Petes sign picks Babintsev, Dow
The Peterborough Petes have received commitments to play from two more draft picks, both with experience, ahead of the start of training camp later this month.
The Petes signed Russian defenceman Gleb Babintsev to a standard player agreement on Monday and then signed forward Bobby Dow on Wednesday.
The Petes are looking to fill a few holes with the departures of three overagers, forward Steven Lorentz and defencemen Kyle Jenkins and Brandon Prophet.
Babintsev is playing this week for Team Russia at the 2017 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Cup U18 tournament in the Czech Republic and Slovakia.
He was selected by the Petes in the first round, 37th overall, in the OHL import draft in June.
“I’m very excited to join the Petes,” Babintsev stated from Russia. “The OHL is a very good league that has great players that get drafted to the NHL. I’m looking forward to helping the Petes win a championship.”
OHL teams can carry two import players. Forward Matyas Svoboda of the Czech Republic is expected back with the Petes for a second season, but forward Jonne Tammela of Finland, a Tampa Bay Lightning prospect, is looking to rebound from an injury-shortened season by making the American Hockey League’s Syracuse Crunch lineup.
Babintsev, 17, is 6’0” and 203 pounds. He played for Metallurg Magnitogorsk U17 in the Russia U17 league in 2016-17 and was the team’s top-scoring defenceman, recording 10 goals and 18 assists for 28 points with 14 penalty minutes in 32 games.
Babintsev also won bronze with Team Russia in the 2016 Youth Olympics.
“Gleb is a two-way defenceman that can contribute at both ends of the rink,” Petes general manager Mike Oke stated. “He advances the puck up the ice well.”
“The Petes would also like to congratulate Gleb on being selected as a member of Team Russia for the prestigious Ivan Hlinka Memorial Cup. His inclusion on this team speaks to his skills and abilities.”
Russia faces the Czech Republic in the semifinals on Friday, while Canada faces Sweden.
Dow, a forward with the Kemptville 73’s of the Central Canada Hockey League for the past two seasons, committed to play in the Ontario Hockey League by signing a standard player agreement with the Peterborough Petes.
The 18-year-old Ottawa native had previously committed to play NCAA hockey in the 2018-19 season with Mercyhurst University in Erie, Pa.
He went undrafted in the National Hockey League draft in June.
“I expect training camp to be very competitive, but I’m prepared to work hard,” Dow stated. “I’m excited to get the season going and work toward winning a championship with the Petes.”
Dow was selected by the Petes in the 10th round, 189th overall in the 2014 OHL draft
He has been coached by Petes alumnus Ron Tugnutt during his two seasons with the Kemptville 73’s. He finished third in team scoring in the 2016-17 regular season with 24 goals and 35 assists for 59 points with 52 penalty minutes in 53 games. He led his team in 2017 playoff scoring, recording five goals and eight assists for 13 points with 18 penalty minutes in 12 games.
The 6’1”, 175-pound right winger recently attended both the Tampa Bay Lightning and Toronto Maple Leafs development camps.
He won silver as a member of Team Canada East at the 2016 World Junior A Challenge, where he received two player of the game awards. Dow also competed in the OJHL’s 2016 Eastern Canada Cup All-Star Challenge, represented the CCHL in the 2017 CJHL Prospects Game, and was named to the 2016-17 CCHL 2nd All-Star Team.
“Since drafting Bobby, myself and our scouting staff have monitored his continued development in all areas of his game,” Petes general manager Mike Oke stated.
“In speaking with Ron Tugnutt, he has always commented how Bobby has been an integral part of the 73’s and the success they’ve had. We’re glad he’s chosen to play in the OHL for the Peterborough Petes; he’ll add further depth to our organization. We look forward to working with Bobby to further his development as a player.”
The Petes will open training camp in late August and will play three exhibition games as part of the six-team Harbor Center OHL Showcase from Sept. 1 to 3 in Buffalo. The Petes will host one home exhibition game Sept. 14 at 7:05 p.m. against the Oshawa Generals.
The season home opener is Sept. 21 at 7:05 p.m. against the Erie Otters.