Four More NHL Alumni Join Battle of Ontario Game in Peterborough, Including Former Pete Dave Reid

By Scott Arnold

Four more NHL alumni have been added to Rivalry Night: The Battle of Ontario, including two former Senators and a former Peterborough Pete.

Former Peterborough Pete and two-time Stanley Cup champion Dave Reid will join the Maple Leafs Alumni team for Rivalry Night: The Battle of Ontario. (Photo courtesy of the Greater Peterborough Health Services Foundation)

The Greater Peterborough Health Services Foundation and Peterborough Memorial Centre have announced that Wade Redden and Craig Anderson will join the Ottawa Senators Alumni team, while Todd Gill and Dave Reid have been added to the Toronto Maple Leafs Alumni roster for the November 6th fundraiser at the Peterborough Memorial Centre.

The four new additions bring the announced alumni rosters to 16 players, with more names still to come.

Redden spent 11 seasons with the Senators after joining the organization as a rookie in 1996-97. He became an alternate captain and a key part of Ottawa's teams during the Battle of Ontario years, making two NHL All-Star Game appearances and helping the Senators reach the Stanley Cup Final in 2007. Redden was also the first player inducted into the Senators Ring of Honour.

Former Ottawa Senators defenceman Wade Redden will join the Senators Alumni team for Rivalry Night: The Battle of Ontario on November 6th. (Photo courtesy of the Greater Peterborough Health Services Foundation)

Anderson spent 10 seasons with Ottawa after being acquired during the 2010-11 season. He became the franchise's all-time leader in wins by a goaltender in 2017 and holds Senators single-season records for goals-against average and save percentage. He also won the Bill Masterton Trophy in 2017.

Former Ottawa Senators goaltender Craig Anderson is one of four new alumni announced for Rivalry Night: The Battle of Ontario. (Photo courtesy of the Greater Peterborough Health Services Foundation)

Gill spent 12 seasons with the Maple Leafs and was part of Toronto teams that reached the conference finals in the early 1990s. He played 19 seasons in the NHL before moving into coaching, spending 13 years behind the bench with AHL and OHL teams.

Former Toronto Maple Leafs defenceman Todd Gill will suit up for the Maple Leafs Alumni team at the November 6th fundraiser. (Photo courtesy of the Greater Peterborough Health Services Foundation)

Reid brings a strong Peterborough connection to the Leafs alumni team. Born in Etobicoke, Reid spent his entire OHL career with the Peterborough Petes before going on to play 961 NHL games. He won Stanley Cups with the Dallas Stars in 1999 and Colorado Avalanche in 2001 and later returned to Peterborough as the Petes' general manager from 2010 to 2012.

The four new additions join the previously announced alumni.

Ottawa Senators Alumni: Mike Fisher, Chris Neil, Chris Phillips, Jason York, Shaun Van Allen, Marc Methot, Wade Redden and Craig Anderson.

Toronto Maple Leafs Alumni: Darcy Tucker, Nik Antropov, Rick Vaive, Gary Leeman, Steve Thomas, Todd Gill and Dave Reid.

Fisher is the latest Peterborough connection to join the event. Born and raised in the area, he played his minor hockey with the Peterborough Minor Hockey Association before playing for the Sudbury Wolves and spending nearly 11 seasons with the Senators. He later finished his NHL career with the Nashville Predators.

The complete rosters for both alumni teams are expected to be announced the week of October 12th, although rosters will be subject to change.

Rivalry Night: The Battle of Ontario takes place November 6th at the Peterborough Memorial Centre.

Tickets are available now, including Meet and Greet packages with Fisher and the Senators Alumni or the Maple Leafs Alumni team, through the Peterborough Memorial Centre website.

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

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Mike Fisher Coming Home to Peterborough for Battle of Ontario Alumni Game

By Scott Arnold

Peterborough’s own Mike Fisher is coming home to take part in Rivalry Night: The Battle of Ontario at the Peterborough Memorial Centre on November 6th.

Mike Fisher will return to peterborough when he suits up with the ottawa senators on November 6th for the battle of ontario against the toronto maple leafs (photo courtesy of the greater peterborough health services foundation)

Fisher has been added to the Ottawa Senators Alumni roster for the special fundraiser, where the Senators alumni will take on a Toronto Maple Leafs Alumni team.

For Fisher, the game brings him back to the community where his hockey career began.

