Prospect trio commits to Bulldogs

HAMILTON, ONTARIO – Hamilton Bulldogs President & General Manager Steve Staios recently announced the signing of Noah Nelson, Tristan Malboeuf and Noah VandenBrink to Standard Players Agreements.

Nelson, a native of London, Ontario, was one of the Bulldogs’ two 5^th round selections (93^rd overall) in the 2021 OHL Priority Selection Draft. Coming to the Bulldogs from the Elgin-Middlesex Chiefs program, the 6’1” 174lbs centre already shows an advanced two-way game. A strong skater with great instincts on the ice, Nelson recorded 24 goals & 23 assists for 47 points in 32 games for the Chiefs U15 AAA in the 2019-20 season before coming to Hamilton.

Malboeuf, a product of Oakville, Ontario, was originally a 15^th round selection (290^th overall) in the 2020 OHL Priority Selection Draft. A star with the Hamilton Huskies U15 AAA program during the 2018-19 season, Malboeuf would see action in 21 games, recording an astounding 1.52 GAA with seven shutouts. Heading to the Oakville Rangers U16 AAA for the 2019-20 season, Malboeuf would continue to see success, appearing in 18 games while recording 2.15 GAA and duplicating that success in the playoffs with a 2.18 GAA over nine post-season contests. The 6’1” 170lbs goaltender will have an opportunity to hone his craft with the Bulldogs and has a skillset between the pipes to be excited about.

“The Hamilton Bulldogs are excited to receive commitments from both Noah Nelson & Tristan Malboeuf,” said Bulldogs President & General Manager Steve Staios. “Noah Nelson brings another layer of depth to our forward group and we look forward to his continued development. Tristan Malboeuf is a great story of a young man earning an opportunity and continuing to work towards his goals. We look forward to watching Tristan grow as a Bulldog.”

VandenBrink, a native of Belmont, ON, was selected in the 5^th round (83^rd overall) in the 2021 OHL Priority Selection Draft. An electrifying talent, VandenBrink comes to the Bulldogs from the Elgin-Middlesex Chiefs program where he posted 26 goals & 32 assists for 58 points in 32 games during the 2019-20 season. VandenBrink has already started his 2021-22 season with the St. Marys Lincolns of the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League where he’s posted two goals & an assist for three points in his first two games at that level.

“Noah VandenBrink is a player Bulldogs fans are going to be very excited to see develop and we are excited to receive a commitment from him,” said Bulldogs President & General Manager Steve Staios. “Noah has the potential to be a very productive player with a great skill set and character combination. The Hamilton Bulldogs look forward to having Noah on the ice and in our community.”

For more information, visit hamiltonbulldogs.com.