Hamilton Bulldogs (OHL)

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Hamilton Bulldogs
CityHamilton, Ontario
LeagueOntario Hockey League
ConferenceEastern Conference
DivisionEast
Founded1981
Operated2015–2023
Home arenaFirstOntario Centre
ColoursBlack, gold, white
     
Franchise history
1981–2015Belleville Bulls
2015–2023Hamilton Bulldogs
2023–presentBrantford Bulldogs
Championships
Division titles(2018, 2022)
Robertson Cups(2018, 2022)

The Hamilton Bulldogs were a Canadian major junior ice hockey team in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) that began to play in the 2015–16 season. Based in Hamilton, Ontario, the Bulldogs played home games at FirstOntario Centre. They were purchased by owner Michael Andlauer in March 2015 and relocated to Hamilton after 34 years in Belleville, Ontario, where they were known as the Bulls. The Bulldogs won OHL championships in 2018 and 2022.

The Bulldogs replaced the American Hockey League team of the same name, also formerly owned by Andlauer. The original team played in Hamilton from 1996 to 2015, after which they moved to St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, to become the second incarnation of the St. John's IceCaps.

History

In March 2015, Michael Andlauer acquired the Belleville Bulls and that they would move into the FirstOntario Centre for the 2015–16 season as the Hamilton Bulldogs. The Hamilton Bulldogs franchise which played in the American Hockey League had been sold to the Montreal Canadiens and moved to St. John's, Newfoundland, for the 2015–16 season.[1]

In February 2023, due to upcoming renovations to the FirstOntario Centre, the Bulldogs announced they would be temporarily relocating to the Brantford Civic Centre and renaming as the Brantford Bulldogs for at least three seasons, beginning in the 2023–24 season. The Civic Centre will also be undergoing over $9 million in renovations, funded by both the Bulldogs and the City of Brantford.[2]

In January 2025, National Hockey League player Zach Hyman and his family purchased the Bulldogs from Michael Andlauer,[3] and signed a memorandum of understanding with the City of Brantford for the Bulldogs to play at a proposed sports complex in Brantford for 15 years, despite $290 million renovations to FirstOntario Centre.[4]

Coaches

General managers

Players

Team captains

  • Justin Lemcke (2015–2018)
  • MacKenzie Entwistle (2018–2019)
  • Matthew Strome (2018–2019 )
  • Isaac Nurse (2019–2020)
  • Colton Kammerer (2021–2022)
  • Logan Morrison (2022–2023)

Notable players

List of notable players:[8]

NHL first-round draft picks

Season-by-season results

List of regular season and playoffs results:[9]

Legend: GP = Games played, W = Wins, L = Losses, T = Ties, OTL = Overtime losses, SL = Shoot-out losses, Pts = Points, GF = Goals for, GA = Goals against

Memorial Cup champions OHL champions OHL finalists
SeasonRegular seasonPlayoffs
GPWLOTLSOLPtsPctGFGAFinish
2015–166825358058.4261972605th EastDid not qualify
2016–176833274474.5442382254th EastLost conference quarterfinals (Kingston Frontenacs) 4–3[10]
2017–186843184393.6842522071st EastWon conference quarterfinals (Ottawa 67's) 4–1
Won conference semifinals (Niagara IceDogs) 4–1
Won conference finals (Kingston Frontenacs) 4–1
Won OHL finals (Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds) 4–2[11]
Lost 2018 Memorial Cup semifinal (Regina Pats) 4–2
2018–196829343263.4632412834th EastLost conference quarterfinals (Ottawa 67's) 4–0[12]
2019–206224307156.4522352674th EastPlayoffs cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic[13]
2020–21Season cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic[14]
2021–2268511232107.7873001761st EastWon conference quarterfinals (Peterborough Petes) 4–0
Won conference semifinals (Mississauga Steelheads) 4–0
Won conference finals (North Bay Battalion) 4–0
Won OHL final (Windsor Spitfires) 4–3[15]
Lost 2022 Memorial Cup final (Saint John Sea Dogs) 6–3
2022–236833305071.5222262513rd EastLost conference quarterfinals (Barrie Colts) 4–2[16]

See also

References

  1. "Hamilton Bulldogs sell AHL franchise, buy the OHL Belleville Bulls". CBC News. Toronto, Ontario. March 12, 2015. Retrieved March 4, 2026.
  2. Lawson, Samantha (February 8, 2023). "OHL's Hamilton Bulldogs to temporarily call Brantford home". CHCH-DT. Hamilton, Ontario. Retrieved March 8, 2026.
  3. Collaco, Conrad (January 13, 2025). "OHL's Brantford Bulldogs sold to Edmonton Oilers star Zach Hyman". CBC News. Toronto, Ontario. Retrieved March 8, 2026.
  4. Collaco, Conrad; Chandler, Justin (January 16, 2025). "OHL's Bulldogs won't return to Hamilton, new owners sign 15-year-deal in Brantford, Ont". CBC News. Toronto, Ontario. Retrieved March 8, 2026.
  5. "Bulldogs Name Vince Laise Head Coach". OurSports Central. August 20, 2019. Retrieved March 8, 2026.
  6. Mitchell, Don (March 4, 2020). "'It was a culmination of things' says Hamilton Bulldogs GM on firing of coach Vince Laise". Global News. Toronto, Ontario. Retrieved March 8, 2026.
  7. "Hamilton Bulldogs Name Jay McKee Head Coach". OurSports Central. July 6, 2021. Retrieved March 8, 2026.
  8. "Hamilton Bulldogs all-time player list". HockeyDB. Retrieved March 8, 2026.
  9. "Hamilton Bulldogs Statistics and History [OHL]". HockeyDB. Retrieved March 8, 2026.
  10. "2016–17 OHL Playoff Results". HockeyDB. Retrieved March 22, 2026.
  11. "2017–18 OHL Playoff Results". HockeyDB. Retrieved March 22, 2026.
  12. "2018–19 OHL Playoff Results". HockeyDB. Retrieved March 22, 2026.
  13. Pyette, Ryan (March 18, 2020). "COVID-19: OHL cancels rest of regular season, confirms draft and playoff hopes". The London Free Press. Retrieved April 3, 2026.
  14. "OHL, top NHL Draft talent supplier, cancels season". National Hockey League. April 20, 2021. Retrieved April 3, 2026.
  15. "2021–22 OHL Playoff Results". HockeyDB. Retrieved March 22, 2026.
  16. "2022–23 OHL Playoff Results". HockeyDB. Retrieved March 22, 2026.