Peterborough Petes Pink In The Rink Supporting Five Local Hockey Moms Affected By Cancer

The Peterborough Petes 14th annual Pink in the Rink game against the Oshawa Generals to take place Saturday, Feb. 4 at 7:05 pm at the Peterborough Memorial Centre; supporting hockey moms affected by cancer.

photo courtesy of the peterborough petes.

The Petes will wear their special themed jerseys designed by Kyle McDonald, which highlight the names of nearly 200 people who have battled cancer. The jerseys feature a special PRHC Foundation shoulder crest and design inspired by classic hockey sweaters, which pay tribute to Peterborough’s deep hockey roots and the hockey moms that this year’s campaign is supporting.

Fans can get a sneak peak of the jerseys here.

The official game jerseys are available for purchase at the Pink in the Rink live post-game auction. To take part in the auction, fans are asked to move to the Gibson’s Finest Club Section immediately following the game. A game ticket is required to take part in the game-worn jersey auction. 

The 14th annual Pink in the Rink game will celebrate and honour Hockey Moms who have been affected by cancer.

These five local hockey moms have been named campaign ambassadors for this year’s Pink in the Rink campaign:

  • Jennie Ireland

  • Dara Gosselin

  • Elke Rye

  • Karen Tarkington

  • Dana Thorn

Fans can donate to Jennie, Dara, Elke, Karen and Dana through their personalized PRHC Foundation Pink in the Rink fundraising pages, with a charitable tax receipt available for supporters.

The hockey mom ambassadors will be honoured alongside PRHC Physician Ambassador Dr. Neera Jeyabalan during the pre-game ceremony, which will also include a video tribute to hundreds of cancer fighters before the puck is dropped.

Fans can support the campaign through an online auction and an in-person silent auction in the North Lobby on game night. Official Pink in the Rink t-shirts are also on sale leading up to and on game-night.

The limited edition Petes Lager featuring a Pink Can from Bobcaygeon Brewing Co. will donate 25 cents from each can to the Pink in the Rink campaign.

Proceeds from the Pink in the Rink campaign will support cancer care at PRHC. Lesley Heighway, PRHC Foundation President & CEO, says that with cancer volumes on the rise, donors are essential to the hospital’s ability to serve more patients, support earlier diagnosis and ensure safer, more effective treatments close to home. 

After raising a total of $900,000 over the past 13 years, the Petes previously announced that this year’s fundraising goal is $50,000, moving the team one step closer to the ultimate goal of $1 million dollar raised to fight cancer in Pink in the Rink’s history. 

“The number of patients from Peterborough and the surrounding area who rely on PRHC to support their cancer journey continues to climb,” said Heighway. “It’s events like Pink in the Rink and organizations like the Peterborough Petes – along with the people and businesses who support them –  that fund the tools our experts need to save and improve lives. With your help, we’ll continue investing in vital technology upgrades like our Interventional Radiology suites, where cancer is just one of the conditions treated, and experts perform minimally-invasive biopsies, install intravenous chemotherapy ports, and even offer precise, targeted cancer treatments – safely and quickly so patients can go home sooner.”

Tickets for the 14th annual Pink in the Rink game are sold out. Pending game day and visiting team hold requirements, a very small number of additional tickets may be released for sale on Saturday, February 4 at 1pm through the PMC Grant Thornton Box Office online, in-person, or at (705) 743-3561

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Minor AAA Petes Fundraising For Breast Cancer Research Through Hockey Battles Cancer

The AAA minor Petes’ teams will be supporting the U12 team’s fundraiser honouring Melissa Hinze; hitting the ice in their pink jerseys to raise awareness for Metastatic Breast Cancer from Jan. 27 to 29.

Photo courtesy of AAA Minor Petes.

The cause is near and dear to the hearts of many in the local hockey community, who believe specialized research into metastatic cancer is so needed.  

This fundraiser is in memory of Melissa Hinze, who lost her battle of stage four Metastatic Breast Cancer in the spring of 2022.

It was Melissa who began this fundraiser through the AAA minor Petes’ last year in hopes that more funds would be raised for cancer research through the Canadian Cancer Society. Her son’s U11 team raised just over $3,000 in this first fundraising event.

While in palliative care she mentioned one of her wishes was for this event to continue. Her husband Chris Hinze, along with their son Blake (11) and daughter Jasmine (13) were determined to see it through for another year.

Melissa passed away on May 11, 2022 after her six-year battle with cancer.

“It was very sudden, she went in for a day procedure and never came back out,” recalls Chris. “She had a great six years when she was battling it, she was an absolute trooper.”

Chris reached out to head coach of the U12 team Wayne Clark, and they began the efforts to celebrate Melissa’s life and raise money for cancer research through the second annual event.

