Adam Novotný is bringing NHL lessons back to Peterborough

Canucks' first-round pick Adam Novotný on bringing NHL experience back to the OHL.

Adam Novotný shoots against the Seattle Kraken Vancouver Canucks / Instagram

Adam Novotný has been off to a roaring start to begin the Ontario Hockey League season.

After being drafted by the Vancouver Canucks 24th overall in the 2026 National Hockey League Draft, Novotný stayed longer than first-rounders usually do at training camp. Playing two preseason games with the Vancouver Canucks against the Seattle Kraken and Calgary Flames. Canucks fans had an opportunity to see a glimpse of the future when Novotný played alongside Canucks 2025 15th overall pick Braeden Cootes against the Calgary Flames

Although there were discussions in Vancouver about potentially having the 18-year-old start the season with the Abbotsford Canucks in the AHL, Vancouver eventually reassigned Novotný back to Peterborough, giving him the chance to play in all situations, heavy minutes, and continue to develop his game.

Despite joining the OHL's Peterborough Petes late due to the NHL preseason, Adam Novotný has seven multi-point games, is fourth in shots on goal, and tied for first in game-winning goals. He leads Peterborough in scoring with 11 goals and 23 points in 17 games.

Learning from the NHL

It's no secret to anyone who has watched Adam Novotný that his shot is his calling card, and it was especially evident against the Niagara IceDogs for Sunday afternoon's game on November 1st. To highlight the shot, context is important. Novotný was all over the ice, laying hits early, being the first guy on the forecheck and backcheck. A scrum early in the third period led to a 4-on-4 for two minutes where Novotný saw opportunity. Flying up and down the ice to begin rush chances and flexing his hard shot. Before heading off for a change with just 15 seconds left on the 4-on-4, Novotný fed Peterborough winger Cooper Dennis with a cross ice pass where he buried home a beauty, tying the game at two. Novotný played very much of the third period following that shift, and finished the third period on the ice with the puck in the offensive zone. As the buzzer went off to signal the end of the period and send the game to overtime, Niagara's Reyth Smith skated over to Novotný and high-sticked him in the face/head region. Smith was suspended 3 games due to the incident, and Novotný was down and went to the dressing room for repairs. Niagara was assessed a five minute match penalty for high sticking, meaning Peterborough would have a power-play for the entirety of overtime. Despite getting high-sticked in the head, Novotný was right back out there for overtime, where he ripped a shot out of play off the crossbar before scoring the eventual overtime winner on a rapid shot.

Adam Novotný overtime winner VS Niagara (Ontario Hockey League / X)

Performances like Novotný had on Sunday are exactly the types of showings that Canucks and Peterborough fans want to see from him.

For Novotný, his time in Vancouver wasn't just a chance for him to get a taste of the NHL, it was an opportunity to learn what separates NHL'ers from the rest of the pack. "When you're around guys from the NHL, you see how they work, their mentality, and what they do" Novotný told The Armchair GM's Sports Network.

"Just seeing the practices, being in the games, playing against NHL teams, it's just something unbelievable."

Novotný is now looking to put those lessons into practice with the Petes.

"I'm trying to bring it back here to the OHL and play my best and prepare for the next step."

Familiar faces around the OHL

With plenty of talented players across the OHL, Novotný has no shortage of difficult opponents. When asked which players he finds the toughest to play against, two names came to mind, and both have been off to hot starts as well to begin the campaign. Novotný mentioned Kingston Frontenacs defensemen Adam Goljer and Guelph Storm defensemen Vladimir Dravecky. Goljer, a Slovakian defensemen selected by the Los Angeles Kings in the second round of the 2026 NHL draft, is playing in his first OHL season and has 15 points through 17 games. Dravecky, a fellow Czech defensemen and fifth round pick to the New York Islanders has been lighting up the scoresheet this season. With 21 points in 16 games. "It's always hard to play against them," Novotný said.

While Novotný continues to establish himself as one of the Ontario Hockey League's top offensive threats, facing familiar players on opposing blue lines adds another interesting element to his second OHL season.

Growing into a leadership role

Novotný's offensive production has been impressive, but that's not all the development he has endured.

Now in his second OHL season, the Czech forward has become more comfortable with the North American game and is looking to take on a greater leadership role with the Petes. After spending his first season adjusting to the differences of the North American game, Novotný returns to the OHL as a first-round pick, with much larger expectations Novotný's experience also gave him an opportunity to see what leadership looks like at the NHL level. Specifically taking note of "how they act and how professional they are." The difference moving from Europe to North America can require adjustments on and off the ice. For Novotný, having a full year under his belt has made him more comfortable throughout his surroundings.

"Second year, you feel more comfortable. You kind of adjust to the North American style when you come from Europe," Novotný said.

Clifford Skarstedt/Metroland

For Novotný, leadership isn't always about being the loudest player in the dressing room. It's about setting an example for his teammates and being there when they need support.

"Just trying to lead by example, do the right things and be a good guy in the room, help the guys." Novotný's performance against Niagara is just one example of that approach. Staying in the game despite taking a nasty hit up high and scoring the overtime winner is a demonstration of the level of commitment Novotný will bring to his team.

"When you see someone who's struggling, just go chat with him, help him and be supportive. Just be a good leader."

For an OHL locker room where most of the players are around the same age, the leadership style Novotný chooses to take is effective, and shows the importance Novotný places on his development away from the scoresheet as he works toward an NHL career.

Teammates to International Rivals

While Novotný has been tearing up the OHL, another major opportunity for him will be on the International Stage.

Previously playing in the World Juniors as a 17 and 18 year old for Czechia, the 2027 World Juniors would mark Novotný's third appearance at the tournament, having already won a silver (2026) and bronze (2025) medal. With two medals already under his belt, Novotný is motivated to go for Gold.

Sean Kilpatrick/THE CANADIAN PRESS

Two likely opponents for Novotný on Team Canada include fellow Canucks first-round picks Caleb Malhotra (2026, 3rd overall) and Braeden Cootes (2025, 15th overall). After spending time together during training camp and playing on a line together during the NHL preseason, Novotný and Cootes have developed a friendship despite competing against each other on the international stage. "We are good friends, I would say. We found a great friendship together at camp and everything," Novotný said.

Although they shared the ice together in Vancouver, the World Juniors could see the two prospects competing on opposite sides of what has become one of the biggest rivalries in international hockey in the past few years, with Czechia eliminating Canada from the tournament in the previous two years. "It's going to be fun to play against Canada again. I'm excited for Christmas time and looking forward to playing for Czechia again." For the Vancouver Canucks organization, the possibility of having three first-round picks competing against each other on the international stage would offer another opportunity to see how their young prospects perform against some of the world's best players.

For Novotný, who will be competing at his last World Junior Championship, it will another chance to build on his impressive international resume and one last chance for Gold at this event.

From getting his first taste in the NHL to taking on a larger role in the OHL with Peterborough, Novotný has already experienced plenty of growth over the past few months. With a strong start to the OHL season and a World Junior Championship tournament to look forward to, the soon to be 19 year old has a large plate in front of him. For now, Novotný's focus remains on continuing his development with the Petes, taking the lessons he's learned from Vancouver, and working toward the ultimate goal of the NHL. Interview conducted by Elliott Houghton on 11/01/2026