Peterborough NHL Draftee Commits to Michigan State

Less than a month after being drafted to the Philadelphia Flyers in the NHL 2025 Entry Level Draft, Peterborough’s Porter Martone is leaving the Ontario Hockey League and committing to Michigan State University, announced on Monday.

Notable Michigan State Alumni to play in the NHL include Ryan Miller, Rod Brind'Amour, Torey Krug and Mason Appleton. Photo by Jordan Cooper.

Martone was drafted by the Flyers sixth overall last month.

In November, the NCAA Division I Council voted to amend its rules, permitting players who have skated in the CHL to participate in college hockey. Martone will join the Michigan State Spartans, who had a 26-7-4 record this past season. The team plays out of Munn Ice Arena in East Lansing, Mi.

He spent most of his OHL career with the Mississauga/Brampton Steelheads and had a brief stint with the Sarnia Sting, playing 29 games during the 2022-23 season.

He finished this season with 37 goals and 61 assists in 57 games while captaining the Steelheads. He also captained Team Canada to a gold medal at the IIHF U18 World Championship last year in Finland.

The Peterborough forward was a member of the Petes U15 AAA team, scoring six goals and 15 assists in 36 games.

Porter is the son of his father and former NHL player Mike Martone. The latter was known for scoring the game-winning overtime goal in the 1996 OHL Championship against the Guelph Storm.

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Three Peterborough Petes Invited to Hockey Canada Program of Excellence Summer Camps

Peterborough Petes forward Colin Fitzgerald (U18) and 2025 draft picks Kieran Raynor (U17) and Kaden McGregor (U17) were all invited to attend Hockey Canada’s U18 and U17 Program of Excellence Summer Camps, announced on Thursday.

McGregor (left), Fitzgerald (middle) and Raynor (right). Photo courtesy of the Peterborough Petes.

“Congratulations to Colin, Kieran, and Kaden on their recognition by Hockey Canada,” said Michael Oke, general manager and vice president of operations. “This is a great opportunity for them all to compete with some of the best Under 18 talent in Canada. We wish the three of them the best of luck as they hit the ice with the ultimate goal of representing Canada at the Hlinka Gretzky and U17 World Challenge later this year.”

Fitzgerald, an Otonabee native, has been invited to the U18 camp after a rookie season with the Petes, which saw him score 12 goals and add 16 assists for 28 points in 48 games. The Petes initially selected him with the third overall pick in the 2024 OHL Priority Selection from the Peterborough Petes U16s. Fitzgerald has experience playing for Canada, after winning a silver medal with Canada Red at the 2024 U17 World Challenge.

The U18 Selection camp will take place from July 29 to Aug.1 at the Sixteen Mile Sports Complex in Oakville.. Players at the U18 camp will have the opportunity to represent Canada at the 2025 Hlinka Gretzky Cup, which takes place from August 11-16 in Brno (Czechia) and Trenčín (Slovakia).

Petes 2025 draft picks Kieran Raynor and Kaden McGregor were both selected to take part in the Under-17 National Development Camp.

Raynor, a forward from St. Catharines, was originally selected by the Petes in the second round, 27th overall, in the 2025 OHL Priority Selection. He featured in 27 games for the Niagara North Stars U16’s last season, scoring 29 goals and adding 23 assists for 52 points. He then added five goals and eight assists for 13 points in eight playoff games, helping the North Stars to a place in the OMHA Championships and the OHL Cup. Raynor also skated in three games last season for the GOJHL’s St. Catharines Falcons, picking up one assist. 

McGregor, a forward from Braeside, was selected by the Petes with the first overall pick in the 2025 OHL Priority Selection, winning the OHL’s Jack Ferguson Award as the league’s number one pick. Last season, he captained the Ottawa Valley Titans U16 to an HEO Championship, leading the league with 38 goals and 44 assists for 82 points. McGregor added another 24 points in nine playoff games, becoming the first Petes draft pick to win HEO Player of the Year since Mason McTavish in 2019. In the OHL Cup, McGregor scored three goals and added eight assists for 11 points, earning a spot on the tournament all-star team.

The 2025 U17 World Challenge begins on Oct. 31.