He says 100 per cent of the money raised from this fundraiser, including toque sales and silent auction donations, will go towards cancer research.

“Our goal is to raise awareness. If women are feeling a sensation, or feeling a lump, don’t wait. Go in and get things looked after sooner rather than later,” says Chris, who hopes these earlier cancer measures and precautionary steps can ensure women don’t reach the stage four phase.

The U12 AAA Petes are being joined by the U10, U13, U14 and U15 teams repping their bright pink jerseys at their upcoming games. Chris says this is the first year having this many teams on board.

Schedule for the upcoming Hockey Battles Cancer Minor Petes Games.

The main event, taking place Sunday at 4:15 p.m. will have the U12 Petes facing Kingston at the Healthy Planet Arena. The event is free admission and is set to feature speeches and a ceremonial puck drop with Neave Alderson.

Alderson, a 15-year-old Ewing sarcoma survivor, handed the boys their pink fundraiser jerseys at the Kinsmen Civic Centre on Wednesday.

“My son handed her the jersey and she handed the hockey players their jerseys,” says Chris. “We tried to make it a really special thing, we want to make sure these boys know the importance of what it is they’re doing.”

At the time of this article, the fundraiser currently sits at $2,785 raised of their $4,000 goal.

“We really want to get the research out there, and to help doctors and scientists to figure out how to deal (passed) stage 1, and what happens when these women are at stage four,” says Chris. “Stage four should not be a death sentence. My wife lived six years via cancer (clinical) trials, research dedicated to just stage four cancer. You can’t put a price on that.”

To donate to Hockey Battles Cancer and support Metastatic Breast Cancer research, visit the link.

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The Peterborough Jesse’s Tap and Grill U13 AAA Petes Win the Icefest Tournament

The 2022-2023 Peterborough U13 AAA Petes take home the gold in the Boston Pizza Icefest championships against the Ottawa Valley Titans in the final game at the Healthy Planet Arena.

Photo courtesy of Erin Brioux (team manager)

After the team placed six of 10 in the preliminary rounds of the Thursday-Sunday tournament, they went on to beat both the Central Ontario Wolves 2-0 in the quarter-final game, and the Clarington Toroes 4-2.

In the semi-final game of the three-division, 36-team tournament, the boys scored three goals in the final 50 seconds of the game and secured there

During Sunday afternoon’s championship game, they beat the Ottawa Valley Titans 2-1 and took home the title. After putting the Petes on the board with a first period goal by Colton Adams, the Titans brought the score to 1-1 with 50 seconds left and their goalie pulled.

The tied score called for three-on-three overtime, and after three minutes a player from each team was removed. A goal was then scored by Evan Fitzgerald in the fifth minute, bringing the final score to 2-1.

After the U12 team’s loss in the semi-finals of the same tournament last year, the U13’s were determined to reclaim the title.

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Peterborough Petes Seeking Breakthrough Performances For Upcoming Training Camp

The Peterborough Petes began the season’s training camp looking for the team’s next breakout star with physical testing and assessments at Hybrid Sports on Tuesday.

Players were provided with shirts featuring the season sponsors and their surnames on the back. Photo by Luke Best.

Expectations are high for the players in the camp, both returning and new. Several athletes look to make their mark and land a full-time spot with the Petes for the coming season, ‘opportunity’ seemed to be the word of the day.

“Our message at the opening meeting today was that there is opportunity,” said Michael Oke, Petes general manager. “This week on the ice, during scrimmages and practices, an individual player has the chance to turn that word, ‘opportunity,’ into action.”

Smiling faces, handshakes and hugs were spotted on the players throughout the opening day of the training camp. There were 58 players that showed up to prove themselves and make a roster spot. The facility training was a welcome change from last year when COVID-19 forced additional precautions and private training sessions.

"We have made a lot of strides with the public health and public safety to the point where now we're pretty much back to normal," said Oke. "We still have to make sure that we are diligent and follow various protocols. Certainly, this year feels a lot more of a normal style of training camp and we're just simply excited to get going."

