2020 Graduating Class: Hamilton Bulldogs

The Hamilton Bulldogs put forth a hard-fought battle over the course of the season with the help of three skillful overagers.

The Bulldogs bid farewell to captain Isaac Nurse, veteran D-man Kade Landry and an all-around player and effective penalty killer in Bradey Johnson.

Isaac Nurse (Hamilton – 2016-2020)
Another product of the talented Nurse family, hometown hero Isaac Nurse was hailed for his hard work and leadership, having been named the fourth captain in Hamilton Bulldogs’ five-year history ahead of his overage stint. An injury may have kept him out of much of the season, but the 21-year-old winger kept up consistent numbers, topping off his four-year OHL career with 26 points (15-11—26) in 31 games. Nurse was on board for the team’s J. Ross Robertson Cup run and trip to the Memorial Cup in 2018, having put forth 11 points over 21 playoff games. He was an 11th round pick of the ‘Dogs in the 2015 OHL Priority Selection out of the Hamilton Huskies Minor Midget program and spent the 2015-16 season with the GOJHL’s Brantford Jr. B 99ers. Nurse was also extended an invite to the Chicago Blackhawks’ rookie camp this past September.

Kade Landry (Barrie, Hamilton – 2016-2020)
OHL vet Kade Landry was a solid point producing defender for the Bulldogs, notably registering 51 points in 66 games over the course of the 2018-2019 season. Over his 248 OHL appearances as a member of the Barrie Colts and the ‘Dogs, the Gowanstown, Ont. native amassed a total 133 points over his 248 OHL appearances. A seventh round pick of the Colts in the 2015 OHL Draft, Landry was dealt to Hamilton in November of 2017. He departs as a free agent, with a taste of NHL experience, having skated at the New York Rangers’ rookie camp in 2019.

Bradey Johnson (Niagara, Hamilton – 2016-2020)
A versatile winger who chipped in defensively, Bradey Johnson suited up in a Bulldogs jersey for his fourth and final OHL season where he’d notch an even eight goals and eight assists over 61 contests. His career high total came over the course of his third OHL season with the Niagara IceDogs when he scored 27 points (1-16—27) in 68 appearances, helping the team to the top of the Central Division. The 20-year-old product of Lindsay, Ont. was a 13th round choice of the IceDogs at the 2015 OHL Priority Selection and was dealt to Hamilton prior to the start of the 2019-20 campaign. He competed with the GOJHL’s Welland Jr. Canadians and the NOJHL’s Rayside-Balfour Canadians before suiting up in the OHL.

2000-born players:
Looking at the backend, the Bulldogs sport one 2000-born player in defender Jake Gravelle. Arizona Coyotes prospect Jan Jenik played part of the season in Hamilton before suffering an injury and he is also a 2000-born talent.

The 2019-20 OHL season came to a sudden end on Thursday, March 12th, with play suspended and the remainder of the playing season cancelled due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Sadly, many of the League’s overage and graduating players never had the chance to enjoy a proper send-off from their home fans. The 2020 Graduating Class series takes a look at the OHL tenure of each team’s overage players while also recognizing other potential graduates.