Photos: Hockey Benders Hit Lansdowne Place For Meet-and-Greet As Part of Canadian Mall Tour

Cole Lequier and Aiden Dale, also known as “The Hockey Benders,” had fun with fans in a meet-and-greet event at Lansdowne Place as part of their Canadian Summer Mall Tour.

Hockey Benders Cole Lequier (left) and Aiden Dale (right) walk through the large queue of fans waiting to get their photos taken and autographs. All photos by David Tuan Bui.

The pair are known for their hockey branding and apparel and social media videos.

Fans could have their photos taken with the duo, purchase their merchandise, have their autographs taken and quickly chat with them.

Their tour has four Ontario stops including Kingston, Ottawa, Oshawa and Peterborough as the last city of their Eastern leg.

They continue their tour, heading west to Fort McMurray, Edmonton, Calgary, and Medicine Hat.

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Three Peterborough Petes Invited to Hockey Canada Program of Excellence Summer Camps

Peterborough Petes forward Colin Fitzgerald (U18) and 2025 draft picks Kieran Raynor (U17) and Kaden McGregor (U17) were all invited to attend Hockey Canada’s U18 and U17 Program of Excellence Summer Camps, announced on Thursday.

McGregor (left), Fitzgerald (middle) and Raynor (right). Photo courtesy of the Peterborough Petes.

“Congratulations to Colin, Kieran, and Kaden on their recognition by Hockey Canada,” said Michael Oke, general manager and vice president of operations. “This is a great opportunity for them all to compete with some of the best Under 18 talent in Canada. We wish the three of them the best of luck as they hit the ice with the ultimate goal of representing Canada at the Hlinka Gretzky and U17 World Challenge later this year.”

Fitzgerald, an Otonabee native, has been invited to the U18 camp after a rookie season with the Petes, which saw him score 12 goals and add 16 assists for 28 points in 48 games. The Petes initially selected him with the third overall pick in the 2024 OHL Priority Selection from the Peterborough Petes U16s. Fitzgerald has experience playing for Canada, after winning a silver medal with Canada Red at the 2024 U17 World Challenge.

The U18 Selection camp will take place from July 29 to Aug.1 at the Sixteen Mile Sports Complex in Oakville.. Players at the U18 camp will have the opportunity to represent Canada at the 2025 Hlinka Gretzky Cup, which takes place from August 11-16 in Brno (Czechia) and Trenčín (Slovakia).

Petes 2025 draft picks Kieran Raynor and Kaden McGregor were both selected to take part in the Under-17 National Development Camp.

Raynor, a forward from St. Catharines, was originally selected by the Petes in the second round, 27th overall, in the 2025 OHL Priority Selection. He featured in 27 games for the Niagara North Stars U16’s last season, scoring 29 goals and adding 23 assists for 52 points. He then added five goals and eight assists for 13 points in eight playoff games, helping the North Stars to a place in the OMHA Championships and the OHL Cup. Raynor also skated in three games last season for the GOJHL’s St. Catharines Falcons, picking up one assist. 

McGregor, a forward from Braeside, was selected by the Petes with the first overall pick in the 2025 OHL Priority Selection, winning the OHL’s Jack Ferguson Award as the league’s number one pick. Last season, he captained the Ottawa Valley Titans U16 to an HEO Championship, leading the league with 38 goals and 44 assists for 82 points. McGregor added another 24 points in nine playoff games, becoming the first Petes draft pick to win HEO Player of the Year since Mason McTavish in 2019. In the OHL Cup, McGregor scored three goals and added eight assists for 11 points, earning a spot on the tournament all-star team.

The 2025 U17 World Challenge begins on Oct. 31.

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City Seeking Feedback For Sherin Avenue Boat Launch Rehabilitation Project

The City of Peterborough is inviting the community to share feedback on the planned rehabilitation of the Sherin Avenue boat launch.

Photo courtesy of the City of Peterborough.

An information session is taking place on July 31 at the Admiralty Hall at Peterborough Naval Memorial Park, 24 Whitlaw St., at 6 p.m. 

