Petes take playoff rival’s brothers in draft
The Peterborough Petes top two draft picks are dividing family loyalties of current playoff opponents, the Kingston Frontenacs.
The Petes selected Nick Robertson, younger brother of Kingston’s top scorer Jason Robertson, with their first pick, 16th overall in Saturday’s OHL Priority Selection.
With their second pick the Petes chose defenceman Cameron Supryka of the Quinte Red Devils in round three. He is the brother of Kingston forward Josh Supryka and son of Frontenacs’ assistant coach Jason Supryka.
“It was ironic,” said Petes’ GM Mike Oke. “It wasn’t anything planned or predetermined. It was simply a case the players we felt were the best fits at the time we were making the selections had those connections to Kingston. It’s something they recognized and got a laugh out of as well. When I called them the first question I asked after congratulating them was who are you cheering for? Without hesitation they said the Peterborough Petes.”
“I think I’ve switched sides,” Nick Robertson, said by Skype during a press conference when asked who he is rooting for now. “I want my brother to do the best he can but I’d rather he score three goals and you guys win.”
“I’m a Petes’ fan now,” Supryka said. “It’s going to be tough to be around the Frontenacs. It’s going to be tough around the house with lots of competition. Hopefully the Petes win so I have bragging rights.”
Supryka’s mother Andrea said the family is thrilled.
“Peterborough is similar in size and community to Belleville,” she said. “It’s a great fit for Cameron.”
Petes’ defensive coach Jake Grimes worked with Jason Supryka for years with the Belleville Bulls.
“It’s fantastic Jake is here,” Andrea said. “I love Jake and we have a great relationship. I’ve always respected Jake’s coaching ways and his values. Cameron and my children have been around Jake for so many years there is a comfort level.”
With their third pick the Petes chose Supryka’s teammate and next door neighbour Daniel Panetta. Supryka was getting ready to get in the family vehicle to drive to Peterborough when Panetta ran onto his front lawn to tell him he’d also been selected by Peterborough and to see if he and his mother Lisa could get a ride with them.
“We hugged a few times,” Panetta said. “It’s a huge honour to be drafted by the Peterborough Petes. It’s a great organization, great coaching staff, a great community surrounding it. It sounds like something I really want to be around.”
Robertson, a right wing from the GTHL’s Toronto Red Wings, may even be better than his brother, who had 42 goals and 81 points this season, according to OHL Central Scouting director Darrell Woodley.
“This kid at the same age is probably the better player,” said Woodley, during the live draft webcast. “He’s got skill. He always wants the puck on his stick, is always making things happen. When the puck is on his stick, trust me, the opposition takes notice.”
The five-foot-seven, 145-pound, Northville, Michigan native recorded 18 goals, 18 assists for 36 points in 32 games this season. He added three assists in four games with North York of the OJHL.
“He’s a real dynamic forward who skates real well, lots of speed, lots of energy,” Oke said. “He can generate offence for himself but also utilizing his teammates.”
Robertson is confident in his abilities.
“I think I’m an electrifying goal scorer plus playmaker,” he said. “I have great personal skills, I see my teammates well and I think you can expect me to create a lot of scoring chances.”
Supryka is a six-foot-one, 162pound left defenceman who had five goals, 23 assists and 28 points in 36 games.
“Cameron is a solid two-way defenceman with a solid understanding of the game,” said Oke. “We feel he can contribute at both ends of the rink.”
Panetta is a five-foot-nine, 172pound centre who had 24 goals, 27 assists and 51 points in 35 games.
“Daniel is a solid two-way player who can be counted on in all situations,” said Oke. “He was a real go-to guy for Quinte... A lot of guys commented on what a team player he is and a great character person.”
The Pets rounded out the first five rounds with Jagger O’Toole a six-foot-two, 185-pound right defenceman from the Cambridge Hawks. He recorded seven goals and 17 points in 30 games..
“Jagger is a steady, solid defender. The hockey club he played for probably over-performed down the stretch and he was a key reason,” said Oke.