The Toronto Maple Leafs will always hold a special place in Zach Hyman's heart. He was a fan favourite while playing for his hometown team. Unfortunately, when the time came for Hyman to hit free agency, he bet on himself and won, but that meant leaving Toronto.
The Toronto Maple Leafs is where Zach Hyman began his NHL career. He played for them from the 2015-16 season until the end of the 2020-21 season. When the 2021 free agency period began, Hyman's ask of $5 million or more was too high of a price for the Leafs. So, Hyman took his talents to the Edmonton Oilers for $5.5 million a season, and he's benefitted from doing so.
(All salary cap information from puckpedia.com)
Hyman has become a point-producing machine for the Oilers. As of Tuesday morning, he has registered 131 goals and 108 assists for 239 points in 272 games with the Oilers. Hyman finished his tenure in Toronto with 86 goals and 99 assists for 185 points in 345 games. The Leafs sure could use some secondary scoring like that right about now.
(All stats from hockey-reference.com)
Toronto and the province of Ontario as a whole will always be considered home for Hyman and his family. Just ask the good people over at The Burger Shack on Eglinton Road near Avenue Road, a staple for the Hyman family for as long as Hyman can remember. So, it should be no surprise that Hyman and his family have decided to purchase an OHL hockey team.
Zach Hyman and family purchase the Brantford Bulldogs
The Ontario Hockey League (OHL) announced on Monday, that following a meeting of the OHL Board of Governors, the League has approved the transfer of ownership of the Brantford Bulldogs Hockey Club to a group led by National Hockey League (NHL) player Zach Hyman and family including brother Spencer and father Stuart.
For those who don't know, Hyman's father is also the current owner of the Markham Royals of the OJHL. The Hyman's purchased the team from outgoing owner Michael Andlauer, who also serves as majority owner of the NHL’s Ottawa Senators and American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate the Belleville Senators.
OHL Commissioner Bryan Crawford thanked Mr. Andlauer for his leadership and contributions to the game of hockey. He said he was excited to welcome the Hyman family into the OHL community and is looking forward to seeing the OHL continue to thrive in Brantford for years to come.