Michael Andlauer made a trade with a top forward for the Edmonton Oilers off the ice on Monday
The Ottawa Senators owner served notice that his sole focus will be on his National Hockey League franchise and the club’s American Hockey League affiliate in Belleville after selling his Ontario Hockey League’s Brantford Bulldogs to Oilers winger Zach Hyman and his family.
Two well-placed league executives estimated to Postmedia on Monday that Andlauer would have received “north of $20 million” for the ownership rights to the Brantford franchise.
That number is by no means written in stone because both noted the OHL tries to keep a tight lid on the sale price of its clubs, but that was their best estimate because the value junior teams in this country has been on the rise over the past 15 years.
While the move had been speculated in recent weeks and Andlauer didn’t deny it was going to happen, the OHL’s board of governors confirmed the sale to Hyman along with his brother Spencer and father Stuart during a conference call on Monday.
Andlauer had owned the Bulldogs franchise since he purchased the OHL’s Belleville Bulls in 2015. He relocated the team to Hamilton and renamed the franchise. After a battle with the city over a new arena, Andlauer relocated the club to Brantford at the start of last season.
The Bulldogs won the OHL’s J. Ross Robertson Trophy as the league champions in 2018 and 2022 under Andlauer’s ownership. Steve Staios, the Senators president of hockey operations and general manager, was in charge of Hamilton’s hockey operations at the time.
“It’s been an honour to be the owner of the Bulldogs, who have won two championship trophies and launched the careers of many successful players into the NHL,” Andlauer said in a statement. “Although it is time for me to focus on my new hockey world, I know that the new ownership of the Hyman family will continue to bring success for the Brantford Bulldogs organization on the ice and in this great community that has embraced us these past two years.
“To the coaches, players and staff of the team, I know you will continue to deliver a best-in-class product. To the Brantford fans – thank you for showing the OHL that you are the best place to play in junior hockey.”
Andlauer said in an interview with TSN last week that he needs to focus more on his AHL franchise in Belleville to help make it successful. He also denied any talk he’s going to move the club’s AHL affiliate to Hamilton and stated he’ll focus on making Belleville more successful.
“That’s why I’m wearing the ‘613’ hat,” he said on Thursday during the club’s regional broadcast with TSN’s Claire Hanna. “Six-one-three is Sens country. It’s strategic to be in Belleville and Belleville is here to stay.
“As far as I’m concerned, they’re great fans, very similar to what Brantford has in the OHL. Maybe some of the rumour (about selling Brantford) is true, but the one part that’s not true is that Belleville is there to stay. I’m looking forward to spending a lot more time in Belleville.”
Hyman, who is in his 10th NHL season, is excited to take over the junior club. The city of Brantford is spending more than $140 million to build a new home for the franchise that is expected to open for the 2027-28 campaign.
He’s in the middle of a seven-year, $38.5-million US deal that he signed with the Oilers before the start of the 2021-22 campaign. A Toronto native, he grew up playing in the Greater Toronto Hockey League as a youth and also played for the Hamilton Red Wings.
Hyman will hold a news conference on Wednesday.
“Hockey is more than just a game for my family,” Hyman said. “It teaches our youth about the importance of teamwork and it brings together communities. I am humbled and greatly appreciate the faith Michael has placed in me to continue his incredible legacy with such a storied franchise.
“Thank you to the Ontario Hockey League for giving me this opportunity to give back to the game I love. It is a privilege to work with such an incredible group of people and I can’t wait to get started.”
Andlauer is confident that the Hyman family will have success in Brantford.
“I want our fans and community to know that I would not sell the team unless I felt certain it was in good hands,” Andlauer added.