First Career Goal a Game-Winner For Former Peterborough Pete

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Former Peterborough Pete Akil Thomas’s first NHL goal was the game-winner for the Los Angeles Kings in a 2-1 victory over the San Jose Sharks at the SAP Center on Thursday night.

Thomas is well-known for his game-winning goal for Team Canada in the gold-medal game against Russia at the 2020 IIHF World Junior Championship in the Czech Republic. Twitter Photo of Los Angeles Kings.

It was Thomas’s second game in the NHL with the Kings after making his debut against the Winnipeg Jets on Monday night.

His goal came just over halfway through the first period. After winger Adrian Kempe scored for the Kings, Thomas scored 18 seconds later.

He joined teammates Pierre-Luc Dubois and Jordan Spence on the rush as they entered the offensive zone. After Spence left a drop pass for Thomas, the latter used the former and a Sharks defenceman as a screen to snap the puck past Sharks goaltender Mackenzie Blackwood, making it 2-0 for the Kings.

“It felt amazing,” said Thomas. “I just wanted to have a good first (period) and to score in the first period just made the nerves go away. It just made me feel a little bit more comfortable.”

The Sharks scored late in the third period with 1:52 left in the game to make it 2-1 but could not score again. That made Thomas’s goal the game-winner for the Kings.

He was acquired by the Petes in a trade from the Niagara IceDogs in Jan. 2020 for Cameron Butler, two second-round picks (2020, 2022), one third-round pick (2022) and a fourth-round pick (2024).

He played 22 games for the Petes, scoring nine goals and 31 assists before the Ontario Hockey League was shut down by the COVID-19 pandemic. Thomas was invited back to the Peterborough Memorial Centre for Game Three of the OHL Championship against the London Knights as part of the pre-game ceremonies to pump up the fans on May 15.

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Former Peterborough Pete Makes NHL Debut With Los Angeles Kings

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It was a few years in the making but former Peterborough Petes Akil Thomas made his NHL debut with the Los Angeles Kings who took on the Winnipeg Jets at the Canada Life Centre on Monday night.

Akil Thomas skating with a young fan prior to a game. Photo courtesy of the PEterborough Petes.

Thomas got his opportunity after centreman and former Montréal Canadien Philip Danault is day-to-day with an upper body injury. Thomas got to play on the fourth line with former Hamilton Bulldog Arthur Kaliyev and rookie Alex Laferriere. Thomas only logged 3:42 of ice time and was on the ice for the Jets’s first goal of the game.

“It's kind of a crazy couple of days and a lot has to be taken in pretty quick but I'm very thankful to be here,” said Thomas.

Thomas’s parents were in attendance for the game and drove roughly 22 hours to see their son in his debut. They were unable to get a flight in time and opted to drive from Toronto to Winnipeg for the game.

“It means the world with the injuries and everything so I'm very thankful for the opportunity and obviously having people come out and support me means the world to me,” said Thomas.

Thomas has struggled with injuries in the last two years. He missed the first half of the 2021-22 season and only played 40 games. The next year, he suffered another injury on Nov. 19 that ended his year after just 13 games.

Prior to being called up to the Kings, Thomas had 22 goals and 21 assists in 61 games with the Ontario Reign (the Kings’s AHL affiliate) this season.

He was acquired by the Petes in a trade from the Niagara IceDogs in Jan. 2020 for Cameron Butler, two second-round picks (2020, 2022), one third-round pick (2022) and a fourth-round pick (2024).

He played 22 games for the Petes, scoring nine goals and 31 assists before the Ontario Hockey League was shut down by the COVID-19 pandemic. Thomas was invited back to the Peterborough Memorial Centre for Game Three of the OHL Championship against the London Knights as part of the pre-game ceremonies to pump up the fans on May 15.

Thomas is well-known for his game-winning goal for Team Canada in the gold-medal game against Russia at the 2020 IIHF World Junior Championship in the Czech Republic.

