Hamilton Bulldogs
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| Hamilton Bulldogs | |
 |
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| Conference | Western Conference (AHL) |
| Division | North Division |
| Founded | 1996 |
| Arena | Copps Coliseum |
| City | Hamilton, Ontario |
| Team Colors | Navy, Red, & Copper |
| Logo Design | A bulldogs head |
| Franchise History | Hamilton Bulldogs 1996 - 2002 (Edmonton Oilers affiliate 2002 - present (Montreal Canadiens affiliate) |
| Local Media Affiliates | Hamilton Spectator,820 CHAM (AM) |
| Owner | Michael Andlauer |
| General Manager | Julien BriseBois |
| Head Coach | Don Lever |
| Team Affiliations | Montreal Canadiens (NHL) Cincinnati Cyclones (ECHL) |
| Regular Season Titles | 1 (2002-03) |
| Division Championships | 2 (2002-03, 2003-04) |
| Conference Championships | 1 (2002-03) |
| Calder Cups | none |
The Hamilton Bulldogs are an ice hockey team in the American Hockey League. They play in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada at Copps Coliseum. They are the primary minor league affiliate of the NHL's Montreal Canadiens.
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[edit] History
The Hamilton Bulldogs Hockey Club was established in 1996.
On the ice the club has reached the Calder Cup Finals both in 1997 in the club's first year, and in 2003 only to lose in both cases. In the 2003 final, game 7, the attendance at Copps Coliseum on June 12, 2003 vs the Houston Aeros was 17,428 marking it the largest playoff crowd in the history of the AHL (the record was since broken in 2005 in Philadelphia). Houston won the game 3-0 and the series 4-3.
Off the ice, the club faced turmoil in 2000 resulting, in a "Stay Dogs Stay" campaign spearheaded by Don Robertson, Ron Burnstein, Nick Javor and club President Cary Kaplan, aimed at keeping the franchise in Hamilton. The campaign was a financial success and resulted in the club remaining in the Steel City with a bolstered fan base and an improved lease with the City of Hamilton.
In spite of a franchise high in attendance in 2001, the Edmonton Oilers announced plans to move their AHL affiliation to Toronto. Local interests made a multi-million dollar investment to secure ownership of the Quebec Citadelles and relocate them to Hamilton, Ontario thus keeping the Bulldogs in town. For the second time in as many years, the fate of the club was in jeopardy, but ultimately rescued by local interests. The achievement to preserve the franchise was a unique joint venture between the Montreal Canadians, the Edmonton Oilers, the American Hockey League, and a local consortium of Hamilton owenrs, which allowed for a joint affiliation in 2002-2003 between Montreal and Edmonton as ownership changed hands. Fans voted to keep the Bulldogs name which won over the Hamilton Canadiens and Hamilton Habs.
In the summer of 2004, Burlington businessman Michael Andlauer became majority owner, governor and chairman of the Hamilton Bulldogs. Andlauer was part of the initial group of local business people, who purchased the club from the Edmonton Oilers in 2002.
In thier 11th seaon The Bulldogs are currently the longest serving Canadian franchise in the American Hockey League. With having well surpassed the two million (2,000,000) mark in total attendance, the Bulldogs have for a number of years represented a model minor league hockey organization both on and off the ice.
Key Executives:
- Glen Sather, President 1996-2000
- Scott Howson, General Manager, 1996-2002
- Cary Kaplan, President 2000-2002 (with club from 1996)
- Steve Katzman, President, 2002-2003
- Brian Lewis, Executive VP, 2003-2006 (with club from 1997)
- Glenn Stanford, President, 2006-Current
- Michael Andlauer, 2002-Current has been the principal owner of the club since assuming controlling interest in 2004. He has provided a stabalizing force for the franchise.
[edit] Franchise & Area Timeline
The Hamilton Bulldogs was previously known as:
Edmonton Oilers Affiliation:
- The Cape Breton Oilers (1991-1996)
Montreal Canadians Affiliation:
- Montreal Voyageurs (1969-1971)
- Nova Scotia Voyageurs (1971-1984)
- Sherbrooke Canadiens (1984-1990)
- Fredericton Canadiens (1990-1999)
- Quebec Citadelles (1999-2002)
[edit] Year-by-year record
| Year | GP | W | L | T | OL | SOL | GF | GA | PTS | Finish | Playoffs |
| 2005-06 | 80 | 35 | 41 | -- | 0 | 4 | 225 | 251 | 74 | 6th, North | Out of Playoffs |
| 2004-05 | 80 | 38 | 29 | 6 | 7 | -- | 225 | 210 | 89 | 4th, North | Lost in Round 1 |
| 2003-04 | 80 | 41 | 25 | 10 | 4 | -- | 235 | 191 | 96 | 1st, North | Lost in Round 2 |
| 2002-03 | 80 | 49 | 19 | 8 | 4 | -- | 279 | 191 | 110 | 1st, Canadian | Lost in Finals |
| 2001-02 | 80 | 37 | 30 | 10 | 3 | -- | 247 | 205 | 87 | 2nd, Canadian | Lost in Round 3 |
| 2000-01 | 80 | 28 | 41 | 6 | 5 | -- | 227 | 281 | 67 | Last, Canadian | Out of Playoffs |
| 1999-2000 | 80 | 27 | 34 | 13 | 6 | -- | 225 | 262 | 73 | 3rd, Empire | Lost in Round 2 |
| 1998-99 | 80 | 40 | 29 | 7 | 4 | -- | 229 | 206 | 91 | 2nd, Empire | Lost in Round 2 |
| 1997-98 | 80 | 36 | 22 | 17 | 5 | -- | 264 | 242 | 94 | 2nd, Empire | Lost in Round 2 |
| 1996-97 | 80 | 28 | 39 | 9 | 4 | -- | 220 | 276 | 69 | 3rd, Canadian | Lost in Finals |
[edit] Team records
[edit] Single season
- Goals: 39 Paul Healey (2000-01)
- Assists: 52 Daniel Cleary (1999-2000)
- Points: 77 Jason Chimera (2001-02)
- Penalty Minutes: 522 Dennis Bonvie (1996-1997)
- GAA: 2.23 Steve Passmore (1998-1999)
- SV%: .929 Steve Passmore (2002-03)
[edit] Career
- Career Goals: 71 Tomas Plekanec & Brian Swanson
- Career Assists: 123 Peter Sarno
- Career Points: 179 Brian Swanson
- Career Penalty Minutes: 817 Dennis Bonvie
- Career Goaltending Wins: 47 Steve Passmore & Yann Danis
- Career Shutouts: 8 Jaroslav Halak
- Career Games: 237 Jason Chimera
