Zach, Spencer and Stuart Hyman were officially introduced as the new owners of the Brantford Bulldogs during a press conference on Wednesday, January 15, 2025.
The new owners spoke to a packed room filled with media, Bulldogs players and family members to address their purchase of the franchise from longstanding owner Michael Andlauer.
Kicking off the press conference, Bryan Crawford, Commissioner for the Ontario Hockey League (OHL), said that while it was a bittersweet day, the league was excited about its future in Brantford.
“It’s a bit of a bittersweet day today as we welcome a new ownership group to our family and say thank you and so long to Michael Andlauer after a decade of dedicated and passionate commitment to our league,” said Crawford. “…Obviously, it’s fantastic to welcome a family that has been so committed to the sport of hockey for so long that it has been part of the foundation of what their family is all about: community and using the game of hockey to make our communities better. To have an opportunity to bring them [the Hyman family] into our league and start the next phase of OHL hockey here in Brantford is, of course, very exciting for us as a league, and should be also very exciting for the community in Brantford. …We’re incredibly excited about the future here and what we can build together.”
Up next, Andlauer then took to the mic to commend the City of Brantford for welcoming the team with open arms.
“I always thought Hamilton was my adopted city, a lot of my memories were made in Hamilton, a city that’s synonymous with grit, hard work and character… it’s just too bad that the local politicians there don’t have the same pedigree. After 20 years of service in the city, I was kicked out, left homeless and couldn’t play in Hamilton but that’s where Brantford, led by Mayor Davis, gave me another memorable moment and took the opportunity to adopt the Bulldogs,” said Andlauer. “We worked as partners and we invested six million dollars to transform the 60 year old Branford Civic Centre and it may be the smallest arena, but it’s for sure the loudest arena in the OHL. I applaud the Mayor and the councillors, who I often see at the games; you’ve proven that you’re truly deserving of this OHL franchise.”
He said that while he never had a desire to sell something so near and dear to him, he felt like he was unable to give 100 per cent to the team and after meeting the Hyman family last summer, he saw how passionate they were.
“After several meetings, I realized that they had the same passion for the game of hockey as I did, maybe even more so. They’re very respectful people and they were committed to doing things right. I met Zach probably a year earlier and I had really good first impressions with him… I know he’s going to be an inspiration for our players and he’s going to teach them a lot,” continued Andlauer. “Spencer, his brother, is equally as passionate and I know he wants to do good, he cares and he’s going to be there day to day. Stu, with his experience in junior hockey, and hockey in general …he’s going to be a lot of great help with his experience. The last criteria for me to ensure a proper succession, was to make sure that Brantford would be a permanent home for the Bulldogs moving forward… Brantford deserves no less after what they have shown me these past two years.”
Zach Hyman, left winger for the Edmonton Oilers and the new owner of the Brantford Bulldogs, then tuned in virtually to say a few words about his family’s new venture.
“I want to thank Mr. Michael Andlauer for giving us the opportunity to purchase the Brantford Bulldogs. Michael, you’re a huge inspiration to me and to my family; you’re a true role model as an owner and now as an NHL owner. The process of purchasing this team from you has been an incredible experience in my life,” said Zach. “As an NHL player, it was cool to be able to do that with you and I hope that we’re able to continue your legacy here in Brantford with only great things. …My family and I have been in hockey for a long time, we know several owners but to be able to be welcomed into this community with open arms means the world to my family. … To the entire City of Brantford, I can’t wait to be embedded in the community, I can’t wait to help continue to grow the great charitable work that Michael’s been doing in the community, and our fan base.”
Zach’s father Stuart then took the opportunity to express his gratitude to not only Andlauer, but the City too.
“To our family, hockey means everything to us. It’s about working with kids, giving back to kids, giving back to the community, and helping kids to achieve their dreams through the magic of hockey,” said Stuart. “I applaud Michael for the wonderful things he’s done with helping kids get to the next level and to teach them in their formative years. …From the bottom of our hearts, we’ll give everything to Brantford to carry on your legacy and we’ll do everything we can for the kids and also for the community.”
Spencer then echoed his brother and his father, adding that it was surreal to be in such a position.
“Michael, you gave us the opportunity to do good here and I genuinely can’t thank you enough for trusting our family to lead the Bulldogs into the future. …This has been such a dream to be able to do this with my dad, with my brother, Zach, and with my family. It’s not just hockey, it’s everything that comes with it,” said Spencer. “It’s the drive to the game with your dad, it’s the dinner before the game, it’s going and seeing the community rally together to support their team. That’s what junior hockey is…family, community, charity, those are the values that we look to. We’re so honoured to be here. This is a dream come true for our family.”
The press conference later concluded with Kevin Davis, Mayor for the City of Brantford, and the ownership group announcing that they would sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to potentially keep the Bulldogs in Brantford for up to 40 years.
“We are very pleased to announce today that we do have a Memorandum of Understanding [a letter of intent] with the Bulldogs organization, negotiated originally with Michael and finally with the Hymans, that’s secured the Brantford Bulldogs future here in Brantford as the anchor tenant in our proposed Sports and Entertainment Centre with an initial term of 15 years plus 5, five-year renewal terms for a total of 40 years,” said Davis.
Given that a MOU is not necessarily legally binding, the Bulldogs staying in Brantford will not be finalized until an official lease agreement is signed.
Kimberly De Jong’s reporting is funded by the Canadian government through its Local Journalism Initiative.The funding allows her to report rural and agricultural stories from Blandford-Blenheim and Brant County. Reach her at kimberly.dejong@brantbeacon.ca.
