Two Peterborough Petes Named to 2024 U17 World Challenge

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Hockey Canada has named Peterborough Petes Colin Fitzgerald and Blake Gowan to their Canada Red at the 2024 U17 World Challenge from Nov. 3 to 9 at the Progressive Auto Sales Arena in Sarnia.

Photos courtesy of David Pickering, Kenneth Andersen and the Peterborough Petes.

“We’re very excited for Colin and Blake,” said Michael Oke, general manager and vice president of operations. “This is a great opportunity for them to play with the top talent in their age group from around the world. We’re looking forward to watching them both represent their country as they compete for gold.”

Fitzgerald, a Peterborough native, was selected by the Petes in the first round, third overall of the 2024 OHL Priority Selection. Last season, he was featured in 34 games, with the U16 Peterborough Petes scoring 39 goals and adding 25 assists for 64 points. In eight playoff games, he scored 13 times and added eight assists, helping the Petes to the OMHA Championships and the 2024 OHL Cup.

In six OHL Cup games, the 6’1”, 174 lbs centre finished tied for the tournament lead in scoring with eight goals and five assists for 13 points, leading the Petes to a semi-final finish and being named to the All-Star team.

He scored his first two OHL career goals against the North Bay Battalion last Thursday.

Gowan, the Kingston-born defenceman in the second round, 32nd overall, of the 2024 OHL Priority Selection. He played in 33 games with the Barrie Colts U16 last season, scoring two goals and 25 assists for 27 points.

In 10 playoff games, he scored three times and added eight assists for 11 points en route to an OMHA Championship and a spot in the OHL Cup.

Canada White taking on Czechia at 3:30 p.m. and Canada Red facing off against Finland at 7:30 p.m. on Nov. 3.

Teams will play two preliminary-round games before the medal round, which concludes on Nov. 9 with the medal games and the fifth-place game. The event will also feature pre-tournament games in Sarnia, Petrolia and Forest on Nov. 1 at 7 p.m.

Fitzgerald and Gowan kick off their tournament against Finland on Nov. 3 at 7:30 p.m.

The Petes get a quick match against the Sudbury Wolves at the Peterborough Memorial Centre on Thursday night. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:05 p.m.

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