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

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Threads, Tiktok, Youtube and LinkedIn. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for our newsletter here.

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

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Threads, Tiktok, Youtube and LinkedIn. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for our newsletter here.

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

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Threads, Tiktok, Youtube and LinkedIn. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for our newsletter here.

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

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Threads, Tiktok, Youtube and LinkedIn. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for our newsletter here.

First Wave of Montréal Canadiens Alumni Announced For Rivalry Night at the Peterborough Memorial Centre On Nov. 17

The first round of Montreal Canadiens Alumni for the Peterborough Memorial Centre’s Rivalry Night have announced their first round of players participating on Nov. 17 at the Peterborough Memorial Centre (PMC).

Photo courtesy of the Peterborough Memorial Centre.

Montreal Canadiens Alumni include:

Stéphane Richer - Drafted by the Canadiens in 1984, he is the last player in franchise history to score 50 goals or more in a season. Over his 17-year National Hockey League career, he also played with the Devils, Lightning, Blues, and Penguins, ending his active career as two-time Stanley Cup champion.

Patrice Brisebois - Drafted by Montreal in the second round of the 1989 NHL entry draft, Brisebois became a staple of the Habs defence through the 1990s, specifically as their power play anchor. This includes winning a Stanley Cup with Montreal in 1993. In total, Brisebois played 1009 games in the NHL, 896 of them with Montreal, ranking third all-time in games played for the Canadiens as a defenceman.

Richard Sévigny - He played eight seasons in the National Hockey League, spending his first five with the Montreal Canadiens before heading to Quebec Nordiques. In 1981, he won the Vezina trophy and a Stanley Cup with the Montreal Canadiens.

Chris Nilan – Coach - He holds the NHL record for most penalties in a single game with 10 in 1991. He played 13 seasons in the National Hockey League, 10 of which were with the Montreal Canadiens. He is a winner of one Stanley Cup with the Canadiens in 1986.

Other Montreal Canadiens Alumni include Pierre Dagenais, Oleg Petrov, Sergio Momesso, Gilbert Delorme, Mathieu Dandenault, Gilbert Dionne and Normand Dupont.

The Montreal Canadiens Alumni team will be playing the already announced Toronto Maple Leafs Alumni team that includes Rick Vaive, Steve Thomas, Al Iafrate, Todd Gill, Mike Krushelnyski, Rich Clune, Wayne Primeau, Dave Mcllwain, Ric Jackman Matt Martin and Adam Munro, coached by Dave Reid.

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Tiktok, Youtube and LinkedIn. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for our newsletter here.

Leafs and Canadiens Alumni Face Off in Rivalry Night at the Peterborough Memorial Centre On Nov. 17

The first round of the Maple Leaf Alumni who will be playing Rivalry Night at the Peterborough Memorial Centre (PMC) on Nov. 17 has been announced.

Photo courtesy of the Peterborough Memorial Centre.

The announcement was made by the PMC and Greater Peterborough Health Services Foundation (GPHSF), Your Family Health Team Foundation. The Rivalry Night features the Toronto Maple Leafs Alumni team taking on the Montréal Canadiens Alumni team. Proceeds support GPHSF and Peterborough Athletic Concussion Awareness (PACA).

“There is no greater rivalry in professional hockey and arguably, all of professional sports than the Habs versus Leafs,” said Vince Bierworth, GPHSF executive director. “It’s going to be a lot of fun having these passionate fans in the Memorial Centre cheering on the alumni of their favourite teams.”

Toronto Maple Leaf Alumni include:

Rick Vaive – A prolific goal scorer, Vaive was the first 50-goal scorer in Maple Leafs franchise history, surpassing that threshold three times. His 54 goals in the 1981–82 season would stand as a Toronto Maple Leafs franchise record for 40 years before Auston Matthews surpassed it in 2021–22. Over 13 seasons, 8 with the Leafs, Vaive amassed 441 goals in 876 games.

