Fansided

Hamilton Bulldogs’ pawprint continues to be seen in NHL

By Jeff Langridge

REGINA, SK - MAY 18: John Gruden, head coach of the Hamilton Bulldogs, stands on the bench against the Regina Pats at Brandt Centre - Evraz Place on May 18, 2018 in Regina, Canada. (Photo by Marissa Baecker/Getty Images)
REGINA, SK - MAY 18: John Gruden, head coach of the Hamilton Bulldogs, stands on the bench against the Regina Pats at Brandt Centre - Evraz Place on May 18, 2018 in Regina, Canada. (Photo by Marissa Baecker/Getty Images) /
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The Hamilton Bulldogs, fresh off their OHL Championship win, have plenty of questions coming into next season — including how many players they will lose to the NHL.

When a team wins the OHL Championship, you know things have been going well. However, it can also lead to a lot of changes. If a team is not prepared for those changes, you can go from hero to zero quickly.

The latest blow to the Hamilton Bulldogs came in the form of the New York Islanders hiring John Gruden as an assistant coach. Gruden joined the Bulldogs two seasons ago after leaving the Flint Firebirds. He led the Bulldogs to their first two playoff appearances and their first OHL Championship only three seasons since the team moved from Belleville.

Will the Bulldogs promote one of their assistants to the head coaching position or will they look outside the organization. With just over two months until the start of the start of the season and even less before training camp, they will have to find a replacements sooner rather than later.

Development Campers

Most NHL teams have concluded their development camps. The Bulldogs had 12 players and one alumni at NHL camps, including four invitees. Here is the list of players and the teams’ camp they were at.

MacKenzie Entwistle & Nick Donofrio – Arizona Coyotes

Riley Stillman & Ben Gleason – Florida Panthers

Brandon Saigeon – Colorado Avalanche

Nicholas Caamano – Dallas Stars

Kaden Fulcher – Detroit Red Wings

Will Bitten – Montreal Canadiens

Marian Studenic – New Jersey Devils

Matthew Strome – Philadelphia Flyers

Robert Thomas – St. Louis Blues

Ryan Moore – Toronto Maple Leafs

Isaac Nurse – Vancouver Canucks

First things first, Entwistle did attend the Coyotes’ camp but is also currently attending the Chicago Blackhawks’ camp. That’s because he was one of the prospects that the Coyotes sent the Blackhawks in the Marian Hossa deal. Apparently, Chicago would have drafted him last year had the Coyotes not selected him a pick prior.

Another piece of news coming out of development camps regards Moore. The 21-year old can no longer play in the OHL and was invited to the Maple Leafs’ camp. While he didn’t sign with the Leafs, he did earn a contract with the AHL’s Toronto Marlies. Whether he plays with the Marlies or the ECHL’s Newfoundland Growlers remains to be seen, but it’s nice to see him get a chance to play professional hockey.

One Bulldog who has a big question surrounding him is Studenic. The Bulldogs selected two players, defenseman Philip Broberg and center Tim Fleischer, in the 2018 CHL Import Draft. Since each team is only allowed to have two imports on the roster, it’s unknown what Studenic’s status is. Has he been let go by the team? No one seems to know. He’s likely to move up the AHL regardless.

World Junior Showcase

The last piece of Bulldogs news is that Thomas and Entwistle were both invited to represent Canada at the World Junior Showcase in Kamloops, British Columbia.

Next: NHL's All-Time Canadian First and Second Teams

Thomas won Gold with at last year’s World Juniors and should be a lock for a roster spot if he doesn’t make the Blues roster. With a strong performance at the Showcase, maybe Entwistle can join him.

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