Thomas was drafted by the Kings in 2018 in the second round, 51st overall. Following his OHL career, Thomas spent time with the Kings’ AHL affiliate, the Ontario Reign since the 2020-21 season.

The Kings lost to the Jets 4-3 with a late goal from Winnipeg in the third.

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Peterborough Petes Commemorate Staff and Players in Annual Year-End Ceremony; Head Coach Rob Wilson Signs Eight-Year Extension

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To mark the end of the regular season, Peterborough Petes staff, family and friends attended the team’s annual year-end awards ceremony at The Venue on Tuesday.

In addition to winning the Petes Executive Trophy, Petes goaltender Liam Sztuska (left) was a recipient of the Molson Cup (most three-star selections voted by media). pHOTO BY dAVID tUAN bUI.

Michael Oke, Petes general manager, made a surprise announcement that the organization has signed head coach Rob Wilson to an eight-year contract extension through the 2031-32 season.

“I’m very privileged to be head coach of the Peterborough Petes and I do feel that,” said Wilson.

Wilson was the teams’s 23rd Head Coach in May 2018. Wilson has amassed 154 wins, clinching a playoff spot in four of his five seasons in his tenure with the Petes. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

Following speeches from Wilson and team president Dave Lorentz, captain Johnathan Melee gave a public address in which he recognized his teammates, staff, and several others for supporting the organization throughout the season.

After the speeches, the following awards were presented:

  • Mark Teevens Memorial Award (most assists) – Tommy Purdeller (34 assists)

  • Ed Redmond Memorial Trophy (scholastics and hockey) – Brody Partridge

  • Outboard Marine Veterans Award (sportsmanship and ability) – Jonathan Melee

  • Black’s Family Trophy (rookie of the year) – Carson Cameron

  • Vince and Lottie Garvey Award (off-ice contribution) – Tracy and Chip Adamo

  • Molson Cup (most three-star selections voted by media) – Liam Sztuska

  • Donnie Marsh Memorial Trophy (most dedication to team) – Cam Gauvreau

  • Ed Rowe Memorial Award (most goals) – Braydon McCallum (18 goals)

  • Norm Bryan Award (most improved player) – Braydon McCallum

  • Ushers Trophy (best defenceman) – Carson Cameron

  • Bill Bennett/CKPT Memorial Award (leading scorer) – Tommy Purdeller (47 points)

  • Gary Dalliday Award (community service) – Tommy Purdeller

  • Petes Executive Trophy (most valuable player voted by teammates) – Liam Sztuska

The Board of Directors and Alumni Association presented gifts to the graduating and overage players:

  • Liam Sztuska

  • Quinn Binnie

  • Chase Lefebvre

  • Jonathan Melee

  • Ryder McIntyre

  • Tommy Purdeller

  • Cam Gauvreau

Oke ended the night with a speech, acknowledging the players, hockey and business staff, billets, parents and fans. He then continued by marking on- and off-ice achievements this season.

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Chase Lefebvre's Hat Trick Leads Peterborough Petes to Second-Straight Home Win Over Kingston Frontenacs, 5-3

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Chase Lefebvre’s first career hat trick lifts the Peterborough Petes over the Kingston Frontenacs for a 5-3 win at the Peterborough Memorial Centre on Wednesday night.

pHOTO Bcourtesy of Kenneth Andersen and the Peterborough Petes.

The Frontenacs struck first as Petes goaltender Liam Sztuska opted to play the puck around his net and was picked up by Kingston’s Ethan Miedema. He took a sharp-angle shot but was saved. Matthew Soto quickly snapped it on the rebound and got it through for a 1-0 lead.

Peterborough got a powerplay roughly halfway through the period to try to get the equalizer. Quinton Pagé ripped a shot but was stopped by Kingston goaltender Mason Vaccari. However, Lefebvre had a juicy rebound and buried it at a wide-open net for a 1-1 tie.

The visitors got a powerplay opportunity late in the first frame. They regained the lead after Jacob Battaglia circled the offensive zone and shot against the grain, top corner to restore Kingston’s lead, 2-1.

