OHL's Hamilton Bulldogs Moving to Brantford

Wednesday, 8 February 2023 at 13:32

In a city that is home to hockey legend Wayne Gretzky, there was no question whether to bring the team to the Brantford.

BRANTFORD - The Hamilton Bulldogs will now call Brantford their new home.

The Ontario Hockey League made an official announcement Wednesday after talks that Brantford was considering the decision.

Talk first began in December that the team will need to temporarily relocate while the First Ontario Center works on some much-needed renovations. In a city that is home to hockey legend Wayne Gretzky, there was no question whether to bring the team to the Brantford.

Brantford City Council gave the move their full support a unanimous vote during Tuesdays council meeting. The approved three-year term will see the Bulldogs play out of Civic Center starting with the 2023 season, and the rebranding of the team to the "Brantford Bulldogs".

In a statement released by the City of Brantford, Mayor Kevin Davis expressed his excitement for the upcoming partnership with the OHL team.

“I am very excited about bringing an OHL team to Brantford and thrilled that Council has unanimously and enthusiastically endorsed this partnership. Based on the community’s overwhelmingly positive reaction to this news so far, I’m very confident that the Bulldogs fanbase will grow substantially in Brantford. On behalf of a grateful community, I want to thank the Bulldogs organization for having faith and confidence in Brantford as well as all the city staff who worked tirelessly to make this a reality for our deserving community.”

City of Brantford and the Bulldogs will invest an estimated $7.5 million into the Market Street arena.

It's official - the Bulldogs are coming to #Brantford! At their meeting held tonight, Brantford Council unanimously approved an agreement with the OHL @HAMbulldogs that will see the team relocated to Brantford & rebranded as the “Brantford Bulldogs.” More: https://t.co/myXkDSVyXh pic.twitter.com/fZv3umg93Y
— City of Brantford (@CityofBrantford) February 8, 2023