Two Peterborough Petes Commit to Sacred Heart University For 2025-26 NCAA Hockey Season

Peterborough Petes overage forwards Jonathan Melee and Gavin Bryant have committed to Sacred Heart University for the 2025-26 NCAA hockey season, announced on Thursday.

Sacred Heart University is a private Roman Catholic Institute located in Fairfield, Connecticut. Their Men’s Hockey team, the Pioneers, are an NCAA division 1 program that compete in the Atlantic Hockey America Conference. Photos courtesy of Kenneth Andersen and the Peterborough Petes.

Melee was originally selected by the Hamilton Bulldogs in the second round, 21st overall, of the 2020 OHL Priority Selection. The Rockland native played in 26 games for the Bulldogs before being acquired by the Petes in January of 2022 in a trade involving Anaheim Ducks star Mason McTavish. In parts of four seasons with the Petes, Melee has played in 187 games, scoring 42 goals and adding 62 assists for 104 points. In 2023, Melee played in 13 playoff games for Peterborough, scoring five goals en route to an OHL Championship and an appearance at the Memorial Cup in Kamloops, BC. Melee was named the 63rd captain of the Petes on Jan. 10 last year.

The Owen Sound Attack selected Bryant in the second round, 37th overall of the 2020 OHL Priority Selection. The Ingersoll forward played for the Attack for two seasons before being traded to the Niagara IceDogs in 2023, later acquired by the Petes in October. Over his four-year OHL career, he has featured in 182 games between the Attack, IceDogs and Petes, scoring 48 goals and adding 85 assists for 133 points. Bryant has worn a letter for all three teams, serving as an assistant captain in Owen Sound, Niagara and Peterborough while also being named the Captain of the IceDogs in 2024.

“On behalf of the Peterborough Petes, I’d like to congratulate Jonathan and Gavin on their commitments to Sacred Heart University,” said Michael Oke, general manager and vice president of operations. “This is a fantastic opportunity for them both to continue their hockey and academic careers. Both have been incredible leaders and ambassadors during their time with the Petes and we look forward to having them finish their OHL careers here in Peterborough.”

The Petes are back home to take on the Soo Greyhounds on Thursday. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. at the Peterborough Memorial Centre.

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