The Sheet with Jeff Marek - On the Sheet: Spencer Hyman on the Brantford Bulldogs Hall of Fame Game, Zach Hyman, and more

Episode Date: February 27, 2026

Live from ice level at the TD Civic Centre in Brantford, Ontario, The Sheet brings you a special on-location episode as Jeff Marek is joined by Spencer Hyman, GM of the Brantford Bulldogs. From the energy surrounding the Bulldogs’ Hall of Fame Game to a preview of Friday night’s matchup, Marek and Hyman dive into how the season is unfolding, the identity of this year’s roster, the challenges of team building in the OHL, and what makes hockey in Brantford such a special experience.Reach out to [e-mail] to connect with our Sales Team and discuss opportunities to partner with us!If you liked this, check out:🚨 OTT - Coming in Hot Sens | https://www.youtube.com/c/thewallyandmethotshow🚨 TOR - LeafsNation | https://www.youtube.com/@theleafsnation401🚨 EDM - OilersNation | https://www.youtube.com/@Oilersnationdotcom🚨 VAN - CanucksArmy | https://www.youtube.com/@Canucks_Army🚨 CGY - FlamesNation | https://www.youtube.com/@Flames_Nation🚨 Daily Faceoff Fantasy & Betting | www.youtube.com/@DFOFantasyandBetting____________________________________________________________________________________________Connect with us on ⬇️Link Tree: https://linktr.ee/daily_faceoff💻 Website: https://www.dailyfaceoff.com🐦 Follow on twitter: https://x.com/DailyFaceoff💻 Follow on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dailyfaceoffDaily Faceoff Merch:https://nationgear.ca/collections/daily-faceoff Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Okay, and off the races we go, welcome to Bulldogs Country. Do we call it that? Hunter Hyman, the GM of the Brantford Bulldogs? The Mad House on Market Street, that's the most part. Turn me up in my ears so I could hear it, Spencer, that would be great, Zach. Welcome to the Sheet once again. We are in Brantford, Ontario, home of the Bulldogs. Tomorrow Hall of Fame, the first ever,

Brantford Bulldogs Hall of Fame game and induction ceremony. We'll talk about Michael And Lowry here coming up in a couple of seconds. You got to give you like a hot five on your thoughts on Michael And Lauer. Of course, owner of the Ottawa Senators, former owner of the Bulldogs. Yeah, Michael's a winner. He won a Calder Cup with the Bulldogs and they're in Hamilton. Two OHA championships. You know, and I'm grateful for him for giving us to my family the opportunity to lead this unbelievable brand organization, you know, into the future.

So we couldn't have thought of a better person to open up the inaugural Bulldogs Hall of Fame. sure. It was just over a year ago. The Hyman family bought that. We'll get into that in a couple of seconds here. The Blueprints is powered by Fandu. Download the app today and play your game on Fandu. You've already heard from and seen the general manager, the Brenford Bulldogs, of the OHL, Spencer Hyman. We'll talk to him about his team, Michael Ann Lauer, Hall of Fame game tomorrow against the Oshawa Generals, some of the key players on his team and I'm going to ask you about Michael Misa as well. So stay tuned for that one.

A Hall of Fame game is tomorrow. Greg Wischinsky will stop by the program here in about 10 or 15 minutes time as well. His normal Thursday stop. Trade boards, both on daily faceoff and at ESPN.com. We'll get into that. Some of the likelier names to be moved by next Friday, NHL trade deadline. And we'll talk about some of the returns that we saw yesterday in and around the NHL. In the meantime.

All right. So, Spencer, set the scene for us, set the stage. All right. We're here at the madhouse. Yep. Tomorrow's going to be mad. It's going to be a packed house. Probably going to be a lot of NHL personnel here as well.

It's the Bulldogs facing off against the Oshawa generals, one of the O'HL's heritage franchises. But talk to us about the Hall of Fame and talk to us about Michael Ann Lauer, where this idea came from and why was Ann Lauer the first? Well, you know what? The Bulldogs are such an unbelievable storied franchise, really. Heading back to, you know, the American Hockey League days where started with a, Edmonton Oilers farm team and the Montreal Canadiens and Michael had ties with Montreal.