Lefebvre responded once again for the Petes late in the second period on the man advantage. Nico Addy made a long pass in the offensive zone and Lefebvre's tip-in tied the game at two apiece heading into the third period.

The Petes earned their first lead of the game as Ryder Macintyre threw one at the net and Cam Gauvreau tipped it in front and scored for a 3-2 lead.

Kingston pulled their goalie with less than two minutes left in the game but Braydon McCallum got the puck in the defensive zone and sent it nearly 200 feet for the empty-net goal.

The Frontenacs kept things interesting. With the goalie still pulled, a point shot got deflected and created a loose puck situation. Both teams scrambled for it and Gabriel Frasca was able to get it past Sztuska for a 4-3 game with 1:26 left in regulation.

Lefebvre put the game out of reach, taking a shot from the neutral zone and buried the empty-netter for his first career OHL hat trick and a 5-3 Petes win.

The Frontenacs can get revenge on the Petes when the two teams head to Kingston on Friday for a 7 p.m. game at the Slush Puppie Place.

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Peterborough Petes Split Weekend Games, 10 Points Out of Playoff Spot

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The Peterborough Petes won and lost in back-to-back games over the weekend against the Niagara IceDogs and Brantford Bulldogs respectively and are now 10 points out of a playoff spot.

pHOTO Bcourtesy of Kenneth Andersen and the Peterborough Petes.

The Petes are 10 points behind the Barrie Colts who occupy the last playoff spot in the Eastern Conference with 56 points but the latter has yet to clinch a postseason berth.

Peterborough has six games remaining while Barrie has eight in the regular season.

The Petes started their weekend with a 7-5 win over the last-place Niagara IceDogs in a high-scoring affair at the Peterborough Memorial Centre on Saturday night.

The home team was down 2-1 late in the first period. At the end of the second, they tied the game at three and then exploded with four goals. Braydon McCallum could have scored an empty-net goal for a hat trick but he selflessly gave Ryder McIntyre the honour for his own and first career OHL three-goal game.

The defending OHL champions travelled to Brantford to take on the Bulldogs but lost 7-2.

After the first period, the Petes found themselves in a 2-1 deficit again. They failed to score in the second while letting in a goal for a 3-1 score. Unlike against Niagara, the Petes allowed several goals in the third including a four-goal flurry from the Bulldogs to Peterborough’s one.

The Petes will attempt to keep their playoff hopes alive when they host the Kingston Frontenacs on Wednesday at home. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:05 p.m.

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Peterborough Petes Cannot Hold Lead For Long, Lose 4-2 to the Erie Otters At Home

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The Peterborough Petes struck first but failed to hold their lead as they lost 4-2 to the Erie Otters at the Peterborough Memorial Centre on Pride Night on Thursday.

Photo courtesy of Kenneth Andersen and the Peterborough Petes.

The Petes drew first blood owning a two-man advantage over the visiting Otters. Caden Taylor beat the goaltender short-side just outside the faceoff circle for a 1-0 lead just halfway through the opening period.

The lead was short-lived as less than two minutes later, Peterborough turned the puck over in their own zone from a bank pass and Erie capitalized with Martin Misiak scoring at point-blank range for a 1-1 tie.

Petes goaltender Zach Bowen was down on the ice whiel play was still going. He recovered somewhat but made a huge glove save, robbing Bruce McDonald. However, he did not get all of the puck and Wesley Royston buried the loose change for a 2-1 lead after one.

Only one goal was scored in the second and it belonged to former Pete, Sam Alfano. Brett Bressette fought through two Peterborough defenders but eventually got sandwiched on the rush. However, on a last-ditch effort, a one-handed pass was made for Alfano and he scored on the backhand while falling to make it 3-1 after two.

The Otters maintained pressure in the third. Carey Terrance sniped a one-timer from the faceoff circle for the insurance marker and a 4-1 lead just five minutes in. Ryder McIntyre scored with 5:46 left in the game off two fortunate bounces to make it 4-2 but that was all the Petes could muster and fell to the Otters.

