Five Peterborough Petes To Participate In NHL Training Camps

Owen Beck (Montreal Canadiens), Sam Mayer (LA Kings), Donovan McCoy (Calgary Flames), Michael Simpson (Pittsburgh Penguins) and Konnor Smith (Anaheim Ducks) of the Peterborough Petes are attending NHL Camps beginning this week.

Photo courtesy of the Peterborough PEtes.

“On behalf of the Petes, I’d like to wish all of these players good luck as they head to NHL Camps this week,” said Michael Oke, Petes general manager. “They have all worked hard and earned these opportunities and we know that they’ll make the best of them. We’re excited for the experience that they’ll bring back to the Petes this season.”

Beck, Mayer, McCoy, Simpson and Smith join six players from last year’s OHL Championship-winning team that will also be attending NHL Camps.

“I’d also like to recognize J.R. Avon (Philadelphia Flyers), Avery Hayes (Pittsburgh Penguins), Brennan Othmann (New York Rangers), Tucker Robertson (Seattle Kraken), Chase Stillman (New Jersey Devils) and Gavin White (Dallas Stars),” said Oke. “We wish them the best of luck as they head to their respective camps.”

Full player details can be found below:

Owen Beck - Montreal Canadiens - Signed (Drafted, second round, 33rd overall in 2022)

Beck, a 2004-born forward from Port Hope, Ont., was acquired by the Petes in a trade with the Mississauga Steelheads in January. In 30 regular season games with Peterborough, Beck scored seven times and added 18 assists for 25 points. Beck also picked up eight goals and eight assists in 22 playoff games, helping the Petes to their first OHL Championship since 2006. The Championship capped off a career season for Beck, who signed with the Montreal Canadiens in October, won a gold medal with Canada in the 2023 World Junior Championships, and made his NHL debut with Montreal on January 28.

Sam Mayer - Los Angeles Kings (Free Agent)

Mayer, an over-age defenceman from L’Orignal, Ont., was originally selected by the Petes in the first round, 15th overall in the 2020 OHL U18 Priority Selection. Mayer has never missed a game in his two years as a Pete, suiting up in 136 games as well as 27 playoff games for the Maroon and White. Over his two seasons in the league, Mayer has solidified himself as a top offensive defenceman, scoring 20 goals and adding 65 assists for 85 points. He will be attending LA Kings Camp as a Free Agent, after participating in their Development Camp in July.

Donovan McCoy - Calgary Flames (Free Agent)

McCoy, a 2004-born defenceman from Belleville, Ont., was a first-round pick, 15th overall, by the Petes in the 2020 OHL Priority Selection. Over two seasons with the Petes, McCoy has suited up for 126 games, scoring two goals and adding 27 assists for 29 points. During the Petes 2023 OHL Championship run, he added an extra step to his game offensively, scoring two goals and adding eight assists for 10 points in 22 games. McCoy will be attending Calgary Flames Camp as a Free Agent, after attending their Development Camp in July.

Michael Simpson - Pittsburgh Penguins (Free Agent)

Simpson, an over-age goaltender from London, Ont., was selected by the Petes in the 10th round, 193rd overall by the Petes in the 2019 OHL Priority Selection. He had a breakout year last season, finishing 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 continued his career season into the playoffs, finishing with a 2.80 GAA and a .914 SV% in 23 games, leading the Petes to an OHL Championship and winning the Wayne Gretzky 99 Award as the playoff MVP. Simpson will be attending Pittsburgh Penguins Camp as a free agent, after attending their Development Camp in June.

Konnor Smith - Anaheim Ducks (Drafted, fourth round, 97th overall in 2023)

Smith, a 2004-born defenceman from Windsor, Ont., was originally selected by the Petes in the ninth round, 175th overall, in the 2020 OHL Priority Selection. Standing at 6’6”, Smith had a career year for the Petes in 2022-23. In 65 games, Smith scored three goals and added 12 assists for 15 points. He added another two assists playing in all 23 playoff games for the Petes, helping lead them to an OHL Championship. In the 2023 Memorial Cup, Smith picked up an assist playing in all five games. This led to Smith being selected by the Anaheim Ducks with the first pick in the fourth round of the 2023 NHL Entry Draft in June.

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Tiktok, Youtube and LinkedIn. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for our newsletter here.