Brantford Bulldogs prepare for OHL Priority Selection with focus on best available talent
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Brantford Bulldogs ready for OHL draft
The Brantford Bulldogs are preparing for the upcoming OHL Priority Selection with a clear strategy to improve their roster. Spencer Hyman, the team’s general manager, stated that the approach for the draft, held at Slush Puppie Place in Kingston, will be to select the best player available with each pick. The first two rounds are scheduled for Friday, with rounds three through fifteen taking place on Saturday.
The Bulldogs hold the 20th pick in the first round. Hyman emphasized the importance of acquiring the most talented players for the organization, noting that evaluating the team’s structure would follow the draft selections. The draft returns to a live, in-arena format this year, marking the first such event since 2000.
Addressing Roster Changes
The team faces several roster changes from the 2025-26 season, with multiple players expected to move on. Forwards Adam Benak, Gabriel Frasca, Jett Luchanko, Marek Vancker, and Charlie Paquette are anticipated departures. Additionally, Ryder Boulton is seeking an American Hockey League deal.
The status of young players Jake O’Brien and Caleb Malhotra remains uncertain. O’Brien, a 2025 first-round pick of the Seattle Kraken, may transition to professional hockey, though a return to junior is also possible. Malhotra, expected to be a top pick in the upcoming NHL Entry Draft, could either join the team that selects him or attend Boston University, where he has committed, or return to Brantford.
Returning forwards include Cooper Dennis, Jeremy Freeman, Luca Testa, Dylan Tsherna, Nikolas Rossetto, and Philip Govedaris. On defence, Ben Danford, Edison Engle, Adam Jiricek, Owen Protz, and Zack Sandhu are not expected back, leaving David Buchman and Camron Hankai as the sole returning defencemen. In goal, Maks Corovic is set to take over, following the trades of Ryerson Leenders to Owen Sound and David Egorov to Erie.
Hyman expressed confidence in Corovic, stating that he is ready for the league and is expected to play a significant number of games. The trades of Leenders and Egorov were made to provide them with opportunities to be starting goaltenders elsewhere, aligning with the team’s development plan. Other players who have departed through trades include Parker Holmes, Vladimir Dravecky, Gavin Christie, and Ryan Chamberlain.
New Acquisitions and Strategy
To fill the roster spots, the Bulldogs have signed defencemen Abe Barnett and Noah Lapoint, as well as forwards Nathan Hauad, Jason Musa, Xavier Lieb, and Owen DeGraff. The team also acquired defencemen Jet Kwajah and George Komadoski, and forwards Camden McCuaig, Jack Good, and Brayden Lappalainen through trades.
Many of the new players are from the U.S., which Hyman views as part of a necessary strategy in the evolving hockey landscape. He stated that his priority is to bring in the best people and hockey players, regardless of their origin, to ensure the Bulldogs remain competitive annually. The general manager indicated that being aggressive in pursuing free agents, particularly from the United States Hockey League, is crucial for maintaining competitiveness.
Some concerns have been raised regarding the size of incoming players, but Hyman highlighted that several new recruits, including Barnett, Lapointe, DeGraff, and Hauad, are six feet or taller. He affirmed that the organization is not averse to undersized players, valuing hard work above all. The recent trades have also significantly restocked the team’s draft assets, with the Bulldogs now holding the fourth-most picks in this year’s draft.
The OHL Priority Selection will commence at 7 p.m. on Friday.
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Source: brantfordexpositor.ca
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