the Vancouver Canucks are proud to select Caleb Malhotra!#NHLDraft | @UberEats pic.twitter.com/G23nrNouwf
— Vancouver Canucks (@Canucks) June 26, 2026

With his 3rd overall selection in the NHL Draft, Caleb Malhotra continued to add to an incredible run in Brantford by becoming the highest NHL drafted player in franchise history, passing Jake O'Brien who was taken 8th by the Seattle Kraken in the 2025 NHL Draft. Malhotra's selection also moved the run of Bulldogs selected in the 1st round of the NHL Draft to three straight seasons with Malhotra selected 3rd in 2026 by Vancouver, O'Brien selected 8th in 2025 by Seattle & Marek Vanacker selected 27th by the Blackhawks in 2024, the 2024 NHL Draft also saw Adam Jiricek selected 16th by St. Louis and though he had been selected in the Import Draft by the Bulldogs had not yet signed. Malhotra was incredible from the drop of the puck on the 2025-26 season, immediately becoming a game changing player for the Bulldogs. Posting 29 goals & 55 assists for 84 points in 67 games while skating to a plus-33 rating, Malhotra captured the franchise rookie records for both assists & points, while sitting 2nd for rookie goal scoring. Malhotra impressed on the biggest stages throughout the season, captaining Team CHL at the CHL/USA Prospects Challenge and served as an assistant captain on Team East, with now Vancouver teammate Adam Novotny as captain, at the OHL Top Prospects Game. Malhotra continued to make history in the post season where he again set rookie records in goals, assists, points and plus/minus with 13 goals & 13 assists for 26 points while skating to a plus-10 rating in 15 playoff games. Even more impressive off the ice as a person than on the ice, Malhotra made a lasting impact on the Bulldogs franchise in his rookie season as a leader, on the ice, in the locker room and in the community and showed why in every facet he will be a great addition for the Canucks organization.

DRAVECKY STORM-ING TO LONG ISLAND

With the 141st Pick in the 2026 NHL Draft, the #Isles select Vladimir Dravecky! pic.twitter.com/qbFajohXKJ
— New York Islanders (@NYIslanders) June 27, 2026

With the 141st overall selection the New York Islanders called Vladimir Dravecky's name, coming off his first season in the OHL in Brantford. The Manchester, New Hampshire born, product of Trinec, Czechia was selected 50th overall by the Bulldogs in the 2025 CHL Import Draft and arrived to Brantford after playing at the professional level in both Slovakia, with Kosice, and Sweden, with Rogle, and immediately looked the part. Finishing behind only countryman Adam Jiricek in defensive scoring for the Bulldogs, Dravecky posted 9 goals & 19 assists for 28 points in 58 games while skating to a plus-24 rating. Dravecky skated in 11 playoff games after battling a brief injury, collecting 3 assists. On the world stage, Dravecky joined Bulldogs teammates Jiricek & Adam Benak in winning a silver medal with Team Czechia at the 2026 World Junior Hockey Championship and now adds an NHL selection to an impressive overall season. The tremendously skilled, offensively electric defender was traded to the Guelph Storm on June 9th where he will have an opportunity to skate for a Memorial Cup with the hosts in Guelph.

JEAN-SAMUEL DAIGNEAULT GETS THE CALL TO MONTREAL

Avec le 221e choix au total, les Canadiens sélectionnent le défenseur Jean-Samuel Daigneault des Lumberjacks de Muskegon dans la USHL.

With the 221st-overall selection, the Canadiens have drafted defenseman Jean-Samuel Daigneault from the Muskegon Lumberjacks in the USHL.… pic.twitter.com/6hbxoO5Unn
— Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) June 27, 2026

The newest member of the Brantford Bulldogs, Jean-Samuel Daigneault received a dream call on Saturday afternoon as the product of Saint-Michel, Quebec was selected 221st overall by the Montreal Canadiens, just over a half hour drive from home. Signed by the Bulldogs on June 26th, Daigneault was originally selected 35th overall by the Shawinigan Cataractes in the 2024 QMJHL Draft but decided to forge a different path staying with the College Charles-Lemoyne Riverains for the 2024-25 season before being selected by the Muskegon Lumberjacks 34th overall in the 2025 USHL Entry Draft. Daigneault quickly became noted as one of the hardest hitting defenders in the 2026 Draft class. The feared 6'4"/190lbs left shot rearguard combines that penchant for body contact with strong mobility at his size that earned him his signing by the Bulldogs and now his selection by the legendary Canadiens.