The Petes travel to Owen Sound to face the Attack on Sunday to round out their season series. Puck drop is scheduled for 6 p.m. at the Harry Lumley Bayshore Community Centre with the Official Road Game Watch Party at Shoeless Joe’s Peterborough.

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Peterborough Petes Drop Pair of Weekend Road Games; Eight Points Out of Playoff Spot

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The Peterborough Petes woes continue as they dropped a pair of road games to the Sudbury Wolves on Friday and Soo Greyhounds on Saturday and find themselves eight points out of a playoff spot behind the Barrie Colts.

Photo courtesy of the Peterborough Petes.

The Petes had a rare Thursday night off before playing in back-to-back road games starting with the Sudbury Wolves.

While Peterborough had a great start with a 2-0 lead in the first period, they could not hold it going into the third as Sudbury tied things up to force overtime.

With two minutes left in the extra frame, Sudbury had an odd-man rush and capitalized on a one-timer for the 3-2 comeback win.

Peterborough had to put the game behind them quickly as they took on the Soo Greyhounds on Saturday night.

Petes goaltender Liam Sztuska was peppered all night as the Greyhounds had 14 shots on net each period.

Soo got to a hot start and never looked back, scoring three goals in the first to Peterborough’s one in the first period.

The home team continued their momentum with two more goals as the Petes were shut out in the second.

Peterborough drew even in goals with one apiece with the Greyhounds but led to a 6-2 loss, dropping their record to 17-32-7.

The Petes are eight points behind the Barrie Colts who occupy the final playoff spot in the East Division. The team has 12 games left in the regular season to try and right the ship for a postseason bid.

Five teams in the East have already clinched a playoff spot in the London Knights Sudbury Wolves, North Bay Battalion, Oshawa Generals and Mississauga Steelheads. The Ottawa 67’s, Kingston Frontenacs and Barrie Colts occupy the next three spots in the conference but have yet to secure a playoff berth.

The Petes come home to play the Erie Otters this Thursday for Pride Night in support of Sport A Rainbow. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. at the Peterborough Memorial Centre.

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Petes Next Gen Game Gets Away From Peterborough After Six Unanswered Goals From Visiting Kitchener Rangers, 6-2

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The Petes started well but let the game slip away as the visitng Kitchener Rangers scored six unanswered goals for a 6-2 Petes loss at the Peterborough Memorial Centre on Monday afternoon.

Photo courtesy of Kenneth Andersen and the Peterborough Petes.

This was the Petes Next Gen game that allowed children selected by Five Counties Children’s Centre to experience the day-to-day operations of running an OHL team.

The children were introduced at a press conference a few hours prior to the game.

These positions included:

  • General Manager

  • Head Coach

  • Assistant Coach

  • Scouts

  • PA Announcer

  • In-Game Host

  • Radio Broadcaster

This year’s Next Gen participants. Photo courtesy of the Peterborough Petes.

The Petes had a good start to the period just under six minutes into the game. Caden Taylor had a sharp-angle bid that slipped by Rangers goaltender Tristan Malboeuf for a 1-0 lead.

Peterborough got another goal on the board as Chase Lefebvre drove towards the net while tied up with a Kitchener defender. He managed to get a shot off but was save by Malboeuf. A rebound was available and as bodies piled up in front of the net, Ryder McIntyre pounced on the puck and backhanded it in for a 2-0 lead.

Unfortunately for Peterborough, the game went downhill from there. Just under a minute left in the period with four-on-four action, Kitchener was in the attacking zone and played the puck from behind the net. A pass missed the mark for the intended target but the Rangers but the puck fortuitously ended up on Carson Rehkopf’s stick and he beat Liam Sztuska to the cut the lead in half at the end of the first.

