The Brantford Bulldogs were the talk of the town at the 2025 CHL Import Draft, and it wasn’t just because they drafted a seven-foot-tall, 273-pound, 17-year-old defenseman.
Weeks before the draft, the Bulldogs acquired the second-overall pick from the Peterborough Petes in exchange for two second-round picks — one in the 2026 OHL Draft — and two third-round picks. GM Spencer Hyman has been extremely proactive in bolstering his lineup to contend for an OHL championship during the 2025-26 season. And he's still going.
With the second pick of the draft, Brantford drafted the dynamic, electrifying, undersized Czech forward Adam Benak.
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Benak, 18, recorded 59 points (17 goals, 42 assists) in 56 games for the Youngstown Phantoms of the USHL during the 2024-25 season. He was voted to the USHL’s All-Rookie Team and the Second All-Star Team.
After coming overseas from his home country, Czechia, to play one season in America, Benak has made the decision to venture north of the border and play out the 2025-26 season in the OHL with Brantford, a move that will elevate his development.
On Tuesday, the Bulldogs organization announced that they have signed the 5-foot-8, 163-pound forward to an OHL Scholarship and Development Agreement.
Benak was recently drafted 102nd overall in the fourth round of the 2025 NHL Draft by the Minnesota Wild. His name has been circled by scouts for many years, labelling him as one of the most skilled players to come out of Czechia in some time.
If he's so skilled and dynamic, how come he was a fourth-rounder? Simple. NHL teams have reverted back to valuing size in the draft. If Benak was two-three inches taller, he would have most easily been a top 60 pick. But don't assume he's all flash and dash. The Czech forward has a relentless motor and understands that as a smaller player, he needs to skate and work harder than his opposition shift-by-shift.
Internationally, he has represented his country at two U17 World Hockey Challenges, two U18 World Championships, and two Hlinka Gretzky Cups. On top of winning back-to-back silver medals at the Hlinka tournament, Benak holds the record for most points at the event, with 21 points (6 goals, 15 assists) in 10 games.
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“We’re thrilled to welcome Adam Benak to the Bulldogs family. Adam is an elite talent and a game breaker, but just as important, he’s an incredible person. We’re excited for what he’ll bring to our team on and off the ice, and we couldn’t be happier to welcome him and his family to Brantford,” said Hyman.
The summer of Brantford has been impressive. They acquired Toronto Maple Leafs prospect Sam McCue from the Flint Firebirds. Added grit with two-time OHL Champion Ryder Boulton, acquired from the London Knights. Recruited Boston University commit Caleb Malhotra, son of long-time NHL forward Manny Malhotra. And signed Winnipeg Jets defense prospect Edison Engle, who is committed to Ohio State University.
It's clear, watch out for those Bulldogs in the upcoming season.
(Top photo credit: Steven Ellis/Daily Faceoff)
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