TELUS Cup Takes Over Peterborough Memorial Centre This Week

The TELUS Cup hits the Peterborough Memorial Centre this week with seven days of high-action hockey featuring some of Canada’s best up-and-coming U18 players to town.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The tournament runs from Monday to Sunday, with three games daily during the preliminary rounds at 11 a.m., 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. Monday to Friday. Semi-final games take place at 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. Saturday, with the bronze and gold medal games taking place at 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. Sunday.

“Peterborough is proud to welcome athletes, coaches, families and fans from across Canada for the TELUS Cup,” said Mayor Jeff Leal. “This is a chance to see some of the best young hockey talent in the country right here at home, experience the excitement of a national championship, and cheer on our own Junior Petes. I encourage residents and visitors to get their tickets now and be part of the action at the Memorial Centre.” 

“Bringing a national championship like the TELUS Cup to the Peterborough Memorial Centre is a massive win for our community,” said Dave Smith, Peterborough-Kawartha MPP. “This tournament puts a national spotlight on Peterborough, drawing families and fans from across Canada to our local hotels, restaurants, and shops. It’s a wonderful opportunity to showcase our world-class hospitality and deep-rooted hockey heritage and I can’t wait to see the energy in the arena as we cheer on our very own Junior Petes on the national stage.”  

“Ontario is proud to support the TELUS Cup through our Sport Hosting Program,” said Neil Lumsden, Minister of Sport. "For over 50 years, this championship has been a crucial launchpad for Canada's best young hockey talent — and we're thrilled to help bring that tradition to Peterborough. Events like this showcase emerging stars, drive local economic activity, and demonstrate that when it comes to sport hosting, Ontario has a deep roster of communities ready to deliver world-class events.” 

An official opening ceremony takes place on Monday at 7 p.m. Official greetings will be provided by Deputy Chief Jeffrey Jacobs from Curve Lake First Nation. Florence Osawamick, an Indigenous singer, will sing the national anthem in Anishinaabemowin.  

The tournament evenings belong to the Peterborough Jr. Petes U18 AAA team, who play each night at 7 p.m. during the preliminary round.  The Petes are making their national championship debut.

During the day, hockey fans watch some of the best players from across the nation as the following teams take to the ice:  

• Halifax Macs  

• Chevaliers de Lévis 

• Regina Pat Canadians  

• Okanagan Rockets  

• Waterloo Wolves 

One player to watch during the tournament is Regina Pat Canadians forward Maddox Schultz. Widely considered one of the brightest young stars in Canadian hockey, Schultz was selected first overall in the 2025 WHL Prospects Draft by the Regina Pats, has represented Canada internationally at the U17 level, and was the 2025 TELUS Cup Tournament Most Valuable Player. 

The full TELUS Cup schedule is available online.

Peterborough won the bid to host the TELUS Cup in April last year.

The successful bid was led by Peterborough Tourism, the City’s destination marketing program, with the support and partnership of the community including the Ontario Hockey Federation, Peterborough Minor Hockey Council, local tourism business operators and organizations and the Peterborough Petes.

The City expects the event to generate more than 1,200 total room nights and over $1 million in economic impact, boosting hotels, restaurants, shops and local attractions during the tournament week.

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U11AA Peterborough Petes Go On Undefeated Run To Capture OMHA Championship

The U11AA Peterborough Petes were flawless in capturing the Ontario Minor Hockey Association (OMHA) Championship title, defeating the Caledon Hawks, 3-1, at the Iroquois Park Sports Centre in Whitby on Sunday afternoon.

(Back Row) Head Coach Bobby Christie, AC Jeremy Heffernan, AC Steve Thomas, Gavin Thomas, AC Mark Prentice and Trainer Jeff Taylor.

(Middle Row) antzen Taylor, Jackson Faught, Nash Prentice, Jonny Dewhurst, Case Hedges, Charlie Clements, Mason Smith, Oscar Selby, Jonah Vogler, Brandon Devereau and Jack Coveney.

(Front Row) Nash Bloomfield, Ronan Goselin, Luke Lipscombe, Kaden Grills and Lucy Christie. Photo courtesy of the U11 Peterborough Petes.

