OHL Announces Temporary Relocation of Hamilton Bulldogs Franchise to Brantford
February 8, 2023 - Ontario Hockey League (OHL) News Release
Toronto, Ont. - The Ontario Hockey League today announced that, due to impending renovations and the long-term closure of FirstOntario Centre in Hamilton, the Bulldogs franchise will be temporarily relocated to Brantford for the beginning of the 2023-24 season.
Brantford City Council put its full support behind the move on Tuesday night with a unanimous 11-0 vote approving a three-year term that will see the Bulldogs play out of the Brantford Civic Centre through the conclusion of the 2025-26 season. There is an option to extend the agreement for three additional one-year terms.
"We are so thankful for the enthusiastic and immediate response from Mayor Davis, Brantford Council and city staff," said Bulldogs owner Michael Andlauer. "Together, we have been able to make a home for the Bulldogs in a short and unexpected period of time."
Brantford served as home to the OHL's Brantford Alexanders from 1978-84, a team that produced eventual NHLers in Mark Hunter, Dave Gagner, Ric Nattress, Mike Bullard and Allan Bester.
The OHL makes its return to the Telephone City after nearly 40 years.
"The city that produced the great Wayne Gretzky has long been a hockey hotbed," said OHL Commissioner David Branch. "This has been demonstrated once again by their tremendous enthusiasm for the return of OHL hockey to Brantford."
The Bulldogs have hoisted the J. Ross Robertson Cup as OHL Champions twice in the past four seasons, developing NHL talent such as Robert Thomas (St. Louis Blues), Arthur Kaliyev (Los Angeles Kings), MacKenzie Entwistle (Chicago Blackhawks), Mason McTavish (Anaheim Ducks) and Arber Xhekaj (Montreal Canadiens). The franchise has also maintained a strong presence in the community through initiatives such as their Adopt-A-School program and Be More Than a Bystander campaign against gender-based violence.
For more information on the Bulldogs' relocation to Brantford, visit brantfordbulldogs.com.
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