More Than a Chance to Win: How the Petes 50/50 Supports Minor Hockey and the Peterborough Community

By Scott Arnold

Every Petes 50/50 ticket offers a chance at a cash prize while helping make hockey more accessible and supporting community organizations across Peterborough.

Walter DiClementi of the Jr Petes has been involved with the Petes 50/50 since the organization took over the raffle during the 2021–22 season, helping raise funds for hockey programs and community organizations. (photo by scott arnold)

When fans arrive at the Peterborough Memorial Centre for a Petes game, the 50/50 draw is another way to get involved. But behind the tickets, prize announcements and winning numbers is a fundraising effort that has been supporting minor hockey and community organizations for years.

Walter DiClementi of the Jr. Petes organization is one of the people helping make that happen.

Through a partnership with the Peterborough Petes, DiClementi says the Jr. Petes took over the 50/50 several years ago in a move that is now benefiting many groups in the community.

"We were very fortunate to have an excellent relationship with the OHL Peterborough Petes, the Jr. Petes organization," DiClementi said. "In the 2021–22 season, they had asked us to take over the 50/50 organization or selling 50/50 tickets at the Petes home games."

Since then, the program has expanded from traditional paper tickets, giving fans more ways to participate.

"We went from just selling tickets, the paper tickets, to selling them with the handheld devices," DiClementi explained. "And then we also went to selling them where you can buy them online."

And you don't have to be inside the Memorial Centre to get involved.

How to the Petes 50/50 Works

Fans can purchase 50/50 tickets at Petes home games through ticket sellers or online at Petes5050.com.

The online option is available to anyone, including fans watching from home or those who aren't able to attend the game.

"Anyone can jump on for the online purchases," DiClementi said. "They can also purchase during the game online if they're not at the game and if they're watching at home, they can also participate in the raffle by doing that."

Tickets are available at the following prices:

• 3 for $10

• 60 for $20

• 250 for $50

Online sales open for the next game once the previous draw has concluded. Depending on the schedule, sales typically run from one game to the next, with the winning number announced during the third period of action.

"We will announce a winner every game," DiClementi said. "Usually it's within the last 10 minutes of the third period. We stop selling tickets as soon as the third period starts."

The prize can vary from game to game, with guaranteed prizes sometimes used to get the draw started.

DiClementi said some draws have started with a guaranteed $3,000 prize, while there could be additional bonuses introduced as the season goes on.

"We'll see how things start again this year and see if we're going to have some other bonuses for the draw as the season goes on," he said.

Last season, one winner took home approximately $7,000.

During the Petes' 2023 OHL championship playoff run, the 50/50 reached another level, with one winner taking home a pretty large haul.

"The playoff run that we had in 2023 when we won the OHL championship, our biggest draw was the winner took home just a little over $30,000," DiClementi said.

Those prizes are a significant part of the excitement, but the money raised through the program has a much broader impact.

Helping Keep Minor Hockey Accessible

A portion of the funds raised is used to help reduce the costs associated with minor hockey.

That includes supporting ice rentals, skills development, equipment, financial assistance for players in need and concussion education.

"We use some of the money to keep the costs of minor hockey down," DiClementi explained. "It helps pay for our ice rentals and for skills development, equipment, that type of thing."

The fundraising also extends beyond the rink.

More Than $100,000 Returned to the Community

Since taking over the Petes 50/50 in 2021–22, the funds the organization has donated to community groups and nonprofit initiatives is in the six figures.

That support has reached a range of organizations across Peterborough and the surrounding area, including:

• Kawartha Food Share

• Community Care Peterborough

• Peterborough & District Sports Hall of Fame

• Pink in the Rink

• Peterborough Regional Health Foundation

• Greater Peterborough Health Services Foundation

• Surrounding minor hockey organizations

• Petes scholarship funds for local high school athletes

These are just some of the organizations and initiatives that have benefited from the fundraising.

"We also give a substantial amount of money to other community nonprofits," DiClementi said.

