Ottawa Senators Owner Michael Andlauer Says Belleville Senators Are Here To Stay

In an interview with TSN, Ottawa Senators owner Michael Andlauer stated that the AHL's Belleville Senators would remain in Belleville.

The interview was followed up by a news release from the team.

It has been rumored that the Oak View group were in discussion to bring an AHL team to Hamilton when the renovations to the FirstOntario Centre are completed in late 2025. The Senators were considered potential suitors due to Andlauer's ties to the Hamilton area.

Andlauer alternated between minority and majority owner of the AHL's Hamilton Bulldogs from 2002-2015 before selling the team to Montreal Canadiens owner Geoff Molson.

Hamilton won the 2007 Calder Cup while serving as Montreal's AHL affiliate.

After the interview with TSN, CHCH reported that Andlauer sold the OHL's Brantford Bulldogs to Edmonton Oilers forward Zach Hyman and family.

Andlauer purchased the OHL's Belleville Bulls in 2015 and moved them to Hamilton where they won the 2018 and 2022 OHL Championship.

The Bulldogs moved to Brantford when the arena renovations began in 2023, there has been no official announcement on the teams future. Brantford is looking to build a new arena.

With the uncertainty surrounding the empty FirstOntario Centre it is reassuring for Belleville Senators fans that Andlauer seems intent on keeping the team where it is.

Per HockeyDB the Belleville Senators have the second-lowest average attendance in the AHL this season.

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