Peterborough Huskies Coach, Families & Team Members In Shock After Charges Laid Against Co-Founders

Team members of the Peterborough Huskies—a special needs hockey team that has captured the heart of the city and beyond—are in shock and reeling after the news that its co-founders Dave Tuck and Catherine Tuck have been charged with fraud over $5,000 following an investigation into the misuse of funds from this local non-profit organization.

"Earlier in 2016, the Peterborough Police Service’s Fraud Unit began an investigation involving the co-accused fraudulently obtaining and using funds for personal use that had been donated to a Peterborough based non-profit organization," according to a police media release. "The total fraud is in excess of $5,000." The co-accused were held in custody and are scheduled to appear in court on Thursday (November 3rd).

Longtime Peterborough Huskies Head Coach Chris (J-Boy) Williams tells PTBOCanada he and the team are in complete shock, and trying to pick up the pieces after this devastating news.

"What a kick in the teeth," Coach Williams says. "I am trying to figure out what the next move is and how to keep the team on the ice. We have a lot of understandably upset parents and players right now."

Peterborough Huskies coach Chris J-Boy Williams with one of players

Williams tells PTBOCanada he is trying to figure out a way to save the team, which has changed the lives of so many special needs kids in the community:

"I think we will most definitely need to do something to keep this going," he says. "I am going to try and find out if we have any money left, how much ice time is paid for, etc. I'm going to say no money and no ice time which is so sad for the players. I've received messages from players that can't comprehend what's going on."

The Peterborough Huskies were set to host a Special Needs International Hockey tournament next year in Peterborough which would bring dozens of teams and thousands of families to the city, and that, too, is now very much in jeopardy, Coach Williams tells PTBOCanada.

"I'm really concerned about whether that tournament can happen now," he says, adding, "I've reached out to the VP of Special Needs International for advice."

For now, Coach Williams is hoping someone in the community will step up with money to help the players, volunteers and families save the team. This is about the kids and their needs and always has been for Coach Williams.

Right now, he and the team are at a loss for words.

Email Coach Williams here if you think you can help.

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King George Mascot Surprises Kids At Peterborough Huskies Special Needs Banquet

The Peterborough Huskies organization have developed a wide range of sports teams for special needs kids, where everyone plays regardless of their ability.

At the 3rd Annual Peterborough Huskies banquet that took place Saturday night (Aprll 16th) at Knights of Columbus, one of the highlights was when King George—the popular mascot for downtown Peterborough—surprised the kids by crashing the banquet.

The smiles on the kids faces was amazing to see. "The were all over George," Eileen Kimmett tells PTBOCanada. "They didn't want him to go!"

Check out more amazing pictures below Eileen took of George entertaining the kids...

The Huskies are going to put Peterborough on the map further in 2017 when they host an international special needs tournament here with teams coming from around the world.

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Special Weber Brothers Christmas Album Release Party & Musical Play December 19th

The Weber Brothers have a special night planned for Saturday, December 19th at the Market Hall you don't want to miss—a Christmas album release party as well as a self-penned Christmas play entitled When Christmas Falls on Peterborough.

The night is in support of their 10th album, A Weber Brothers Christmas. This self-penned, never-before-seen, one-night-only Christmas play—which happens to be set in Peterborough—will be the sleigh that delivers these songs to the good boys and girls at the Market Hall.

In keeping with the Christmas spirit of giving, a portion of proceeds will be donated to the amazing Peterborough Huskies Special Needs Hockey Team.

The Weber Brothers Christmas Play/Album Release—with special guest Brock Zeman—takes place on December 19th at Market Hall. Doors open at 7 p.m., and the show begins at 8 p.m. An all ages event, tickets are $25 and available at the Market Hall box office at 705.775.1503 and Moondance Records, 705.742.9425.

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Luke Heard's Haunted House Raises $1,200 For Peterborough Huskies

Peterborough's Luke Heard hosted an Open House for his Halloween haunted house he created on Walker Avenue, with all proceeds going to the Peterborough Huskies special needs hockey team.

