Bulldogs acquire McCue in first splash of offseason
The Memorial Cup has been handed out, it’s June 3 and the offseason is officially underway with the first big trade, and it’s a new general manager jumping in first.
Brantford Bulldogs GM Spencer Hyman completed a move to acquire Toronto Maple Leafs prospect Sam McCue from the Flint Firebirds, a deal that saw the Dogs also add a 13th round pick in 2026 in exchange for a total of seven selections going back to Flint.
McCue put up 55 points (36-19–55) in as many games between Flint and Owen Sound last season. He scored 18 goals in 20 games after the deadline trade last season, helping the Firebirds make the playoffs before a first round exit against the Kitchener Rangers. He’ll be a 2005-born overage player next season.
“We want to support our elite skill with tough skill,” said Hyman. “Sam brings exactly that. He plays hard, competes every shift, finishes checks and scores goals in the paint. He’s a tough, skilled finisher who makes everyone around him better.”
McCue, from Sudbury, Ont., won an OHL championship as a rookie with Peterborough in 2022-23. The former seventh round pick by the Petes in 2021 has produced 93 points (59-34–93) over 156 regular season games between three teams. He was Toronto’s seventh round pick last summer.
The Firebirds add to their draft pick cupboard in the move, one that sees them acquire high picks in Brampton’s second round pick in 2026, Sudbury’s third round pick in 2026, Flint’s third round pick in 2027, Saginaw’s fourth round pick in 2027 as well as a fifth round pick in 2026.
“The haul of draft picks we’ve acquired in this deal will help us to fill gaps in our lineup as we build towards the upcoming season,” Firebirds GM Dave McParlan said. “We’re grateful to have met Sam and his family and wish them all the best moving forward.”