Born and raised in the Peterborough area, in Bridgenorth, Fisher played his minor hockey with the Peterborough Minor Hockey Association before being selected by the Sudbury Wolves in the second round of the 1997 OHL Priority Draft.

before making it big in the national lacrosse league, Mike fisher grow up playing in the peterborough minor hockey system

After two seasons in Sudbury, Fisher was selected by the Senators in the second round of the 1998 NHL Draft. He made his NHL debut with Ottawa in 1999 and spent nearly 11 seasons with the organization, becoming a key part of the Senators teams involved in the Battle of Ontario rivalry in the early 2000s.

Fisher recorded several 20-plus-goal seasons during his time in Ottawa and played a major role in the Senators' run to the Stanley Cup Final in 2007.

He finished his NHL career with the Nashville Predators, where he eventually served as captain before retiring in 2018.

Now, Fisher will return to the Memorial Centre as part of the Senators alumni team, joining previously announced alumni including Chris Neil and Chris Phillips.

Rivalry Night: The Battle of Ontario takes place November 6th at the Peterborough Memorial Centre.

Tickets are available now, including Meet and Greet packages with Fisher and the Senators Alumni or the Maple Leafs Alumni team, through the Peterborough Memorial Centre website.

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

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Six More NHL Alumni Join Lineup for Battle of Ontario Rivalry Night in Peterborough

By Scott Arnold

The Toronto Maple Leafs and Ottawa Senators alumni rosters for Rivalry Night: The Battle of Ontario continue to grow, with six more former NHL players announced for the November 6th fundraiser at the Peterborough Memorial Centre.

Former Leafs captain rck vaive is one of the alumni who will be in peterborough for Battle of ontario rivalry night on november 6th (photo courtesy of the GPHSF

The Peterborough Greater Health Services Foundation (GPHSF) and the PMC announced on Thursday that Rick Vaive, Gary Leeman and Steve Thomas will join the Maple Leafs Alumni, while Jason York, Shaun Van Allen and Marc Methot have been added to the Senators Alumni.

The six players join previously announced alumni Darcy Tucker, Nik Antropov and Chris Phillips, as well as Chris Neil.

Vaive served as the Maple Leafs captain from 1982 to 1986 and became the first player in franchise history to score 50 goals in a season. Leeman was an NHL All-Star and Stanley Cup champion, while Thomas enjoyed two stints with Toronto and became known for his playoff performances.

On the Ottawa side, York spent five seasons with the Senators and led the team’s defencemen in scoring during the 1998–99 season. Van Allen played 15 NHL seasons, including multiple stints in Ottawa, while Methot spent five seasons with the Senators as a key part of their defence.

More alumni are expected to be announced in the coming weeks, with team lineups subject to change.

Rivalry Night will raise funds for concussion education and awareness in youth sport through the GPHSF Concussion Fund. Tickets and meet-and-greet packages are available online.

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

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Funding Available for Local Senior Care Projects Through GPHSF Micro Grants

By Scott Arnold

Local organizations working to improve senior care and healthy aging can now apply for one of two grants worth up to $5,000 each through the Greater Peterborough Health Services Foundation.

Vince Bierworth, Executive Director of the Greater Peterborough Health Services Foundation, presents a cheque to Community Care Peterborough CEO Danielle Belair, joined by Chris LeBlanc, Director of Donors and Public Relations for Community Care Peterborough, in support of local senior care and healthy aging initiatives (photo courtesy of GPHSF)

The 2026 Senior Care Micro Grants are designed to help community and not-for-profit organizations start new projects or support existing programs benefiting seniors in Peterborough City, Peterborough County, Hiawatha First Nation and Curve Lake First Nation.

A total of $10,000 is available, with a maximum of $5,000 awarded through each of the two grants.

Eligible projects can focus on areas including nutrition, physical activity, mental health, equipment and research. Priority will be given to projects that address emerging community needs, improve seniors' quality of life and have a lasting impact.

The program is open to not-for-profit charitable organizations, including medical organizations, with a charitable registration number that are located in or serve the eligible communities.

Projects must be completed within one year of approval unless an extension is granted, and applications must include a project timeline and budget.

The program has already supported local initiatives. Last year's recipients were Curve Lake First Nation, which received funding for a Home and Community Care and Mental Health Project addressing gaps in Elder care, and One City Peterborough, which received funding for nutritional support for at-risk seniors.

The grants are funded through the June Towle Trust, established following the passing of June Towle in 2023 as part of her legacy of supporting health care in the community.

Applications for the 2026 grants are open until September 30th at 11:59pm.

