Peterborough Petes Select Kaden McGregor As Franchise's First Number One Overall Pick

It is official for the Peterborough Petes as Kaden McGregor becomes the club’s first number one overall pick in franchise history at the 2025 OHL Priority Selection, announced on Friday night.

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“I’m speechless,” said McGregor. “This has been a dream of mine, ever since I was a little kid. To hear it finally get called, it’s a surreal moment for me and my family.”

The Braeside native captained the Ottawa Valley Titans U16 AAA club this past season with a 29-2-1 record. McGregor led his team to a league title with 38 goals and 44 assists for 82 points in 29 regular-season games. He also tacked on 24 points in nine playoff contests en route to a championship.

He was named the Hockey Eastern Ontario AAA League U16 Player of the Year, joining former Petes first-round pick and Anaheim Ducks forward Mason McTavish, who won the award in 2019.

“We’re very excited to select Kaden with the first overall pick in the 2025 Priority Selection,” said Michael Oke, general manager and vice president of operations. “Kaden is a right-handed centre who plays a solid two-way game. He had an excellent season with the Ottawa Valley Titans, captaining them to an HEO Championship and being named HEO player of the year. He followed that up with a solid showing in the OHL Cup, finishing third in points and being named to the tournament all-star team.”

The right-handed shot says Petes fans can expect a lot out of him as a number one priority selection.

“They can expect a tenacious forward, someone who can play both ends of the game,” explained McGregor. I prioritize compete level. Every shift, I go out there, I compete as hard as I can. I have high IQ and I like to use my size and speed to set up plays in the offensive zone and make my teammates around me better.”

With McGregor as the first overall pick, he is named the recipient of the Jack Ferguson Award. The award is named after Jack Ferguson, a long-time OHL’s central scouting director. McGregor joins NHL stars such as Eric Lindros, John Tavares, Steven Stamkos, Connor McDavid and Quinton Byfield to receive the honour.

In the OHL Cup, McGregor was the third-highest scorer with three goals and eight assists for 11 points in five games. His performance led the Titans to a quarter-final finish, losing in overtime to the eventual champion Toronto Jr. Canadiens. He was named to the tournament All-Star team, becoming the only player on this year’s All-Star team to not make the finals. This year, McGregor also played in OFSAA for St. Joseph’s High School in Renfrew. McGregor dominated the tournament, scoring 21 goals in six games.

The Petes will introduce McGregor in a press conference on Saturday at 8:45 a.m., which will be live-streamed on their Facebook Page.

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Celebration of Life For Peterborough Petes Alumnus Greg Millen Held Next Week Thursday

A celebration of life for Peterborough Petes alumnus, sports broadcaster and longtime local resident Gregory (Greg) Hearst Millen will be held at the Peterborough Memorial Centre next Thursday, starting at 1 p.m. for family, friends and colleagues.

Photo courtesy of Reynolds Funeral Home.

Millen passed away at 67 unexpectedly from a cardiovascular event on Monday.

He played for the Petes from 1974-1977, playing 144 games as a goaltender for three seasons. The Pittsburgh Penguins selected him in the sixth round of the 1977 NHL Entry Draft and went on to play over 600 games in the NHL. Over his 14-year NHL career, Millen played for the Penguins, Hartford Whalers, St. Louis Blues, Quebec Nordiques, Chicago Blackhawks and Detroit Red Wings.

After retiring from playing, Millen went into broadcasting. He started by covering the Ottawa Senators during their inaugural season in 1992-93. His broadcasting career includes roles as a colour commentator for CBC’s Hockey Night in Canada and the NHL on Sportsnet. Millen had covered three Olympic Games, two World Cups of Hockey, 12 Stanley Cup Finals, and 12 NHL All-Star Games.

Millen married his high school sweetheart, Ann. This summer would have marked their 45th wedding anniversary. Together, the couple had four children: Allie (Mike Mason), Emily (Garrett Kean), Caroline (Mike Tobin), and Charlie (Marissa DiNardo). He and Ann also had eight grandchildren (Beau, Pippa, Beatrice, Oscar, Louie, June, Wallace, and Penelope).

Instead of flowers, the family requests donations to the Heart and Stroke Foundation, ALS Canada or the Roger Neilson Children's Hospice.

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Peterborough Petes Alumnus Greg Millen Passes Away

Peterborough Petes alumnus and longtime local resident Greg Millen has passed away at 67 years old, announced on Monday night.

Photo courtesy of the Peterborough Petes.

Millen played for the Petes from 1974-1977, playing 144 games as a goaltender for three seasons. He was selected by the Pittsburgh Penguins in the sixth round of the 1977 NHL Entry Draft and went on to play over 600 games in the NHL. Over his 14-year NHL career, Millen played for the Penguins, Hartford Whalers, St. Louis Blues, Quebec Nordiques, Chicago Blackhawks and Detroit Red Wings.

After retiring from playing, Millen went into broadcasting. He started by covering the Ottawa Senators during their inaugural season in 1992-93. His broadcasting career includes roles as a colour commentator for CBC’s Hockey Night in Canada and the NHL on Sportsnet. Millen had covered three Olympic Games, two World Cups of Hockey, 12 Stanley Cup Finals, and 12 NHL All-Star Games.

The longtime Bridgenorth resident was well known in Peterborough and beyond. He has been honoured throughout the hockey world and also had a teaching stint at Fleming College.

Millen leaves behind his wife Ann and their four children.

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