The Petes faced off against the South Simcoe Storm as the opening game of the tournament on Friday morning. Peterborough won by a score of 4-2 with a three-goal surge in the third period. They were also the last game of the day, capping off the night with a 6-4 victory over the Flamborough Sabres. Both teams traded pairs of goals throughout the game but Peterborough scored twice late in the game to seal the win.

The Petes had only one game on Saturday against the Richmond Hill Jaguars. Peterborough was down 2-1 going into the final frame but they scored three times including three power play goals for a 4-3 win to clinch a spot in the playoffs.

The semifinals were against the Oakville Rangers on Sunday morning. While the game was close, Peterborough never relinquished the lead and punched their ticket to the finals with a 4-3 win.

The finals were a battle of the undefeated as the Petes faced the Caledon Hawks. Peterborough scored the first three goals, including two in the second half of the third period. The Hawks finally responded with a score in the final 40 seconds of regulation but it was too little, too late and Peterborough completed their undefeated run to win the OMHA championship.

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U11 AA Peterborough Petes Derail Undefeated Whitby Wildcats For Lakeshore League Championship

The U11 AA Peterborough Petes spoiled the Whitby Wildcats’ undefeated season during their best-of-three series, capping off a game three victory, winning 3-2 to capture the Lakeshore League Championship on Wednesday evening.

(From left to right) (Back row) Nash Prentice, Coach Bobby Christie, Jonny Dewhurst, Mason Smith, Brandon Devereaux, Gavin Thomas, Assistant Coach Steve Thomas, Case Hedges, Assistant Coach Jeremy Heffernan, Jack Coveney, Trainer Jeff Taylor and Kaden Grills.

(Middle Row) Oscar Selby, Lucy Christie, Charlie Clements, Jantzen Taylor, Jonah Vogler, Ronan Goselin and Luke Lipscombe.

(Front Row) Nash Bloomfield and Jackson Faught.

(Absent) Assistant Coach Mark Prentice. Photo courtesy of the U11 Peterborough Petes.

The U11 AA Petes had a regular-season record of five wins and three losses for a second-place finish.

The Petes advanced to the finals after inching out a 4-2 win in game three of their series over the Northumberland Hawks in the semifinals on March 10.

Peterborough fell behind early in the final series, being shut out 4-0 by the Wildcats in game one on March 14. The Petes handed Whitby their first two losses in back-to-back games on Monday and Wednesday, respectively.

“This group has shown incredible growth all season,” said Bobby Christie, U11 AA Petes head coach. “Open borders in Ontario Minor Hockey strengthened the league overall, creating stiffer competition and parity across divisions.”

The win gives the Petes the right to compete in the Red Hat OMHA Championship tournament in Whitby from March 27 to 29.

“Their dedication to each other, their work ethic, and their love for the game made this championship possible. I couldn’t be prouder of this team,“ concluded Christie.

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U13 AA Peterborough Petes End Undefeated Season With Lakeshore League Championship; Win Punches Ticket to OMHA Championship

The U13 AA Peterborough Petes capped off their undefeated season and punched their ticket to the Ontario Minor Hockey Association (OMHA) Championship after winning the Lakeshore League Championship at the Campus Ice Centre in Oshawa on Monday night.

Photo courtesy of the U13 Peterborough Petes.

“ (This was) a victory built on a group of players who fully bought into our system from day one,” said Mark MacDonell, Petes U13 AA head coach. “Their commitment shows every single practice by demonstrating relentless effort, attention to detail, and a drive to get better that carries straight into how they compete on game day.”

The team capped their regular season by going undefeated with eight wins (two in overtime). The Petes opened their season with a 4-0 win over the North Durham Warriors on Feb. 8, then beat the Quinte West Hawks, 2-1, two days later. A Valentine’s Day date with the Kingston Canadians saw Peterborough win convincingly, 5-1. On the second game of a back-to-back, the Petes defeated the Oshawa Generals, 4-1.

Peterborough had a six-day rest before taking down the Hawks a second time, 5-2. The next day, the Petes beat Kingston again, 3-2. The team had two consecutive days of games to start off March and closed their regular season with a pair of wins, 6-0 over the Warriors and 3-2 over the Generals.

The eight-game winning streak earned the Petes a spot in the semifinals against the Whitby Wildcats. The latter swept the best-of-three series with a 1-0 win on March 4 and a 4-2 victory on March 7.