Steve Thomas – Known as a playoff performer, Thomas scored 421 regular season goals in his NHL career, including topping the 40-goal mark twice. He had two stints with the Toronto Maple Leafs, first breaking into the NHL from 1984 to 87, then again playing three seasons with the Leafs from 1998 to 2001.

Al Iafrate – Drafted by the Toronto Maple Leafs in 1984, Iafrate played seven seasons on defence for the Leafs, becoming one of the best-known Leafs defensemen of the era and having the hardest slap shot in hockey. He appeared in 4 All-Star Games in his 12-year NHL career.

Todd Gill – Gill played all or parts of 12 seasons for the Maples Leafs from 1984 to 1996, finishing his nearly 20-year NHL career in 2003. He anchored the Leafs defence to two Conference Finals in the 1992-93 season and 1993-94 seasons, leading Leaf defensemen in scoring during the 92-93 campaign.

Mike Krushelnyski – A 4 time Stanley Cup champion as a player and Coach, Krushelnyski played 4 seasons for the Maple Leafs from 1990 – 1994, being an important part of some deep playoff runs. Krushelnyski is known as part of the biggest trade in NHL history when the Edmonton Oilers traded Wayne Gretzky to the Los Angeles Kings, a trade that included Marty McSorley and Mike Krushelnyski.

Dave Reid (Coach) - A former Peterborough Pete player and General Manager, Reid broke into the NHL with the Leafs in 1988 and won a Stanley Cup with Dallas in 1999 and one with Colorado in 2001. He is now a broadcaster and NHL analyst.

Additional players include forwards Rich Clune, Wayne Primeau and Dave Mcllwain, Ric Jackman and Matt Martin. Playing goal for the Maple Leafs Alumni is Adam Munro.

Lineups are subject to change and more players may be announced.

The Montreal Canadiens Alumni Team will be announced in the coming weeks according to the PMC.

Tickets are available for $25 ($20 for children) plus applicable fees online, in person at the Box office or by phone at 705-743-3561.

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Tiktok, Youtube and LinkedIn. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for our newsletter here.

Leafs Alumni VS Canadiens Alumni to Face Off for Rivalry Night at the Peterborough Memorial Centre

On Monday, GPHSF, Your Family Health Team Foundation, in partnership with Peterborough Memorial Centre (PMC), announced the Montreal Canadiens Alumni team and the Toronto Maple Leafs Alumni team are coming to Peterborough to participate in a charity hockey game November 17.

photo courtesy of the peterborough memorial centre.

The game will take place at the PMC and tickets will go on sale on Friday, June 2. Tickets start at $25 each and children’s tickets are $20.

There are also a limited number of $75 VIP upgrade tickets, available which include a pre-game reception and meet and greet with either the Montreal Canadiens or Toronto Maple Leafs team.

“We are really excited to be hosting Rivalry Night with the Peterborough Memorial Centre” said Vince Bierworth, executive director for the GPHSF. “There is no greater rivalry in professional hockey and, arguably, all of professional sports, than the Habs versus Leafs. It’s going to be a lot of fun having these passionate fans in the Memorial Centre cheering on the alumni of their favourite teams. Proceeds from the event will support the GPHSF, Your Family Health Team Foundation. Vital funding for initiatives that broaden equity and access to healthcare.”

The full roster for each team will be announced closer to the event and the Alumni say they are promising an exciting and competitive game.

Tickets can be purchased online, by phone or in person at the PMC Box Office.

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and Tiktok. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for PTBOBuzz newsletter here.

Local Musician Releases Song Highlighting Toronto Maple Leafs Fans' Woes

While the Toronto Maple Leafs have yet to win a Stanley Cup in over 56 years, local musician Bobby McBain released a music video, singing about the NHL team’s troubles on Friday.

The video features Maple Leaf fans getting together to watch the game and then becoming frustrated after clips of heartbreaking moments of Toronto being played.

“March is always a tough time of year for Leaf fans,” said McBain in a Facebook post. “There is always a false sense of hope that this will be the year they finally make a run for the Stanley Cup and put an end to over half a century of losing. Then reality sets in and we realize we are going to play Tampa or Boston or some other team with more depth and better skillsets and the Leafs do what they always do and that's choke coming down the stretch.”