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Peterborough Petes Video Coach Named Same Role For Canada White's 2025 U17 World Challenge

Peterborough Petes video coach and assistant to the general manager Alex Darling has officially been named as the video coach for Canada White for the upcoming 2025 U17 World Challenge in Truro, N.S., announced on Tuesday evening.

Photo courtesy of the Peterborough Petes.

“It’s truly an honour to be recognized by Hockey Canada and be named as the video coach for Canada White,” said Darling. “I can’t wait to get out to Truro and get to work.”

Darling joined the Petes as a sales and service intern in 2021 before transitioning to his current role in 2022. He served the same role on the Petes coaching staff during the Petes 2023 OHL Championship run. Darling joins former Petes captain and Sudbury Wolves Coach Scott Barney, who was named Head Coach of Canada White.

The 2025 U17 World Challenge begins on Oct. 31.

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Peterborough Petes Seeking Billet Families For 2025-26 Season

The Peterborough Petes are looking for billets for the upcoming 2025-26 season.

Photo courtesy of the Peterborough Petes.

Billet families are responsible for providing the following:

• A clean, smoke-free, welcoming home that a player will feel comfortable in

• A private room with a bed and good mattress

• A private desk/workspace for homework

• Nutritious meals and snacks

• Support of team rule enforcement including curfew, community engagement, academic standards, etc.

Families receive the following as compensation:

• Two lower bowl season tickets

• A weekly stipend

• Invitations to exclusive team events

• Flex tickets for use throughout the season

• Other team perks and benefits

All potential billet families will undergo a home visit by Petes security, Risk Management and Billet Liaison Walter Di Clemente and each adult in the family will be required to complete a police check.

Those interested in learning more about the Billet Family Program or applying can fill out a form online or email eebenbauer@gopetesgo.com.

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Peterborough Petes Sign 2024 First-Round Import Pick to Standard Player Agreement

The Peterborough Petes have signed 2024 first-round import pick Adam Novotný to an OHL Standard Player Agreement.

Photo courtesy of the Peterborough Petes.

“We are very excited to announce that we have signed Adam Novotný to an SPA,” said Michael Oke, general manager and vice president of operations. “Since selecting him in last year’s import draft, we believed that the Petes would be an excellent place for him to continue his development. Paddy (O’Connor) has done a great job building a strong relationship with Adam over the past year which has been a huge part of making this signing possible. We’re very happy to be able to add Adam to our group and help him prepare for the 2026 NHL Draft and beyond.”

“After I was drafted last season, I became more interested in the Peterborough organization,” said Novotný. “I immediately contacted Martin Matejicek, who had only positive things to say about the club.”

The Kobylice, Czechia resident was originally selected eighth overall by the Petes in the 2024 CHL Import Draft. Last season, the 2007-born forward appeared in 41 games for Mountfield HK in Czechia’s top professional league, scoring one goal and contributing two assists for a total of three points. He also featured in 10 playoff games for Mountfield, scoring twice. In the 2023-24 season, Novotný played in 48 games for Mountfield HK U20, scoring 32 goals and adding 27 assists for a total of 59 points. In 2023, Novotný made his debut in the Czech Extraliga for Mountfield, scoring in his first game and becoming the youngest player to score a goal in the league at 15.

Petes Director of Player Personnel and Assistant Coach, , has built a strong relationship with Novotný since the Petes selected him in 2024.

“We are really excited to welcome Adam Novotný to the Peterborough Petes,” said Patrick O’Connor, Petes assistant coach and director of player personnel. “His signature and commitment is a huge part of our plan moving forward. Adam is an elite young talent who is highly driven and focused on coming to play and compete in the OHL for the Petes. He will be showcasing his vast skill set ahead of the NHL draft in the summer of 2026.”

“Although I didn’t play for the club last season, coaches Patrick O’Connor and Rob Wilson communicated with me frequently,” saidd Novotný. “This helped convince me that it was the right choice for my development. They also visited me in the Czechia to meet my family, for which I was very grateful. Of course, I consulted my decision with my family, and I feel tremendous support from them.”