Luke Heard (in beard) pictured at Halloween skate announcement

"Thanks to the amazing Luke Heard and his volunteers, $1,200 was raised," Cathie Tuck, co-founder of the Peterborough Huskies, tells PTBOCanada.

The announcement was made during the Huskies' Halloween skate on Saturday.

One again, individuals like the amazing Luke Heard show that anyone can make a tremendous difference to the community.

Peterborough Huskies co-founder Dave Tuck with Luke Heard

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Peterborough Huskies Coach Converts Bedroom Into Gear Warehouse For Special Needs Team

The special needs hockey team Peterborough Huskies team continues to grow in popularity—and numbers. In doing so, they have to make room for all the equipment somewhere. 

To create space, Huskies Head Coach Chris J-Boy Williams converted what was once a basement bedroom in his house into a Huskies gear warehouse.

BEFORE

AFTER

The Huskies team is not only amping up for a new season but team management have already begun planning the International Special Needs hockey tournament they landed. That takes place here in Peterborough in March 2017 and is a major tournament to coordinate, with 75 teams and about 1,500 players coming into town for that.

Email the Huskies here if you're interesting in sponsoring the team/tournament or helping out in anyway.

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Best Thing Ever: Man In Wheelchair Fulfills Lifelong Dream By Playing Ice Hockey With Peterborough Huskies

Robbie

The Peterborough Huskies, a special needs hockey team for males/females of all ages where everyone plays regardless of their ability, has introduced a new player to the team: Robbie, age 35, who had his first practice with the team on Sunday (October 20th). Robbie plays in a wheelchair. Huskies Coach Chris J-Boy Williams tells us Robbie has cerebral palsy, but "has had a lifelong dream to play ice hockey and the Huskies were there to make that happen." Robbie, who is a huge Toronto Maple Leafs fan (his favourite player is Jonathan Bernier), is one of the first players to play on a hockey team in a wheelchair. Indeed, Coach Williams tells us he did "research to find out if there were any other players within SHI (Special Hockey International) using a wheelchair, and I was unable to find anyone else in any organization anywhere in the world which included these players." Take a look at pictures from Robbie's first practice below...

Robbie's first practice with the Peterborough Huskies is awesome

This is how the @PtboHuskies are changing lives and when we say everyone plays you better believe it! pic.twitter.com/upWHyDWKkN

— Chris J-Boy Williams (@Jayboy_Williams) October 19, 2014

Since Robbie has joined the Peterborough Huskies, Coach Williams tells PTBOCanada he has had two other wheelchair players show interest in joining the Huskies—and that the Huskies have already began looking into the purchase of a used mobility minibus so that they will be able to travel with the team!

So how does Robbie "skate" in his wheelchair on the ice? Coach Williams tells us for now "we fastened a board to the front of the chair and I had Robbie work on his puck control. Within a few minutes, he found his way to the net and scored his first goal!"

Goal!

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Peterborough Huskies Hosting Fundraising Event At The Venue October 17th

Peterborough Huskies

The Peterborough Huskies, a local special needs hockey team that we're a proud media sponsor of, is hosting a fundraising event Friday, October 17th from 6:30 pm to 9:30 pm at The Venue (286 George St.). This "Womanless Beauty Pageant" fundraiser features a great group of guys who will be competing for the title of Miss Peterborough Huskies 2014. They will be judged by a panel of 4 female judges who will decide the winner. There is also a 50/50 Draw, Silent Auction, Door Prizes, and more! Tickets are just $5 each and can be purchased at the door or in advance. This is a wristband event.

More information in the poster below...

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Here Are Pictures From The Peterborough Huskies Awesome Banquet

The Peterborough Huskies, a Special Needs Hockey team for males/females ages 5-85+, celebrated their inaugural end of the season Banquet and BBQ on Sunday, June 8th at the Canadian Scottish Club of Peterborough. More than 100 players, families, volunteers and community supporters gathered to celebrate a very successful first season. Everyone was entertained with not only delicious food but a fun photo booth, trophy presentations and speeches acknowledging these amazing players! For information on the team—they are always looking for new players to join—visit Peterboroughhuskies.com or contact Cathie Tuck at 705-768-8542. Here are pictures from the banquet...

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