Firebirds acquire defenceman Jude Bray from Bulldogs

The Flint Firebirds have acquired defenceman Jude Bray from the Brantford Bulldogs in exchange for a 2027 fourth-round pick in the OHL Priority Selection.

Bray, a native of Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ont., was originally selected by the Kitchener Rangers in the 10th round (197th overall) of the 2024 OHL Priority Selection. He was later acquired by Brantford in a June 2025 trade and signed with the Bulldogs in August.

Currently playing in the BCHL with the Sherwood Park Crusaders, Bray has posted four goals and nine assists in 17 games this season. He also spent the 2024-25 campaign with Sherwood Park, recording 22 points (2 goals, 20 assists) in 50 games. In total, the defenceman has produced 35 points in 67 BCHL games over the past season and a half.

Bray appeared in two preseason games for the Bulldogs during the 2025 exhibition schedule before returning to Sherwood Park. The right-shot defenceman is committed to play NCAA hockey at Penn State Nittany Lions beginning in the 2027-28 season.

The deal gives Flint the rights to a young, developing defenceman, while Brantford adds a future draft asset as it continues to manage its prospect pipeline.

The Firebirds open the 2026 calendar year on Friday night in London against the Knights, while the Bulldogs continue play following the holiday break later this week.