Brenden Anderson of the Ontario Hockey League’s Brantford 99ers (photo credit Brian Watts & Christian Bender – / OJHL Images) has confirmed his commitment to join the Hamilton Bulldogs of the Ontario Junior Hockey League full-time for the remainder of the 2021-22  season.

The 6-foot-5 – or 6 – 210-pound power forward from Oshweken was second in scoring – 14 goals, 16 assists in 27 games – for Brantford before signing with Hamilton this week. He has one goal in eight games with the Bulldogs this season.

Hamilton acquired Anderson’s OHL rights from the Kitchener Rangers 

last October. He made his OHL debut the next night. The Rangers drafted Anderson from the Brantford 99ers U16 team in the 11th round of the 2019 OHL Priority Selection.

The next season, Anderson played for the Brantford Bandits Jr. B team and saw action in seven games with the Jr. A 99ers, their OJHL affiliate.

“Andy is off to his next chapter,” said Darren DeDobbelaer, Governor and General Manager of the junior 99ers and Bandits. “He is a top player with amazing hands. He has continued to get better every time he has shown up to the rink. His presence on and off the ice will be greatly missed in the 99ers organization.”  

“I signed Andy as a 16-year-old and he continued to push hard for his dream to play in the OHL and that day has finally come. The respect he gained from staff and fellow teammates is second to none. It’s bittersweet to lose him but we know he will continue to improve and the sky's the limit for this young man.” 

Brenden – he’s used to people spelling it Brendan and Brendon - credits his parents with helping him reach his goals. And a neighbour.

Six-year NHLer Brandon Mountour, now with the Florida Panthers, grew up four doors down from the Andersons.

“He’s a pretty big role model,” Anderson said. “He didn’t play in the OHL; he was playing Jr. B at my age right now.”

Anderson and Montour sometimes cross paths in the local gym during the offseason.

“I had to work extra harder than other people did because I was a late draft pick,” Anderson told the OJHL this week. “So that could be my secret. But it was something I just had to do.”

Anderson wishes his former teammates in Brantford all the best as they, hopefully, head to the OJHL postseason.

“They're a well-rounded team with a good coaching staff and good management,” he said. “We were battling the top teams in the (West) division and could still make the playoffs. They’re a hard-working group.”

Congratulations to Brenden and best of luck in the OHL!