Kawartha-Haliburton Children's Foundation Helps Fulfill Kids' Christmas Wishlist Launching Santa's Sleigh

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Children’s Christmas lists are getting checked and fulfilled through the Kawartha-Haliburton Children’s Foundation (KHCAS) 2023 Santa’s Sleigh Program launched at the Chemong Road Walmart on Thursday.

Bella Myers, 5, gets a ‘Merry Christmas’ from Santa Claus as several children got a visit from Father Christmas to give him their Christmas wishes. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The program is in conjunction with the Central Lakes Association of Realtors, East Peterborough Lions Club, 101.5 The Wolf, Global Peterborough and 100.5 Fresh Radio.

The program has 900 children involved in the foundation with gift requests written on tags and placed on a Christmas tree in Walmart. Shoppers can grab a tag, fulfill it and put it in a drop-in sleigh ion the store. The program runs until Dec. 4 at 1 p.m.

For the past 34 years, KHCAS’s Santa’s Sleigh Program has helped make the holidays brighter for local children and youth involved with the Kawartha Haliburton Children’s Aid Society.

“We are inviting the community to choose a child’s gift suggestion from our tree at Walmart, and then shop for that gift in order to fulfill the child’s holiday wish,” said Carrie Truman, KHCAS executive director. “The gifts will go directly to children in our community so that together we can put smiles on the faces of local children this holiday season.”

Presents, gift cards and monetary donations are being accepted during the program’s duration. Donated money is being used to purchase gifts and gift cards for children and youth involved with the KHCAS according to a press release.

Donors can make online monetary donations on the foundation’s website.

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Peterborough Petes Release the 2023 Development Camp Schedule

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The Peterborough Petes have released the official schedule for the upcoming Development Camp of on and off ice fitness, with 46 players and goaltenders expected to attend.

file photo.

The camp will begin with off-ice fitness testing on Friday, June 23 and wrap up with two on-ice sessions on Saturday, June 24. Friday’s fitness testing will take place at Hybrid Sports from 5:45 p.m.-7:30 p.m. This event will not be open to the public. Saturday’s on-ice scrimmages will take place beginning at 12 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. at the Kinsmen Civic Centre at 1 Kinsmen Way. These ice sessions will be open to the public and will be streamed live on the Petes Facebook page.

The full scrimmage schedule can be found below:

Saturday, June 24:

12 p.m. - Team White vs Team Black

12:50 p.m. - Team Black vs Team Maroon

1:40 p.m. - Team Maroon vs Team White

Break

3:15 p.m. - Team White vs Team Black

4:05 p.m. - Team White vs Team Maroon

4:55 p.m. - Team Maroon vs Team Black

Photo courtesy of the peterborough Petes.

The 46 players and goaltenders expected to attend includes players selected in the 2023 OHL Priority Selection. The tentative camp roster can be found by clicking here. Team rosters for the on-ice sessions will be released on Saturday, June 24.

Official 2023 OHL Champion hats and shirts are on sale now through the Petes store. Fans can purchase them by clicking here.

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Leafs Alumni VS Canadiens Alumni to Face Off for Rivalry Night at the Peterborough Memorial Centre

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On Monday, GPHSF, Your Family Health Team Foundation, in partnership with Peterborough Memorial Centre (PMC), announced the Montreal Canadiens Alumni team and the Toronto Maple Leafs Alumni team are coming to Peterborough to participate in a charity hockey game November 17.

photo courtesy of the peterborough memorial centre.

The game will take place at the PMC and tickets will go on sale on Friday, June 2. Tickets start at $25 each and children’s tickets are $20.

There are also a limited number of $75 VIP upgrade tickets, available which include a pre-game reception and meet and greet with either the Montreal Canadiens or Toronto Maple Leafs team.

“We are really excited to be hosting Rivalry Night with the Peterborough Memorial Centre” said Vince Bierworth, executive director for the GPHSF. “There is no greater rivalry in professional hockey and, arguably, all of professional sports, than the Habs versus Leafs. It’s going to be a lot of fun having these passionate fans in the Memorial Centre cheering on the alumni of their favourite teams. Proceeds from the event will support the GPHSF, Your Family Health Team Foundation. Vital funding for initiatives that broaden equity and access to healthcare.”

The full roster for each team will be announced closer to the event and the Alumni say they are promising an exciting and competitive game.

Tickets can be purchased online, by phone or in person at the PMC Box Office.

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Peterborough Petes Headed to Kamloops Memorial Cup in B.C.; First Game Scheduled For Saturday

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After winning the J. Ross Robertson Cup as OHL Champions on Sunday, May 21, the Peterborough Petes have officially qualified for the 2023 Memorial Cup. 

The Peterborough Petes had their Championship Celebration Event at the Quaker Food Park Square on Monday, a day after winning the OHL Championship. photo by Samantha Bianco.

