Local Boy Gives Rousing Pre-Game Speech For Peterborough Petes Next Gen Game
/The hockey world has been put on notice as six-year-old Callan Perks coached the Peterborough Petes to a 3-2 victory over the Ottawa 67’s with a pre-game speech on Sunday.
Perks was part of 10 kids aged 5-12 selected by the Petes for their Next Gen game. The day allowed the children a chance to join the Petes hockey operations and entertainment staff and participate in their respective roles. Petes general manager Michael Oke had the kids sign one-day contracts in a press conference at the Peterborough Memorial Centre on Sunday.
The one-day coach was introduced by Petes assistant coach Andrew Verner as Perks motivated the team with a speech and announced the starting lineup for Sunday’s game.
"It was a dream come true going into the dressing room and give the speech,” said Perks.
Callan Perks (middle) signed a one-day contract as the Peterborough Petes Next Gen head coach on Sunday. Screenshot.
All applicants for a coaching position had to sent a video of a pre-game speech to the Petes before a game. Perks was in disbelief when we found out the Petes had selected him as the Next Gen head coach.
"I was so excited, it just felt awesome,” explained Perks. “I didn’t know I was going to get picked because there was a bunch of people. It was awesome to get the opportunity."
Perks wrote letters to several hockey players to send them well wishes and to stay strong during the season. He has sent them to teams such as the Toronto Maple Leafs, Ottawa Senators and Montréal Canadiens.
The six-year-old wants to be an NHL player when he grows up. He plans to be a hockey coach or general manager following his hockey-playing career.
Perks is a grade 2 student at Lakefield District Public School. He has skated since he was two and started playing hockey as a centreman when he was three.
His favourite NHL team is the Edmonton Oilers with Connor McDavid as his favourite player.
Ten children signed one-day contracts as Next Gen staff in a press conference held on Sunday. Photo Courtesy of the Peterborough Petes.
The following is the list of children selected for the Next Gen game:
Next Gen Head Coach - Callan Perks
Next Gen General Manager - Wynn Jennings
Next Gen Associate Coach - Jack Ingram
Next Gen Assistant Coach - Bodie MacGregor
Next Gen Assistant Coach - Londyn Panter
Next Gen Scout - Emerson Birkhoff
Next Gen Scout - Hadley Jennings
Next Gen Scout - Silas Saldovski
Next Gen PA Announcer - Oliver Ingram
Next Gen In-Game Host - Pyper Lypsett