And, you know, and then to the Ontario Hockey League. And with this type of brand and organization now being in Brantford, getting a new arena in Brantford, you know, we felt it was time to honor, you know, the people and, you know, that it built this organization up. So, you know, with Michael being the first, obviously, probably the most prolific person as it relates to the Bulldogs. we couldn't be happier to honor him and, you know, make sure that his legacy lives on forever here. I first met Michael at the Memorial Cup in vagina. Yeah. With the Bulldogs.

We're there. Robert Thomas started that, that, Matthew Strom also on that squad as well. And this may, this may sound awful, but I was shocked at A, how much he loved talking about hockey.

Yeah. I'm talking about it. How much he loved talking about it, and how much he knew as well. And at every single level and the history of the game as well. Do you remember your first meetings with Michael Engelow? Yeah, I do. You know, we met at a sunset grill near in Vaughn.

Oh, yeah. And, you know, in the conversation, we didn't talk about, you know, really the team at all the first time we met. It was he wanted to get to know, me and my family and my father. And we wanted to get to know him. And it was, you know, a really honest conversation, just talking about life and family. and, you know, just I remember how, you know, gracious he was at this time and, you know, how much passion he has for hockey. So, just to really get a human being. Did you always get the sense that he wanted to own an angel team?

Well, when we, when he met with him the first time, he was already the owner of Ottawa. So I didn't, you know, know, know, know, you've seen what he's done in hockey and ownership. And it made, it made sense when you saw it from an outsider's view. So when we look at the Bulldogs lineup here. I know you're smiling because you put it together. I love my players.

Well, look, man, like you put together a murderer's row of of NHL prospects, a lot of first rounders here, whether it's Chetlochenko, Merrick Vannecker, Adam Urecheck,

Ben Danford, Jake O'Brien, tell me when you want me to stop because it just keeps on ongoing. You know, I've sort of made this distinction this year. There's going all in

and then there's doing with the Bulldog. I don't even know how to describe it because we've seen teams go all in before. Yeah. But this is like a different level. You know what? And it's not just me. I've got a great support system and staff with me.

Unbelievable people that, you know, love this organization, love this team and put their life into it. So, you know, we came into the year with a really good base and a really good core. And I felt it was it was my responsibility to put players like Jake O'Brien, you know, our Seattle first rounder, Merrick Fanakar, Chicago first rounder, Adam Urecheck. I didn't even mention Caleb Malhotra. Yeah, well, Caleb's going to be a high pick. And I remember I was on your show.

When Jake got drafts, I said, we're going to be here with Caleb. But I felt it was my responsibility to put these kids in a good position to succeed and win. You know, when you're a first run NHL pick playing in the Ontario Hockey League, you've kind of accomplished everything you need to do from a personal standpoint. The next step is winning a championship, warning how to win. And that's what, you know, the messaging with our group has been. When you're going to get to the NHL, these NHL teams want you to know how to win. And this is where you have to start.

So it's really important for our club and our players to get that understanding of winning not just playoff series, but, you know, winning multiple rounds, winning a championship, you know, and hopefully, hopefully ending the season in Corona. Oh, HL trade deadline was interesting. As always, the number of teams going for it. Obviously, you were one of the top teams, and you've been one of the top teams across the CHL, pretty much all, I'll appreciate that. All season long. You know, the rankings come out and it's like, oh, yeah, bulldogs are one, maybe two, maybe three, but they're always in the, in the top mix.

So I heard a whisper about you around trade done, and that was that the bulldogs weren't done, and don't be surprised if he gets sent back from the world juniors if Spencer Hyman makes a move from Michael Meese. Was that accurate? Well, I like to be aggressive. So I'll take that as a yes. I like good hockey players. I like players that play with skill. And, you know, I think you won the Red Tilsen last year for the most valuable player in the, in the Ontario Hockey League.

I had interest, you know, obviously, you know, Saginaw's got a great group. They won a Memorial Cup. You know, I think winning is in acquiring players that have won is critical to success of the hockey team. So I did have interest, of course, if he was going to come back. You know, in saying that, I don't know what Saginaw is going to do. They've got a great team, a great staff, great coach. You know, great organization.

The leading goals score on the whole league right now, Nikita Kupov. Yeah, boys. There was no telling what they were going to do, but, you know, I'm in on everyone. I like to understand what other teams are thinking. And if a player like Michael Mesa was back and available, I would have definitely inquired. When, so that was showkey, so I got good whispers on that. You probably just assume, based on the same.

the history of what we've required. I mean, I think, I mean, like, you're a new general manager in the O HL. So I think everybody's trying to get a feel for, okay, so how is Hyman going to do business? Yeah. Like, what kind of manager is he going to be like? How would you describe your style? Like, this is our first chance to watch you in action. Yeah, I appreciate.