It was not long before the Rangers tied the game as 66 seconds in, they had 1:58 of powerplay time off a late Lefebvre penalty. Eduard Šalé was able to snipe one past Sztuska from the faceoff dot and make it a 2-2 game.

With just under two minutes left in the second period, Simon Motew was able to rip one through traffic from just inside the faceoff circle for Kitchener’s first lead of the game, 3-2.

The Rangers looked to run away with the game early in the third with a pair of goals in 92 seconds with scores from Rehkopf (his second of the game and Matthew Sop with beautiful deking to make it 5-2.

The Petes had a chance to get back in the game as Matthew Andonovski got a foul-from-behind penalty on Nico Addy that resulted in a penalty shot. He tried to go high glove-side with his shot but it was snatched by Malboeuf.

The Rangers finished off Peterborough by causing a neutral-zone turnover resulting in a three-on-one situation. Tanner Lam opted to keep the puck for himself and shoot which resulted in the right decision and a goal. That made it 6-2 as the final score and the Petes take another loss, falling in nine of their last 10 games.

The Petes will get several days rest before hitting the road to Sudbury to take on the Central Divison-leading Wolves — who have already clinched a playoff spot — at the Sudbury Community Arena on Friday. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. with the Official Road Game Watch Party at Shoeless Joe’s on Lansdowne Street.

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Peterborough Petes Routed In 11-1 Landslide To Brantford Bulldogs

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The Peterborough Petes have seen better days as they had a rough going on the road, being routed 11-1 by the Branftord Bulldogs at the Brantford Civic Centre on Sunday afternoon.

Photo courtesy of Brandon Taylor and the Peterborough PEtes.

Florian Xhekaj — brother of Montréal Canadiens defenceman Arber Xhekaj — opened the scoring for Brantford late in the first period with a one-timer. Zakary Lavoie joined on the scoring to put up a 2-0 lead with a one-timer shortly after the Bulldogs won the faceoff. That was the score heading into the second period.

Peterborough found themselves on the scoreboard after killing off a four-on-three penalty kill. Jake O’Brien tried to deke around the Petes defence but Tommy Purdeller pickpocketed the Brantford captain and had a breakout stretch pass to Johnathan Melee. The Petes captain did a spin-o-rama dek and sniped it on the backhand to cut the deficit in half for a 2-1 game.

Unfortunately, it was all downhill for the rest of the game for Peterborough. Two minutes later, Brantford scored three straight goals in a 2:21 span to bring their lead to four with a 5-1 game.

Late in the frame, Peterborough had a massive opportunity as they got a five-minute powerplay after a check-to-the-head major penalty from Daniil Sobolev. He also got a game misconduct for the hit. In an ironic twist, Brantford scored three goals shorthanded on the same penalty kill thanks to Ben Bujold, Lawson Sherk and Xhekaj to round out the period.

The Bulldogs tacked on three more goals in the final stanza while suppressing Peterborough’s offence for an 11-1 beatdown.

The Petes will have to shake off the loss and get ready for Thursday as they host the Guelph Storm at the Peterborough Memorial Centre with the puck drop at 7:05 p.m.

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Photos: Peterborough Petes Alumnus Chris Pronger Holds Whiskey Bottle Signing At Local LCBO

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It was a spirited homecoming for Peterborough Petes Alumnus and Stanley Cup champion Chris Pronger as he held a bottle signing of his whiskey brand ‘JRNY’ at the LCBO on Lansdowne Street and Goodfellow Road on Thursday afternoon.

Roughly 20 people were lined up outside the LCBO prior to his bottle signing and several more joined in throughout the two-hour timeframe to get autographs including on their respective hockey apparel and photographs.

The whiskey was created alongside his brother and former NHLer Sean Pronger who was also present during the bottle signing.

Chris played for two seasons with the Petes from 1991 to 1993. The Hart Memorial Trophy-winning defenceman scored 32 goals and 107 assists in two seasons with the Petes.

Chris is performing the ceremonial puck drop for the Peterborough Petes game as they host the rival Oshawa Generals on the same night.

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