Futures Watch: Brantford Bulldogs
As the 2025–26 OHL season approaches this September, the Brantford Bulldogs are looking to build on their Eastern Conference leading record (44–19–5–0) from last year. We spoke with Vice President & GM Spencer Hyman about the new faces fans should be keeping an eye on as the team prepares for the upcoming campaign.
Class Quote
“We’re thrilled to welcome Adam Benák, Edison Engle, Caleb Malhotra, Sam McCue, Cooper Dennis, and Ryder Boulton to the Bulldogs family. This group brings the high-end offensive skill and a very physical edge we expect to see every single day, and we’re confident they’ll make a major impact on our lineup from the moment they hit the ice.”
– Spencer Hyman
Player Spotlights:
Caleb Malhotra – C
Drafted in the first round (8th overall) in the 2024 OHL Priority Selection Draft by the Kingston Frontenacs before having his rights acquired by the Bulldogs on September 12th, 2024, Caleb Malhotra spent the 2024-25 season with the Chilliwack Chiefs of the BCHL recording 26 points (8-18–26) in 44 games before a dominant playoff run that saw the 16-year-old post 17 points (5-12–17) in 21 postseason games, finishing third on the team in the playoff scoring, to help lead the Chiefs to a Coastal Conference Championship and finals appearance. He is committed to Boston University for the 2026-27 NCAA season.
“We’re very excited to add Caleb Malhotra to the Bulldogs. He’s a very talented player with size and great skating ability, and we believe he will make an immediate impact. Caleb will be a key piece of our hockey club as we push to achieve our goals this season.”
Edison Engle – LD
Signed as a free agent from the Chicago Reapers AAA program, Edison Engle comes to Brantford after a season and a half in the USHL with the Des Moines Buccaneers and Dubuque Fighting Saints. The 6-foot-2, 175lbs left shot blueliner posted 17 points (2-15–17) across 54 regular season games in Des Moines & Dubuque before posting four assists in seven playoff games for the Fighting Saints. He is committed to Ohio State University for the 2026-27 NCAA season and was recently drafted by the Winnipeg Jets in the sixth round (188th overall) in the 2025 NHL Draft.
“We’re thrilled to add Edison Engle to the Bulldogs. He’s an exceptional skater with high-end offensive abilities, and he brings the reliability of a strong two-way defender. We believe Edison will make a major impact on both sides of the puck for our team.”
Adam Benák – C
Drafted in the first round (2nd overall) of the 2025 CHL Import Draft Selection, Adam Benák arrives in Brantford with experience at both the European professional & North American junior levels. Playing for his hometown Plzen program at the U20 level as a 15-16 year old in 2023-24, he made the jump to the USHL this past season where he suited up for the Youngstown Phantoms. He had a dominant rookie campaign posting 59 points (17-42–59) in 56 games, leading the team in both assists and points. Benák placed 7th among USHL skaters in points-per-game playing over 50 games on the season and was the youngest of that group. He was selected in the fourth round (102nd overall) by the Minnesota Wild in the 2025 NHL Draft.
“Adam Benák brings elite skill, dynamic skating, and exceptional playmaking ability. We’re excited to see the impact he’ll have for the Bulldogs this season and believe he has the tools to be a difference-maker every night.”
Cooper Dennis – RW
Drafted in the sixth round (109th overall) in the 2023 OHL Priority Selection, Cooper Dennis spent last season with the Dubuque Fighting Saints where he recorded 34 points (9-25–34) in 55 games while leading all Dubuque forwards with a plus-15 rating. He is committed to the University of Michigan for the 2026-27 NCAA season.
“Cooper Dennis is a highly skilled forward with great vision, speed, and a natural scoring touch. We’re excited to see him bring his offensive creativity to the Bulldogs this season and play a key role in our success.”
2025-26 Brantford Bulldogs Recruits:
| PLAYER | POSITION | HOMETOWN | DOB | 2024-25 TEAM | ACQUIRED |
| Patrick Babin | RD | Niagara Falls, ON | 01/30/2008 | Brantford Titans | 1st Rd. 2024 |
| Adam Benák | C | Plzen, CZE | 04/10/2007 | Youngstown Phantoms | 1st Rd. 2025 (Import) |
| David Buchman | LD | Vancouver, BC | 07/01/2009 | Ottawa Valley Titans U16 AAA | 1st Rd. 2025 |
| Maks Corovic | G | Stoney Creek, ON | 05/20/2008 | Cushing Academy | 5th Rd. 2024 |
| Cooper Dennis | RW | Ithaca, NY | 05/07/2007 | Dubuque Fighting Saints | 6th Rd. 2023 |
| Luca Diplacido | LD | Richmond Hill, ON | 09/11/2008 | St. Andrew’s College | 6th Rd. 2024 |
| Edison Engle | LD | Arlington Heights, IL | 02/15/2007 | Dubuque Fighting Saints | June 28, 2025 |
| Jeremy Freeman | LW | Oakville, ON | 07/07/2009 | Toronto Titans U16 AAA | 3rd Rd. 2025 |
| Layne Gallacher | C | Brooklin, ON | 02/16/2008 | Ajax/Pickering Raiders U18 AAA | 4th Rd. 2024 |
| Caleb Malhotra | C | Toronto, ON | 06/08/2008 | Chilliwack Chiefs | Sept 12, 2024 |