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

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Darcy Tucker and Chris Neil Coming to Peterborough for Battle of Ontario Rivalry Night

By Scott Arnold

The first two NHL alumni have been announced for Rivalry Night: The Battle of Ontario, with former Toronto Maple Leafs forward Darcy Tucker and Ottawa Senators legend Chris Neil set to take part in the November 6th event at the Peterborough Memorial Centre.

darcy tucker and chris neil have been announced as the latest players to join the battle of ontario rivalry night on november 6th at the peterborough memorial centre (photo courtesy of GPHSF)

The Toronto Maple Leafs and Ottawa Senators rivalry is coming to the Peterborough Memorial Centre on Friday, November 6th, with Tucker representing the Leafs alumni and Neil joining the Senators alumni.

For fans who remember the heated playoff battles between Toronto and Ottawa in the early 2000s, the two names should be familiar. The teams met in the playoffs four times between 2000 and 2005, producing plenty of memorable moments, including several involving Tucker and Neil.

Tucker spent 16 seasons in the NHL and played more than 1,000 games, including eight seasons with Toronto. He became a fan favourite in Toronto thanks to his physical, hard-nosed style and was a prominent figure during the Leafs' playoff battles with Ottawa.

Neil spent his entire 16-year NHL career with the Senators after being drafted by the organization in 1998. Known for his physical play, he became a popular figure in Ottawa and had his number retired by the Senators in 2023.

The two were involved in one of the rivalry's most memorable confrontations, including a bench altercation during a March 2003 game.

The November 6th event will feature alumni teams representing both clubs, with the full rosters expected to be announced in the coming weeks. Lineups are subject to change.

Meet-and-greet packages will also be available for fans who want the chance to meet Tucker and the Maple Leafs alumni or Neil and the Senators alumni.

The game is being held as a fundraiser for concussion education and awareness in youth sports through the Greater Peterborough Health Services Foundation's Concussion Fund. The fund supports concussion programming, including Peterborough Athletic Concussion Awareness and the H.O.P.E. Bursary in honour of former Peterborough Pete and NHL defenceman Steve Montador.

Tickets are available online or through the Peterborough Memorial Centre box office.

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

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NHL Alumni Take to the Peterborough Memorial Centre Ice For Rivalry Night: The Battle of Ontario

Toronto Maple Leafs and Ottawa Senators alumni are hitting the Peterborough Memorial Centre ice for ‘Rivalry Night: The Battle of Ontario,’ on Nov. 6 in support of Greater Peterborough Health Services Foundation (GPHSF).

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The alumni teams both feature former NHL players, some of whom would have competed in the classic playoff games in the early 2000s that started the rivalry. 

“We are really excited to be hosting Rivalry Night: The Battle of Ontario, with the Peterborough Memorial Centre,” said Vince Bierworth, GPHSF executive director. “Ottawa and Toronto were a huge playoff rivalry in the early-2000’s. We still see the rivalry in regular-season games and the playoffs today. Most recently in the playoffs in the spring of 2025. It is a great rivalry with a passionate fan base. We are excited to host the Toronto and Ottawa fans at Peterborough Memorial Centre.  Proceeds from the event will support our concussion fund. This fund helps to provide education and awareness for youth sport concussion through funding Peterborough Athletics Concussion Awareness (PACA) and providing the HOPE Bursary in Honour of Steve Montador.”

“Rivalry Night: The Battle of Ontario is going to be an exciting evening for hockey fans and a wonderful opportunity to support an important cause in our community,” said Mayor Jeff Leal. “Bringing the Toronto Maple Leafs Alumni and Ottawa Senators Alumni to the Peterborough Memorial Centre will showcase the passion and excitement of this historic rivalry while helping raise funds for concussion education and awareness initiatives that support local youth and families. I encourage residents and visitors alike to come out, enjoy a great night of hockey and support the Greater Peterborough Health Services Foundation.”

A full roster for each team will be announced closer to the event.

Tickets go on sale Friday at 10 a.m. online, in person at the PMC Box Office or by phone at 705-743-3561. Tickets start at just $30 each, with a limited number of VIP upgrade tickets available, which include a pre-game meet-and-greet with either the Ottawa Senators or the Toronto Maple Leafs.

PMC Scoop and GPHSF mailing list members have early access to tickets with a pre-sale on Wednesday and Thursday.

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TASSS Student Named Recipient of H.O.P.E. Bursary 2026 Steve Montador Bursary

Thomas A. Stewart Secondary School (TASSS) student Clare Hutchinson has been named the recipient of Greater Peterborough Health Services Foundation’s (GPHSF) and Helping Others Participate Equally’s (HOPE) 2026 Steve Montador Bursary, announced on Tuesday.

