-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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 [https://www.sportsnet.ca/ohl/article/ohls-bulldogs-select-seven-foot-defenceman-in-chl-import-draft/]. Weeks before the draft, the Bulldogs acquired the second-overall pick from the Peterborough Petes [https://thehockeynews.com/ohl/latest-news/bulldogs-acquire-second-overall-pick-at-2025-chl-import-draft] 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. Erie Otters Superstar Matthew Schaefer Has A Chance, Albeit Slim, To Return Next Season [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/65e3db05-0346-4335-bed7-9ed0a3854e7f.webp] Erie Otters Superstar Matthew Schaefer Has A Chance, Albeit Slim, To Return Next Season The Erie Otters were given a glimmer of hope on Monday night regarding the possibility of one of their best players returning for the 2025-26 season, albeit that light is on the dimmest setting. [https://thehockeynews.com/ohl/players/erie-otters-superstar-matthew-schaefer-has-a-chance-albeit-slim-to-return-next-season] 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 [https://chl.ca/ohl/article/bulldogs-sign-second-overall-chl-import-draft-pick-minnesota-wild-prospect-adam-benak/] 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 [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/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 [https://thehockeynews.com/news/news/humble-nhl-draft-prospect-adam-benak-breaks-hlinka-gretzky-cup-record-wins-second-silver], with 21 points (6 goals, 15 assists) in 10 games. Oshawa Generals’ Brooks Rogowski Commits To Michigan State [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/c37e8f18-3608-4151-9e50-676949d79c24.webp] Oshawa Generals’ Brooks Rogowski Commits To Michigan State Early Sunday morning, <a href="https://chl.ca/ohl-generals/">Oshawa Generals</a> forward Brooks Rogowski announced his commitment to play D1 hockey in the NCAA for Michigan State University. He is expected to return and play his sophomore season in the OHL for the 2025-26 season. [https://thehockeynews.com/ohl/players/oshawa-generals-brooks-rogowski-commits-to-michigan-state] “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 [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/toronto-maple-leafs] prospect Sam McCue from the Flint Firebirds [https://chl.ca/ohl-bulldogs/article/bulldogs-acquire-sam-mccue-from-firebirds/]. Added grit with two-time OHL Champion Ryder Boulton [https://thehockeynews.com/ohl/latest-news/bulldogs-acquire-two-time-ohl-champion-ryder-boulton], acquired from the London Knights. Recruited Boston University commit Caleb Malhotra [https://chl.ca/ohl/article/bulldogs-sign-second-generation-talent-caleb-malhotra/], son of long-time NHL forward Manny Malhotra. And signed Winnipeg Jets [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/winnipeg-jets] defense prospect Edison Engle [https://chl.ca/ohl-bulldogs/article/bulldogs-sign-ohio-state-commit-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) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Make sure you bookmark THN's OHL site [https://thehockeynews.com/ohl] for the latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns, and so much more. Also, be sure to leave a comment at the bottom of the page and engage with other passionate fans through our forum. Latest OHL News: Towering 6-foot-7 Saginaw Spirit Defenseman Commits To University Of Michigan [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/74f09314-97fd-4fdd-8d30-b5d36b8ff9e2.webp] Towering 6-foot-7 Saginaw Spirit Defenseman Commits To University Of Michigan The University of Michigan has received a massive commitment from one of the most intriguing 2009-born defense prospects in the world. [https://thehockeynews.com/ohl/latest-news/towering-6-foot-7-saginaw-spirit-defenseman-commits-to-university-of-michigan] Meet The 5 OHL Players Who Will Represent USA At The 2025 Hlinka Gretzky Cup [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/b81d063e-c110-4b54-bb78-67c3f383d535.webp] Meet The 5 OHL Players Who Will Represent USA At The 2025 Hlinka Gretzky Cup Earlier, Hockey Canada announced their roster for the 2025 Hlinka Gretzky Cup, which included <a href="https://thehockeynews.com/ohl/latest-news/canada-s-2025-hlinka-gretzky-cup-roster-finalized-11-ohl-players-set-to-represent-their-country-overseas">11 OHL players</a>. Their biggest and longest-standing rivals in hockey, the United States, responded by announcing their <a href="https://teamusa.usahockey.com/news_article/show/1343587">23-man roster for the upcoming U18 tournament</a>. [https://thehockeynews.com/ohl/latest-news/meet-the-5-ohl-players-who-will-represent-usa-at-the-2025-hlinka-gretzky-cup] Canada's 2025 Hlinka Gretzky Cup Roster Finalized; 11 OHL Players Set To Represent Their Country Overseas [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/35f144de-9473-4fff-a3ec-c3360d8c38de.webp] Canada's 2025 Hlinka Gretzky Cup Roster Finalized; 11 OHL Players Set To Represent Their Country Overseas Hockey Canada has <a href="https://www.hlinkagretzkycup.ca/en-ca/season/2025/stats/team-rosters?teamid=306">announced its 25-man roster for the 2025 Hlinka Gretzky Cup</a>. The tournament will take place in Brno, Czechia, where Group A matches will be held, and in Trencin, Slovakia, for Group B matches. Canada will kick off its tournament on Aug. 11 against Finland. [https://thehockeynews.com/ohl/latest-news/canada-s-2025-hlinka-gretzky-cup-roster-finalized-11-ohl-players-set-to-represent-their-country-overseas]
