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J.R. Avon helps lead Peterborough Petes to OHL Championship

By Ariel Melendez

OSHAWA, ON - JANUARY 31: J.R. Avon #10 of the Peterborough Petes skates during an OHL game against the Oshawa Generals at the Tribute Communities Centre on January 31, 2020 in Oshawa, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Chris Tanouye/Getty Images)
OSHAWA, ON - JANUARY 31: J.R. Avon #10 of the Peterborough Petes skates during an OHL game against the Oshawa Generals at the Tribute Communities Centre on January 31, 2020 in Oshawa, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Chris Tanouye/Getty Images) /
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Undrafted, Jon-Randall Avon had to find a different way to get on an NHL team’s radar. Avon had his 2020-21 OHL season cancelled due to the ongoing pandemic. That likely played a role in him not hearing his named called at the draft that summer. That’s when the Flyers came calling with an invite to development camp.

"“The contract’s definitely the goal,” Avon said back in 2021. “I’ve got a lot of speed, I can make plays, so I just want to show that I can play in the NHL.”"

Avon used that fuel to earn himself an entry-level contract that September. After impressing at development camp and rookie camp, the Flyers liked what they saw. Avon would also take part in training camp on an amateur tryout contract.

The Flyers have certainly had their eyes on the Peterborough Petes during the last few seasons. Brian Zanetti, the team’s fourth round pick in 2021, is also a member of the Petes. Zanetti recently signed on with the SCL Tigers of the Swiss National League for two years, however.

Heading back to the OHL, Avon showed the Flyers what he was really capable of. He broke out in what was officially his second season with the Petes. In 64 games, he posted 29 goals and 68 points. That was after scoring just four goals and recording 11 points overall in his first season back in 2019-20.

Avon finished third on the team in each offensive category. He backed that up with another 29-goal performance this past season. He recorded 60 points overall. That was good for sixth on the team, though he was fifth when it came to goals.

The Flyers have to be happy with the progression they have seen from Avon over the last season or two. A deep playoff run could help his development even more.

"“They have a good team and he’s a big part of that,” Kjell Samuelsson, a member of the Flyers player development staff, said earlier in the year. “If they have a deep run, that will be perfect for him because then the games are very important … and take even more responsibilities on the team.”"

Avon would add nine goals and 15 assists in 23 postseason games for the Petes as they captured their first OHL Title in 17 years. He had two goals in the fourth game to help the Petes take a commanding 3-1 series lead at the time. They will now have the chance to compete for the Memorial Cup. Round Robin play starts on May 27th as they will face the three other teams looking to take home the trophy.

Each team will play one game against each other before the knockout stage. The team with the top-seed after the three games will head straight to the championship round while the second and third seeds will face off to determine who makes to the final round.

Avon will be eligible to join the Phantoms next season as he will turn 20 in July. An intriguing prospect, Avon has done everything right to prove to the Flyers that signing him was the correct decision.

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