Peterborough Petes Add Hometown Talent As Part of 13 Players Taken In 2023 OHL Priority Selection
/The Peterborough Petes added some hometown talent selecting three players from the City and County as part of 13 players selected in the 2023 OHL Priority Selection on Friday and Saturday.
(From left to right) Michael Oke, Petes general manager; Joseph Cadorin, forward; Carson Cameron, defenseman and Masen Johnston, goaltender. Photo by David Tuan Bui.
Three of their draft picks were showcased at a press conference including two hometown players in first-round pick and defenseman Carson Cameron (Bobcaygeon) and sixth-round pick goaltender Masen Johnston (Peterborough).
Also present was forward Joseph Cadorin (Kleinburg) who was drafted in the fourth round as Peterborough’s second pick in the draft. Defenseman Kaiden Thatcher (Bethany) rounds out the local talent as Peterborough’s final pick in the 15th round but was not present at the conference since he was not drafted during the time the event was being held.
“We are really excited about this group of players that we were able to add yesterday and today,” said Michael Oke, Petes general manager. “We feel these players put us in a great position moving forward and we can’t wait for development camp.”
On Friday night, the Petes drafted Cameron with the 13th overall pick. The 15-year-old registered eight goals and 30 assists with the U16 AAA Central Ontario Wolves and won the Steve Richey Tournament with them on Jan. 22.
“It's surreal, I never thought I'd get picked by the Petes in the first place,” he explained. “I grew up coming to watch the games, I used to come to the CanSkates and it's pretty unreal to walk through the door, this time with a Petes jersey on.”
Photo by David Tuan bui.
Cadorin was drafted 76th overall from the U16 AAA Ajax-Pickering Raiders with one goal and 10 assists through 34 games. The pick originally belonged to the Saginaw Spirit and was the teams’ second pick of the draft.
“I was very happy to be drafted by such a great organization with a great team,” he said. “Leading up to the draft, I was pretty nervous. I didn't know where I was going to go or who will take me but I'm just happy Peterborough took me.”
Photo by David Tuan bui.
Johnston was taken 112th overall as Peterborough’s fourth pick from the U16 Minor AAA Peterborough Petes. He was the winning goalie for the Petes when they won the Ontario Minor Hockey Association Championship on March 19 in triple overtime.
“They (Peterborough Petes) develop goalies really well and I worked with Andrew Verner so I'm really excited to continue working with him and it's going to be an awesome journey,” he explained. “They really care about their goaltending and they put an emphasis on developing goalies and they really care to make great goaltending.”
“Masen’s a true Peterborough kid,” said Michael Farrugia, U16 AAA Petes head coach. “He’s been an AAA Pete since Novice so it’s fitting he starts this new chapter in his backyard.”
Photo by David Tuan bui.
The Petes added 13 players including eight forwards, four defencemen and a goaltender. The following is the Petes draft results:
First round, 13th overall: Carson Cameron, D, Central Ontario Wolves
Fourth round, 76th overall: Joseph Cadorin, F, Toronto Marlboros
Fifth round, 88th overall: Liam Ladds, D, Elgin-Middlesex Canucks
Sixth round, 112th overall: Masen Johnston, G, Peterborough Petes
Seventh round, 133rd overall: Chase Del Colombo, F, Toronto Nationals
Eighth round, 153rd overall: Gavin Lock, F, Detroit Little Caesars
Ninth round, 173rd overall: Easton Lynds, F, Mississauga Senators
10th round, 193rd overall: Calum Hartnell, D, Ottawa Jr. Senators
10th round, 196th overall: Thanasi Marentette, D, Toronto Nationals
11th round, 213th overall: Francis Parish, F, Central Ontario Wolves
12th round, 234th overall: Aiden Lee, F, Markham Majors
13th round, 253rd overall: Brody Leet, F, Hamilton Jr. Bulldogs
14th round, 273rd overall: Joshua Kaufman, F, Kitchener Jr. Rangers
15th round, 293rd overall: Kaiden Thatcher, D, Ajax-Pickering Raiders