Fans are invited to attend the upcoming events or view them online from their Facebook page

The following is this year’s training camp schedule:

Wed., Aug. 31 

  • 8:30 a.m.: Team East Side Mario’s (White) vs Team Pat McCauley (Black) scrimmage 

  • 9:30 a.m.: Team Pat McCauley (Black) vs Team Hybrid (Maroon) scrimmage

  • 10:30 a.m.: Team Hybrid (Maroon) vs Team East Side Mario’s (White) scrimmage

  • 2:00 p.m.: Team East Side Mario’s (White) vs Team Pat McCauley (Black) scrimmage

  • 3:00 p.m.: Team East Side Mario’s (White) vs Team Hybrid (Maroon) scrimmage

  • 4:00 p.m.: Team Hybrid (Maroon) vs Team Pat McCauley (Black) scrimmage 

Thu., Sep. 1

  • 8:30 a.m.: Team Pat McCauley (Black) vs Team Hybrid (Maroon)  scrimmage 

  • 9:30 a.m.: Team East Side Mario’s (White) vs Team Pat McCauley (Black)  scrimmage

  • 10:30 a.m.: Team East Side Mario’s (White) vs Team Hybrid (Maroon) scrimmage               

  • 2:00 p.m.: Team Hybrid (Maroon) vs Team Pat McCauley (Black) scrimmage

  • 3:00 p.m.: Team Hybrid (Maroon) vs Team East Side Mario’s (White) scrimmage

  • 4:00 p.m.: Team East Side Mario’s (White) vs Team Pat McCauley (Black) scrimmage

Fri., Sep. 2

  • 9:00 a.m.: Team White on-ice practice

  • 10:15 a.m.: Team Maroon on-ice practice 

  • 4:05 p.m.: Maroon & White Game 

Sat., Sep. 3 

  • 10:30 a.m.: On-ice practice

Sun., Sep. 4 

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Peterborough Petes Release 2022 Training Camp Schedule

The Peterborough Petes have released their training camp schedule for this season where players are engaging in scrimmage and practices at the Peterborough Memorial Centre.

Photo courtesy of David Pickering and Peterborough Petes.

The Petes have invited fans are invited to attend the events or view them online from their Facebook page

The following is this year’s training camp schedule:

Tues., Aug. 30

Wed., Aug. 31 

  • 8:30 a.m.: Team East Side Mario’s (White) vs Team Pat McCauley (Black) scrimmage 

  • 9:30 a.m.: Team Pat McCauley (Black) vs Team Hybrid (Maroon) scrimmage

  • 10:30 a.m.: Team Hybrid (Maroon) vs Team East Side Mario’s (White) scrimmage

  • 2:00 p.m.: Team East Side Mario’s (White) vs Team Pat McCauley (Black) scrimmage

  • 3:00 p.m.: Team East Side Mario’s (White) vs Team Hybrid (Maroon) scrimmage

  • 4:00 p.m.: Team Hybrid (Maroon) vs Team Pat McCauley (Black) scrimmage 

Thu., Sep. 1

  • 8:30 a.m.: Team Pat McCauley (Black) vs Team Hybrid (Maroon)  scrimmage 

  • 9:30 a.m.: Team East Side Mario’s (White) vs Team Pat McCauley (Black)  scrimmage

  • 10:30 a.m.: Team East Side Mario’s (White) vs Team Hybrid (Maroon) scrimmage               

  • 2:00 p.m.: Team Hybrid (Maroon) vs Team Pat McCauley (Black) scrimmage

  • 3:00 p.m.: Team Hybrid (Maroon) vs Team East Side Mario’s (White) scrimmage

  • 4:00 p.m.: Team East Side Mario’s (White) vs Team Pat McCauley (Black) scrimmage

Fri., Sep. 2

  • 9:00 a.m.: Team White on-ice practice

  • 10:15 a.m.: Team Maroon on-ice practice 

  • 4:05 p.m.: Maroon & White Game 

Sat., Sep. 3 

  • 10:30 a.m.: On-ice practice

Sun., Sep. 4 

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Peterborough Petes Release Schedule For 2022 Development Camp

The Peterborough Petes have released the schedule for this weekend’s 2022 Development Camp.

On Friday from 6:30 to 9:00 p.m. , Petes Season Ticket Members will have the exclusive opportunity to be introduced to members of the 2022 U-16 and U-18 draft classes in the PMC restaurant.

The event will feature prizes, giveaways, food provided by Peterborough M&M Food Market, and a cash bar. Season Ticket Member can RSVP by calling (705) 743-3681 ext. 6000 or by sending the Petes ticket staff an email.

On Saturday from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., Petes prospects and free agent invites will hit the ice for practice sessions at the Peterborough Memorial Centre before scrimmaging from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.

The afternoon scrimmages will be streamed live on the Petes Facebook page and is also open to the public. Team rosters and a game program will be released on the weekend.

All players will also participate in fitness testing at Hybrid Sports during the weekend. This event will not be open to the public.

The official Development Camp program will be distributed on Saturday morning at 9:00 am, click here to sign up.

Fans can purchase the official 2022 Petes draft cap from the Petes Store now, while supplies last.

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Spirits Still High As Douro Dummer Falls Short Of Kraft Hockeyville Title

Though the Township of Douro Dummer did not claim the title of Kraft Hockeyville, spirits are still high in the hockey community.

After a Canada-wide vote, Sydney Nova Scotia has been named Kraft Hockeyville 2022.