(From left to right) Vince Bierworth, GPHSF executive director; Kristine McCracken, TASSS Coach and teacher; Clare Hutchinson, TASSS student and Mike Keating of H.O.P.E. Photo courtesy of Susan Owen and GPHSF.

The H.O.P.E. Bursary, in honour of Steve Montador, was established to support students transitioning from high school to college/university who suffer the long-term effects of a sports-related concussion and require a reduced academic course load due to injury.

Over the past three years, Hutchinson has suffered concussions while playing several sports. This includes wrestling, hockey and rugby. These concussions have effectively ended her ability to play contact sports. She continues to be physically active, playing several non-contact sports and coaching Rugby.

“Through it all, she has demonstrated a strong work ethic, resiliency and leadership, both on and off the field,” said Kristing McCraken, TASSS coach and teacher. “She is resilient and adaptable; if she couldn’t be on the field, she would support in another way. That’s Clare, a true leader that supports her team in whatever capacity she can.”

Hutchinson plans to attend Georgian College to become a Paramedic in the fall.

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Peterborough Butterfly Run Sets Records On 10th Anniversary

Greater Peterborough Health Services Foundation (GPHSF), in partnership with Partners In Pregnancy Clinic (PIPC), has broken its fundraising record for the tenth-annual Peterborough Butterfly Run, raising over $97,000 and counting at Millennium Park on Sunday.

Since 2017, the event has supported families and individuals who have experienced a loss during pregnancy, the loss of a child or are unable to conceive. Photo courtesy of Harrison Perkins and the GPHSF.

The event had over 1,400 people registered in the 1K Memorial Walk, 1K Kids Fun Run and 5K Run/Walk.  The 5K Run/Walk record was also set with 840 participants.

The top three individual fundraisers are Lori Brock, Baldeep Paul and Alex Lloyd. The top three fundraising teams are ‘Angels’ by Our Side,’ ‘Team Jess and Angeline Dalliday’ and Friends of Frederick.

According to Ashley Weir and Kori Zwarych, co-chairs of the Peterborough Butterfly Run Executive Committee, over 1,000 bereavement kits have been made and distributed throughout the community. 

Funds from the run will support the Compassionate Care Symposium at Peterborough Regional Health Centre in June, an educational opportunity for clinicians in our area to learn how to better support Perinatal Bereavement Care. 

The Committee says they are working to hold more bereavement retreats and to expand the support available in our area. Money will also continue to be reinvested in the Peterborough Butterfly Run to ensure future events.

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H.O.P.E Steve Montador Student Bursary Applications Now Open

Applications are now open for the GPHSF Your Family Health Team Foundation’s H.O.P.E. Bursary in honour of Steve Montador, established to support new college or university students that suffer long-term effects of a sports-related concussion, and require a reduced academic course load as result of their injury.

Vince Bierworth of GPHSf with 2025 Steve Montador Bursary recipient Lara Cottam. photo courtesy of gphsf.

To be considered for the bursary, you need to be:

• A student at a Peterborough City/County-based high school and registered in a first-year program at college/university

• Suffering from post-concussion syndrome sustained from a sports-related injury

• Be in satisfactory academic standing

• Have financial need

Applications will close on May 1 at 11:59 p.m. All applicants will be reviewed by a committee consisting of H.O.P.E. and GPHSF, Your Family Health Team Foundation. Applicants will be notified of their status by May 20.

Those interested in applying can download the application here, and submit by email.

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5th Annual Darkness to Light Event to Take Place at Del Crary Park December 21

Greater Peterborough Health Services Foundation (GPHSF) is hosting its fifth annual Darkness To Light event at Del Crary Park for community members impacted by suicide and overdose this Sunday.

Photo courtesy of GPHSF.

The event is an outdoor sunrise gathering, marking brighter days ahead after the solstice, the day with the least daylight. The ceremony will take place at the entrance to Del Crary Park off Rink Street.

The event will be rain, snow or shine and is free to attend. Organizers ask guests to arrive by 7:30 a.m., as sunrise is expected at 7:45 a.m.

Julie Brown, who has led the event each year, will return to lead the group with a message of support and a moment of silence as the sun rises over Little Lake.

“Our community has been significantly impacted by suicide and overdose and we hope that this gathering will help create a space where those directly touched can come together for a quiet moment,” she said.

New this year, Hospice Grief Listeners will be at the event. Grief listeners are specially trained volunteers who lend a sympathetic ear and sit with people in their grief.

“The holidays can be a difficult time for those struggling with bereavement,” said Vince Bierworth, GPHSF executive director. “After feedback about how impactful the last four ceremonies have been, we are glad to be able to offer once again some comfort for people impacted by suicide and overdose in our community.”

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