NHL player to attend first in-person Brantford Bulldogs game since buying the team

There will be a little extra star power in the arena as the Brantford Bulldogs welcome one of their new owners to the Telephone City.

There will be a little extra star power at the Brantford Civic Centre on Friday night as the Brantford Bulldogs take on the Niagara Icedogs.

One of the team’s new co-owners, Zach Hyman of the Edmonton Oilers, will be attending his first in-person game since he bought the team alongside his brother and father.

“We had watched a bunch of games online and never been to the Mad House, but I’m actually going tonight, and I’m really excited. It’s going to be my first game there. We saw how passionate the fan base was and we wanted to be a part of it. It just was the perfect fit for my brother, myself, my dad and my entire family and we couldn’t be more thrilled.”

Hyman is able to make Friday’s game thanks to an NHL break.

While speaking with CTV News on Friday, while enroute to Brantford, he said the team had put together a full schedule so he could catch up with the fans.

“I’ll be out and about meeting everybody that I can, as much as I can, because there’s lots of fans. I’ll do my best to see everybody, but very much looking forward to meeting the community and being involved.”

The Hyman family recently bought the OHL team from Michael Andlauer and, during a news event last month, announced plans to keep the team in Brantford for 40 years.

Hyman said he wants to use his own success to help guide players.

“I think the OHL is one of the most scouted leagues in the world. The amount of players that come out of the NHL is really second to none – I think they all know that they’re being scouted at all times. From my point of view, I’m here to support them in any way I can and provide guidance and advice.”

The puck drops at the Brantford Civic Centre at 7 p.m. on Friday.