First round pick won’t report to Peterborough Petes
The father of Peterborough
Petes’ first-round draft pick Will Cuylle says the family feels strongly about not reporting to Peterborough.
The Petes were told by Cuylle’s advisor Jeff Jackson, of The Orr Group, prior to Saturday’s OHL Priority Selection the coveted forward would not report to Peterborough if selected.
The Petes chose Cuylle third overall stating it is their intention to try to change the Toronto Marlboros alternate captain’s mind.
“I don’t want to say anything negative about anybody,” said Chris Cuylle, Will’s father.
“We’re honoured that they picked him but at this point we’re not commenting.”
When asked if the family would be receptive to meeting with the Petes he said they will talk to Jackson before deciding anything.
“But the feeling is pretty strong about how we feel,” said Cuylle.
Jackson did not return a call seeking comment on Saturday.
Cuylle is a six-foot-two, 187pound left winger who led the OHL Cup Showcase in scoring with nine goals and 12 points in six games. In 45 games, he recorded 33 goals and 29 assists for 62 points. The Toronto native has drawn comparisons to Nick Ritchie, who put up similar numbers to Cuylle in his minor midget season with the Marlboros before being drafted second overall by the Petes in 2011 and 10th overall by the NHL’s Anaheim Ducks in 2014.
Petes’ GM Mike Oke said his staff felt strongly Cuylle was the best player available.
“We thought Will Cuylle could quite possibly be the best player in the draft,” Oke said. “If we did anything else we feel it would be a real disservice to our current players, coaches, fans and alumni. I feel very strongly we have a good group of players returning. I feel very strongly we have a good program here in Peterborough. We’ll move forward and have an opportunity to show clearly why Peterborough is such a great place to come and play and develop as a player and also develop as a person off the ice.”
Oke said Jackson gave the Petes some reasons why they didn’t want to report. Oke said those were confidential conversations he would not make public.
“They mentioned a few different things and I think all of them, when we have a chance to sit down and discuss with them, we can help answer some of their questions.
“I understand and respect the questions and concerns they have but I think we can certainly provide answers as to why Peterborough is a great place to play and to come to continue your studies and a great place to develop as a person.”
The Petes have an option of trading Cuylle and receiving a compensatory fifth-overall pick in next year’s draft. That’s not a preferred option, said Oke.
“Our option is to sign Will Cuylle and have him be a solid member of the Petes,” said Oke.
Oke acknowledged the Petes have honoured requests to not draft players in the past “but we just felt there was a big discrepancy between Will Cuylle and the next best available player,” said Oke. “We just felt it was in the best interests of the Peterborough Petes’ organization to pick the very best player available and that it was Will Cuylle by a considerable amount.”
When asked if he’s worried about the perception of the Petes when top players don’t want to report, Oke said, “You never like having anyone say they don’t want to come but I think we have a great program here and lots to offer.”