"Throughout the years, since we've been doing this, we've given over $100,000 back to the community."

Get Involved This Petes Season

The Petes 50/50 is already underway for the new season, with fans able to purchase tickets online ahead of home games and during the game itself.

Whether you're at the Memorial Centre or watching from home, you can participate in the draw while helping support minor hockey and community organizations.

You can purchase tickets and find the winning numbers at Petes5050.com.

The next time the 50/50 prize appears on the video board, or on your TV screen when you’re watching the game at home, you’ll know there's a little more to the draw than the number being announced.

The Petes will open their season at home against the Kingston Frontenacs on Thursday, September 17th, at 7pm at the Memorial Centre.

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

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Countdown to the Peterborough Petes Home Opener: Thanasi Marentette Brings Toughness and Heart

By Scott Arnold

After earning the Gary Dalliday Award for community service last season, Thanasi Marentette is returning for his third year with the Peterborough Petes, bringing his physical style of play and commitment to the community back to the Memorial Centre.

Thanasi Marentette has become a fan favourite in Peterborough thanks to his physical style of play and willingness to do the tough work on the ice, and the Petes defenceman is looking forward to getting back in front of the Memorial Centre crowd for his third season. (photo by scott arnold)

The 19-year-old defenceman has become a fan favourite in Peterborough, known for his willingness to play a physical game on the ice and his kindness away from it.

That commitment to the community was highlighted last season when Marentette launched Marentette’s Mission, an initiative designed to provide essential resources to underprivileged individuals and families in the Peterborough area.

His efforts earned him the Gary Dalliday Award for community service at the Petes’ team banquet, recognizing the impact he has made beyond the rink.

Now, as he prepares for his third season with the Petes, Marentette is focused on continuing to develop his game and helping the team pursue its goals.

“Yeah, no, feeling good, back to 100% and excited to get going again,” Marentette said when asked about his health heading into the season.

The Windsor native also spoke about what it means to return to Peterborough and play in front of the team’s passionate fan base.

“Just a great feeling. Like every year you come back, you get the butterflies and the excitement of coming back and playing in front of this great fan base and the community. So it’s fun.”

Marentette added size during the offseason, crediting his family’s cooking and his training.

“Yeah, you know, ate mom’s food, ate dad’s food, and, you know, just trained real hard.”

Rather than setting individual statistical targets, Marentette is focused on improving each day and contributing to the team’s overall success.

“Yeah, I think everybody should achieve and set goals. And, you know, my set goals this year are kind of more team-based and, you know, we want to win a championship. So that’s the goal.”

The Petes will open their season at home against the Kingston Frontenacs on Thursday, September 17th, at 7pm at the Memorial Centre.

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

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The Man Behind the Petes Souvenir Store: Mark Million Looks to Build on an Award-Winning Year

By Scott Arnold

As the Peterborough Petes prepare to open another season at the Memorial Centre, the man behind the Petes Souvenir Store is ready with new gear, new ideas and the same focus on giving fans a reason to keep coming back.

Mark Million, Director of Merchandise for the Peterborough Petes, stands with Petes staff members Dylan Hilton (left) and Brody Wright (right) inside the Petes Souvenir Store at the Peterborough Memorial Centre. (Photo by Scott Arnold)

When the Peterborough Petes take the ice for their 2026-27 home opener on Thursday, September 17th, there will be plenty happening inside the Memorial Centre.

The Petes will officially begin their 70th season of hockey in Peterborough, fans will get their first look at this year’s team on home ice and, just inside the building, Mark Million will be doing what he has been doing for the past four years: making sure Petes fans have plenty to choose from when it comes to showing their team pride.

Million is the Director of Merchandise for the Petes and runs the Petes Souvenir Store, a role that has brought together two things he has enjoyed for most of his life: sports and retail.

It is also a role that has some significant history behind it.

The Petes Souvenir Store dates back to 1979, when the Parnell and Rowe families were instrumental in getting it started. That was the same year the Petes won the OHL championship and captured the Memorial Cup, giving Peterborough hockey fans plenty to celebrate.

