Photo courtesy of: Peterborough Petes
The Peterborough Petes added a forward and a defenceman to their prospect pool Monday night during the 2026 OHL Under-18 Priority Selection.
Holding the 13th overall pick in the first round, the Petes selected forward Nolan Gerow of the Hamilton Steel U18 program. Peterborough then used the 33rd overall selection in the second round to draft defenceman Cole McLennan from the Upper Canada Cyclones U18s.
“We’re very pleased with the selections we made tonight,” said Petes general manager and vice-president of operations Michael Oke. “We’ve had success in the U18 Draft in recent years with selections such as Samuel Mayer and Brennan Faulkner, to name a few.”
Gerow, a native of Beamsville, Ont., led the Hamilton Steel U18s in both goals and points this season. The six-foot-one, 186-pound forward recorded 21 goals and 23 assists for 44 points in 32 games before adding seven points in five playoff contests. He also appeared in three games with the GOHL’s Welland Jr. Canadians, collecting one assist.
“I’m excited and thankful that the Petes chose me with their first pick,” Gerow said. “I can’t wait to come to Peterborough and get started.”
McLennan, who hails from Brockville, Ont., registered four goals and 12 assists in 27 regular-season games with the Upper Canada Cyclones U18s. The six-foot-one, 180-pound defenceman also gained junior experience this season, skating in games with both the EOJHL’s Athens Aeros and the CCHL’s Brockville Braves.
“It’s an incredible feeling to be drafted to the OHL by the Peterborough Petes,” McLennan said. “I’m truly grateful to join the Petes organization and be part of such a proud, historic team.”
Oke described Gerow as a hard-working forward who competes for pucks, while calling McLennan a physical defenceman who makes smart decisions and plays responsibly in his own zone.
The Petes will get their first extended look at both prospects during the club’s upcoming development camp.
Because Peterborough did not select a goaltender in the opening two rounds, the club was limited to two selections in this year’s Under-18 draft.
