A Rebuilding Year That Defied Early Power Rankings
When the Brantford Bulldogs launched their 2026-27 campaign last month, the roster bore little resemblance to the powerhouse that captured last year’s regular-season title. According to Sportsnet, the top 15 scorers, two goaltenders, and head coach from that championship squad were plying their trade elsewhere. Pegged 13th out of 20 teams in the OHL’s pre-season power rankings after a heartbreaking Game 7 loss to the Barrie Colts in the Eastern Conference final, the team faced widespread expectations of a steep drop-off.
Instead, general manager Spencer Hyman’s family-owned club has ripped off a blistering 7-1 start, outscoring opponents 40-20. Hyman, the 32-year-old younger brother of Edmonton Oilers forward Zach Hyman, credits a proactive approach to the evolving junior hockey landscape for the early success, leveraging his management background in tier-II junior A hockey where roster reloading is a perpetual necessity.
Leveraging the New Junior Hockey Landscape
The elimination of strict recruitment boundaries following recent NCAA rule changes has fundamentally shifted how major junior teams build their rosters. Hyman noted that junior programs can now recruit players who were previously unavailable to the CHL, opening the door to unearth talent falling through the cracks of traditional drafts.
To navigate this expanded pool, Hyman leaned on an experienced hockey operations group, including vice-president Gary Roberts, senior adviser Brian Burke, and head scout Peter Goulet. That infrastructure helped Brantford assemble a roster featuring 13 American-born players, mirroring the successful models of other new CHL management groups. Four of the team’s top-10 scorers arrived directly from the USHL, highlighted by 19-year-old Florida native Jason Musa, who is tied for the OHL co-lead in scoring with 14 points in eight games alongside 2026 first-round pick Aiden Kelly.
Coaching Stability and Future Infrastructure
Behind the bench, the Bulldogs transitioned smoothly after former head coach Jay McKee took over the AHL affiliate for the New York Islanders. Hyman hired Michael Babcock—son of NHL coach Mike Babcock—to maintain structural continuity. On the ice, goaltenders Vilmer Salen Forsberg and Chase Petrova have provided steady play with identical 2.34 and 2.36 goals-against averages.
Looking ahead, the organization secured another building block by acquiring first-round draft pick Sam Roberts from the Oshawa Generals. With a new downtown arena slated to replace the aging facility in 2028 and a planned bid for the 2030 Memorial Cup, the Bulldogs are positioning themselves for sustained competitiveness both on and off the ice.