More than four decades later, the store remains a fixture inside the Memorial Centre.

“I think just in a Peterborough way, we kind of took it one step further as a group,” Million said of the store's beginnings. “We had won the year before. We’d won the OHL championship in 1979, of course. And so I think we just kept it going and turned it into something that, 45, 46 years later, is now the hallmark of the league and we’re very fortunate for the support.”

Million celebrated his fourth anniversary with the Petes this year, taking over the merchandise operation from longtime Petes employee Don Sharp, who had spent 16 years in the role.

His first day on the job was anything but quiet.

The Petes had just won the OHL championship and Sharp had already placed hundreds of orders for championship hats and T-shirts. When Million arrived, a shipment from CCM had come in late and the new Director of Merchandise found himself spending his first days helping bag and organize orders.

“We had an entire section in the back full of bags,” Million recalled.

Taking over something that had been built over decades meant Million knew there was no need to reinvent everything.

Instead, he started by talking to the people who mattered most: the customers.

“Is there something that you’d want to see? Is there something that we can do differently? What do you like about what Don has built here?” Million said.

That approach has remained a big part of how he operates the store.

“There’s no magic formula. It’s still at the end of the day, it’s still people, it’s still person to person,” he said.

For Million, that interaction is one of the best parts of the job.

His interest in retail actually goes back to Grade 10 at St. Peter’s Secondary School, where a teacher named Elio Cozzarini introduced him to entrepreneurship.

As part of the class, students also operated the school’s tuck shop, selling everything from gum to drinks, snacks and chocolate bars.

It was an early introduction to the combination of business, sales and dealing with customers that would eventually become Million’s career.

“I always loved the thrill of the chase as a sales aspect and kind of finding a way to source the product, sell it, merchandise it, all that sort of thing,” he said.

Sports were another constant.

Million knew early on that playing professionally probably wasn’t in the cards after discovering he couldn’t hit a “garden variety fastball” at 13 years old, but working in sporting goods gave him another way to stay connected to something he loved.

A job at Sport Chek led to work at National Sports, where Million credits Bruce MacDonald, Garrett Fitzgerald and Johnny Armstrong with helping him find his strengths.

“I wasn’t great on the technical aspect, but I love talking to people,” he said.

Since then, Million has worked a variety of sales jobs, including two stints as a realtor and time with SVP Sports. Now, after four years with the Petes, that experience has translated into an operation that recently received some major recognition.

Million was named the Ontario Hockey League’s Retailer of the Year for 2026.

He is quick to point out that the award belongs to more than just him.

“There are 19 other men and women in the OHL that are doing a terrific, terrific job,” Million said. “So I’m the holder of the award for this year.”

He also knows the award comes with a challenge to keep improving.

“It does mean that I will try everything in my power to continue to grow the brand,” he said.

That includes bringing the Petes into more places around the community.

Million teased upcoming third-party retail activations that will see Petes merchandise sold in local stores, something he sees as a natural extension of what the team is all about.

“We’re a community-based club. We should be out in the community doing these things,” he said.

There is plenty coming to the Petes Souvenir Store this season as well.

Fans attending Thursday’s home opener will find brand new merchandise, including products from Bardown and a selection of hats from ’47 Canada. But Million says fans shouldn’t expect to see everything at once.

The store will continue rolling out new products throughout the season, giving fans something different to discover as the year goes along.

And if you miss something on opening night, Million and the store will be keeping fans informed through the store’s Instagram account with their “Friday what you missed out on Thursday night” updates.

Million has also embraced the fact that the store has become about more than simply buying a shirt or a hat.

He describes it, jokingly, as being a little bit like Cheers, where regulars come through the door, talk Petes hockey, check out the latest merchandise and sometimes just talk sports.

“They’re walking in off the street,” Million said. “They want to talk Petes hockey, they want to talk about the new gear, they want to see what’s good, they want to talk Blue Jays baseball, and I’m here for it. I love that.”