Peterborough met their rival, the Oshawa Generals, in the finals in another best-of-three series. Peterborough won game one, 3-1 at the Healthy Planet Arena on Friday, before capping off the perfect season with a 3-2 win on Monday night.

“What makes this team truly special is how tightly connected they are; they play for each other, push each other and support each other like brothers,” said MacDonnell. “Our coaching staff poured everything into helping these players grow and their dedication set the tone for the culture we built together.”

The win qualifies the Petes to participate in the OMHA Championship in Whitby from March 27 to 29.

“As their coach, watching this group grow into champions, both in skill and in character, has been something I’ll never forget,” concluded MacDonnell.

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Peterborough Bringing Top Youth Hockey to Town As Host of 2016 OMHA Championships

Peterborough has been named the host of the Ontario Minor Hockey Association (OMHA)’s 2026 U16 and U18 AAA Championships on March 13 to 15 at the Miskin Law Community Complex.

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE U16 PETERBOROUGH PETES.

These high-level competitions are significant events leading up to the TELUS Cup, which takes place from April 20 to 26 and is also hosted by Peterborough.

Roughly 300 athletes from 16 teams and hundreds of supporters are expected to be drawn to the community.

“Hockey is woven into the fabric of our community, and events like the OMHA Championships remind us why Peterborough has earned its place among Canada’s great hockey cities,” said Peterborough City Councillors Lesley Parnell and Alex Bierk, Community Services co-chairs. “These Championships celebrate hockey at its highest level of competition, but also it’s a celebration of our local rinks, our volunteers, and the generations of players who have grown up dreaming of moments like this. We’re thrilled to welcome athletes, families, and fans to Peterborough to share this moment.”

According to the City, Peterborough Tourism has been working closely with the Ontario Minor Hockey Association to bring the U16 and U18 AAA championships to the Miskin Law Community Complex. The City says this is the latest sports tourism win for the community, alongside the 2025 Intercollegiate Flag Provincial Championship, the 2025 Women’s Major Series Lacrosse Championships and the TELUS Cup.

“This weekend will be an unforgettable experience that brings teams and players from across the province in thrilling competition,” said Ian Taylor, OMHA Executive Director. “Good luck to all teams this season and see you soon on the Road to #RedHats in Peterborough.”

This tournament is an important milestone for competitive athletes as Peterborough prepares to host the TELUS Cup. The OMHA U18 AAA champion advances to the Ontario Hockey Federation Tournament, and the winner there earns a spot at the TELUS Cup. U16 AAA champions move on to the OHL Cup.

The TELUS Cup will take place April 20-26, 2026, at the Peterborough Memorial Centre and will see six elite men’s U18 teams from across Canada, including the host Peterborough Minor Petes, making their national championship debut, to compete for the national title.

As the countdown to a spring filled with hockey highlights, the community will be rallying behind the hometown Peterborough Petes and other hockey players while preparing to welcome visitors from across Canada to explore the city.

For updates on tournament schedules, ticket sales, and volunteer opportunities, visit HelloPeterborough.ca or follow Peterborough Tourism on Facebook and Instagram.

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Peterborough Hockey Association to Continue Annual Liftlock U11 Hockey Tournament In 2027

A cherished tradition will continue after all, as the Peterborough Hockey Association (PHA) will host the Annual Liftlock U11 Hockey Tournament for 2027, announced on Wednesday.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The decision came after close collaboration with the City of Peterborough.

“We extend our heartfelt thanks to the current and past volunteers and board members of the Liftlock Atom Tournament for their many years of dedication, which have sustained this cherished event,” according to a statement made in a press release.

The original tournament organizers announced that the 66th edition would be the last back in late July due to a lack of volunteers and the shifting landscape of minor hockey.

The past organizers stated that “finding and retaining enough individuals to manage the extensive logistics, from scheduling to arena operations, has become increasingly difficult.”

They also mentioned that “changes within the broader minor hockey landscape may have also contributed to the challenges faced by the Peterborough Liftlock Atom Tournament.”

Eighty-seven alumni participated in the tournament and went on to play in the National Hockey League.

