Soo Greyhounds Add Colin Fitzgerald, Former 3rd Overall Pick

The Soo Greyhounds have strengthened their roster by acquiring former third-overall pick Colin Fitzgerald from the Peterborough Petes. The team announced the trade on Thursday morning, confirming that the Greyhounds secured Fitzgerald in exchange for six draft picks.

In the deal, the Greyhounds relinquished three selections obtained from the Oshawa Generals—a third-round pick for 2027, along with a second- and third-round pick for 2029. Additionally, the Greyhounds traded their sixth-round pick for 2029, as well as a second- and fourth-round pick in 2028 from the North Bay Battalion. The significant investment reflects the team’s belief in Fitzgerald’s potential.

General manager Kyle Raftis expressed enthusiasm about the acquisition, noting the importance of adding a player of Fitzgerald’s caliber. “Knowing the type of player Colin is and learning he was available, we felt it was important to make this addition,” Raftis stated in a press release. “When there’s an opportunity to be aggressive for the right player, we want to be able to act.”

Fitzgerald, a native of Peterborough, was selected third overall by the Petes in the 2024 OHL Draft after an impressive performance, scoring 39 goals and accumulating 64 points in just 35 games with the Petes U16 AAA program. Despite a solid rookie season where he recorded 28 points, Fitzgerald has faced challenges this season, contributing only six goals and seven assists in 24 games while serving as an alternate captain.

Despite these hurdles, Fitzgerald remains a promising prospect. He is rated as a B prospect for the 2026 NHL Draft and was recently ranked No. 64 by TSN analyst Craig Button in his November draft rankings. Fitzgerald also represented Team Canada Red in the U17 World Challenge, earning a silver medal, and contributed to Canada’s bronze medal success at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup earlier this year.

Raftis described Fitzgerald as an ideal fit for the Greyhounds’ identity and long-term plans. “Colin has always been an elite player entering the league and has shown the potential to be an elite player for us,” he explained. “His combination of speed, skill, size, and ability to read the game is what every top player in this league is built on. The ability to play with high-end skill while also bringing a heavy, physical element down the middle is rare.”

Standing at 6-foot-3 and weighing 211 pounds, Fitzgerald expressed his excitement to join the Greyhounds. “I am grateful and excited to join the Soo Greyhounds,” he said. “I look forward to getting things going this weekend and doing my part to help the team any way I can.”

Fitzgerald will wear the number 11 jersey and is expected to make his debut on Friday as the Greyhounds embark on a two-game Western Conference road trip, starting in Sarnia.