Oilers draft pick and son of former Tigers pitcher Dan Petry gets a lot of ink because he has a famous dad and people are curious about why he didn’t choose baseball. While this is an interesting angle for reporters to use, it ignores the fact that Petry the Younger is a very good hockey player.

Petry, though still growing into his 6’2 frame, is a tough competitor and a solid 2-way player. Very calm on the ice, he can appear disinterested and lost. This belies the fact that he is extremely efficient in his movements and always seems to make the smart, safe play.

He came up through the Michigan high-school/club hockey system and found his way to the USHL, where he was the top defenseman last season. He also won the hardest shot competition at the Prospects/All-Star game held in Waterloo, IA. Petry plays a physical game and has a mean streak. This, along with his skating, make him ideally suited to life in the NW Division.

The Oilers see Petry as having top pairing potential. In the one game I have seen Petry play, I would have a hard time disagreeing. He easily handled the best competition and although his team lost, he was not a contributor to the defeat. Don’t be surprised if you see Petry plying his trade in the NHL before his NCAA eligibility is up.

Kyle Kosior

Share
Published by
Kyle Kosior

Recent Posts

Winnipeg Jets head coach Scott Arniel media availability on day 1 of training camp

He kicks off his first year as bench boss in Winnipeg on day 1 of…

13 hours ago

Day 1 of Winnipeg Jets training camp: Vladislav Namestnikov

We heard from the versatile forward after the afternoon session on day 1 of training…

14 hours ago

Observations of Team Lesuk on day 1 of Winnipeg Jets training camp

Second group hits the ice at hockey for all centre.

15 hours ago

Day 1 of Winnipeg Jets training camp: Nikita Chibrikov

Coming into his second training camp the Jets 2021 2nd rounder is feeling confident.

16 hours ago

Day 1 of Winnipeg Jets training camp: Josh Morrissey

Hear from number 44 after first skate of training camp.

16 hours ago