Novotný has also represented Czechia on the international stage at multiple levels. This past season, he featured in seven games for Czechia at the World Junior Championships in Ottawa, scoring once and helping his team win a bronze medal. He also represented his country at the 2025 U18 World Championships in Texas, scoring twice and adding four assists for six points in five games. 

“As for my personal goals, I want to help the team as much as possible and be a valuable player both on and off the ice,” explained Novotný. “I realize that this season is important for me, so I want to do my best to help not only Peterborough but also the Czech U20 national team.”

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Peterborough Petes Release Preseason Schedule

The Peterborough Petes have released their schedule for the 2025 OHL preseason with four games announced on Monday.

Photo courtesy of the Peterborough Petes.

The Petes’ first three preseason games will take place in local community arenas to be announced later this week. The fourth and final game will take place in Sarnia at Progressive Auto Sales Arena.

The Petes’ full preseason schedule can be seen below:

• Saturday, August 30 at 7:05 p.m. vs Erie Otters (location TBA)

• Sunday, August 31 at 2:05 p.m. vs Erie Otters (location TBA)

• Sunday, September 7 at 2:05 p.m. vs Kingston Frontenacs (location TBA)

• Friday, September 12 at 7:05 p.m. @ Sarnia Sting (Progressive Auto Sales Arena)

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Peterborough Petes Select Three From 2025 CHL Import Draft

The Peterborough Petes have selected three players in Leon Kolarik, Yanis Lutz, and Melvin Fernström from the 2025 CHL Import Draft on Wednesday.

“We’re very excited about the players that we were able to select in today’s Import Draft,” said Michael Oke, general manager and vice president of operations. “Over the course of the season, Rob Wilson, Patrick O’Connor, myself, and other members of our staff have had the chance to watch these players in person and on video. All three players displayed the abilities needed to succeed in the OHL and the characteristics that we look for in a Peterborough Pete.”

The Petes’ first pick in the draft was 63rd overall in round two, taking Kolarik, the Austrian forward from Red Bull Hockey Akademie Juniors.

A 2007-born forward from Vienna, he played in 36 games for the RB Hockey Juniors in the AlpsHL last season, scoring 10 goals and adding 13 assists for 23 points. He also played in seven games for EC Salzburg in the ICEHL (Austria’s top league), scoring once and adding two assists for three points. In the playoffs, Kolarik led EC Salzburg U20 in scoring, with eight goals and six assists for 14 points in eight games. Kolarik has also represented his home country of Austria at multiple levels. This past year, he scored seven points in five games at the U18 World Championship Division 1A, while also recording four assists in five games at the U20 World Championship Division 1A.

Photo courtesy of the Peterborough Petes.

With the Petes second pick, 109th overall, they selected Lutz from EV Zug U20 in Switzerland.

The 2008-born forward from Lachen, played 34 games for EV Zug U20 this season, scoring 14 goals and adding eight assists for 22 points. He also played in 12 games for EV Zug U17 this year, scoring eight goals and adding five assists for 13 points. Lutz has represented his home country of Switzerland at the U17 level. In 2024-25, he played in 16 games for the Switzerland U17 team, scoring six goals and providing six assists for 12 points.

Photo courtesy of Philipp Hegglin and EV Zug.

The Petes third and final pick in the draft came at 121 in round three, taking Fernström, a Pittsburgh Penguins prospect from Orebro HK in Sweden.

A 2006-born forward from Bålsta, he was initially selected by the Vancouver Canucks in the third round, 93rd overall, in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft. He was acquired by the Pittsburgh Penguins on Feb. 1, along with Danton Heinen, Vincent Desharnais and a first-round pick in exchange for Marcus Pettersson and Drew O’Connor. On June 13, Fernström signed an entry-level contract with the Penguins after putting up 17 points in 48 games with Örebro HK in the SHL in 2024-25.

Photo courtesy of Steve Ellis.

“We are very pleased with how the Import draft went today,” said Patrick O’Connor, Petes director of player personnel and assistant coach. “Rob (Wilson) and I spent extensive time in Europe doing a lot of research on these players and we’re very happy to be able to select them today. Leon is a talented, quick young player with a good hockey IQ, and is someone who we believe will put up good offensive numbers in the OHL. Yanis is an explosive, offensive player who is a little bit younger, but is also someone who we believe will succeed at the OHL level. Melvin has a good shot, knows where to be on the ice and has professional experience playing in the SHL.”

