Peterborough Petes pick up overage forward Gavin Bryant from Niagara IceDogs
The Peterborough Petes have added some scoring punch with the acquisition of overage forward Gavin Bryant from the Niagara IceDogs on Tuesday.
The Petes gave up a third round pick in 2026 (Guelph) and a ninth round pick in 2028. Bryant, a centre from Ingersoll, Ont., has not yet played a game this season as he’s recovering from off-season shoulder surgery.
Petes GM and VP of operations Mike Oke said Bryant will practice with the Petes this week but his debut is likely about 10 days away.
Bryant was the IceDogs captain and leading scorer last season with 21 goals and 54 points in 62 games. The Petes sit in last place with an 0-8-1 record, one loss away from tying a franchise record for longest losing streak, and are the lowest scoring team in the OHL with 15 goals.
“Gavin brings a little different dynamic,” said Oke. “He’s been a point producer during his time in the OHL and I say that knowing he hasn’t always been 100 per cent health-wise either.
“Now that some of the issues he’s had in the past have been put behind him we suspect he’ll be someone who can come in and contribute. He’s someone who can be counted on to generate some offence and he’s a natural centreman. We have some players who are doing a good job playing centre, but it maybe hasn’t been their natural position.”
It gives the Petes four overage players, one more than they can dress, including captain Jonathan Melee and assistant captains Chase Lefebvre and Ryder McIntyre.
“That’s something that will be a bit of a work in progress,” said Oke. “We’ll continue to evaluate where our roster goes from here. The players who are overages right now have demonstrated they’re capable of playing in the OHL.
“At the same time, we felt this player was going to bring something different than what we already have and it was a move that would help us.”
Bryant was originally selected by the Owen Sound Attack in the second round, 37th overall, of the 2020 OHL Priority Selection. During three OHL seasons spent between the Attack and the IceDogs, he has played in 155 games, scoring 40 goals and adding 78 assists for 118 points.
In 2022-23, he served as an assistant captain with Owen Sound. After being acquired by the IceDogs from the Attack before the 2023-24 season, he was named an assistant captain with Niagara, before becoming captain in January of 2024.
Bryant has also been known for his community work. This season, he and the IceDogs announced the launch of Gav’s Corner, an initiative aimed at uniting and supporting individuals impacted by Type 1 Diabetes.