In a surprising move ahead of their highly anticipated 2023-24 season opener, Peterborough Petes General Manager Michael Oke announced today that the team has completed a trade involving goaltender Michael Simpson. The Petes have acquired promising goaltender Zach Bowen from the London Knights in exchange for Simpson and a third round pick (from Kingston) in 2025.
Bowen, a towering 6’2″ goaltender hailing from Kanata, Ontario, originally joined the OHL as a fourth-round pick, 77th overall, by the London Knights in the 2022 OHL Priority Selection. During his rookie season last year, he impressed with a remarkable 17-4-0-0 record, maintaining a 3.10 goals-against average (GAA) and an .899 save percentage (SV%).
Bowen’s exceptional performance continued into the 2023 playoffs, where he played an instrumental role in guiding the Knights to the OHL Championship Series. His efforts earned him the prestigious OHL’s F.W. “Dinty” Moore Trophy for the lowest goals-against average by a rookie goalie. Bowen recently returned from the Edmonton Oilers rookie camp, where he was invited as a free agent.
Petes General Manager Michael Oke expressed his enthusiasm about the acquisition, stating, “Zach is a good young goaltender who already has a very impressive resume after one year in the league. We’re excited to add him to the team ahead of the season.”
On the other side of the trade, the Petes bid farewell to over-age goaltender Michael Simpson, a native of London, Ontario, who was selected by the Petes in the 10th round, 193rd overall, in the 2019 OHL Priority Selection. Simpson had a breakout year in the previous season, ranking third in the OHL in GAA (2.73), second in SV% (.914), and first in shutouts (5), all while leading the league in games played (51).
Simpson’s outstanding performance extended into the playoffs, where he maintained a 2.80 GAA and a .914 SV% in 23 games, ultimately leading the Petes to an OHL Championship. His remarkable postseason run earned him the coveted Wayne Gretzky 99 Award as the playoff MVP.
Oke expressed his gratitude to Simpson, saying, “I’d like to thank Michael for his four years of commitment to the Petes Organization and the city of Peterborough. It’s very challenging to trade a player of Michael’s ability and character. We wish him the best as he joins his hometown team for his final year of Junior.”
The London Knights will visit the Peterborough Memorial Centre for a game on October 12th.
(Written by: Scott Arnold)
