2025-26 Season Preview: Peterborough Petes

The Peterborough Petes (18–41–4–5) head into 2025–26 with a mix of fresh faces and breakout potential as they look to climb back into contention after an underwhelming season. Up front, former first-rounder Caden Taylor is expected to take a major leap offensively, while local product Colin Fitzgerald, coming off an injury-shortened rookie season, is poised to emerge as one of the league’s top young forwards. The spotlight will also shine on first overall pick Kaden McGregor, the Petes’ first-ever top selection in the OHL Priority Draft, and Czech import Adam Novotný, already being projected as a top-10 NHL pick for 2026 after competing at the World Juniors. Both arrive with the pedigree to make an immediate impact.

 

The biggest questions for Peterborough center on goaltending and scoring depth. With Zach Bowen dealt to Brampton, Easton Rye will get the first crack at the starter’s job, though Masen Johnston and Dylan Lee-Stack remain in the mix, leaving the crease unsettled. Just as pressing is whether the Petes can finally solve their goal-scoring woes, having finished near the bottom of the league in offence the past two seasons. If their young talent clicks quickly and the goaltending stabilizes, the Petes could become one of the Eastern Conference’s most intriguing risers.

 

Recent Transactions

*- denotes conditional draft pick

DATE	TEAM	TRANSF.	TO	TEAM	TRANSF.
Aug. 7	PBO	Alex Hage		NIAG	BAR 3 2028
Aug. 5	BRAM	Lucas Karmiris		PBO	Zach Bowen OS 2 2026 PBO 4 2029 PBO 3 2027*
Jun. 24	OS	James Petrovski		PBO	OS 3 2026 PBO 2 2027 PBO 5 2028 PBO 3 2029
Jun. 18	PBO	PBO 1 2025 Import		BFD	BFD 2 2025 Import OS 2 2026 BFD 3 2027 BFD 3 2028
Jun. 12	KGN	Matthew Soto		PBO	SAR 3 2027 OSH 5 2027 PBO 5 2029

 

Futures Watch – a list of some of the new faces fans should be keeping an eye on as the team prepares for the upcoming campaign.

 

Five Questions Heading Into 2025-26

After a first-round playoff exit last spring, the Peterborough Petes enter 2025–26 with a revamped roster. With top prospects and a historic first overall pick, there’s plenty to watch as the new season unfolds. To get a sense of what’s ahead, we asked five media members who cover the team closely to weigh in on the biggest storylines heading into the year.

 

1. Who is your breakout candidate?

Mike Davies (Reporter, The Peterborough Examiner): Caden Taylor – The former first-round draft pick of the Sudbury Wolves was always an elite scorer through minor hockey, and entering his third OHL season, he’ll get top-line and power-play minutes coming off a productive pre-season.

 

Pete Dalliday (Play-by-play, YourTV): Colin Fitzgerald – After a strong rookie year, the Peterborough native looks ready to explode in his second season.

 

Dan Malta (Host, YourTV): Adam Levac – Looking beyond the obvious names of Aiden Young, Colin Fitzgerald, Caden Taylor, and Kaden McGregor, I really enjoyed watching Adam Levac play as a rookie.  Adam plays an aggressive direct line game and has the speed to make it work at the OHL level. I think this will enable him to make a significant jump this season.

 

Stew Kernan (Play-by-play, 90.5 Freq FM): Genc Ula – He started his rookie season last year as a 15-year-old and just got better and better.  A big, strong kid who has already shown in the pre-season he’s ready to take the next step to become a big part of the Petes’ blueline.

 

Scott Arnold (Colour commentator, YourTV): Caden Taylor – He has always had the skill, and now with two full seasons under his belt, I think he’s gained the knowledge and confidence he needs to lead this team offensively. He’s got a great shot, and he loves to shoot; I see him finding the back of the net often this year.

 

2. What’s the Petes’ biggest question mark entering 2025-26?

Davies: Who is number one in the crease? – With Zach Bowen traded to the Brampton Steelhead, Easton Rye will be given the first opportunity to play the majority of games in goal. The Petes are carrying three goalies with Masen Johnston and American free agent signing Dylan Lee-Stack also on the roster. It’s unclear how the three goalies will be deployed and who will ultimately emerge as the No. 1 goalie.

 

Dalliday: Goaltending – Easton Rye has earned the net, but Masen Johnston and Dylan Lee-Stack look ready too. Time will tell, but it’s a good problem to have.

 

Malta: Can all of their new pieces come together? – The biggest question mark for the Petes has to be whether or not all the new pieces and young pieces on their roster will be able to mesh together and execute the coaching staff’s vision.  Undeniably, the team has talent up and down the roster. It will be interesting to see how quickly they will be able to all get on the same page.

 

Kernan: Goal-scoring – The last two years, the Petes were the lowest scoring team in the OHL, but they took steps to correct that in the off-season with some key additions. As well, returning players like Caden Taylor, Aiden Young and Braydon McCallum look to become key goal scorers in the Petes Top 6.