They include:

• Wayne Gretzky - The Great One and was one of hockey’s greatest goal scorers

• Eric Lindros - NHL MVP

• Bob Gainey - Multiple Stanley Cup winner and successful coach

• Corey Perry - Hometown Stanley Cup champion with the Anaheim Ducks

• Steve Larmer - An ‘iron man’ forward who played 884 consecutive games for the Chicago Blackhawks

• John Vanbiesbrouck - Stanley Cup goaltender and finalist

• Tie Domi - Renowned Toronto Maple Leafs enforcer

• Mickey Redmond - Montréal Canadiens forward and Detroit Red Wings colour commentator

• Cory Stillman - A two-time Stanley Cup champion

• Mike Fisher - An 18-season NHL veteran

“Their connection to this tournament highlights its role in developing young talent, and the legacy we build upon,” PHA stated.

The 2026 edition is being held from Jan. 9-11.

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Peterborough Selected to Host 2026 TELUS Cup National Club Championship

The Electric City has been selected to host the 2026 Telus Cup, Canada’s National Under-18 Men’s Club Championship, announced by Hockey Canada at the Peterborough Memorial Centre on Wednesday.

Members of Peterborough Minor Petes team and staff, City Council and more with the official logo for the Telus Cup for 2026 in the middle of the Peterborough Memorial Centre’s rink. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The Telus Cup runs from April 20 to 26 next year with all games at the Peterborough Memorial Centre. The event has six elite men’s U18 teams from across the nation battling for the title. The host Peterborough Minor Petes are making their national championship debut in the tournament.

“This is the most exciting hockey moment for our community since we hosted the Memorial Cup in 1996,” said Mayor Jeff Leal. “In Peterborough, hockey is more than a game, it is part of our identity. The TELUS Cup is an incredible chance to cheer on the future stars of the sport, showcase our facilities and the home of the legendary Peterborough Petes, and celebrate everything that makes Peterborough an unforgettable destination not only for youth hockey, but also for active family fun.”

The successful bid was led by Peterborough Tourism, the City’s destination marketing program, with the support and partnership of the community including the Ontario Hockey Federation, Peterborough Minor Hockey Council, local tourism business operators and organizations and the Peterborough Petes. The City expects the event to generate more than 1,200 total room nights and over $1 million in economic impact, boosting hotels, restaurants, shops and local attractions during the tournament week.

“Hosting premier hockey events takes a tremendous effort from everyone in the chosen communities,” said Dean McIntosh, senior vice president, revenue, fan experience and community impact. “From volunteers, sponsors and the fans, Canadians from coast to coast step up every year to help grow the game of hockey and provide lifelong memories for these athletes.”

(From Left to right) Lucy Christie, 10; Mason Scollard, 12; Cale Christie, 12; Emmett Scollard, 10 and Isaac Cavanagh, 11. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

As the oldest continuously operating franchise in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL), the Peterborough Petes have produced over 175 NHL players, including Steve Yzerman, Chris Pronger, Larry Murphy and Bob Gainey. The city has also hosted high-profile events, including the 1996 Memorial Cup and six Mann Cup lacrosse championships between 2004 and 2022.

“Hosting the TELUS Cup is an amazing opportunity for the Peterborough Community and the Peterborough Minor Hockey Council,” said Michael Oke, general manager and vice president of operations. “The Men’s U18 National Club Championship has hosted a number of big names over the years, including Petes alumni like Steve Yzerman, Larry Murphy, Luke Richardson, and Slater Koekkoek to name a few. This is also a great opportunity for the Peterborough Petes and the U18 Petes to showcase our partnership on a national stage.”

The 2025 TELUS Cup is being held in Chilliwack, B.C. Dieppe, N.B. was also announced as the host location for the 2026 Esso Cup.

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Undefeated U11 AA Peterborough Petes Crowned Ontario Minor Hockey Association Champions

The U11 AA Peterborough Minor Petes are bringing home the hardware as they were crowned Ontario Minor Hockey Association (OMHA) champions at the Iroquois Park Sports Centre in Whitby on Sunday.

Photo courtesy of Chad Buchner.

The team opened the three-day tournament with two victories over the Glancaster Bombers and Barrie Colts, shutting them out 2-0 in both games.

The Petes only had one game on Saturday against the Upper York Admirals to a 4-4 tie. The draw clinched the top seed for Peterborough in Group A with five points and qualified for the playoffs.

In the semi-final matchup, they drew the second-seeded Centre Wellington Fusion from Group B. It was a close battle but the Petes broke the tie with 59 seconds left in regulation to win the game 3-2 and advance to the championship.