BULLDOGS SIGN DEFENSEMAN JEAN-SAMUEL DAIGNEAULT

Storm Harding — Thu, 25 Jun 2026 23:45:27 +0000

BRANTFORD, ONTARIO. Brantford Bulldogs General Manager Spencer Hyman today announced the signing of defenseman Jean-Samuel Daigneault from the Muskegon Lumberjacks of the USHL to an OHL Scholarship & Development Agreement. Daigneault, from Saint-Michel, QC, was originally the 34^th overall selection in the 2024 QMJHL Entry Draft by the Shawinigan Cataractes out of the Collège Charles-Lemoyne Riverains M18 AAA program. Daigneault returned to the Riveraines program for the 2024-25 season posting 4 goals & 13 assists for 17 points in 42 games, adding another pair of assists in 10 playoff games. Known for his physical style, Daigneault’s skating ability at 6’4”/190 combined with a nasty defensive disposition led him to be selected 35^th overall in the 2025 USHL Entry Draft and spending the 2025-26 season with the Muskegon Lumberjacks. Posting 5 assists across 47 games, Daigneault became one of the most feared defenders in the USHL in his season with the Lumberjacks. The towering left-shot rearguard is expected to be selected in the 2026 NHL Entry Draft on route to bringing his heavy hitting defensive style to the Brantford blueline. “Adding JS Daigneault is a huge addition to our blue line.” said Bulldogs General Manager Spencer Hyman. “He brings the size, grit, toughness, and physical presence that every winning team needs. He plays with an edge, finishes every check, and isn’t afraid to make life miserable for the opposition. JS is a mean, hard-nosed defenceman who competes every shift, and I have no doubt our fans are going to love the way he plays. He embodies the identity we’re building here, and we’re thrilled to welcome him to the Bulldogs.”.

BULLDOGS SIGN 31ST OVERALL SELECTION FINN ELLERY

Storm Harding — Thu, 25 Jun 2026 13:00:35 +0000

BRANTFORD, ONTARIO. Brantford Bulldogs General Manager Spencer Hyman today announced the signing of 2026 2^nd round, 31^st overall selection, Finn Ellery from the Central Ontario Wolves U16 to an OHL Scholarship & Development Agreement. Ellery, from Bobcaygeon, ON, comes off a tremendous U16 season in the OMHA where the 6’5”/180 centerman posted 20 goals & 25 assists for 45 points over 31 regular season games while racking up a team leading 79 penalty minutes along with showing an impressive 200ft game and leadership skills as an assistant captain for the Central Ontario Wolves. It was in the OMHA playoffs where Ellery shone brightest, leading the Wolves in every major offensive category with 9 goals & 9 assists for 18 points across 10 games. Ellery becomes the 2^nd signing from the Bulldogs 2026 Priority Selection class joining 20^th overall pick Aiden Kelly. Following his selection by the Bulldogs Assistant General Manager & Director of Scouting Mike Galati said: “Finn was a first round grade and we were very surprised to get him at 31. A big 6’5 Centre that can skate. Has a great stick and high end skill. Plays a heavy game and will finish every check. Brings size , compete, skill and heaviness instantly to our lineup. He brings everything we love in a player and we are very excited to make Finn a Bulldog.”.

BULLDOGS SIGN 2026 1ST ROUND SELECTION AIDEN KELLY

Storm Harding — Wed, 24 Jun 2026 13:00:48 +0000

BRANTFORD, ONTARIO. Brantford Bulldogs General Manager Spencer Hyman today announced the signing of 2026 1^ST round, 20^th overall selection, Aiden Kelly from the Detroit Little Caesars 15U to an OHL Scholarship & Development Agreement. Kelly, of Rochester, MI, is a noted dynamic offensive force, carrying eye popping numbers to the OHL. In the 2024-25 season skating with the Little Caesars 14U, Kelly was otherworldly posting 74 goals & 90 assists for 164 points across 80 games in all competitons. Kelly was no less impressive in the 2025-26 season with the 15U side, with the 6’0”/170 centerman posting 14 goals & 21 assists for 35 points, along with 80 penalty minutes, in 20 MAHA league games, adding a team leading 6 goals and 3 assists, leading the team with 9 points in 3 playoff games. Kelly continued his dominance north of the border in the OHL Cup, striking 5 times and adding 7 assists to lead the Little Caesars 15U side with 12 points in 5 games, adding 16 penalty minutes while skating to a plus-6 rating. Kelly looks now to bring his brand of dynamic physical hockey to Brantford patterning his game after Stanley Cup Champion and Olympic Gold Medalist Matthew Tkachuk. Following his selection by the Bulldogs Assistant General Manager & Director of Scouting Mike Galati said: “Aiden was our top rated player going in to the draft and when he was available at 20 we were pretty happy. Aiden brings extremely high end skill, high end IQ and is nasty to play against. He scores and brings offense in every way. He likes to get inside guys and doesn’t shy away. His compete level is through the roof. We are extremely excited to make Aiden a Bulldog and look forward to seeing him in black and yellow in September.”.