That connection with fans is also why Million continues to welcome suggestions about what the store should carry.

“If you’ve got something to sell me, show it to me,” he said. “If you’ve got an idea of something that we could sell, let’s have a chat.”

For someone who started developing an interest in entrepreneurship while running a high school tuck shop, it is a pretty fitting place to find himself more than 30 years later.

And on Thursday, September 17th, Million’s OHL Retailer of the Year award will have a place of honour at the Memorial Centre as the Petes begin their 70th season.

The award, which Million jokingly refers to as “Roy,” will be on display in the Hall of Fame for fans to see during the home opener.

But Million has already made it clear he does not want to stop there.

“I’m going to hold the award for this year, but I do want to repeat,” he said. “I want to be the first person to repeat. And if I repeat, then that means that we’ve done a great job.”

For Million, though, that work is bigger than one person or one award.

“Dylan Hilton’s here. He’s done a great job. Our business staff has continued to do a great job on sellouts and activations and creating community partnerships,” he said. “I’m just a small cog in that wheel and I’m very fortunate that people continue to support Petes hockey and find value in the things that we’re trying to sell.”

With a new Petes season about to begin, there will be plenty of hockey to talk about.

And, if you stop by the Petes Souvenir Store, probably a few things worth talking about before the puck even drops.

The Petes will open their season at home against the Kingston Frontenacs on Thursday, September 17th, at 7pm at the Memorial Centre.

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

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Countdown to the Peterborough Petes Home Opener: Landon Roulston Brings Size, Skill and a Lot of Excitement for Fans

By Scott Arnold

Just 16 years old and entering his first OHL season, Landon Roulston has already given Petes fans plenty of reason to be excited about what he can bring to the lineup.

After the PEterborough PEtes selected him 13th overall in the first-round of the ohl entry draft, landon roulston put up five points in four exhibition games ahead of his first season (photo by scott arnold)

The Peterborough Petes selected Roulston 13th overall in the 2026 OHL Priority Selection, and the St. Catharines native has wasted little time making his presence felt.

Roulston scored four goals and added an assist in four preseason games, giving him five points in his first taste of OHL exhibition action.

The 6-foot-1, 188-pound centre also brings plenty of size for a player who won't turn 17 until March, and he's looking to use whatever tools the Petes need from him.

“Just whatever the team needs, whatever the coaches want out of me is what I’m going to try and bring to the table.”

Roulston spent the summer preparing for his first season away from home, with much of his focus on getting better every day.

“Mostly it was really strict this summer for me. I just wanted to get better every day.”

There was also plenty of time for family before making the move to Peterborough for the season, including movie nights and time on the couch.

“It’s going to be a big year and it’s obviously first time away from home. So we definitely soaked it in.”

The transition to Peterborough has gone smoothly so far, with Roulston joining a billet household that includes two other Petes players.

“It’s been really good. We have two other players in with me and it’s been really fun so far. I’m really enjoying it.”

Roulston also already has an appreciation for the history surrounding the Petes. Walking around the Memorial Centre and seeing the photos and other reminders of the franchise's past has given the rookie a glimpse of what he hopes his own future in Peterborough can look like.

“I remember like we’ve been warming up around here and I’ve just been kind of looking at all the pictures and just knowing that that’s going to be this team one day and it’s I think it’s really cool.”

And while the preseason numbers have certainly been encouraging, Roulston knows there is a bigger goal for the Petes this season.

“Yeah, for sure. That’s what we’re looking to do this year. It’s win or nothing. That’s what we want to do. We want to win a championship.”

For now, Roulston is simply looking forward to experiencing the Memorial Centre with the lights on and the fans in the building.

“I knew about the PMC. I just knew about the fans and how loud it can get. So we’re really excited.”

The Petes will open their season at home against the Kingston Frontenacs on Thursday, September 17th, at 7pm at the Memorial Centre.