Though they did not win the grand prize of $250, 000 they will still receive $25,000 towards renovations.

Celebrations continued at the Douro Community Centre, even after the news broke.

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Douro-Dummer A Top Four Contender In Bid For Canada-Wide Kraft Hockeyville Competition

The Township of Douro-Dummer has been named a top four contender for Kraft Hockeyville, announced during hockey Night in Canada on Saturday.

“When you see Douro-Dummer on the Sportsnet screen as part of Hockey Night in Canada, that’s a big deal,” said Kerri Riel, Douro Minor Hockey Association (DMHA) Secretary.

The Douro Community Centre is one of four community centers around Canada that are now competing to be named Kraft Hockeyville.

The winning community centre will receive $250,000 in renovations and the opportunity to host a pre-season NHL game in their community.

Online voting opens on May 6.

“If we were to be named winners, that $250,000 would be an amazing start,” said Riel. “This entire process has already been so amazing. It’s started some great conversations with our township, who has been incredibly supportive. It’s helped everyone see the need and reconnected our community in a way that was lost over the pandemic.”

If chosen, Riel says the money would go towards making an inclusive space for not only any member of the DMHA, but any member of the community.

“It’s providing the opportunity to present that building as not just a place for hockey but for a place to host weddings, special days and even other sports. We are working on making a place that can meet the growth of the community - not just hockey.”

Riel encourages those that wish to support the community to follow the Douro Minor Hockey Association on Facebook and Instagram to keep updated and be reminded on voting day.

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Darling Insurance Annual Chili Challenge Puts Funding In The Pot Ahead Of The Petes Pink In The Rink Game

The annual Chili Challenge, hosted by Darling Insurance at The Publican House, stirred the pot amongst local businesses, while contributing to fundraising efforts for the Peterborough Petes Pink in The Rink game and the Canadian Cancer Society.

Photo by Luke Best.

The challenge consisted of six teams, each with their own chili recipe.

The Publican House, Darling Insurance, Team Hanrahan with Century 21, the Romeo’s with Doug Gibson, Pink in the Rink co-ambassador, PTBOCanada and The Humane Society gathered at The Publican House to put their creations to the test.

The public was invited to come in and rank the top three chili’s, and donate to the cause.

Darling Insurance placed first, The Romeo’s second and The Publican House third.

To mark the occasion, Glenn Millar of Darling Insurance presented Doug Gibson with a cheque for $2828.28, 28 being Gibsons number when he played with the Petes.

The Pink in The Rink Game, to benefit The Canadian Cancer Society, will take place on April 9 at 7:05 p.m.

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New Canadians Centre Joins Peterborough Petes For A Try Hockey Night At The Memorial Centre

Newcomers to Peterborough got a taste of Canadian culture on Tuesday night with ‘Try Hockey’ presented by the Peterborough Petes.

Photos by Luke Best


Community members from countries all over the world joined Peterborough Ice Kats and Petes players on the ice before Tuesday’s Petes game.

Esther, who came to Peterborough from Peru eight years ago said Tuesday was her second time attempting to skate, though it was her first successful try.

“I was so scared before,” she said. “The first time I did it I was by myself on the canal. It was not a pleasant situation, I wanted to have the whole Canadian experience but it was not successful. But here with the help of the girls here it’s amazing.”

Esther says while there was no ice skating in Peru, before she came to Canada she knew what hockey was and that it was stereotypically Canadian.

While she joked that she didn’t know what she was doing on the ice, Esther has decided she will buy her own pair of skates for next winter.

“I didn’t know how much fun I was missing. What I love the most about this is feeling like you are flying. It’s a feeling I’ve never felt - you’re on the ice standing up on knives.”

@ptbo_canada Giving newcomers to PTBO the true Canadian experience thanks to @Peterborough Petes ‘Try Hockey’ night with the New Canadian Centre! #Canada #WelcomeToCanada #PTBOCanada ♬ The Hockey Song - Stompin' Tom Connors

The NCC first introduced the Try Hockey program in 2019, according to Jessica Devlin, Youth and Community Programs coordinator. Tuesdays event was the first time they had been on the ice since then due to COVID.

“This was super popular activity, people were super excited to try,” said Devlin. “For Peterborough hockey is such a big part of our culture. When new folks move here this is such a great chance to introduce some of the local culture, it’s amazing to introduce that and give them the chance to try the game.”

The event saw over 50 people, adults and children, on the ice followed by over 300 NCC clients in the stands to cheer on the Petes afterwards.

The Peterborough Petes organization provided equipment for participants, while Emterra and The Bob Gainey Foundation provided tickets to the game.

The night was complete with boxes and boxes of Timbits, for the full Canadian experience.

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