Petes Trade Number One Pick Kaden McGregor to Land OHL Star Cooper Dennis in Blockbuster Trade with Brantford

By Scott Arnold

The Peterborough Petes have added one of the Ontario Hockey League's top returning forwards, acquiring Cooper Dennis from the Brantford Bulldogs in exchange for 2025 first overall pick Kaden McGregor.

Last season, Dennis also led the OHL in +/- with a +48. Dennis is currently committed to continue his hockey and academic career at the University of Michigan when his time in the OHL is complete (photo courtesy of peterborough petes)

The trade, announced Tuesday, gives Peterborough an immediate offensive boost ahead of the 2026-27 OHL season.

Dennis, a 19-year-old from Ithaca, New York, was originally selected by the Bulldogs in the sixth round (109th overall) of the 2023 OHL Priority Selection. In his first OHL season last year, he scored 34 goals and added 40 assists for 74 points in all 68 regular season games, finishing second in team scoring. He also led the entire OHL with a +48 rating and chipped in seven points during Brantford's run to the Eastern Conference Final.

Before joining the Bulldogs, the 5-foot-6, 150-pound forward recorded 34 points in 55 games with the USHL's Dubuque Fighting Saints. Dennis is committed to the University of Michigan following his junior career.

Peterborough General Manager Michael Oke said Dennis was the organization's top trade target this offseason, calling him an excellent fit for the Petes' returning core.

"We're very excited to add a player of Cooper's caliber to our roster," Oke said. “Heading into the summer, we identified him as our number one target to acquire during the offseason. Analytics show that he’s one of, if not the top forward returning to the OHL this season. We believe Cooper is an excellent fit for our lineup and will complement our returning core well."

Heading to Brantford is Kaden McGregor, who made franchise history last spring when the Petes selected him first overall in the 2025 OHL Priority Selection — the first time Peterborough had ever owned the first overall pick in the draft.

McGregor showed flashes of his potential during his rookie season, recording 20 points in 39 games despite missing a significant portion of the year, including the tail end of the season, because of injury.

Oke acknowledged moving McGregor was a difficult decision, thanking the young forward for his contributions while wishing him the best with the Bulldogs.

"We had to make the difficult decision to move Kaden to complete this deal," said Oke. "It's never easy to trade a young, talented player like Kaden, but we've had to make similar very difficult decisions in the past. We want to thank him for his contributions to our organization and wish him nothing but the best as he continues his OHL career in Brantford."

The deal gives Peterborough one of the league's premier returning offensive players as the club looks to take another step forward this season.

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

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Ten Local Women Facing Employment Barriers Complete Welding Training at Fleming College

Through a training and program-delivery partnership with the Canadian Welders Bureau (CWB) Foundation, 10 local women facing barriers to employment have successfully completed eight weeks of hands-on welding and computer training at Fleming College.

photo courtesy of fleming college.

The training is part of CWB’s free 16-week WeldHER+ pre-employment program, which also includes an eight-week paid placement with one of Fleming’s placement employers.

With the first WeldHER + cohort recently completing the program, each participant has now taken their next steps towards meaningful, skilled trades careers. Eight participants gained full-time employment with their placement employer and two chose to advance their professional skills through full-time studies in the Welding and Fabrication program.

Fleming College delivered a technical training experience, led by welding faculty in the Kawartha Trades and Technology Centre. Through the program, the women had the opportunity to earn up to eight CWB welding qualifications and become well prepared for apprenticeships and immediate employment. Employers affirmed this high-skill-level training, consistently reporting strong performance, job readiness, and strong growth among WeldHER+ participants.

Applications are now being accepted for the next WeldHER+ pre-employment program intake. In-class sessions at Fleming College run from May 19 to July 3, followed by a placement opportunity from July to September. Community members, referral agencies and employer partners are encouraged to connect early to support participation and placement opportunities.

For more information or to apply, reach out via e-mail.

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Peterborough Petes Acquire Winnipeg Jets Prospect Kieron Walton in Trade With Sudbury Wolves

The Peterborough Petes have acquired Winnipeg Jets prospect Kieron Walton from the Sudbury Wolves in exchange for Petes defenceman Genc Ula, announced Friday.

photo courtesy of the peterborough petes.

