Brampton and Peterborough complete a trade to give 2004-born forward Chase Lefebvre a new home
It's been a tale of two stories for the Brampton Steelheads and Peterborough Petes through the first quarter of the OHL 2024-25 season.
Brampton started strong and looked like they could be a top contending team in the East but has since struggled with consistency and, surprisingly, is in last place of the Central Division with a 10-10-1-0 record.
It has been a miserable season in Peterborough, as they are on pace to record one of the worst records in OHL history. The Petes have won only one of their 22 games this season.
When Peterborough acquired 2004-born forward Gavin Bryant a month ago, it put the organization in a predicament with their overage players. They had four on their roster and either had to move a player out or cycle between Bryant, Chase Lefebvre, Ryder McIntyre, and captain Jonathan Melee.
Obviously, the team isn't going to healthy scratch their captain or the player they traded for. So, that left McIntyre or Lefebvre as the odd-men out.
The Brampton Steelheads had an open overage spot on their roster, therefore, it made sense for them to add some forward depth and acquire the 6-foot-3 forward Chase Lefebvre.
Trading away a conditional 11th-round draft pick in 2028 isn't a steep price. Lefebvre joins Stevie Leskovar, teammates with Chase in Peterborough during the 2022-23 season, and Spencer Sova as the overage players on the Steelheads roster.
Lefebvre won the 2023 OHL Championship with the Petes while playing a depth role in their lineup. He brings versatility, physicality, and experience to a Brampton squad that could use that in their current state.
The Kapuskasing, Ontario native finished second on Peterborough in goals last season with 17 and first in shots with 231. He's recorded 21 goals and 55 points in 130 career regular season games.
Once a 15th-round pick in the 2020 OHL Priority Selection, Lefebvre has beaten the odds and put together a respectable major junior career.
Chase made his Steelheads debut Friday night against the Niagara IceDogs. He centered a line with Troy Patton and William Eggleton flanking the wings.
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