Peterborough Petes Hold Number One Pick In 2025 OHL U18 Priority Selection; Team Takes Two Players

The Peterborough Petes selected two players in the 2025 OHL U18 Priority Selection that included first-overall pick Sebastian Dzieciol on Wednesday.

Sebastian Dzieciol. Photo courtesy of Jordan MacDonald and the Peterborough Petes.

The 6’, 182 lbs centre from Ottawa, featured in 28 games for the Ottawa Myers Automotive U18’s this season, scoring 13 goals and adding 15 assists for 28 points. In the playoffs, he played in 13 games, scoring three goals and recording six assists for nine points, which helped Myers win the HEO U18 Championship. In the U18 AAA Ontario Championships, Dzieciol played in five games, picking up an assist. 

“Sebastian is a big, strong forward who isn’t afraid to play physical and battle for the puck,” said Michael Oke, general manager and vice president of operations. “He was a big part of Myers HEO Championship this season, leading the team in scoring during the season and in the playoffs.” 

“I am very honoured and excited to be selected by the Petes,” said Dzieciol. “I am looking forward to being a part of the team and learning and contributing as best I can.”

With the 21st overall pick in the second round, Peterborough selected forward Jayden Mercier from the Upper Canada Cyclones U18.

Jayden Mercier. Photo courtesy of Dan Hickling and the Peterborough Petes.

“Jayden is a strong forward who uses his size well,” said Oke. “He’s a good skater who plays hard and isn’t afraid to go into the corners.”

Mercier, a left winger from Rockland, played in 30 games for the Upper Canada Cyclones U18’s this season, scoring 15 goals and adding eight assists for 23 points. In 11 playoff games for the Cyclones, he scored four goals and added six assists for 10 points, helping his team to the HEO Championship Series.

“It’s literally a dream come true,” exclaimed Mercier. “I can’t believe it. I have been working hard my whole life for this and it hasn’t been easy. It’s a dream come true to be drafted by the Petes.”

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"The All-Time Goal is to Win An OHL Championship" Peterborough Petes Number Overall Pick Kaden McGregor Brings Championship Aspirations to the Team

Less than 24 hours after being selected first overall by the Peterborough Petes, forward Kaden McGregor wants to ultimately bring an OHL Championship back to the Electric City as he was introduced to the public at the Peterborough Memorial Centre on Saturday.

This is the first time the Petes have been able to introduce McGregor to Peterborough as a member of the team. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The Petes introduced McGregor to the media and public at a press conference a day after he was in Burlington for the 2025 OHL Priority Selection.

The Braeside native captained the Ottawa Valley Titans U16 AAA to a league title this past season and says he will work diligently to give Peterborough a similar result.

“I want to work as hard this summer and earn the right to play, earn my ice time,” explained McGregor. “I want to play whatever role this team needs me to play and the all-time goal is to win an OHL Championship.”

The right-handed shot is the franchise’s first-ever number one overall pick in its 69-year tenure, an honour McGregor plans to hold with pride.

“I'm humbled and honoured to be that first overall selection for the Peterborough Petes,” he said. “I think it shows a lot about how great this organization is and how well the coaching staff and Board of Directors is. I just want to thank them again for putting their faith in me and I won't let them down.”

(From left to right) Easton Rye, Petes goaltender; Carson Cameron, Petes defenceman; Kaden McGregor and Colin Fitzgerald; Petes forward. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

During the press conference, McGregor showed his gratitude for not only the Petes staff but the rest of his family, claiming he would not be where he was without their love, help and support.

“My parents… Every practice, every game, they're there for me. After the games, when they don't go to well, they're always there for me,” he said. “My siblings, I come home, they're always so friendly, they have just pushed me to become the player that I am and I'm so thankful for all of these people.”

father Stacey McGregor (left), Kaden (middle) and mother Lisa McGegor (right) all pose for a family photo for the first time with the son as a Pete in Peterborough, Photo by David Tuan Bui.

As a newcomer to town, McGregor has already embraced and appreciated the inclusive atmosphere Peterborough has shown to him and his family.

“I've heard about the sellouts that this crowd had and how great this atmosphere and fans are and I'm so thankful to be a part of Peterborough and I'm just thankful for the fans for welcoming me,” concluded McGregor.

The following is a list of this year’s draft picks for the Peterborough Petes:

• First round (1) - Kaden McGregor - Forward - Ottawa Valley Titans U16

• Second round (27) - Kieran Raynor - Forward - Niagara North Stars U16

• Second round (31) - Matthew Perreault - Defence - Toronto Titans U16

• Third round (61) - Gerry DiCunzolo - Forward - Shattuck-St. Mary’s 15s

• Sixth round (104) - Daniel Tout - Defence - Huron-Perth Lakers U16

• Seventh round (124) - Brody Robertson - Forward - Toronto Titans U16

• Eighth round (144) - Luke Schairer - Defence - USA U17

• Ninth round (164) - Eric Wood - Defence - Sun County Panthers U16

• 10th round (184) - Pacey Adduono - Forward - Oakmoor Academy 16U

• 11th round (204) - Ty Gendron - Forward - Barrie Jr. Colts U16

• 12th round (224) - Joseph Szarka - Defence - Brantford 99ers U16

• 13th round (244) - Brandt Rooyakkers - Forward - Huron-Perth Lakers U16

• 14th round (264) - Chase MacKay - Forward - North Central Predators U16

• 15th round (284) - Tyson Cartier - Defence - Waterloo Wolves U16

• 15th round (301) - Joshua Goodwin - Defence - North Shore Whitecaps

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