Peterborough Petes’ Dr. Bob Neville Named 2026 Recipient of Bill Long Award

By Scott Arnold

Dr. Bob Neville has been recognized for nearly four decades of service to the Peterborough Petes and the Ontario Hockey League, receiving the 2026 Bill Long Award for Distinguished Service to the OHL.

Dr. Bob Neville accepts the 2026 Bill Long Award for Distinguished Service to the Ontario Hockey League at the OHL’s Champions Reception in Muskoka Lakes. (Photo courtesy of the PEterborough petes)

The OHL announced the honour on August 14th, with Neville presented with the award at the league’s Champions Reception in Muskoka Lakes this past week.

The Bill Long Award recognizes an individual who has made an outstanding contribution to the OHL. It honours the legacy of Bill Long, who spent more than three decades in the league as a coach and manager with the Niagara Falls Flyers, Ottawa 67’s and London Knights.

For Neville, the recognition caps a remarkable 39-year connection with the Petes.

He joined the organization in 1987 as the team’s physician, travelling with the club and being part of the Petes’ Memorial Cup appearances in 1989 and 1993. He joined the Petes Board of Directors in 1995 and chaired the successful bid to bring the 1996 Memorial Cup to Peterborough, later serving as chairman of the tournament.

Neville also served on the Peterborough Memorial Centre Renovation Committee in 2000 and was president of the Petes Board of Directors from 2002 to 2005. He currently serves as governor of the Petes Board.

His involvement has extended well beyond Peterborough. Neville was elected to the OHL Board of Governors’ Executive Council in 2005, serving as secretary, treasurer and later chairman, while also sitting on several league committees.

OHL Commissioner Bryan Crawford called Neville a “most deserving recipient” and praised his passion for the league, his focus on players and the perspective he has brought to the OHL Executive Council.

Away from hockey, Neville has worked as a family physician, occupational health physician, coroner and medical review officer. He has also taught family medicine at Queen’s and McMaster universities and held a number of leadership roles in Peterborough’s healthcare community.

Neville is the fifth Petes representative to receive the Bill Long Award, joining Pat Casey, Jeff Twohey, Norm Bryan and Herb Warr.

For a Petes organization that has been fortunate to have Neville involved in so many different capacities over the years, this latest honour recognizes just how significant that contribution has been.

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

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