Appreciate that. You know, for me, it's a culture in an organization, which is you care about people first, right? It's our players. It's our staff. we're all human beings. The word asset to me in junior hockey is not something that I use. Our players are players, right? They're players and their kids. As a manager, I want to put my team in the best position to succeed every year.

Understanding where you are in your cycle as an organization, understanding where you are as your team. Is it a year to push? Is it a year to push? Is it a year to be younger? I guess the best word that I would use to describe myself as a manager is being responsibly aggressive. I will be, aggressive every single year and pursue of being the best team we can possibly be. How, um, I know he's in the middle of his NHL season here and should have been at the Olympics. Yeah.

More on that and another conversation. But like how, how, um, how much does your brother, Zach? Yep. Um, have influence over, I don't know, probably not the day to day, but bigger, bigger decisions. Like how, how involved is Zach? He's my sounding board. Um, you know, him and my dad, uh, they see. things differently in different perspectives.

You know, sometimes when you're, you're in it every single day, you see things, you know, a little bit too close. I can go to Zach from a player perspective. Hey, what do you see in this situation? What do you think this guy's feeling? What do you see from an all nice perspective in terms of how we're playing? You know, anything along those lines. And, you know, for my dad, he's operated, you know, hockey clubs at the junior level

is his whole life and my whole life. So I feel like I've got a great balance of support, you know, with both my father. my brother and, you know, it's really unique and special that I can go to both them for different purposes and reasons and get really incredible feedback that grounds me as well. So, you know, Jay uses the frame. You don't get too high, too low. You know, my dad and brother ground me in that. It's me level headed right in the middle. You mentioned Jay and that's Jay McKee, the head coach of the Bulldogs. You know, we talk about, you know, players graduating to the next level. We shouldn't talk about Jay. Let's just like, just like, just keep it quiet.

Oh, he's never going to be an NHL coach. Yeah, no. Jay loves the O.HL. He loves being here, you know. I got news for you. He's going to coach the NHL. He's going to coach the NHL. 100%.

You talk about the players that you have in elite, like all the current first round picks in future first round picks. Like, it's pretty impressive. But, like, one day this guy's going to end up in the NHL. Yeah, it's deserving. I mean, something my dad always taught me told me and Zach

the head coach your team takes on the identity of your head coach coach panics team panics coaches calm team calm we had a game and this is junior hockey right like you know and I'm seeing it firsthand day to day basis where you get

you know different periods different teams and whatnot you know but we had a game last year we were I think up five or six one in the third period was Family Day versus Sue St. Marie unbelievable team and organization there and I think we

ended up losing the game in in terms of it was 6-6 by I think five minutes left in the third. Yeah. They tied it up. And we, I look at our bench and I look at our team and I say, we're calm. Like I felt calm because I saw Jay and he was calm. And I saw our players and they were calm. We ended up winning the game, I think, 8, 6 in regulation.

And that told me everything I need to know about Jay, which is our team's always going to have a level head. We're always going to be calm in the moment. He's stoic and he's a good human being. And at the end of the day, the whole point of this, the whole point of hockey is to be surrounded by good people and have relationships, you know, that develop and grow beyond just being at the arena. And that's what Jay is a good, he's a good person, he's a good human being. He's a great hockey coach. You know, there are some people, and I can recall specifically when he signed with the St. Louis Blues, there's some people just really happy when they finally get paid.

Yeah. And being a shop blocker is a tough way to make a living in the NHL. Jay was with the Buffalo Savers. I mean, God, that guy ate pucks and it's just like, oh, off the toe, oh, off the knee. Do you have a, I still remember the Jay McKee's staff infection shirt? Oh, no way. Well, and then when he signed with St. Louis, like, there's guys in that era, Anton Volchenkov would have been another one with Ottawa at that point. I was just so happy to get paid.

Yeah. You know, because it's such a tough way to make a living in. Generally, as you know, like those guys, just because they're a shot away from their season collapsing, those guys, generally didn't make big bank. And that's why I was really happy to see Jay get back from St. Louis so many years ago. Yeah, 100%. Jay puts that message out to our team. Like every single person's role is important.

