Petes cut Dow, Hanna to finalize opening night roster
Petes will try to find another team for overager Bobby Dow; Hanna likely to play tier two and be available for call-up
The Peterborough Petes made their final two roster cuts in preparation for their 2018-19 season opener.
The Petes got down to the maximum three overage players by informing Bobby Dow he is not in their plans this season. The Petes also informed Peterborough native Quinn Hanna they don’t have a spot on their roster for him.
Petes GM Mike Oke said they’re trying to find Dow another opportunity in major junior hockey.
Oke said Hanna is weighing some tier II junior A options that would allow him to be a floating affiliate and available to be called up by the Petes in case of injuries.
That leaves 24 players on the roster. The Arizona Coyotes announced Wednesday they are returning Liam Kirk to the Petes but Oke said he didn’t know if he’d be back in time to play in their season opener at 7:05 p.m. Thursday against the Kingston Frontenacs at the PMC.
Semyon Der-Arguchintsev (Toronto Maple Leafs) is the lone Pete still at NHL camp.
“Bobby had a really strong camp and played well in the exhibition games he played,” said Oke, “but when we analyzed the roster makeup we felt the other overage candidates were a better fit.”
Defenceman Austin Osmanski and forwards Chris Paquette and Adam Timleck will occupy the three overage spots.
“I hope to stay in major junior,” Dow said. “Maybe with another team in the O or if not try to go to another league. If not then go back to play junior A.”
Dow was disappointed but saw the writing on the wall.
“I wasn’t too surprised but it’s a little heartbreaking,” he said. “It was a fun year last year. I know we didn’t do too well and I would rather it have gone different but it’s a great group of guys.”
Oke said they couldn’t offer Hanna enough ice-time to justify keeping the 19-year-old. Oke said Hanna is receptive to being an affiliated player.
“We expect he’ll participate in some practices to have a good understanding of the systems we use and he’d be a player we’d be able to utilize if the need arises,” Oke said.
Hanna said several junior A teams have expressed interest and he’s weighing options.
“It’s obviously disappointing and hurts a little bit,” said Hanna, “but I thought I had a good camp. The coach and Mike had some good feedback for me. I’m going to play junior (A) this season and play a lot. I think that will be good for my development. I might have a chance to sign with the Petes as well in the event they need me.
“Lindsay has called and they are a possibility,” said Hanna, “but there are other teams who are a bit more developed at the moment who are kind of going for it. I think I want to play for a team that is going to be up there in the rankings.”