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

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United Kingdom-Born Forward Joins Peterborough Petes On OHL Scholarship and Development Agreement

The Peterborough Petes have signed United Kingdom forward Jack Clarke to an OHL Scholarship and Development Agreement, announced on Tuesday.

Photo courtesy of David Pickering and the Peterborough Petes.

“I’m looking forward to playing for such a prestigious organization and playing in front of our amazing fans,” said Clarke. “I believe that this group of boys can do something special and I can’t wait to get started.”

The Milton Keynes, UK native was originally selected by the Erie Otters in the third round, 47th overall, of the 2024 OHL U18 Priority Selection. He played 19 games for the Otters in 2024-25 before spending most of the past two seasons in the GOHL. In 2025-26, Clarke played for the St. Marys Lincolns, scoring 10 goals and adding 14 assists for 24 points. He had another seven points in 23 playoff games, helping the Lincolns reach the Sutherland Cup final.

“Jack is a big, physical forward who is tough to play against,” said Michael Oke, Petes general manager and vice president of operations. “He loves to battle and will do anything to help the team win. He’s a solid addition to our forward group.”

The Petes kick off their 2026 OHL season at home on Thursday to they host the Kingston Frontenacs. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. at the Peterborough Memorial Centre.

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Countdown to the Peterborough Petes Home Opener: Francis Parish Brings Grit and Personality to the Petes

By Scott Arnold

An 11th-round pick in 2023, Francis Parish has worked his way into his third season with the Petes and has become a player who brings plenty of energy both on and off the ice.

after the Peterborough Petes selected him in the 11th round of the 2023 OHL Draft, hard work has helped francis parish turn that opportunity into a third season in the ohl (photo by scott arnold).

Parish was selected 213th overall by Peterborough in the 2023 OHL Priority Selection, but earning a spot in the lineup was never going to be handed to him.

The 19-year-old forward has now played 102 regular-season games with the Petes over the past two seasons, along with six playoff games, and he knows exactly what he wants to bring heading into his third year.

“What I’m looking to work on throughout the year is just get my physical presence there, like make sure teams know I’m on the ice. I don’t want them to be comfortable with the puck and I bring a lot of grit to the table and work hard.”

That work ethic is a big part of Parish’s game, and he isn’t afraid to put himself in uncomfortable situations.

“If I get hit, I get right back up. Doesn’t matter if I get hit or not. Just keep going.”

Away from the ice, Parish has also embraced a role that can be just as important to a team over the course of a long season. He likes keeping the mood light around the dressing room, whether that means a joke, a prank or, on media day, turning his stick into an extra microphone.

“You know, it’s important that you can’t always be serious. It’s not healthy for you. Sometimes a good joke is but brings the team spirit alive and keeps us going.”

Parish spent part of his summer working at MTR Refing in three-on-three hockey while also finding plenty of time to relax and catch up on some television.

He got into superhero shows including Green Arrow and Smallville, and when asked what superhero he would be, Parish had a pretty simple answer.

“All the superhero powers are already taken so all I can really wish to be a Superman.”

Now, he’s ready to get back on the ice and experience the atmosphere at the Memorial Centre again.

“Can’t wait to see the crowd be electric when we step out on the ice, really. It’s just an electric fan base and just excited to get out there.”

After working his way from an 11th-round selection to his third OHL season, Parish knows the role he wants to play. He wants to bring grit, physicality, energy and a little personality to the Petes every time he steps on the ice.

The Petes will open their season at home against the Kingston Frontenacs on Thursday, September 17th, at 7pm at the Memorial Centre.

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

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Peterborough Petes Sign American-Born Forward to OHL Scholarship and Development Agreement

The Peterborough Petes have signed American-born forward Mason Minsky to an OHL Scholarship and Development Agreement, announced on Monday.

Photo courtesy of Kenneth Andersen and the Peterborough Petes.

“I’m excited and grateful for the opportunity to join such a great organization,” said Minsky. “The guys here are great and I can’t wait to go to battle with them this year.”

