Adam Novotný rejoins Peterborough in style
After being selected 24th overall in this summer's NHL draft, Adam Novotný rightfully has a ton of hype surrounding him headed into the 2026-27 Ontario Hockey League season.
Drafted out of Peterborough, Novotný scored 34 goals and 31 assists for 65 points with the Peterborough Petes in the 2025-26 season headed into the draft. Novotný put up 5 points in 5 games at the Hlinka-Gretzky last summer and followed that up with 3 points at the World Juniors.
After being selected 24th overall by the Vancouver Canucks, Novotný started his summer at the Canucks' prospect camp in June before playing his first games as a Canuck against the Seattle Kraken in a two-game prospect showcase. Novotný was named first star in the Canucks 5-2 win over the Kraken where he had 3 five-on-five points, one goal and two assists.
Novotný was able to transition his strong play at the prospect tournament into training camp and two pre-season games. He co-led the Canucks in hits with 4 in his first game. Novotný impressed at training camp, but for the Canucks, a team at the start of a rebuild, giving prospects time to develop is important. For Novotný, that means getting sent back to Peterborough to play the 2026-27 season instead of playing in the AHL for Abbotsford.
Novotný was assigned back to Peterborough Wednesday, September 23rd, and stepped right into game action with Peterborough Thursday night.
Novotný didn't waste any time returning to the OHL. With Peterborough playing against Sarnia, Novotný scored two goals in just 30 seconds to welcome himself back to the OHL. After scoring two first period goals, he dominated play in the second period with nothing to show for. Entering the 3rd period, Novotný assisted on the power play and then again at even strength, for Peterborough's sixth and seventh goals of the night. A four-point night for Novotný in his first game back to the OHL is a great sight to see for Canucks and Petes fans, and both should be able to expect to see more of it throughout the rest of the season.
Novotný is expected to be a very big piece of the Petes this season and will be the primary leader on their offense. The World Juniors aren't too far away either, where Novotný will be a difference maker for Team Czechia.
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