Photo via Facebook @PetesOHLhockey
A whirlwind weekend has been a humbling and honouring experience for Braeside’s Kaden McGregor.
The Ottawa Valley Titans centerman was selected first overall by the Peterborough Petes during Friday night’s OHL Priority Selection Draft, becoming the franchise’s first-ever player selected with the #1 pick.
It’s a “dream come true” for McGregor, who overcame illness early in the season to captain the U16 AAA Titans to a Hockey Eastern Ontario Championship while leading the league in goals (38), assists (44), and points (82) in just 29 regular season games.
McGregor did not forget to credit his friends and teammates in the Valley for the magnificent year they shared, which included a trip to the annual OHL Cup, as he now looks to take his next steps up the professional ranks.
Peterborough General Manager Mike Oke says he was pleased to have the chance to draft a strong two-way player like McGregor, who he thinks fits their style of play as they build back towards championship contention.
Meanwhile, McGregor says he’s not taking the warm welcome the Petes organization has given him for granted as he prepares to fight for a spot on the roster.
Among the other local Titans selected over the weekend were Pakenham defenseman Carter Kunopaski (North Bay, 29th overall), Pembroke goaltender Brian Rathwell (Saginaw, 115th), Almonte centre Logan Wilson (Barrie, 139th), and Cobden defenseman Andrew Enright (Windsor, 141st).
(written by Kasey Egan)