Suspended Petes star cleared to play at Cup

The Peterborough Petes got some good news before departing for Kamloops, B.C.

Owen Beck will be available for the Petes’ opening game of the 103rd Memorial Cup when they face the WHL champion Seattle Thunderbirds on Saturday.

Petes general manager Mike Oke said the NHL department of player safety assumes all disciplinary oversight of the Memorial Cup and the NHL assumes supervision of the officials.

Oke said the NHL reviewed Beck’s slew-footing match penalty assessed in Game 5 of the OHL final against the London Knights.

“After reviewing the penalty, they deemed Owen eligible for Game 1 of the Memorial Cup,” he said.

Beck was assessed a two-game suspension by the OHL and served the first game in the deciding Game 6 of the final Sunday.

Oke said Beck will have to serve the second game if the Montreal Canadiens prospect returns to the OHL next season.

Forward Jonathan Melee also packed his equipment for the trip west. Melee, recovering from a broken bone in his heel, skated for the first time Tuesday. It’s not clear if he’ll be able to play.

Tommy Purdeller is expected to miss the tournament with a broken fibula and captain Shawn Spearing remains day to day as he recovers from a broken jaw.

This is the Petes’ 10th trip to the Memorial Cup, but their first in 17 years as they go in search of their second national championship and their first in 44 years.

“I don’t know what to expect but I’m super excited,” said Tucker Robertson, who scored three-game winning goals in the OHL final, including the series clincher.

“This is the latest I’ve ever played hockey.”

“It’s a whole new fresh start against teams we’ve never seen before,” said J.R. Avon. “Obviously we have to do some things to look into them and bring our A game to Kamloops.”

“As good as anybody else,” Chase Stillman said, of the Petes chances of winning.

“We’re the best team to come out of the OHL and the best teams in the CHL are all going to compete there. I think we go into it with an open mind and not hold too many expectations of ourselves but we’re going there to win it, plain and simple.”

“We can’t wait to get started,” said goalie Michael Simpson.

“We’re going there not to enjoy it but to bring back some more trophies to the city of Peterborough and to the OHL.”