It doesn't matter who you are. And I know that's maybe a cliche to say, but it's reality. You know, you need energy. And certain players can provide that. Walking a big shot on a penalty kill, whatever the situation is. Oh, yeah. That can spark a team, right? It waves of energy and there's different ways to get energy.

and that's one of them. Okay, let me close with a couple of things here. And thanks for your time. I know it's a busy time for you. Thanks for being here. This is a special weekend here. Junior hockey is my first love. So this is like Kid to Candy show for me.

All season long, whenever I call you, always turn the conversation to Caleb Mahhotra. I should say always. A lot of time, I love him. It's like, okay, Merrick, remember I told you? Like he's going to climb up in the first round. He's not going to be a bottom first round. He's going to be up high.

He's going to be top 10. He's going to be top five, top three. Like all, from your point of view, describe what people are going to, to get like whichever team ends up getting killed him a hotel where do they get well he's going to be an n-hill captain um i say that very clearly he's the type of human being that you want to marry your daughter like he's he's just an unbelievable person first uh always smiling always polite always always always just i always say there's there's energy takers there's energy givers he might be one of the

most energy giving people that you can be around and that's that's unbelievably important on the ice um does everything. He can play any situation, any role. He can play up and down your lineup. Unbelievable power play guy. He's 17 years old, trying out of power play ahead of some first-round NHL picks. You know, and I know he's going to be one,

but to do that at 17 years old on this hockey team, it's impressive. And he's just calm in the process. Humble as can be, and we're really fortunate that he's a brand for Bulldog. Okay. T.S. Up for tomorrow. Oscewa generals here, heritage franchise in the Ontario Hockey League,

Hall of Fame night, the inaugural Hall of Fame for the Brentford Bulldogs. Michael Ann Lauer goes in. T-up what this rink is going to be like tomorrow. Well, you know what? In Brantford, you know, we talked about it prior. The team came here. Michael brought the team from Hamilton and, you know, the expectation was the team was here on a temporary basis.

We all thought it was going back. It's going to go back to Hamilton. Now you got a new rink coming. Brantford would not let this team go. and when we were purchasing the club from Michael and Michael's one request to us at the end was I want the team to stay in Brantle and ask you know okay why

because they've embraced this club and gave us a home when we never when we got kicked out and didn't have one it's loyalty like that that resonated with me with my family and it's something we're really special you know that's been really special so you'll see this place packed you'll see you know 3,207 fans cheering on their bulldogs

because that's what this community is. It's not just the Bulldogs. We're the Brandford Bulldogs. And this is Granford's team. They can come here, support their hockey team, their players, their community and be together

to honor the man who brought the team here. And very fortunate to be able to do this for Michael. He deserves it. And we're really excited and proud to be able to put this on for him. It's a great organization. Listen, you know, Reed Duffy is an elite.

The best. Play-by-play caller. Well, let's keep Reed. quiet too, you know. Any pro hockey teams out there. Have you seen Recover wrestling? Yes.

Oh, it's amazing. Yeah, yeah, no, I know. There's so many great, and Peggy Chapman's like one of my favorite people in the entire world. Who I have a background and talk radio with going back a million years. So organization's built off good people. That's the point. It's all about the people.

It really is. Oh, Gary Robert's strength and conditioning coach as well. So Gary's also a senior advisor here. So Gary kind of touches every aspect of the organization. I pick Gary's reign all the time. not just on, you know, how we're getting our players prepared for games and practices, not just how we're going to get them back from injury, but roster construction management. What do you see here, Gary?

What do you see on this? He's a 20-year NHO veteran that, you know, has touched the game in all areas. And for me to have that resource and have Gary here and supporting me and being a part of this organization, I'm grateful and I'm lucky. Connor McDavid won't eat ketchup to this day. And I'm convinced it's because of Gary Roberts. True or false, there's no ketchup in the building. Other than for the fans.

Yeah, that's probably true. You know, when Gary's not here, the lunch menu is a little different. Our assistant GM, Justin, puts it on. But when he is here, it's pretty healthy. But, you know, but now, Gary's awesome. Love it. Thanks so much for hosting us. We're here for a couple of days doing interviews and talking to fans and taking in the game tomorrow.

We're all looking forward to it. Thanks so much for hosting us. I appreciate it. call