Luchanko brings NHL experience to Brantford Bulldogs
- Joel Vanderlaan
- 5 days ago
- 2 min read
After starting the season in the National Hockey League with the Philadelphia Flyers, Jett Luchanko has found the ideal spot to continue his development while competing for a championship with the Brantford Bulldogs.
On Saturday afternoon at TD Civic Centre, the 19-year-old centreman delivered his most memorable moment as a Bulldog since his November 24 trade from the Guelph Storm. He opened the scoring with the Teddy Bear Toss tally before adding a highlight-reel penalty-shot goal later in the game.
As the Teddy Bear Toss goal scorer, Luchanko earned a $1,000 donation in his name through the Bulldogs Foundation, with the London native choosing which children’s charity will receive it. In total, an estimated 2,674 stuffed animals were collected, and $2,500 was raised by the Rexall Care Network.
“It was a really special moment,” Luchanko said. “I didn’t really have great eyes on it. I thought I put it in. Thankfully I did. I did a little celebration, but good on the fans for holding on until the call. It was a lot of fun.”
As for the charity?
“I’ve got to think about that,” he said. “It’s a really cool thing for the organization to do, so I don’t want to rush into it.”
Every Christmas, teams, players, and fans across the league come together to give back in the true spirit of the holidays, with all 20 Ontario Hockey League franchises hosting Salvation Army drives, Teddy Bear Tosses, and Faith and Family nights to support families in need.
Through five games with Brantford, Luchanko has quickly settled into the lineup, earning significant minutes on a team with the league’s best record at 21-2-4-1.
“There are so many great players here, and the staff as well, so it’s been pretty easy to get going,” he said. “It’s definitely very easy to play out there with such good players.”
Luchanko remains in close contact with the Flyers, who selected him in the first round of the 2024 NHL Entry Draft. Philadelphia GM Daniel Briere recently visited Brantford and continues to check in with both Jett and Bulldogs head coach Jay McKee about his development.
“Just continue to play my game,” Luchanko said of the Flyers’ message. “Here I’m able to get more time and things like that, so just continue to play my game, get better in all areas, and keep developing.”
In 16 games this season between Guelph and Brantford, Luchanko has four goals and 22 points. He was also named to Hockey Canada’s training camp roster for the 2026 IIHF World Junior Championship, joining Bulldogs teammates Jake O’Brien and Ben Danford.
Luchanko has enjoyed playing in a winning environment with the top-ranked team in the Canadian Hockey League.
“It’s been great so far,” he said. “Just got to keep going.”