Mike Fisher Returns to Peterborough as Senators Alumni Defeat Maple Leafs in Battle of Ontario

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By Scott Arnold

More than 2,500 fans filled the Peterborough Memorial Centre on Friday, November 6th, for a special night of hockey as the Toronto Maple Leafs Alumni and Ottawa Senators Alumni renewed their rivalry in the first-ever Battle of Ontario Alumni Game.

More than 2,500 fans filled the Peterborough Memorial Centre on Friday, November 6th, for a special night of hockey as the Toronto Maple Leafs Alumni and Ottawa Senators Alumni renewed their rivalry in the first-ever Battle of Ontario Alumni Game.

Darcy Tucker and mike fisher took part in the ceremonial face-off ahead of Friday night's Battle of Ontario Alumni Game at the Peterborough Memorial Centre, joined by Ryan in an Ottawa Senators jersey. Steven Keating, alongside his father Mike representing H.O.P.E., had the honour of dropping the puck. (photo by scott arnold)

The game also marked a homecoming for Peterborough’s Mike Fisher, who went on to play 18 seasons in the National Hockey League after beginning his career with the Ottawa Senators in 1999. He played 1104 games in the NHL, including 675 with the Senators before finishing out his career as of a member of the Nashville Predators.

While the crowd appeared to have plenty of Maple Leafs supporters, Fisher received the biggest ovation of the night when his name was announced.

He gave the hometown crowd plenty to cheer about, scoring twice and earning third star honours as the Senators Alumni edged the Leafs Alumni 9-7.

Another fan favourite was former Maple Leafs forward Darcy Tucker, who received some of the loudest cheers of the night. Tucker joined Fisher for the ceremonial face-off, with Steven Keating dropping the puck alongside his father Mike, representing H.O.P.E.

Both teams featured plenty of familiar names from past Maple Leafs and Senators rosters.

The Ottawa lineup included Fisher, Chris Neil, Craig Anderson, Wade Redden, Shaun Van Allen, Jason York, Brian McGrattan, Shean Donovan, Jesse Winchester, Dean McAmmond, Laurie Boschman and Scott Greenham. The Senators Alumni were coached by Chris Phillips and Peter Schaefer.

Representing Toronto were Tucker, Nik Antropov, Rick Vaive, Gary Leeman, Steve Thomas, Todd Gill, Dave Reid, Wayne Primeau, Peter Holland, Dan Winnik, Ian White, Mark Fraser and Adam Munro. The Leafs Alumni were coached by Al Iafrate.

Beyond the on-ice action, the evening was about supporting an important cause. Proceeds from the fundraiser support concussion education and awareness in youth sport through the Greater Peterborough Health Services Foundation's Concussion Fund, which provides funding primarily through Peterborough Athletic Concussion Awareness (PACA) and the H.O.P.E. Bursary in honour of former Peterborough Pete and NHL defenceman Steve Montador.

The bursary supports student athletes dealing with the long-term effects of concussion-related injuries as they transition to college or university.

With a hometown favourite back on the ice, familiar faces from one of hockey's fiercest rivalries and support for an important local cause, it was a memorable night at the Memorial Centre.


Scott Arnold is a Journalist and Content Creator at PTBOCanada Media Inc

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