The 2007-forward is from Libertyville, Illi. and played in 53 games for the Janesville Jets of the North American Hockey League (NAHL) last season. The right-handed shot scored 16 goals and added 19 assists for 35 points, finishing fifth in team scoring. Before joining Janesville, Minsky played for Avon Old Farms School and is a product of the Chicago Reapers AAA program. Standing at 5’10” and 175 lbs, he committed to play hockey at Miami University (Ohio) following his time in the OHL. Minsky attended Petes Training Camp this season as a free agent invitee.

“Mason is an extremely competitive forward who skates well,” said Michael Oke, Petes general manager and vice president of operations. “He had a productive first season of junior last year with Janesville and showed very well at training camp and in preseason. He will be a solid addition to our forward group.”

The Petes kick off their 2026 OHL season at home on Thursday to they host the Kingston Frontenacs. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. at the Peterborough Memorial Centre.

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Countdown to the Peterborough Petes Home Opener: Lucas Karmiris Ready for Long-Awaited Petes Debut

By Scott Arnold

After missing all of last season while recovering from two knee surgeries, Lucas Karmiris is finally healthy and ready for his first season with the Petes.

Matthew perrerault put in a lot of work over the summer in preparation for his sophomore ohl season with the peterborough petes (photo by scott arnold)

Karmiris was acquired by the Petes from the Brampton Steelheads before last season, but his first year in Peterborough got off to a heartbreaking start when he suffered a knee injury on the opening day of training camp.

The injury eventually required two surgeries and kept the overage forward out for the entire 2025-26 season.

While his teammates were playing games, Karmiris spent much of the year working toward getting back on the ice.

“It’s been a lot of work. Long days, you know, six hours a day of rehab and working out in the pool, strengthening, skating. It’s been a long process.”

Missing an entire season was difficult, especially while trying to keep pace with everyone else, but Karmiris feels the work has paid off.

“You know, it’s hard when you miss that much, you know, keep up with everyone else that’s healthy. But I think I’ve done a good job and I feel great right now and I’m excited to get started.”

Now, the 19-year-old, who turns 20 on September 27th, is back with the Petes and looking forward to finally showing Peterborough what he can bring.

Karmiris has 96 points in 165 career regular season OHL games, all with the Steelheads organization. He says his game is built around playing with pace, contributing in all areas of the ice and creating offence.

“Yeah, I like to play with a lot of pace. I’d say I’m a 200 foot centerman. You know, I play in all zones in the game. And I like to create offense.”

After everything he has gone through to get back to this point, Karmiris is simply happy to be back with his teammates and wearing the Petes jersey.

“It feels great. I mean, it’s been a long time coming. Long process for me, a long journey, but I’m so excited to be here and be with the guys again and, you know, play for the Petes.”

And after waiting an entire season for the opportunity, Karmiris is looking forward to seeing what this group can accomplish.

“We have a good team this year and it’s going to be a fun year.”

The Petes will open their season at home against the Kingston Frontenacs on Thursday, September 17th, at 7pm at the Memorial Centre.

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

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Petes Add Two Left-Handed Defencemen Ahead of Home Opener

By Scott Arnold

The Peterborough Petes have added a pair of left-handed defencemen to their lineup, making moves on September 10th and September 11th as the team gets set for the start of the new OHL season.

the peterborough petes have acquired left handed defenceman Jacob Xu from the London Knights (photo courtesy of the peterborough petes)

On Friday, September 11th, the Petes acquired 2008-born defenceman Jacob Xu from the London Knights in exchange for North Bay’s fourth-round pick in 2028 and a sixth-round pick in 2030.

Xu, a left-handed defenceman from Richmond Hill, was originally selected by the Kitchener Rangers in the eighth round, 157th overall, of the 2024 OHL Priority Selection.

Last season, he split time between Kitchener and London after being acquired by the Knights during the season. In 59 games between the two teams, Xu recorded one goal and 13 assists for 14 points.