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Peterborough Petes Forward Named to U.S. Under-17 Select Team

Peterborough Petes forward Gerry DiCunzolo has been named to the 2025 U.S. Under-17 Select Team to compete at the Under-17 Four Nations Tournament from Aug. 5-9 in Plymouth, Mi.

Photo courtesy of TDavid Pickering and the Peterborough Petes.

“I’d like to congratulate Gerry on being named to the U.S. Under-17 Select Team,” said Michael Oke, general manager and vice president of operations. “This is a great opportunity for him to play with and against some of the top players in the 2009 age group. This experience will be very beneficial as he prepares for his first season in the OHL with the Peterborough Petes.”

The Buffalo native was initially selected by the Petes in the third round, 61st overall, in the 2025 OHL Priority Selection. The left-handed centre played 62 games for Shattuck-St. Mary’s 15O last season. He led the team in scoring with 57 goals and 90 assists for 147 points. DiCunzolo also played in four games with Shattuck at the USA 15-only National Championships, leading his team in scoring with three goals and three assists for six points.

On May 27, DiCunzolo signed an OHL Standard Player Agreement (SPA)with the Petes, becoming the first player from their 2025 draft class to do so. Second-round picks Kieran Raynor and Matthew Perreault have both been signed to an SPA.

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Peterborough's Porter Martone Drafted Sixth Overall to the Philadelphia Flyers

The NHL dream has come true for Peterborough’s Porter Martone as he was drafted sixth overall by the Philadelphia Flyers at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, Ca. on Friday evening.

Photo by Jordan Cooper.

Martone spent the majority of his Ontario Hockey League career with the Mississauga/Brampton Steelheads and had a brief stint with the Sarnia Sting, playing 29 games during the 2022-23 season.

He finished this season with 37 goals and 61 assists in 57 games while captaining the Steelheads. He also captained Team Canada to a gold medal at the IIHF U18 World Championship last year in Finland.

The Peterborough forward was a member of the Petes U15 AAA team, scoring six goals and 15 assists in 36 games.

Porter is the son of his father and former NHL player Mike Martone. The latter was known for scoring the game-winning overtime goal in the 1996 OHL Championship against the Guelph Storm.

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Peterborough Petes Acquire Overage Defenceman From Owen Sound Attack

The Peterborough Petes have acquired overage defenceman James Petrovski from the Owen Sound Attack in exchange for four draft picks, announced on Tuesday.

Photo courtesy of Terry Wilson and the OHL.

In exchange for Petrovski, the Petes send away Owen Sound’s third-round pick in 2026, a second-round pick in 2027, a fifth-round pick in 2028, and a third-round pick in 2029.

The Mississauga-born defenceman was originally selected by the Flint Firebirds in the second round, 33rd overall, of the 2021 OHL Priority Selection. He played parts of two seasons in Flint, scoring 14 points in 73 games, before being acquired by the Owen Sound Attack in November 2022. Since joining Owen Sound, Petrovski registered 85 points in 180 games. In October last year, Petrovski was named an assistant captain of the Attack.

“James is a big, veteran defenceman who plays a solid two-way game,” said Michael Oke, general manager and vice president of operations. “With over 250 games in the OHL and his time being an assistant captain, his leadership and experience is a great addition to our blueline as we continue to build our team for next season. This move falls in line with the plan that we’ve been putting together to reshape our roster. We’ll be making some more exciting roster announcements in the near future.”

This past season, Petrovski had career numbers, scoring four goals and 37 assists for 41 points. Petrovski also has 30 games of playoff experience during his time in the OHL, including helping Flint reach the Western Conference final in the 2021-22 season.

Petrovski is the second overage player that the Petes have brought in this offseason. On June 12, Peterborough acquired OA forward Matthew Soto from the Kingston Frontenacs in exchange for three picks.

The CHL Import Draft takes place on July 2 at 11 a.m.

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