The 2023 Memorial Cup takes place in Kamloops, B.C. starting on May 25, with the Championship game scheduled for Sunday, June 4. The Petes’ first game is on Saturday against the Western Hockey League champion Seattle Thunderbirds. Puck drop is scheduled for 6 p.m. EDT.

The Petes Memorial Cup schedule is as follows:

  • Saturday, May 27 @ 6 p.m. EDT - Seattle Thunderbirds (WHL Champion) @ Peterborough Petes

  • Sunday, May 28 @ 6 p.m. EDT - Kamloops Blazers (Host) @ Peterborough Petes

  • Tuesday, May 30 @ 9 p.m. EDT - Peterborough Petes @ Quebec Remparts (QMJHL Champion)

  • Thursday, June 1 @ 9 p.m. EDT - Tie-breaker*

  • Friday, June 2 @ 10 p.m. EDT - Semi-Final

  • Sunday, June 4 @ 10 p.m. EDT - Final

*If necessary

All games will take place at the Sandman Centre and are broadcasted on TSN and RDS, and over the radio on Freq 90.5, Oldies 96.7 and Classic Rock 107.9.

Fans who are interested in travelling to Kamloops to cheer on the Petes at the Memorial Cup should note that the team does not have any game ticket, travel or accommodation packages available to extend to fans. Those that are interested are strongly encouraged to arrange tickets through the Sandman Centre or other official sources before making travel arrangements as capacity is limited in Kamloops. 

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Former Peterborough Petes Captain Dallas Eakins Released From Anaheim Ducks Head Coaching Duties

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Former Peterborough Petes captain Dallas Eakins will be looking for a new job as he is not returning to his head coaching role with the Anaheim Ducks following the end of the 2022-23 NHL regular season announced on Friday.

Eakins was coaching former Peterborough Petes Mason McTavish during his four-year Wikipedia image.

The announcement came a day after the Ducks completed their final regular season game in a 5-3 loss to the Los Angeles Kings that resulted in a last-place finish on Thursday night. This was Anaheim’s 13th consecutive loss.

Eakins spent eight years with the Ducks organization. His first four years were with the AHL-affiliate San Diego Gulls from 2015-19 then spent the past four season with the Ducks.

“We thank Dallas for his eight years with the organization as head coach of both the Ducks and Gulls,” said Henry and Susan Samueli, Ducks co-owners. We know Dallas will succeed in his future endeavors, as character people often do.”

"This was a very difficult decision, one that comes after careful and considerable deliberation," said Pat Verbeek, Ducks general manager. "At the end of the day, I simply feel that a fresh perspective and new voice will be beneficial for the team. Dallas has handled himself with class and character through a difficult season and we wish him the best in the future."

Eakins played his entire junior career with the Peterborough Petes. He was drafted in the 10th round, 208th overall to the Washington Capitals in 1995.

The loss clinched Anaheim’s last-place finish and will have a 25.5 per cent chance of drafting number one overall in the 2023 NHL draft. Connor Bedard is the current number one consensus pick.

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Peterborough Hockey Association Sending Seven Teams to OMHA Championships

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The Peterborough Hockey Association (PHA) has the most successful season in their history; sending 7 teams to represent the Maroon and White at OMHA Championship Tournaments.

photo courtesy of pha, facebook.

Over the next two weekends, 7 teams will compete at the OMHA Championship Tournament. The PHA congratulated and wish the best of luck to all the players for their hard work and dedication, and to the coaching staffs for their relentless efforts in development and commitment to their team’s success.  

“We’ve placed second in Lakeshore for sending teams to Whitby, who actually has two teams in almost every division and they sent 11. We have half as many teams and still sent 7, so we’re really happy with our season this year,” explained PHA president Mike Heffernan.

Pete’s teams at the OMHA Championship Weekends: 

U10AA Date: March 31-April 2. Location: Kingston  

U13 AA Date: March April 7-9. Location: Kingston  

U14BB Date: March 31-April 2. Location: Windsor  

U14AA Date: April 7-9. Location: Kingston  

U15A Date: March 31-April 2. Location: Whitby  

U15AA Date: April 7-9. Location: Kingston  

U16A Date: April 7-9. Location: Whitby  

The Association also congratulated the U15AA and U16 A teams and staff as they placed first and captured the Lakeshore Championships banners for their respective divisions. 

“It feels great, especially coming out of COVID and trying to build these programs and the kids back up. It’s great to have Peterborough represented so well, it shows the success and dedication of all the players and coaches,” concluded Heffernan.

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Canadian Mental Health Association Teams Up With Peterborough Petes for Talk Today Game Night

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The Peterborough Petes and the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) are teaming up to host Talk Today Night during the Petes home game against the Windsor Spitfires Thursday night.

photo courtesy of the peterborough petes.

