Goaltender Owen Nelson Leaves Peterborough Petes and the OHL for NCAA Scholarship

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By Scott Arnold

After a couple days of social media speculation, the rumours surrounding Owen Nelson were confirmed Tuesday, with the Peterborough Petes goaltender leaving the team for an NCAA opportunity.

After a couple days of social media speculation, the rumours surrounding Owen Nelson were confirmed Tuesday, with the Peterborough Petes goaltender leaving the team for an NCAA opportunity.

less than two weeks into the regular season the petes have lost goaltender owen nelson to the ncaa (photo courtesy of the peterborough petes, via kenneth Anderson)

Nelson has accepted a scholarship to play NCAA Division I hockey at Augustana University in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

The Minnesota native joined the Petes as a free agent from the USHL's Tri-City Storm and had quickly established himself in Peterborough's crease. He started three of the team's first five games this season, including Saturday's 6-3 loss to the Ottawa 67's.

His departure leaves the Petes with Masen Johnston and Luka Gelinas as their current goaltending options.

Johnston has started two games this season, while Gelinas has yet to appear in an OHL regular-season game.

Nelson's departure comes as the NCAA has opened its doors to Canadian Hockey League players following a rule change in 2024 that made CHL players eligible to play NCAA hockey.

The Petes are 1-4 to start the 2026-27 season and return to action Thursday, October 1st against the Erie Otters at the Peterborough Memorial Centre. Puck drop is at 7:05 p.m.


Scott Arnold is a Journalist and Content Creator at PTBOCanada Media Inc

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