Edmonton Oilers winger Zach Hyman is an NHL star, esports owner and children’s author. He has officially added his robust resume.
Hyman and his family were unveiled as the owners of the Ontario Hockey League’s Brantford Bulldogs on Wednesday. They purchased the club from Ottawa Senators owner Michael Andlauer and minority partner Steve Staios — the Sens GM, former Oilers defenseman and executive.
“I’m always looking for things that I’m passionate about, and hockey is a huge passion,” Hyman said. “It’s my life, my family’s life. I’m really excited to be able to do something with my family and be involved with the city of Brantford. Just looking forward to a lot of great years ahead.”
Hyman, who scored 70 goals between the regular season and playoffs in 2023-24, was never drafted by an OHL team. His skating needed work, and the extra developmental time that collegiate hockey afforded was one of the reasons going the NCAA route with the Michigan Wolverines was better for him.
Though Andlauer said selling the Bulldogs made sense because he felt he could no longer devote as much time to them while owning the Senators, the timing for Hyman and his family to buy the OHL team seemed especially fitting.
“First team I’ve been a part of in the O, which is great,” Hyman said. “When I was 16, you’re forced to make an impossible decision. I’m very excited for this generation of kids that don’t have to make a decision because of the rule change with regards to major junior and NCAA. Kids should have the option to do whatever they like in sport. That’s a huge opportunity for every kid who plays in the O now.”
The Bulldogs will be operated and run by Hyman’s brother, Spencer. He’ll receive guidance from their father, Stuart, a real-estate developer who owned roughly 90 minor hockey teams around the Greater Toronto Area. Stuart also owned the Ontario Junior Hockey League’s Hamilton Red Wings, the team for which Hyman played before going to Michigan. He also owned that league’s Georgetown Raiders.
“I grew up, from 5 years old, with my dad owning a junior hockey team,” Spencer said during a press conference in Brantford. “I grew up going to junior hockey games.
“I was my dad’s shadow in those environments. This is such a dream to be able to do this with my dad, with my brother Zach and with my family.”
Hyman won’t be in the coach’s or general manager’s office much since most of his time is spent three provinces to the west. But he will be heavily involved.
“That’s what Zoom’s for, right?” he joked. “I’m very fortunate to have an amazing family and people who I can really trust and rely on.”
Hyman said he plans on visiting Brantford and meeting with the team during the 4 Nations Face-Off break in February.
It was also announced Wednesday that the Bulldogs will be the anchor tenant for a proposed new arena. The Hyman family and the Bulldogs have entered into a 15-year agreement with five, five-year renewal terms for a total of 40 years. The new rink could open as early as 2027.
(Photo: Perry Nelson / Imagn Images)