The game, presented by Syngenta and Grain Farmers of Ontario, will take place at the Peterborough Memorial Centre on Feb. 23 at 7:05 p.m. and will feature:

  • CMHA and Grain Farmers of Ontario tables in the concourse handing out information about Talk Today

  • Player content relating to Talk Today to be played and shared at the PMC on gameday

  • PA and video board announcements

  • A pre-game ceremony and a puck drop featuring representatives from CMHA and Grain Farmers of Ontario

Launched by CMHA Ontario in 2014 in partnership with the OHL, the Talk Today program has grown to become one of the most comprehensive sport mental health programs in Canada. Through Talk Today, CMHA branches across Ontario have been teaming up with their local OHL teams to educate and support their players on mental health and suicide prevention.

“The Talk Today program is an essential piece to reducing the stigma surrounding mental illness and encouraging players to access mental health support when needed. I’m proud to know the Talk Today program started here in Peterborough and to have been a part of it since it’s inception,” says Jack Veitch, manager of community engagement and education.

“Now, more than ever, it is important to talk about mental health; especially in sport. Game night’s like Talk Today provide a platform to speak about mental health and we’re proud to partner with CMHA, Syngenta, and Grain Farmers of Ontario to spread this important messaging and keep the conversation moving forward,” says Adam King, director of marketing with the Petes.

Tickets for the game are available by clicking here, or by contacting the PMC Grant Thornton Box Office in person or at (705) 743-3561.

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Petes Ball Hockey Program Launches at St. Paul Elementary School

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St. Paul Catholic Elementary School welcomed Petes’ business staff and current players J.R. Avon, Konnor Smith and Donovan McCoy for a launch assembly of the Petes Ball Hockey program on Monday.

The program will provide 2,000 students and 11 schools in Peterborough and the Kawarthas with equipment, training and support required for the sport for free. All students grades 4 to 6 regardless of their hockey experience or physical or cognitive abilities can participate in the program. The Petes Ball Hockey program is meant to help the grassroots development of hockey in Peterborough, and aid in eliminating barriers when it comes to participating in the sport.

St. Paul’s students had the opportunity to play ball hockey, meet Petes players and even get an official Petes hockey photo taken after the assembly.

The first phase of the program starts with the following local schools:

  • St. Paul Catholic Elementary School, Peterborough

  • St. Paul Catholic Elementary School, Lakefield

  • Kaawaate East City Public School

  • Terry Fox Public School

  • Burnham Public School

  • St. Anne Catholic Elementary School

  • Edmison Heights Public School

  • Bobcaygeon Public School

  • CR Gummow Public School

  • Alexandra Public School

  • Rhema Christian School

Students also received an official Petes t-shirt, equipment bag, ball hockey rule guide and a letter from Peterborough-born Petes right-winger Chase Stillman.

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Pink in the Rink Game Brings in Record Crowd as Petes Raise Over $60,000 For Cancer Care

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The Peterborough Petes welcomed the Oshawa Generals to the Peterborough Memorial Centre for the 14th annual Pink in the Rink game this past Saturday.

photo courtesy of the peterborough petes. photo by kenneth anderson photography.

Although the Generals would ultimately take the game with a final score of 7-5, the Petes had many successes that night, including drawing in an all-time record attendance of 3,912 hockey fans.

The large crowd also broke a Pete’s record for 50/50 draw prize total, awarding $9,360 to one lucky fan.

The Petes note that this year’s campaign raised a preliminary fundraising total of $62,600.

Five local hockey moms, Jennie Ireland, Dara Gosselin, Elke Rye, Karen Tarkington and Dana Thorn were named ambassadors for the 2023 Pink in the rink campaign. They joined Physician Ambassador Dr. Neera Jeyabalan and PRHC Foundation President and CEO Leslie Heighway on the ice before the game for a ceremony recognizing each of their cancer journeys.

This year’s Pink in the Rink Fundraising efforts were highlighted by amounts raised in several categories, including the Hockey Mom Ambassadors fundraising pages, a game-worn jersey auction, chuck-a-puck and t-shirt sales.

The highest single bid was $3,000 for Brennan Othmann’s jersey.

In Saturday’s game, Tommy Purdeller led the way for the Petes with two goals, while Jonathan Melee added a goal and two assists. Owen Beck had two assists, and J.R. Avon and Sam Mayer each had a goal. Brian Zanetti, Gavin White, Chase Stillman and Jax Dubois each had an assist in the loss.

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Photos: Meet, Greet and Eat With the Peterborough Petes at Dr. J's

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Petes hockey fans enjoyed dining with their favourite players Tuesday afternoon at Dr. J’s BBQ and Brews Meet, Greet and Eat with the Peterborough Petes event. After a hearty lunch provided by Dr. J’s, they capped the event off with a Q&A with Pete Dalliday and photo opportunities with the players.

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