The NHL is back and Peterborough is well represented – Peterborough | The Canadian News

From Bob Gainey to Steve Larmer to Mike Fisher, just to name a few, Peterborough’s hockey history runs deep.

There is certainly no shortage of players with ties to Electric City to watch every season of the National Hockey League and this year is no exception.

Four Peterborough players are currently on the NHL rosters (bonus points if you can name them before you move). That’s not including several Peterborough Petes alumni who graduated from the major leagues, including Zach Bogosian, Eric Staal and Nick Ritchie.

Below are just a few players with Peterborough roots to follow this upcoming season.

Mason McTavish

There weren’t many scouts who had McTavish third in the 2021 NHL draft, but anyone who saw the then-OHL rookie play at Peterborough Memorial Center wasn’t surprised to hear his name so early.

The Petes would have loved to have the 18-year-old back. Brown and white (and their fans) had their six-foot-two center talent stolen by getting it for just the 57 shortened and eventually canceled games of the 2019-20 season.

And it doesn’t look like McTavish will be returning to the Ontario Hockey League anytime soon.

The Swiss-born forward wasted no time in showing why he came third in the 2021 NHL draft. On his debut, McTavish became the youngest Ducks player to score a goal in franchise history.

But his perfect start has hit a small bump.

McTavish left Monday night’s competition against the Calgary Flames with a lower body injury. It is unclear how long he will be on the sidelines.

If he is healthy, he can play for Team Canada in the 2022 IIHF youth world championships.

Nick robertson

McTavish’s former teammate and one of the Toronto Maple Leafs’ top prospects can’t take a breath.

In just his second game of the season with the Toronto Marlies, the Leafs’ American Hockey League affiliate, Robertson suffered an undisplaced fracture of his right fibula after receiving an uncomfortable blow. He is expected to miss at least 10 weeks, but does not need surgery.

It was a similar story last season. Robertson injured his knee on his NHL regular season debut, putting him on long-term injured reserve.

It has never been a problem of Yes Robertson will be a permanent member of the Leafs, but rather when. This injury could delay the timeline.

Mitchell stephens

The two-time Stanley Cup champion with the Tampa Bay Lightning will wear new colors this season.

Stephens was traded in July from the Lightning to the Detroit Red Wings for a sixth-round pick in 2022.

And while going from a Stanley Cup contender to a team that hasn’t made the playoffs in the last five seasons sounds like a bummer, it could be a good move for the 24-year-old.

Stephens appeared in just seven regular-season games with the Lightning last season and did not make a postseason appearance. It was difficult to get a place in a club with such depth and names like Steven Stamkos and Brayden Point in the mix.

But the Peterborough native has appeared in all three regular-season games with the Red Wings so far. He is centering the fourth line and buying time in the second penalty shootout.

Expectations aren’t high yet for Motor City, but the team is off to a 2-0-1 start. Your only loss? A 7-6 heartthrob in overtime against Stephens’s former team in his first game of the season.

It’s early, but it seems Stephens and the Red Wings shouldn’t be taken lightly.

Corey Perry

The Lightning may have lost a Peterborough native, but they have won another in Corey Perry.

Perry signed a two-year, $ 2 million deal with back-to-back Stanley Cup champions as a free agent.

The 36-year-old showed he still has a lot to give during his stint with the Canadians in Montreal last season. The eight-foot forward helped the team to an unexpected Stanley Cup final, scoring four goals during the surprising streak.

The former Hart Trophy winner would be an asset to any team.

Vince dunn

Dunn is from Lindsay, about 40 minutes west of Peterborough, but we’ll still include him on this list.

The 24-year-old defender was taken by Seattle Kraken in the NHL expansion draft from the St. Louis Blues, where he won a Cup in 2019.

So far, he has added two assists in three games and averages more than 15 minutes of ice time. He is also buying time in the power game.

It will be a fixture on the Kraken blue line this year.

Fast facts

Owen Tippett, a former 10th overall pick, is poised for an outstanding sophomore season with the Florida Panthers. The 22-year-old from Peterborough has earned a spot in the top six, playing second row with Jonathan Huberdeau and Sam Bennett.

Former youth world hero Barrett Hayton is starting the season with the Tucson Roadrunners of AHL, the affiliate of the Arizona Coyotes. The 21-year-old has played 34 games for the ‘Yotes in the past two seasons and will surely look to return to the top club.

If he does, he will rejoin fellow Peterborough native Cory Stillman, who is behind the bench as an assistant coach with the Coyotes for a second season.

Hockey is a family affair for the Stillmans.

Cory’s son Riley was traded from the Florida Panthers to the Chicago Blackhawks last season. The 23-year-old defender has appeared in the Blackhawks’ first four games.

Younger brother Chase was ranked 29th overall by the New Jersey Devils in this year’s draft. The forward is back with OHL’s Sudbury Wolves this season.