 

Arnold: Goaltending – It’s not a question mark because they don’t have strong goaltending this year; it’s a question mark because the goalies on this year’s roster have never been full-time starters in the OHL. Easton Rye proved himself last year during every opportunity he was given and will likely shoulder most of the load this season.

 

3. Who will the Petes’ top NHL Draft prospect be by the end of the season?

Davies: Adam Novotny – Czechia native Adam Novotny, the ninth overall selection in the 2024 CHL Import Draft, is already being projected by NHL sources as a potential top 10 prospect for the 2026 NHL Entry Draft. He has two years of experience playing against pros in Czechia and is expected to be among the Petes’ offensive leaders in his first OHL season.

 

Dalliday: Adam Novotny – Some scouts say he’s the most NHL-ready right now. Colin Fitzgerald could push his way into that conversation, too.

 

Malta: Colin Fitzgerald & Adam Novotny – The Peterborough native, Colin Fitzgerald, can skate, shoot, has size, and even sprinkles in a mean streak.  It will be fun to watch Colin play this season.  For Adam Novotny, I’ve only seen snippets of him in action, but reading 2026 NHL draft projections, he’s right up there – the most exciting potential NHL draft crop for the Petes in the last decade.

 

Kernan: Colin Fitzgerald – He has already been tagged as a possible Top 10 NHL pick in the 2026 NHL Draft. 12 goals and 16 assists in 48 games last year were only scratching the surface for Fitzgerald.  He’s expected to be one of Pete’s Go-To goal scorers this season.

 

Arnold: That’s a tricky question. From what I saw from Colin Fitzgerald during his rookie campaign, I can’t see him not being the top draft prospect on this team. However, I haven’t had much of an opportunity to see Adam Novotný in person yet, and he comes highly touted by people who have watched him play over the past few seasons. If I can only choose one, though, the hometown kid (Fitzgerald) gets the nod from me.

 

4. Which new addition are you most excited to see?

Davies: Kaden McGregor – He is the first player in Pete’s history to be selected first overall in the OHL Priority Selection. He comes with impressive offensive numbers and a reputation for being a competitor. It will be interesting to see how much he contributes as a 16-year-old.

 

Dalliday: Kaden McGregor – In 30 years of calling Pete’s games, I’ve never seen a first overall pick in maroon and white.

 

Malta: Adam Novotny & Kaden McGregor – This is a toss-up for me between Adam Novotny and Kaden McGregor.  Novotny enters the OHL with a solid pedigree, having already competed in the World Juniors and being a projected first-round NHL draft pick.  McGregor, the first … first overall selection ever for the Petes, comes into the league with cache as well; everyone is always excited to get their eyes on the first overall selection – two exciting players to keep an eye on for the Petes this season.

 

Kernan: Kaden McGregor & Adam Novotny – Looking forward to seeing what 1st overall pick Kaden McGregor brings to the Petes in his Rookie Season, but 2024 Import Pick Adam Novotny could be a game changer.  Another possible high first-round NHL pick in 2026, Novotny, an elite young talent, has already made his mark at the World Juniors and U18 World Championships for Czechia.

 

Arnold: There are a lot of great additions to this team that I’m looking forward to watching this year, but Matthew Soto is a player who I think will be fun to watch. He’s really impressed me over the years when he’s played against the Petes, so to see what he can do in a maroon and white uniform will be exciting. Another player I’m eager to see more of is Adam Novotný. From what I’ve seen so far, and the highlight videos that I’ve watched, this guy is the real deal, and every Pete’s fan should be excited to watch him this year.

 

5. Who will the Petes’ MVP be in 2025-26?

Davies: Colin Fitzgerald – It’s a lot to ask of a 17-year-old, but until Colin Fitzgerald suffered wrist and knee injuries which ended his rookie season prematurely, he was starting to look like the team’s most impactful player at 16. With more experience, a bigger role and a more talented group around him, Fitzgerald seems poised to take a big step forward. He will also be a potential first-round NHL draft pick.

 

Dalliday: Carson Cameron – Maybe a surprise pick, but after earning a Florida Panthers main camp invite, he looks ready to shine at both ends of the ice. His ceiling remains very high.

 

Malta: Colin Fitzgerald – There are several options for team MVP heading into the season, but I expect Colin Fitzgerald to really come into his own and be a top contributor for Peterborough.  Fitzgerald battled through some injuries last season and was often the brightest light for the Petes as they were going through some on-ice struggles.  In my mind, there’s no way Fitzgerald doesn’t have a great season.

 

Kernan: Colin Fitzgerald – We saw glimpses of the skill level Fitzgerald possesses last season, and with an expanded role with the team expected this year, Fitzgerald has the potential to be one of the up-and-coming young stars in the OHL.

Arnold: Caden Taylor – I’m expecting big things from the third-year forward this season. Not only do I think he’ll lead this team offensively, but I also anticipate that we’ll see him on several of the league’s highlight reels throughout the year.