Newest Peterborough Petes Zach Bowen Ready to Get to Work

Less than 24 hours after being traded to the Peterborough, newly-acquired Petes goaltender Zach Bowen is ready to help the team get a second championship after making his first public appearance at the Season Ticket Holder BBQ on Tuesday evening.

Bowen signing an autograph for a young Petes fan. The 18-year-old goaltender was welcomed to the team by several fans during the BBQ’s autograph session. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

On Tuesday afternoon, the Petes traded OHL Playoff MVP Michael Simpson to the London Knights for Bowen and Kingston Frontenac’s third-round pick in 2025.

The trade was made two days before the team’s home opener against the Kingston Frontenacs. Head coach Rob Wilson says he is making sure that Bowen gets the time he needs to fit in with the team and get used to the Petes’s system.

“We're not rushing Zach in any way,” he explained. “We've got good goaltending with Easton and Stu (Stutska) so we're really confident with our goaltending and Zack's just another addition that just strengthens us in that position.

This was Bowen’s first public appearence with the team after being traded to the Petes. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

Bowen, now in his second season, played 10 games in the playoffs last year with the London Knights as a rookie goaltender including appearances in the OHL Finals. That experience is rare and invaluable for the Petes moving forward according to Wilson.

“He's a really good goalie now,” he said. “He was 17 years old in a final. He's already battle-hardened and got some huge experience so we're excited about him and all our goalies and we're really strengthened in that area.”

“I just take it (experience) and use it and become comfortable out there now,” said Bowen. “There's no reason to be nervous anymore.”

Wilson said he knows who is starting in net for Thursday’s game but would not disclose it at the time. The Petes play the Frontenacs this Thursday at the Peterborough Memorial Centre for their home opener. The championship banner will be raised prior to puck drop, scheduled for 7:05 p.m.

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