Brantford Bulldogs announces new hockey operations team

The Brantford Bulldogs team bus is seen parked outside the Kitchener Memorial Auditorium in this file photo taken on September 1, 2024. (Shelby Knox/CTV News)

The Brantford Bulldogs are promoting some of their own.

It was announced Thursday that Spencer Hyman, the team’s vice-president and chief operating officer, will be taking over as General Manager. Justin Ismael, the current Director of Hockey Operations, has been promoted to Assistant General Manager, while Mike Galati will become Director of Hockey Operations and Scouting.

The Bulldogs also have two new Directors of Player Development, Adrian Vilaca and Gary Roberts.

Roberts was in the National Hockey League (NHL) for 21 seasons. He played for the Calgary Flames, Carolina Hurricanes, Toronto Maple Leafs, Florida Panthers, Pittsburgh Penguins and Tampa Bay Lightning. Before joining the NHL, he played one season with OHL’s Guelph Platers.

“This new and exciting addition will add tremendous value to the Bulldogs by leveraging their storied reputations as the go-to on and off-ice development team; a team that calls some of the best current and developing hockey players in the world as their clients,” a press release said. “We are thrilled to welcome them to the Bulldogs.”