Petes extend GM’s contract through 2021-22
The team is currently in first place in the OHL
The Peterborough Petes’ general manager has inked a twoyear contract extension.
Mike Oke has signed on with the team until the end of the 2021-22 season.
His current contract would have expired at the end of this season.
Oke said he’s grateful for the opportunity.
The Petes currently sit in first place in the Ontario Hockey League and have been listed in the Kia Canadian Hockey League top 10 rankings for three weeks running.
Players selected by the team with Oke as general manager have gone on to the NHL and to national teams.
Behind the scenes, the Petes organization has grown from four employees to 15 full-time employees and hundreds of part-time and volunteer support staff, thanks to Oke, states a press release issued by the team.
The GM said he’s pleased with the group the organization has assembled, which includes coaches, scouts, equipment and medical staff, and with the growth on and off the ice, according to a press release.
“Our coaches have done a good job of working with and developing players individually and collectively as a team, while
our scouting staff has been diligent in identifying players — through drafts, trades, and free agency — who have and will become key pieces of our team,” Oke stated in the release.
Oke joined the Petes as interim GM in 2012 before assuming the post formally on Feb. 14, 2013. Prior to that, he was the team's manager of player personnel and director of player personnel, signing on in 2010. Under Oke as GM, the team has a record of 197-191-10-24, including three playoff series wins, five playoff appearances, and the team's first division title since 2006.
Team president Dave Pogue said the organization is pleased to extend Oke’s contract, mentioning the progress the Petes has made under his leadership.
“Mike has done a great deal to improve the operations of the Peterborough Petes, and the board felt this was the right time to show our appreciation for his hard work,” Pogue said, adding this comes in the midst of “a season of high expectations.”
“I’m very pleased with the group we have assembled and the growth we are continuing to experience on and off the ice,” Oke said.
Along with managing the Petes, Oke has also worked closely with the Peterborough Minor Hockey Council to revive the major midget AAA Petes program
The midgets are ranked first in Ontario and eighth in Canada.