Walton is Flint’s seventh round pick in 2026, while Ula is a second round pick in 2029, Brampton’s third round pick in 2026, Brantford’s third round pick in 2027, Oshawa’s third round pick in 2029 and a fifth round pick in 2027.

Walton, a forward from Toronto, was originally selected by the Wolves in the second round, 28th overall, in the 2022 OHL Priority Selection. In 210 career games with the Wolves, the 6’6” forward has scored 88 goals and added 112 assists for 200 points. In the 2024 NHL Entry Draft, Walton was selected by the Winnipeg Jets in the sixth round, 187th overall. In 2024-25, he finished ninth in league scoring with 38 goals and 92 points, leading to him signing an ELC with the Jets in April of 2025. This season, Walton sits second in the OHL in points with 52 in just 33 games.

“We are very excited to welcome Kieron Walton to the Peterborough Petes,” said Peterborough Petes General Manager and Vice President of Operations Michael Oke. “He is an elite offensive talent who has consistently produced at a high-level. His ability to capitalize on and create scoring chances will be a big asset for our team. Kieron is a player who can make an impact right away, and we believe his competitiveness and experience will complement our group well moving forward.”

Going to Sudbury in the trade along is 2008-born defenceman Genc Ula.

Ula, from Chappaqua, NY, was selected by the Petes in the fifth round, 99th overall, of the 2024 OHL Priority Selection. Through parts of two seasons, the defenceman has played in 94 games, scoring seven goals and adding 10 assists for 17 points.

“I’d like to thank Genc for his time and contributions as a member of the Peterborough Petes,” continued Oke. “Genc brought a strong work ethic and professionalism to our organization, and we appreciate the commitment he showed during his time in Peterborough. We wish him nothing but the best as he continues his career in Sudbury.”

The Petes are back in action on Saturday when they host the Guelph Storm. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. at the Peterborough Memorial Centre.

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Peterborough Petes Acquire Brett Hammond and Garrett Frazer in Trade Deal with The Otters

Ahead of Friday’s trade deadline, the Peterborough Petes have acquired forward Brett Hammond and defenceman Garrett Frazer from the Erie Otters in exchange for Pete’s defenceman Blake Gowan.

Photo courtesy of the peterborough petes.

Hammond, a 2006-born native of Ottawa, was originally selected by the Otters with the first overall pick in the 2023 U18 Priority Selection. The 6’3” forward has played in 149 games for the Otters over parts of three seasons, scoring 17 goals and adding 14 assists for 31 points. This season, Hammond has scored 10 goals in 27 games while wearing an “A” for the Otters.

“Brett is a big forward who plays a gritty, two-way game,” said Peterborough Petes General Manager and Vice President of Operations Michael Oke. “He brings a physical presence, skates well and will be strong on the forecheck.”

Frazer, born in 2006 from Haymarket, VA, was originally signed by the Otters as a free agent in 2025 after spending time in the BCHL, USHL and the NAHL. The 6’0 defenceman has played in 71 games since being signed, scoring three goals and adding 14 assists for 17 points. Along with Hammond, Frazer also wore an “A” this season for Erie.

“Garrett is a solid right handed defenceman who is tough to play against,” said Oke. “He plays a very physical game and is someone who opposing players take note of when he’s on the ice.”

Heading to Erie in the trade along with three picks is 2008-born defenceman Blake Gowan. Gowan, from Kingston, has played in 75 games with the Petes in his OHL career, scoring once and adding 16 assists for 17 points.

“On behalf of the Petes, I’d like to thank Blake for his time in Peterborough,” said Oke. “We appreciate his contributions to the team and wish him the best of luck as he takes the next step in his hockey career.”

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Peterborough Petes Make Trade Hours Before Home Opener

The Petes acquired a 13th round pick in the 2027 OHL Priority Selection from the Guelph Storm in-exchange for defenceman William Haley.

petes logo

Haley, a 2005-born defenceman, was a first round pick in the 2022 OHL U18 Priority Selection by Mississauga.

He played in 21 games for the Steelheads in parts of two season before being traded to the Petes at last year’s trade deadline.

In 26 games with the Maroon and White, he tallied 3 assists.

“On behalf of the Petes, I’d like to thank Will for his commitment and for being a great teammate over the past season,” Petes GM Mike Oke said. “We wish him nothing but the best as he continues his career in Guelph.”

The Petes play their 2024-25 home opener on Thursday night against the rival Kingston Frontenacs.

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