Due to its current condition, the Sherin Avenue boat launch is closed. It is the only public boat launch located south of Lock 19.  

Residents can also share their input through a survey. The survey can be found at connectptbo.ca/sherin-boat-launch. 

The survey closes July 25.  

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Two Teenagers Arrested After Incident With Peterborough Police

Two teenagers are facing charges after an incident Wednesday evening. 

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

At roughly 10:30 p.m., officers on bike patrol near the train bridge in the George Street and Dalhousie Street area spotted a 15-year-old female wanted for theft in June.

The youth started resisting arrest, yelling and screaming and causing a disturbance. A 15-year-old male attempted to stop the arrest and swung at an officer before fleeing the scene. He was located by other officers and taken into custody. While at the station, the female kicked a Special Constable. 

The female was arrested and charged with:

• Assault peace officer x2

• Assault with intent to resist arrest

• Cause disturbance

• Theft under $5000

The male was arrested and charged with:

• Assault with intent to resist arrest

• Breach of Recognizance

Both accused were released on an undertaking and are scheduled to appear in court on Aug. 25.

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City Encourages Residents to Help Water City Trees During Heat Wave

The City of Peterborough is encouraging residents to help water newly planted City trees on road allowances and boulevards next to homes as the hot weather continues.

File Photo.

Young or newly planted trees are especially vulnerable to heat stress and drought.

The City installs watering bags on newly planted trees and will fill those bags as needed.

However, community support is sometimes requested during heat events to help keep new trees hydrated. Residents are encouraged to fill watering bags once or twice a week during hot, dry weather. 

This community involvement helps ensure that new and young trees establish strong roots and thrive in the long term, contributing to the City's green infrastructure and urban canopy. 

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One City Executive Director Out After 13-Year Tenure

Christian Harvey, One City PTBO executive director has stepped down from his role after 13 years of service, as reported on their official Facebook page on Monday.

Photo courtesy of One City PTBO.

Harvey ‘moved on’ from the role as the organization’s founding executive director just two weeks after City Council voted 6-5 to cease maintaining service enhancements to the Trinity Community Centre that were funded through reserves.

The Centre provides a minimum-barrier space for individuals who are marginalized and/or unsheltered in the City of Peterborough, through the provision of two programs: A daytime drop-in program and an overnight program, according to One City’s website.

Council’s decision saved $514,080 in the 2026 budget ($269,280 to enhance the Trinity Overnight Drop-in Program and $244,800 to expand the operating hours at Trinity's daytime program) as part of their 2025-2026 winter homelessness response program.

This was an amendment after the City was recommended by Sheldon Laidman, Commissioner, Community Services from the June 23 meeting.

Tammy Kuehune is stepping in and has been appointed the active executive director.

“In my 11 years at One City, I’ve witnessed many Changes, and yet our vision of a more connected and inclusive community has always remained at the heart of our work,” she said. “I’m truly grateful to support the incredible efforts happening every day: led by those who access our services, powered by our dedicated staff and volunteers, and in collaboration with partner agencies and the community at large. We will keep listening closely to the needs of our community with dignity and care.”

One City PTBO released several statements regarding the changes; however, Harvey has made no official statement regarding his departure.

“Christian's leadership has been instrumental in shaping One City into the caring, innovative, and effective organization it is today,” according to a statement made by One City.

They continue to state that there is no anticipation of major changes resulting from Harvey’s departure.

“As One City turns the page, we remain grounded in the values that guide our work; belonging, dignity, trust, courage and love. The strength of our mission, our team, and our community relationships continues to carry us forward,” as read in a One City PTBO statement.

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Peterborough Canoe and Kayak Club Increasing Accessibility Through Ontario Trillium Grant

Thanks to last year’s $15,000 Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) grant, the Peterborough Canoe and Kayak Club increased the accessibility of its programs by purchasing a Kalandor Canoe to offer small-crew training for dragon boating.

Photo courtesy of Dave Smith.

