Rookies Josh Avery & Briir Long Make Their OHL Debuts for the Brantford Bulldogs

Josh Avery & Briir Long made their rookie OHL debuts for the Brantford Bulldogs today against the Windsor Spitfires.

Brantford Bulldogs prospects Josh Avery & Briir Long made their OHL debuts against the Windsor Spitfires today at the Brantford Civic Centre.

Josh Avery was a Bulldogs 3rd round pick in the 2023 OHL Priority Selection. The former U16 Peterborough Pete is a solid, two-way, hard working centre who's projection to the OHL seems almost seamless.

Avery plays such a mature game for his age, and should be a middle-six centre for the Bulldogs full-time next season. He is strong on the puck, he's able to retrieve pucks in battles, but he can also finish when he has the opportunity.

Avery will wear #86 for the Bulldogs.

Briir Long is a Bulldogs 10th round pick who has had an electric start in Junior B, he made it impossible for Brantford not to sign him. He is leading the St. Thomas Stars in points as a sixteen-year-old, something not many players can do.

Long may prove to be a steal for the Bulldogs in the 10th round, as he has been one of — if not "the" — best 2007-born player in the GOJHL.

Long played for the U16 Mississauga Sens last season, alongside Peterborough Petes forward Caden Taylor. He flew under the radar with the Sens, but the Bulldogs were able to pick him out in the 10th round.

He will wear #10 for the Bulldogs.

The Bulldogs has had a lot of support from young talent this season. From 2023 first round pick Jake O'Brien, to Marek Vanacker, and to Daniel Chen on the blue line. Brantford has been able to get a lot out of their young and inexperienced players. 

Getting Avery and Long into the lineup a few times gives them even more options in the postseason, if injuries/suspensions should arise. 

Both totalled zero points against Windsor today, but their scoresheets won't stay blank for long.