Wilson gets unprecedented extension
New contract will take Petes’ coach through the 2031-32 season
The Peterborough Petes have signed head coach Rob Wilson to a contract extension unprecedented in the team’s 68 years.
Petes general manager and vicepresident of operations Mike Oke surprised those attending the Petes awards banquet Tuesday night at the Venue with the news of an eight-year contract extension for Wilson. It locks Wilson up through the 2031-32 season, a commitment of five years more than the previous high of three years tendered to several past coaches.
Last season, Wilson led the Petes to the club’s 10th J. Ross Robertson Cup before finishing third at the 2023 Memorial Cup. While the Petes missed the playoffs this season for the first time since Wilson joined them in May 2018 — the first time Wilson has missed the postseason in a 20-year coaching career that includes 14 years in European pro leagues — there was never any doubt for the club’s board of directors they wanted to extend Wilson’s contract.
The team orchestrated a series of trades at the Jan. 10 trade deadline to rebuild in future years, specifically with the idea of Wilson and his coaching staff guiding the process, said Petes president Dave Lorentz. While they agreed to financial and length of contract terms a while ago, it wasn’t until Wilson and Lorentz met for lunch on Tuesday they finally put pen to paper.
“Eight years is a long time,” Lorentz said. “We’ve seen what he’s put in over the last six years and we have a plan to get back to an OHL championship in three. We figured eight years would give us at least two or three more championships. By eight years, hopefully, we have a new barn to move into. He’s proven his worth. Players want to come to Peterborough. We signed Mike to a long-term deal and this was the second part of the package.”
Wilson, who won the OHL championship with the Petes as a player in 1989 on a team captained by Lorentz, took a pay cut to leave pro hockey in Europe because he wanted a shot at coaching his old junior team and to come home. He’s built a home on Chemong Lake and has called Peterborough home since his playing days. Wilson never expected to spend this long in Peterborough, but he said it’s been a good move for his family. He’s enjoyed it so much, he wanted to stay, but said the Petes had to commit to him for a longer contract as a trade-off for giving up the money he might get returning to Europe.
The fact the Petes were willing to do that meant a lot to Wilson.
“I have really loved it here,” said Wilson. “I’ve enjoyed it more than I
thought I would and I knew I would enjoy it a lot. I feel we’ve done a lot of good work over the last six years from the club’s point of view and I’m just one part of it. I feel we’ve made a lot of strides forward and are now a club that is a destination for players. They want to be here. That’s the way it was when I played here.”
Lorentz said he was pleased to wrap it up before next month’s OHL draft, but there was an even bigger component to the timing.
“I think it was more important for these players leaving tonight that they knew going through the summer and coming back Rob was going to be the coach for the foreseeable future,” said Lorentz. “When we made those deadline moves to go younger, we got some of these players for four years. We wanted to make some assurance to them and their families they’ve got Rob as their head coach for the next four years.”
Oke said year-end meetings with players showed Wilson has their respect and in his dealings with NHL staff, they have also indicated their respect for the job Wilson has done in Peterborough.
“They were all very impressed by the program we’ve built here and the development taking place,” said Oke. “The Peterborough Petes and London Knights have the most players signed to NHL contracts over the past six years. Additionally, we’ve seen numerous players move on to higher levels, including the American Hockey League and other professional teams as well as U Sports.”
SEE WILSON,
We’ve seen what he’s put in over the last six years and we have a plan to get back to an OHL championship in three.
DAVE LORENTZ PETES PRESIDENT
Oke said he and Wilson have worked closely and worked well together.
“Rob is a hard-working, passionate, detailed coach who has implemented an effective playing style that has given the Petes an identity of being a very tough team to play against,” said Oke. “These are things which have played a key role in allowing us to have the success we have had over the last number of seasons.”
The following are the 2023-24 Peterborough Petes award winners.
Mark Teevens Memorial Award (most assists): Tommy Purdeller (34). Ed Redmond Memorial Trophy (scholastics and hockey): Brody Partridge. Outboard Marine Veterans Award (sportsmanship and ability): Jonathan Melee. Black’s Family Trophy (rookie of the year): Carson Cameron. Vince and Lottie Garvey Award (off-ice contribution): Tracy and Chip Adamo.
Molson Cup (most three-star selections voted by media): Liam Sztuska. Donnie Marsh Memorial Trophy (most dedication to team): Cam Gauvreau. Ed Rowe Memorial Award (most goals): Braydon McCallum (18). Norm Bryan Award (most improved player): McCallum.
Ushers Trophy (best defenceman): Cameron. Bill Bennett/ CKPT Memorial Award (leading scorer): Purdeller (47 points). Gary Dalliday Award (community service): Purdeller. Petes Executive Trophy (most valuable player voted by teammates): Sztuska.