Brantford bolsters back end
Add yet another defenseman with a USA Hockey background to the rebuilt blue line of the Brantford Bulldogs via the Ontario Hockey League trade route.
Brantford has obtained 2026 National Hockey League draft pick Cullen McCrate (in photo at left) in a deal with the Owen Sound Attack. The acquisition of McCrate follows that of three other d-men who were also added in trades ahead of the ’26-27 OHL season by Brantford president of hockey operations and international trade minister Spencer Hyman.
Cullen McCrate. A seventh round NHL draft pick of the Boston Bruins this year, the 6 foot 1, 200 pound McCrate was picked up from Owen Sound for defenseman Cameron Merrick and three draft picks. The Detroit born McCrate, who has a 2007 birth date, has a future National Collegiate Athletic Association commitment to Michigan State University. He has spent the past two seasons playing in the tier 1 junior level United States Hockey League after starring with the Detroit Little Caesars AAA program.
Abe Barnett. Barnett, a 6 foot 3, 200 pound hulk with a late 2008 birth date, has a future NCAA commitment to the University of Michigan. He has spent the past two seasons with the United States National Team Development Program. A product of the Chicago Mission AAA program, Barnett was originally taken by the Ottawa 67’s at the 2024 OHL priority selections draft. Brantford acquired his OHL rights from Ottawa for an excess third round pick earlier this year.
Jet Kwajah. As part of an earlier trade with Owen Sound, Brantford obtained Kwajah, who has a 2008 birth date. The 5 foot 11, 175 pound Kwajah played in the United States Hockey League the past two seasons and has a future NCAA commitment to Ferris State.
George Komadoski. Brantford bartered a third round draft pick in 2027 to the Flint Firebirds for the 6 foot 4, 210 pound Komadoski. Komadoski, who has a 2008 birth date and who hails from St. Louis, Missouri, played in 54 games for Flint as a rookie in ’25-26.
