PETERBOROUGH — Carp’s Mason McTavish, an Ontario Hockey League top five draft pick, has agreed to play for the Peterborough Petes.

Peterborough Petes general manager Mike Oke announced Thursday (May 30) the team has received a commitment from 2019 first round, fifth overall OHL Priority Selection pick McTavish.

McTavish, a 5’11”, 194-pound Carp native, played for the Pembroke Midget AAA Lumber Kings during the 2018-19 junior hockey season season. In 41 games he recorded 47 goals, 32 assists for 79 points and 109 penalty minutes.

“I am very excited and honoured to commit to the Peterborough Petes,” said McTavish. “It was a thorough journey to arrive at my decision. I strongly considered some unique opportunities in my birthplace of Switzerland and I thank those teams for their respected interest.”

McTavish is no stranger to the Maroon & White as his father, Dale, played for Peterborough from 1989 to 1993 and was a member of the 1993 OHL Championship Petes.

Last season, McTavish’s team advanced to the 2019 Central Region Telus Cup Championship where McTavish enjoyed a strong tournament, tallying five goals, three assists, and eight points in four games. McTavish was named the HEO Midget AAA Most Valuable Player, the OHL’s HEO Minor Midget Player of the Year and earned the HEO’s Top Prospect Award after leading all players in goals and points. McTavish was also a member of Team Ontario at the 2019 Canada Winter Games where he registered two goals, two assists for four points, and 16 penalty minutes in six games, and represented HEO at the 2019 OHL Gold Cup where he scored one goal in four games.

“We felt very fortunate to be able to select a player of Mason’s calibre at fifth overall,” general manager Oke said. “He is a skilled forward that has size and strength and is very competitive, and what most observers would say is the best shot among 2003-born players in Ontario.”

The Petes general manager new McTavish had options.

“As was the case with all OHL teams, we were well aware that Mason was a player in a unique situation, in that he had opportunities that others in his age group may not have had,” Oke said. “We respect that Mason, his family, and his advisors took their time to evaluate those opportunities and are excited they agree Peterborough is the best place for Mason to develop as a hockey player, as a student, and as a person.”

Oke says he likes the look of next year’s team.

“We have a tremendous team in place to ensure that our players can be successful: from Head Coach Rob Wilson, his assistants and full-time video coach, to our strength and conditioning experts – Josh, Broedie, and the staff at Hybrid FHP,” Oke said. “With Brenley Shapiro working with our team collectively and individually on the mental aspects of the game, and support staff that ensure player safety and security and academic success, we are able to provide many benefits to these young men.”

“Ultimately, a detailed presentation of General Manager Mike Oke and Coach Wilson’s development plan, along with Dave Pogue and the Board of Directors’ approach, led me to conclude that the City of Peterborough, the Petes, and the Ontario Hockey League is the only place to be,” McTavish added. “I can’t wait to meet my new teammates and get started.”

McTavish will join Dunrobin goalie Tye Austin (going in to his second year) and Beckwith Township defenceman Cole Fraser (who will be playin his last year) on the Petes.

The Peterborough Petes are the oldest continuously operating team in the Ontario Hockey League, having won nine OHL championships and one Memorial Cup championship over 63 years. The Petes have graduated over 180 players to the National Hockey League. For more information, visit www.gopetesgo.com and follow the Petes on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.