Brantford Bandits
CityBrantford, Ontario, Canada
LeagueGreater Ontario Junior Hockey League
DivisionMid-Western
Founded2013
Home arenaWayne Gretzky Sports Centre
ColoursBlack, teal, and White
     
Owner(s)Blake Sicard, Rob McIntosh, Eric Boissonneault, Jason Stangl, Greg Shoniker, Troy Futher, and JP Boileau
General managerTodd Hoffman
Head coachGerry Skrypec
Franchise history
2013-2019Brantford 99ers
2019-PresentBrantford Bandits

The Brantford Bandits are a Canadian junior ice hockey team based in Brantford, Ontario, Canada. They play in the Mid-Western Conference of the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League.

History

99ers goalie during 2013-14 season.

For years, the Brantford Eagles franchise were not very successful. From 1992 until 2002, the Eagles were only able to surpass ten wins once. Most of that time, the team had been transplanted to Ohsweken, Ontario.[1] In 2002, the team moved back to Brantford and began winning more consistently. By the 2005-06 season, the Eagles made the Mid-Western League final. In 2007, the three Ontario Hockey Association Junior B Leagues merged into the GOJHL. From that point on, the Eagles would win three Mid-Western regular season championships, three Mid-Western Conference playoff championships, and the 2009 Sutherland Cup as Ontario Champions. But the fans did not come. On May 23, 2012, the Eagles were official moved to Caledonia, Ontario and became the Caledonia Corvairs.[2]

In 2012, the GOJHL announced it was recruiting new teams for a new Toronto-based fourth conference for the league. In Spring 2013, the plan would unceremoniously die, but a Brantford group that had decided to apply for entry transferred their request to the Mid-Western Conference.[3] Their request was accepted[4] and the ownership group named themselves the 99'ers in honour of Wayne Gretzky and the Brantford Minor Hockey Association.[5]

On September 6, 2013, the 99ers played their first ever game, on the road, against the Brampton Bombers. Luc Hartholt scored the first goal in franchise history at 2:29 of the first period in a 4-3 win. Andre Keire made 20 saves to pick up the first ever win in net.[6]

In May 2023, the Bandits were purchased by a group of seven beer league buddies. They have moved the team's home games from the Brantford Civic Centre to the Wayne Gretzky Sports Centre.

Season-by-season results

SeasonGPWLTOTLGFGAPResultsPlayoffs
2013–1449738-4118251189th GOJHL-MW DNQ
2014–1549939-1128258199th GOJHL-MW DNQ
2015–1650133232133204318th of 9-MW
22nd of 26-GOJHL 		Lost Conf. Quarterfinals, 1-4 (Dutchmen)
2016–1750113225143217298th of 9-MW
22nd of 27-GOJHL 		Lost Conf. Quarterfinals, 0-4 (Cyclones)
2017–1850133025139216337th of 8-MW
20th of 26-GOJHL 		Lost Conf. Quarterfinals, 0-4 (Warriors)
2018–194883406114215228th of 8-MW
23rd of 25-GOJHL 		Lost Conf. Quarterfinals, 0-4 (Cyclones)
Brantford Bandits
2019–20506390590225178th of 8-MW
25th of 26-GOJHL 		Lost Conf. Quarterfinals, 0-4 (Sugar Kings)
2020-21Season lost due to covid-19 pandemic
2021–22488364078221208th of 8-MW
24th of 25-GOJHL 		Lost Conf. Quarterfinals, 1-4 (Sugar Kings)
2022–2350245307836078th of 8-MW
25th of 25-GOJHL 		Lost Conf. Quarterfinals, 0-4 (Siskins)
99ers player during 2013-14 season.

References

  1. ↑ "Ohsweken Golden Eagles". Archived from the original on 2016-03-03. Retrieved 2013-05-29.
  2. ↑ "Golden Eagles wing off for Caledonia | Brantford Expositor". Archived from the original on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2013-05-29.
  3. ↑ "GOJHL Expansion to Brantford". 16 January 2013.
  4. ↑ http://www.therecord.com/sports/article/906776--brantford-returns-to-gojhl
  5. ↑ "Brantford Jr. B team adopts 99ers moniker".
  6. ↑ "Gamesheet: Brantford at Brampton - Fri, Sep 06, 2013".
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