BULLDOGS ACQUIRE GOALTENDER CHASE PETROVA FROM 67’S

Storm Harding — Tue, 23 Jun 2026 17:00:45 +0000

BRANTFORD, ONTARIO. Brantford Bulldogs General Manager Spencer Hyman today announced the acquisition of goaltender Chase Petrova from the Ottawa 67’s in exchange for 2028 6^th (OSH). Petrova, of King City, ON, has continued to stack standout seasons between the pipes. Originally Ottawa’s 7^th round selection, 133^rd overall, in the 2024 OHL Priority Selection Draft. Selected from the Oshawa Generals U16 AAA program where he posted a 2.14/.906 stat line with 7 shutouts across 44 games while going 3-1 with a 1.26/.936 line at the OHL Cup. Moving to the U18 AAA level with the Ajax/Pickering Raiders in the 2024-25 season, Petrova continued to shine, posting a 1.22 GAA with 5 shutouts and an 18-1-1 record in 20 OMHA league games, with a 1.05 GAA & 4-1 record in 5 playoff contests. Taking another massive step forward, Petrova spent the 2025-26 season with St. Andrews College where he dominated in Prep School competition over 9 appearances with a 2.21/.921 stat line and a 6-1-1 record combined with a 2.41/.910 line across 30 U18 AAA appearances stacking a 20-8-2 record with a shutout, leading St. Andrews College in minutes played between the pipes. Petrova capped his 2025-26 season with three appearances with the Newmarket Hurricanes of the OJHL where he again looked the part of a top netminder. Going 2-1 in the three games with a 2.59 GAA and a sterling .923 SV% and garnerning his first junior shutout, Petrova continued to prove his quality. “We are very excited with the addition of Chase Petrova.” said Brantford Bulldogs Director of Goaltending Franky Palazzese. “Chase is a kid who has continued to develop exponentially year after year. First and foremost we have added a high character, hard working and competitive individual to our team. Chase has elite footwork, high hockey IQ and great athleticism in the net while playing a very smart style of goaltending. He has many strong qualities that make him a great addition for the Brantford Bulldogs organization.”.

JET KWAJAH SIGNS WITH BRANTFORD BULLDOGS

Storm Harding — Mon, 22 Jun 2026 16:00:45 +0000

BRANTFORD, ONTARIO. Brantford Bulldogs General Manager Spencer Hyman today announced the signing of recently acquired defenseman Jet Kwajah, from the Madison Capitols of the USHL, to an OHL Scholarship & Development Agreement. Kwajah, a Hamilton, ON product, was originally selected in the 6^th round, 104^th overall in the 2024 OHL Priority Selection Draft after being signed to a 1^st round tender in the USHL by the Madison Capitols. The offensively minded Kwajah entered the junior level from the Toronto Jr. Canadiens U16 AAA program where he posted 3 goals & 20 assists for 23 points in 30 GTHL games in his draft season. The 6’0”/177 right-shot rearguard moved to the USHL for the 2024-25 season collecting 6 goals & 10 assists for 16 ponts in 41 games while skating to a plus-4 rating earning recognition on the USHL All-Rookie Team. Kwajah nearly doubled his output in the 2026-27 season collecting a team leading 7 goals from the blueline with 20 assists for 27 points over 55 games lead to Kwajah being on both the NHL Central Scouting Mid-Term and Final rankings ahead of the 2026 NHL Draft. Kwajah currently holds a commitment to Penn State University which he shares in common with fellow Bulldogs newcomers Xavier Lieb & Owen DeGraff. Kwajah’s playing rights were acquired by the Bulldogs in a June 2^nd trade from the Owen Sound Attack. On his acquisition, Brantford Bulldogs General Manager Spencer Hyman was quoted; "We are thrilled to welcome Jet Kwajah to the Bulldogs organization. We believe Jet has the ability to be one of the premier offensive defencemen in the OHL immediately.” said Brantford Bulldogs General Manager Spencer Hyman. “He is an elite skater, an exceptional puck mover, and possesses a high-end shot that makes him a threat every time he touches the puck. What separates Jet is his offensive instincts and hockey sense, but he also has the ability to defend and impact the game in all three zones. Beyond his talent, he is a first-class person and one of the highest-character young men you will meet.”.

AIDEN KELLY, FINN ELLERY, KAYDEN KELLY & JOHN KANYO LEAD BULLDOGS DRAFT CLASS

Storm Harding — Mon, 15 Jun 2026 01:42:28 +0000