Hamilton Bulldogs facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Hamilton Bulldogs |
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| City | Hamilton, Ontario |
| League | Ontario Hockey League |
| Conference | Eastern Conference |
| Division | East |
| Founded | 1981 |
| Operated | 2015–2023 |
| Home arena | FirstOntario Centre |
| Colours | Black, gold, white |
| Franchise history | |
| 1981–2015 | Belleville Bulls |
| 2015–2023 | Hamilton Bulldogs |
| 2023–present | Brantford Bulldogs |
| Championships | |
| Division Championships | (2018, 2022) |
The Hamilton Bulldogs were a Canadian junior ice hockey team. They played in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL). The team started playing in the 2015–16 season. Their home city was Hamilton, Ontario. They played their games at the FirstOntario Centre.
The team was bought by owner Michael Andlauer in March 2015. They moved to Hamilton from Belleville, Ontario. Before moving, they were known as the Bulls for 34 years. The Hamilton Bulldogs won two OHL championships. They won the J. Ross Robertson Cup in 2018 and 2022.
The Bulldogs team replaced another hockey team. This other team was an American Hockey League (AHL) team. It also had the name Hamilton Bulldogs. That original team played in Hamilton from 1996 to 2015. After 2015, it moved to St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador. It became the St. John's IceCaps.
Contents
Team History and Moves
On March 12, 2015, Michael Andlauer shared big news. He had bought the Belleville Bulls team. He announced they would move to the FirstOntario Centre in Hamilton. They would play as the Hamilton Bulldogs starting in the 2015–16 season. The old AHL team had been sold. It moved to St. John's, Newfoundland.
In February 2023, the Bulldogs announced another move. Their home arena, the FirstOntario Centre, was going to be renovated. So, the team moved temporarily to the Brantford Civic Centre. They also changed their name to the Brantford Bulldogs. This move was planned for at least three seasons. It started with the 2023–24 OHL season. The Brantford Civic Centre also had over $9 million in renovations. The Bulldogs and the City of Brantford helped pay for these changes.
In January 2025, National Hockey League (NHL) player Zach Hyman and his family bought the Bulldogs. They bought the team from Michael Andlauer. They also made an agreement with the City of Brantford. This agreement was for the Bulldogs to play at a new sports complex in Brantford for 15 years. This happened even though the FirstOntario Centre in Hamilton was getting $290 million in renovations.
Team Leaders
Coaches of the Bulldogs
- 2015–2016, George Burnett
- 2016–2018, John Gruden
- 2018–2019, Dave Matsos
- 2019–2020, Vince Laise
- 2020, Steve Staios (interim)
- 2023, Jay McKee
General Managers
- 2015–2016, George Burnett
- 2016–2022, Steve Staios
- 2022–2023, Matt Turek
Key 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
Many talented players played for the Hamilton Bulldogs. Some of them went on to play in the NHL.
- William Bitten
- Nick Caamano
- MacKenzie Entwistle
- Kaden Fulcher
- Ben Gleason
- Jan Jeník
- Arthur Kaliyev
- Matt Luff
- Mason Marchment
- Connor McMichael
- Mason McTavish
- Christian Mieritz
- Logan Morrison
- Riley Stillman
- Marian Studenic
- Robert Thomas
- Ryan Winterton
- Arber Xhekaj
NHL First-Round Draft Picks
Some Bulldogs players were chosen early in the NHL Entry Draft. This means they were seen as top young talents.
- 2017: Robert Thomas, 20th overall, St. Louis Blues
- 2019: Connor McMichael, 25th overall, Washington Capitals
- 2021: Mason McTavish, 3rd overall, Anaheim Ducks
Season Results
Regular Season Performance
The table below shows how the Hamilton Bulldogs did in their regular seasons. Legend: OTL = Overtime loss, SL = Shootout loss
| Season | Games | Won | Lost | OTL | SL | Points | Pct % | Goals For |
Goals Against |
Standing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015–16 | 68 | 25 | 35 | 8 | 0 | 58 | .426 | 197 | 260 | 5th East |
| 2016–17 | 68 | 33 | 27 | 4 | 4 | 74 | .544 | 238 | 225 | 4th East |
| 2017–18 | 68 | 43 | 18 | 4 | 3 | 93 | .684 | 252 | 207 | 1st East |
| 2018–19 | 68 | 29 | 34 | 3 | 2 | 63 | .463 | 241 | 283 | 4th East |
| 2019–20 | 62 | 24 | 30 | 7 | 1 | 56 | .452 | 235 | 267 | 4th East |
| 2020–21 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 | 0 | 0 | Season cancelled |
| 2021–22 | 68 | 51 | 12 | 3 | 2 | 107 | .787 | 300 | 176 | 1st East |
| 2022–23 | 68 | 33 | 30 | 5 | 0 | 71 | .522 | 226 | 251 | 3rd East |
Playoff Achievements
The Bulldogs had some exciting playoff runs.
- 2015–16: Did not make it to the playoffs.
- 2016–17: Lost to Kingston Frontenacs in the first round (4 games to 3).
- 2017–18: Won the OHL championship!
- They beat Ottawa 67's (4-1) in the first round.
- They beat Niagara IceDogs (4-1) in the second round.
- They beat Kingston Frontenacs (4-1) in the conference finals.
- They won the championship against Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds (4-2).
- They finished third in the 2018 Memorial Cup.
- 2018–19: Lost to Ottawa 67's in the first round (4-0).
- 2019–20: Playoffs were cancelled.
- 2020–21: Season was cancelled.
- 2021–22: Won their second OHL championship!
- They beat Peterborough Petes (4-0) in the first round.
- They beat Mississauga Steelheads (4-0) in the second round.
- They beat North Bay Battalion (4-0) in the conference finals.
- They won the championship against Windsor Spitfires (4-3).
- They finished second in the 2022 Memorial Cup.
- 2022–23: Lost to Barrie Colts in the first round (4 games to 2).
See also
- List of ice hockey teams in Ontario
