Peterborough loses goalie Owen Nelson to the NCAA, makes sudden jump to college
The Peterborough Petes have been dealt a loss in net as goaltender Owen Nelson has left the team to join NCAA Augustana University for the 2026-27 season.
Nelson, 19, had appeared in three games for the Petes this season, having a 1-2-0 record on the year with a 3.44 GAA and .900 SV%.
Nelson confirmed the move to the Peterborough Examiner, telling the outlet that the scholarship offer from Augustana "happened really quick" over the weekend after the school suffered an injury to one of it's netminders.
The Wisconsin native Nelson spent last season in the USHL with the Tri-City Storm, where he had an 8-13-2 record in 26 games, along with a 2.92 GAA and .909 SV% playing behind Red Wings prospect and Colorado College commit Michal Pradel.
Peterborough signed Nelson to an OHL Scholarship and Development Agreement back in July of this year.
With Nelson gone, Peterborough is left with Masen Johnston as likely to hold down the starting job for the Petes. Johnson has appeared in three games for Peterborough, having an 0-2-0 record with a 5.43 GAA and .820 SV%.
Also an option is 18-year-old Luka Gelinas, a ninth round OHL Priority Selection pick of the Petes who has dressed as the team's third netminder, but has not previously played an OHL game.
It is unknown if Peterborough will add another goalie to the roster following Nelson's departure, having cut Ethan Cosker in training camp, currently in the NCDC.
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