Petes Select Two Players in the 2025 OHL U18 Priority Selection
PICTURED: Left – Sebastian Dzieciol (Jordan MacDonald @takenbyjmac), Right – Jayden Mercier (Dan Hickling)
The Peterborough Petes completed the 2025 OHL U18 Priority Selection on Wednesday, April 16, selecting two players in the annual draft.
With the first overall pick in the draft, Peterborough selected Sebastian Dzieciol, a forward from the Ottawa Myers Automotive U18’s.
“Sebastian is a big, strong forward who isn’t afraid to play physical and battle for the puck,” noted Petes General Manager and Vice President of Operations Michael Oke. “He was a big part of Myers HEO Championship this season, leading the team in scoring during the season and in the playoffs.”
Dzieciol, a 6’, 182 lbs centre from Ottawa, featured in 28 games for the Ottawa Myers Automotive U18’s this season, scoring 13 goals and adding 15 assists for 28 points. In the playoffs, he played in 13 games, scoring three goals and picking up six assists for nine points, helping Myers to an HEO U18 Championship. In the U18 AAA Ontario Championships, Dzieciol played in five games, picking up an assist.
“I am very honoured and excited to be selected by the Petes,” said Dzieciol. “I am looking forward to being a part of the team and learning and contributing as best I can.”
With the 21st overall pick in the second round, Peterborough selected forward Jayden Mercier from the Upper Canada Cyclones U18’s.
“Jayden is a strong forward who uses his size well,” continued Oke. “He’s a good skater who plays hard and isn’t afraid to go into the corners.”
Mercier, a leftwinger from Rockland, played in 30 games for the Upper Canada Cyclones U18’s this season, scoring 15 goals and adding eight assists for 23 points. In 11 playoff games for the Cyclones, he scored four goals and added six assists for 10 points, helping his team to the HEO Championship Series.
“It’s literally a dream come true,” exclaimed Mercier. “I can’t believe it. I have been working hard my whole life for this and it hasn’t been easy. It’s a dream come true to be drafted by the Petes.”
Full 2025 OHL U18 Priority Selection results can be found by clicking here.
Details on the Petes annual Development Camp will be released in the coming weeks. Stay tuned to the Petes social media and website for more information.
