Peterborough Petes Trade OHL Playoff MVP Goaltender Michael Simpson to London Knights

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The OHL Playoff MVP is returning to his hometown as the Peterborough Petes traded Michael Simpson to the London Knights for goaltender Zach Bowen and Kingston Frontenac’s third-round pick in 2025, announced on Tuesday afternoon.

SIMPSON WAS SELECTED BY THE PETES IN THE TENTH ROUND, 193RD OVERALL FROM THE LONDON JR. KNIGHTS IN THE 2020 OHL PRIORITY SELECTION. PHOTO COURTESY OF THE PETERBOROUGH PETES.

Bowen, a Kanata native, was selected by the Knights in the fourth round, 77th overall in the 2022 OHL Priority Selection. In 26 games during his rookie season last year with London, Bowen had a 17-4-0-0 record with a 3.10 GAA and .899 save percentage. In last season's playoffs, Bowen played 10 games, leading the Knights to the OHL Championship Series against the Petes. Bowen was awarded the OHL’s F.W. “Dinty” Moore Trophy for the lowest goals-against average by a rookie goalie. He recently returned from Edmonton Oilers rookie camp as a free agent invite.

“Zach is a good young goaltender who already has a very impressive resume after one year in the league,” noted Michael Oke, Petes general manager. “We’re excited to add him to the team ahead of the season.”

Simpson was entering the league as an over-age goaltender. He was selected by the Petes in the 10th round, 193rd overall, by the Petes in the 2019 OHL Priority Selection. Simpson finished third in the OHL in GAA (2.73), second in save percentage (.914) and first in shutouts (five), all while leading the league in games played (51). In the playoffs, Simpson finished with a 2.80 GAA and a .914 save percentage in 23 games, leading the Petes to an OHL Championship and winning the Wayne Gretzky 99 Award as the playoff MVP.

“I’d like to thank Michael for his four years of commitment to the Petes Organization and the city of Peterborough,” said Oke. “It’s very challenging to trade a player of Michael’s ability and character. We wish him the best as he joins his hometown team for his final year of Junior.”

The Petes host their 2023-24 season opener on Thursday against the Kingston Frontenacs at the Peterborough Memorial Centre. Peterborough is raising their 2023 OHL Championship banner prior to puck drop, scheduled for 7:05 p.m.

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