Petes Add Two Left-Handed Defencemen Ahead of Home Opener

By Scott Arnold

The Peterborough Petes have added a pair of left-handed defencemen to their lineup, making moves on September 10th and September 11th as the team gets set for the start of the new OHL season.

the peterborough petes have acquired left handed defenceman Jacob Xu from the London Knights (photo courtesy of the peterborough petes)

On Friday, September 11th, the Petes acquired 2008-born defenceman Jacob Xu from the London Knights in exchange for North Bay’s fourth-round pick in 2028 and a sixth-round pick in 2030.

Xu, a left-handed defenceman from Richmond Hill, was originally selected by the Kitchener Rangers in the eighth round, 157th overall, of the 2024 OHL Priority Selection.

Last season, he split time between Kitchener and London after being acquired by the Knights during the season. In 59 games between the two teams, Xu recorded one goal and 13 assists for 14 points.

He also has a Peterborough connection already, having played in last season’s Connor McDavid OHL Top Prospects Game at the Peterborough Memorial Centre. Xu picked up one assist in the game.

The Petes say they’ve been keeping an eye on Xu since his U16 season, with General Manager and Vice President of Operations Mike Oke describing him as a big, physical defenceman who moves well.

Xu is currently committed to play hockey at Harvard University after his OHL career.

the Petes have Signed Defenceman James Buchan to OHL Scholarship and Development Agreement (photo courtesy of the peterborough petes)

The move comes one day after the Petes announced the signing of another young defenceman.

On Thursday, September 10th, the team signed 2009-born defenceman James Buchan to an OHL Scholarship and Development Agreement.

Buchan, from Georgetown, Ontario, attended Petes Training Camp in August as a free agent invite after spending last season at St. Paul’s School in New Hampshire.

He put up four goals and 19 assists for 23 points in 31 games, leading the school’s defencemen in scoring.

Before joining St. Paul’s School, Buchan played in the Oakville Rangers AAA system. He also made an impression during the Petes’ summer and preseason, including Development Camp in June, training camp and three preseason games this year. He has recorded six shots on goal in those three games.

Oke called Buchan an important piece for the future of the Petes and said the team believes he has the qualities it looks for both on and off the ice.

With both players now joining the organization, the Petes have added some size and experience to their group of defencemen while also bringing in a younger player the club sees as part of its future.

The Petes will open their season at home on Thursday, September 17th, but fans will get a chance to see their revamped lineup in preseason action on Saturday, September 12th, when they host the Niagara IceDogs at the PMC. Puck drop is set for 4:05pm.

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

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