“The Peterborough Canoe and Kayak Club remains committed to making this sport accessible for everyone. Thanks to the Ontario Trillium Foundation grant from the Ontario government, they've made significant strides in ensuring physically diverse individuals can fully participate in canoe and kayak programs,” said Dave Smith, Peterborough-Kawartha MPP. “This is a prime example of how targeted provincial funding can empower local organizations to truly make a difference in people's lives and foster a more active and connected community.”

The purchase enables the Peterborough Canoe and Kayak Club to offer paddling and racing opportunities to individuals who may not otherwise have the chance to enjoy the sport. Funds from the grant enabled the Club to purchase three new boats, a canopy and several life vests according to Peg Smith of Peterborough Canoe and Kayak Club.

“We are grateful to the Ontario Trillium Foundation for helping us invest in accessible boats and equipment to meet this objective,” she said. “Our expanded fleet of canoes and kayaks and mini dragon boat will ensure safety, comfort, and independence for all of our paddlers. Specifically, we have increased programming and racing opportunities for our Special Olympians, and we are better able to welcome seniors, and others with mobility concerns to the sport. We are excited to be expanding Peterborough’s paddling community, in this way.”

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Peterborough Tigers to Host Ontario Baseball Association Championship This August

Peterborough Baseball Association (PBA) and the Peterborough Tigers are hosting the Ontario Baseball Association (OBA) Championship, as the best 8U AAA teams from across the province are coming to town to compete for the title. 

The 8U T1 Peterborough Tigers during the 2024 season. Photo courtesy of the Peterborough Baseball Association.

The OBA tournament is held from Aug. 21 to 24 with games at Bowers Park, Kinsmen and East City Bowl.

There are 16 8U AAA teams competing across 31 games, vying for the championship.

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Haunting Anthems of The Rock Orchestra Hit Peterborough Memorial Centre on March 17

The Rock Orchestra by Candlelight is set to hauntingly beautify rock music at the Peterborough Memorial Centre on March 17, announced on Wednesday.

The Rock Orchestra has performed over 400 shows and entertained over half a million guests in only four years. Photo courtesy of the Peterborough Memorial Centre.

They plan to play a 90-minute show that infuses iconic rock and metal anthems in ethereal, candlelit settings. This band of 14 classical musicians will playing music with the unexpected union of classical music and metal. They will perform music from bands such as: Metallica, AC/DC, Rolling Stones, Rage Against The Machine, My Chemical Romance, Linkin' Park, SOAD, Guns N Roses, Evanescence, Papa Roach, The Cranberries and more.

The Rock Orchestra was founded in 2020 by events impresario and producer Nathan Reed, with a vision of reimagining legendary Rock and Metal with the grace and power of classical music. 

Known for its gothic visual setting, The Rock Orchestra adds ‘dark energy’ to your well-known songs. 

Tickets go on sale on July 25 at 10 a.m. and can be purchased online, by phone at 705-743-3561 ext. 2 or in person at the Grant Thornton Box Office. The Box Office is open Monday to Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. (excluding holidays).

PMC advises the following when purchasing tickets:

• Tickets will be delivered one month before the show and can be delivered by email, will call pick up or mail (subject to mail fees). 

• There is a limit of eight tickets per customer

• The floor is not accessible for people with mobility needs for this show

• Capacity for this show is 2,773

• Online purchasers require a user account to be created to complete transactions

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Peterborough Petes Video Coach Named Same Role For Canada White's 2025 U17 World Challenge

Peterborough Petes video coach and assistant to the general manager Alex Darling has officially been named as the video coach for Canada White for the upcoming 2025 U17 World Challenge in Truro, N.S., announced on Tuesday evening.

Photo courtesy of the Peterborough Petes.

“It’s truly an honour to be recognized by Hockey Canada and be named as the video coach for Canada White,” said Darling. “I can’t wait to get out to Truro and get to work.”

Darling joined the Petes as a sales and service intern in 2021 before transitioning to his current role in 2022. He served the same role on the Petes coaching staff during the Petes 2023 OHL Championship run. Darling joins former Petes captain and Sudbury Wolves Coach Scott Barney, who was named Head Coach of Canada White.

The 2025 U17 World Challenge begins on Oct. 31.

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