Bandits move to Kitchener voted down, team will stay in Brantford

What’s next for new Brantford Bandit owners? The new owners had planned to move the hockey team to Kitchener, but the request failed. Colton Wiens reports.

The Brantford Bandits are staying in the telephone city.

The new ownership planned to move the team to Kitchener, but the teams in the Greater Ontario Hockey League’s (GOJHL) Midwestern Division unanimously voted to deny the plan.

"It still came out as a bit of a surprise, because we thought we had more support than we did," Rob McIntosh, president of the Brantford Bandits said.

The new owners believe bringing the team to Kitchener would reduce travel costs and create stronger rivalries locally. They were also under the impression that there was strong support from the teams in the conference and the GOJHL's board of directors.

"The support was everywhere, so the last step I guess truly was the most crucial step, but we didn't see it coming," McIntosh said.

Management said they're now embracing their spot in Brantford. They have held events to raise awareness about the team and are trying to connect with businesses and sponsors.

"It's surprising to see how many people that we've run into and talked to through that event that don't even know who the Brantford Bandits are, or that there even was a team," McIntosh said.

The team hasn't won more than eight games in a season since becoming the Bandits in 2019. Last season, they only had three home games with more than 100 people in attendance.

Ownership can apply to move the team again next season. Ownership said as long as fans show up to the games, the team will stay.

"All that matters is that they support us. If they do that, then why would we ever leave?" Eric Boissonneault, the director of hockey operations said.

The Bandits played the majority of their games at the Brantford District Civic Centre last season, but will now be moving to the Wayne Gretzky Sports Centre.

"Once we got past that disappointment and we've embraced where we are, it's very cool to be in the Gretzky Centre," McIntosh said.

This season Brantford will be home to an OHL team, a Junior A team, and the Bandits. But management said the city has strongly embraced the challenges of having three junior clubs.

"The City of Brantford, the people who book the ice, they've been fantastic with us. It's been a hard go trying to schedule three junior teams in two rinks," Boissonneault said.

Brantford will play out of Cambridge for the pre-season, but open their regular season hosting the Ayr Centennials at home on September 16.