Bulldogs usher in fresh leadership
The Brantford Bulldogs announced a sweeping restructuring of their hockey operations department, appointing former NHL executive Brian Burke to a senior advisory role and promoting longtime player development stalwart Gary Roberts to vice president of hockey operations.
Burke, a Hockey Hall of Famer known for his Stanley Cup‑winning tenure with the Anaheim Ducks, will bring decades of executive experience to the club, focusing on strategic planning and league relations.
Roberts, a two‑time OHL and Memorial Cup champion who enjoyed a 21‑year NHL career, joins the front office after serving as senior advisor and director of player development for the past season, a role he will now expand.
The front office also saw promotions within the scouting and player services ranks: Mike Galati was elevated to assistant general manager while retaining his director of scouting responsibilities, and J.J. Barrett was named manager of hockey operations and player services.
Long‑standing staff members Adrian Vilaca and Luke Van Moerkerke will continue in their current capacities as director of player development and strength and conditioning coach, respectively, ensuring continuity in the club’s developmental pipeline.
The reshuffle follows the exits of assistant coaches Ryan Kuwabara and Owen Burnell, who contributed to the Bulldogs’ recent back‑to‑back East Division titles; Kuwabara spent the last two seasons guiding the team, while Burnell, a former Bulldog player from 2016 to 2019, departs after a decade of service.
Implications for the future
Club officials say the new structure is designed to blend fresh ideas with institutional knowledge, positioning the Bulldogs for sustained competitiveness in the OHL and beyond.