Hometown PTBO: Dave Pogue Speaks About His Past Work Ventures, Team55 and Suicide Awareness and the Peterborough Petes This Fall

This week on Hometown PTBO, Pete Dalliday speaks to Peterborough Petes President Dave Pogue about his work history, Team55 tackling suicide awareness and a sneak peek on the upcoming OHL season.

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Peterborough Petes General Manager Michael Oke Signs Two-Year Contract Extension

The Peterborough Petes have signed General Manager Michael Oke to to a two-year contract extension, through the conclusion of the 2021-22 season. His current contract was set to expire at the end of the 2019-20 campaign.

Under Oke, the Petes currently sit in first place in the Ontario Hockey League, and have been listed in the Kia CHL Top 10 rankings for three consecutive weeks. The team has compiled a record of 197-191-10-24, including three playoff series wins, five playoff appearances, and the team’s first division title since 2006 with Oke at the helm.

Petes GM Mike Oke with Petes President Dave Pogue

“The Board of Directors is pleased to extend Mike’s contract in recognition of the steady progress the organization has made under his leadership,” says President Dave Pogue.

“This extension adds stability to our organization in the midst of a season of high expectations, and current players and prospects can have continued confidence in the Hockey Operations department moving forward. Mike has done a great deal to improve the operations of the Peterborough Petes, and the Board felt this was the right time to show our appreciation for his hard work.” 

Mike Oke signing the contract

“I’m grateful for the opportunity to continue in this role, and for the confidence that the Board of Directors has shown in me by offering this extension,” says Oke.

“I’m very pleased with the group we have assembled and the growth we are continuing to experience on and off the ice. Our coaches have done a good job of working with and developing players individually and collectively as a team, while our scouting staff has been diligent in identifying players—through drafts, trades, and free agency—who have and will become key pieces of our team.”

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Neil Sanderson Of Three Days Grace Special Guest Speaker At Team 55's 6th Annual Friday Night Lights

On September 21st, all of Peterborough and beyond is invited to Thomas A. Stewart Secondary School for the annual Friday Night Lights, a Team 55 event supporting suicide prevention through the Canadian Mental Health Association, Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge

While the event has drawn big crowds in the past, organizers hope this year will be even bigger as they embrace the opportunity to showcase the community’s passion for suicide awareness and mental health to the Parliamentary Assistant to Ontario’s Minister of Health, who is expected to be in attendance.

From left to right: Dave Pogue from Team 55, Jack Veitch from CMHA and Jeff Challice from TASSS.

“We really need to get as many people to TASSS on Friday night as possible—we want to pack the place,” says Dave Pogue, founder of Team 55: Let’s Tackle Suicide Awareness.

At the opening ceremonies, this year’s special guest will be speaker Neil Sanderson of Three Days Grace. The Canadian band, including the Adam Scott alumnus, is about to embark on a European tour before returning for a Canadian tour in late November.

Friday Night Lights begins September 21st at noon with games and a barbeque, and the Open Ceremonies start at 6 p.m. The main event kick-off is at 7 p.m.

For more on Friday Night Lights and Team 55, watch this recent interview we conducted with
Dave Pogue on PTBOCanada show…

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Watch: Dave Pogue On Team 55, Mental Health, Peterborough Petes & Community

On Episode 23 of our show PTBOCanada, Dave Pogue talks about the impact Team 55: Let's Tackle Suicide Awareness is having in raising awareness and funds around mental health programs.

Dave Pogue on "PTBOCanada" show

Dave's son Mitchell took his own life in 2013, and shortly thereafter he decided to start the Team 55 program after approaching the Canadian Mental Health Association local chapter. He had no idea at the time the impact it would have, as the program is going stronger than ever since its inception more than five years ago.

Watch the episode below as Pogue—also President of the Peterborough Petes—talks about Team 55, Friday Night Lights, the Canadian Mental Health Association, the Petes and community love...

Engage with us on social media on TwitterInstagram and Facebook. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for PTBOBuzz newsletter here. Watch our PTBOCanada Love video here.