Petes' picks exploring all options

Posted By MIKE DAVIES, EXAMINER STAFF WRITER

Updated 7 months ago

The Peterborough Petes are convinced Aaron Pearce can make an impact in their lineup, but whether he joins them is unclear.

Pearce, 17, was one of the Petes' 2008 second-round draft picks acquired in the 2007 trade of Steve Downie to the Kitchener Rangers. Last season, Pearce, a left wing drafted from the Toronto Marlies, scored 17 goals and 47 points in 49 games for the OJHL's Georgetown Raiders.

The Petes have offered Pearce a lineup spot and would sign him now, but Pearce is also being courted by NCAA schools.

He was one of 32 skaters participating in the Petes' rookie mini-camp on Saturday at the Evinrude Centre.

"Aaron is exploring all his options," said Petes' GM Jeff Twohey. "We're happy we're still part of the mix and hoping, at the end of the day, he becomes a Pete. That's in Aaron's control at this point. He's a leader and a competitive, character kid. We think he has a lot to offer."

Pearce says he's not setting any timetable to make a decision.

"I'm trying to keep everything open and explore all options," Pearce said. "It's a big decision and one my family and I have to take the time to make. Peterborough is a class organization and is still one of my options."

Another player exploring his options is New Jersey native Justin Selman an 11th-round pick in the May 2 draft. Selman recorded 44 goals and 96 points in 77 games for the New Jersey Avalanche midgets last season. Had he been from Ontario, Twohey says he'd have been drafted higher.

"What I really appreciated with Justin is that he called me the night before the draft and he made it clear to me he was 50-50 in terms of playing in the league," said Twohey. "He had told most teams 'no' and the reason he was 50-50 with us is because Jack Walchessen had taken the time in New Jersey to talk to him and I think that really helped."

Selman said he didn't know a lot about the OHL before talking to Walchessen a Petes' veteran also from New Jersey.

"It's definitely a great opportunity," Selman said. "I really had little information on the league itself so I wanted to come here and see what it's about. I learned a lot in one day and I really enjoyed the experience."

NOTES: Minor Petes' grad and 2008 Petes' pick Mitch Gillam said he's attending Berkshire Prep School in Massachusetts this fall. The Gillams haven't ruled out the Petes as an option but would like a commitment from the club before giving up his NCAA eligibility to play exhibition games. The Petes want to see their goalie prospects in exhibition games before making a decision on a back-up to starter Jason Missiaen. A groin injury kept Gillam off the ice on Saturday.... In addition to attending the Petes' camp 10th-round pick Dylan McDiarmid was the first overall pick in the Central Ontario Junior Hockey League draft by Carleton Place on Saturday.... Among six free agents invited to the rookie camp was Sean Davey the brother of ex-Pete Bobby Davey. Sean played for the Toronto Young Nats midgets last season.... One player who impressed the Petes was Jason Kelly, a 1992-born centre the club drafted in May a year after his original draft eligibility. Kelly had 22 goals and 107 penalty minutes in 52 games for North York tier II. "He's a good player," said Petes' GM Jeff Twohey. Others '92s who drew rave reviews included Trevor Packard and Jeff Swift.