He also has a Peterborough connection already, having played in last season’s Connor McDavid OHL Top Prospects Game at the Peterborough Memorial Centre. Xu picked up one assist in the game.

The Petes say they’ve been keeping an eye on Xu since his U16 season, with General Manager and Vice President of Operations Mike Oke describing him as a big, physical defenceman who moves well.

Xu is currently committed to play hockey at Harvard University after his OHL career.

the Petes have Signed Defenceman James Buchan to OHL Scholarship and Development Agreement (photo courtesy of the peterborough petes)

The move comes one day after the Petes announced the signing of another young defenceman.

On Thursday, September 10th, the team signed 2009-born defenceman James Buchan to an OHL Scholarship and Development Agreement.

Buchan, from Georgetown, Ontario, attended Petes Training Camp in August as a free agent invite after spending last season at St. Paul’s School in New Hampshire.

He put up four goals and 19 assists for 23 points in 31 games, leading the school’s defencemen in scoring.

Before joining St. Paul’s School, Buchan played in the Oakville Rangers AAA system. He also made an impression during the Petes’ summer and preseason, including Development Camp in June, training camp and three preseason games this year. He has recorded six shots on goal in those three games.

Oke called Buchan an important piece for the future of the Petes and said the team believes he has the qualities it looks for both on and off the ice.

With both players now joining the organization, the Petes have added some size and experience to their group of defencemen while also bringing in a younger player the club sees as part of its future.

The Petes will open their season at home on Thursday, September 17th, but fans will get a chance to see their revamped lineup in preseason action on Saturday, September 12th, when they host the Niagara IceDogs at the PMC. Puck drop is set for 4:05pm.

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

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Former Petes Star Jason Dawe Was in Manhattan When 9/11 Changed Everything

By Scott Arnold

Twenty-five years later, the former Peterborough Petes star still gets chills thinking about what he witnessed in New York City that morning.

Jason Dawe during his time with the Peterborough Petes (photo courtesy of the ontario hockey league)

For Jason Dawe, September 11th, 2001, wasn't something he watched unfold from a television screen.

He was in Manhattan.

Dawe, who played for the Peterborough Petes from 1989 to 1993 and helped the team win an OHL championship in 1993, was in New York as part of the Rangers organization when the terrorist attacks happened.

On the 25th anniversary of September 11th, Dawe shared his memories of that morning on Facebook, offering a glimpse into what it was like to experience the events from inside New York City.

He was at Madison Square Garden for New York Rangers training camp when, according to Dawe, he watched the first plane hit the World Trade Center.

At that moment, Dawe says, there was no way of knowing what was happening or what was still to come.

Then another plane hit.

The events of the morning continued to unfold, and what initially seemed impossible became a terrifying reality for those watching from Manhattan.

Dawe remembers the moment the towers came down especially vividly.

Madison Square Garden, several kilometres from the World Trade Center, felt like it had been hit by a massive earthquake.

His hotel room was at 34th Street and Lexington Avenue, giving him a view toward the Hudson River and the area around Ground Zero.

He was suddenly witnessing one of the most devastating days in American history from the heart of New York City.

Twenty-five years later, the memories haven't faded.

Dawe described September 11th as the craziest day of his life and said he still gets chills thinking about what happened.

For Peterborough, Dawe is best remembered as one of the greatest offensive players in Petes history.

He remains the franchise's all-time leading goal scorer with 169 goals and ranks second in career points with 337. After his time in Peterborough, Dawe was selected in the second round of the NHL Draft by the Buffalo Sabres and went on to play in the NHL with Buffalo, the New York Islanders and Montreal Canadiens before joining the New York Rangers organization.

But on September 11th, 2001, none of that mattered.

He was simply a hockey player in New York who found himself watching history unfold from inside the city.

And 25 years later, he still remembers exactly what it felt like.

We remember September 11th, 2001, through the stories of the people who were there, and Dawe's is one that brings that day a little closer to home.

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

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