The song begins optimistically with stories of watching Leafs games when they were young. It highlights clips of the team during the 80s and beyond.

The song notes the team’s turning point involved an alleged missed high-sticking call on Wayne Gretzky to Doug Gilmore during Game 6 of the 1993 Western Conference Final between the Los Angeles Kings and the Leafs. Toronto eventually lost the series. Clips of the fans lamented over the playoff woes the team has faced since that series loss.

The video ends with a message from McBain attempting to give hope to Leafs’ fans stating, “To all the Leaf fans across Canada and around the world… You are not alone. We are in this together.”

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and Tiktok. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for PTBOBuzz newsletter here.

Celebration of Life for Local Leafs Fan Mike Davy at Peterborough Square On Friday

A celebration of life honouring Toronto Maple Leafs fan Mike Davy is being held at the Connex Program Space of Community Living Trent Highlands at Peterborough Square from 1 p.m. - 3 p.m. on Friday.

Maple LEafs’s Mitch Marner scored the overtime walk-off goal at Davy’s first game. Photo courtesy of Craig Meridith.

Davy passed away overnight from cardiac arrest after returning from his first Maple Leafs game last Wednesday.

The 65-year-old had the time of his life witnessing the Maple Leafs get a 3-2 overtime win against the New York Rangers. His social worker Craig Meridith said he leapt up from the goal and almost ‘fell out of his wheelchair.’

His death garnered national attention and was recognized by the Leafs organization the following Friday.

We were honoured to have Mike in the building on Wednesday💙

Our hearts go out to his family & friends. Leafs Nation is thinking of him. https://t.co/3oxFH6Hy8U

— Toronto Maple Leafs (@MapleLeafs) January 27, 2023

Davy was diagnosed with ‘global development delay’ that affects his physical and cognitive development. He has had a history of heart complications, undergoing a number of surgeries. He was supposed to get x-rays of his heart the following morning of his death.

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and Tiktok. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for PTBOBuzz newsletter here.

Local Leafs Fan Mike Davy, 65, Passes Away From Cardiac Arrest After Returning From First Live Toronto NHL Game

Peterborough’s Mike Davy passed away overnight from cardiac arrest at 65, after coming back from his first live Toronto Leafs Game on Wednesday night.

Davy at his first Leafs game with Toronto winning 3-2 in overtime. Photo courtesy of Craig Meridith.

Davy was diagnosed with ‘global development delay’ that significantly hinders his physical and cognitive development. He also had several heart complications throughout his life, undergoing several surgeries including his heart valves. He was supposed to get x-rays of his heart the following morning.

He spent ten years under social worker Craig Meridith through Fleming College’s Blue Box program. He passed away peacefully overnight on Meridith’s couch after returning home from the Leafs game. Meridith said there weren’t any telltale signs of his death when he stayed overnight.

“He had a cough, like a hack. You didn't really think anything of it because he's had heart surgeries over the year,” explained Meridith.

Davy often would accompany Meridith and his partner to their trailer. Photo courtesy of Craig Meridith.

Davy attended his first Maple Leafs game in Toronto on Wednesday against the New York Rangers. Forward Mitch Marner scored the walk-off game-winning goal in overtime for a Maple Leafs 3-2 win.

It was the perfect first and last game for Davy to watch before his passing said Meridith.

“When they announced Mitch's name, his arms went up in the air and he almost jumped out of the wheelchair” he explained. “I had to pin him down so he didn't fall over out of sheer joy.”

Davy had done volunteer work with Trent University with their Blue Box program, Bata Library and bussing tables. He was a Special Olympics athlete in bowling.

“He's funny and outgoing but he also knew how to push your buttons at the same time when he was seeking attention,” said Meridith. “At the end of the day, he was a great guy.” 

Davy was also an avid fan of the Peterborough Petes and Toronto Blue Jays.

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and Tiktok. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for PTBOBuzz newsletter here.