The team had their toughest matchup in the finals. They were pitted against the undefeated Clarington Toros, who won Group B with a perfect 3-0 record. Peterborough rung off two goals later in the first period to go up 2-0. With 8:34 left in the second, they added extra insurance with a power play goal for a 3-0 lead. The Petes coughed up an early goal in the third but hung on for the 3-1 win and OMHA championship.

“I’m still at a loss for words,” explained Chad Buchner, U11 AA Petes coach. “There’s nothing better than watching someone realize they can do something—that their goals aren’t just dreams, but something real, something achievable. And there’s nothing more powerful than watching a group of kids come together to shift their mindset, to turn belief into reality.”

The Petes ended with an overall record of 4-0-1 as the last remaining undefeated team in the tournament.

“It was about the culture we built—the countless hours given by coaches, team staff, grandparents, and families who poured their hearts into something bigger than hockey,” said Buchner. “It was about respect, kindness, philanthropy and a group of young athletes who didn’t just play for each other, but because of each other.”

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U16 and U18 AAA Peterborough Petes Victorious In Opening Games For the Steve Richey Tournament Hockey Championship

The U16 and U18 AAA Peterborough Petes kicked off their Steve Richey Tournament Hockey Championship with tallies in the win columns on Thursday.

U16 PETERBOROUGH PETES AAA centreman Garrett Jones (left) makes a tip-in goal to make it 2-0 against the U16 Markham Majors to kick off the Steve Richey Memorial Tournament of Champions. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The U16 Petes dominated the U16 Markham Majors in a 6-3 win at the Healthy Planet Arena.

Peterborough opened the game with five straight goals as Dean Sheridan, Garrett Jones, Keaton Legacy, Nathan White and Lucas Cavanaugh scored.

Markham scored their first goal in the final minute of the second period.

Peterborough scored once more in the third, thanks to Joseph Gallagher, to make it 6-1. Markham scored twice more, but Peterborough easily hung on for the 6-3 win.

The U16 Petes remained undefeated, defeating the U16 Chatham-Kent Cyclones 2-1 at the Healthy Planet Arena Friday morning for a 2-0 record. They will play a second game on the same day against the U16 Elgin-Middlesex Canucks at the Peterborough Memorial Centre at 6:30 p.m.

All photos by David Tuan Bui.

The U18 Petes won a close game against the U18 New Liskeard Cubs, 2-1, at the Miskin Law Community Complex on Thursday evening.

Rowan Turner opened the Petes early in the first period for a 1-0 lead.

In the second, the Cubs scored on the powerplay to tie it at one for the period’s only score.

Petes captain Cameron Meek broke the tie late in the third with just over five minutes left to make it 2-1. That would be the game-winning goal, and the U18 Petes would have their first win of the tournament.

The U18 team battled the U18 York Simcoe Express to a 2-2 tie at the Peterborough Memorial Centre on Friday morning. The result gave Peterborough a 1-0-1 record.

The Petes will play against the U18 Burlington Eagles at the Peterborough Memorial Center at 8:15 p.m.

The event is a showcase tournament for the AAA-level U16 and U18 players. Several hockey scouts are in attendance for the event. Many players are already OHL prospects, while others may have been overlooked or attempting to make a good impression to potentially be drafted.

Almost 60 teams are competing in the tournament. It runs for four days, from Thursday until Sunday. Semifinals and finals occur on the Sunday.

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U15 AAA Peterborough Petes Capture Hamilton Steel Classic Championship In Undefeated Run

The U15 AAA Peterborough Petes went undefeated to capture the 32nd-annual Hamilton Steel Classic Championship at the Chedoke Twin Pad Arena in Hamilton on Sunday.

(Left to right) Front row: Tyson Hawley, Blake Brioux, Taytem Adams, Cole Roberts, Matty Colling, Landen white and Liam Williams, 

Back row: Brock Davis, Kevin Sparling, Lynn Todd, Cooper poskin, Taymon browne, Kalum Phillips, Hannu Packalen, Gage cooper Bailey, Lucas McIntyre, Prestin Allen, Colton Adams, Kotter Grove, Joey Gusso, Reid Cameron, Joe hawley and Dan Robertson. Photo courtesy of the Peterborough Minor Petes.

The three-day tournament saw the Petes begin the qualifying rounds, beating the Waterloo Wolves 4-2 and 6-1 over the Soo Jr. Greyhounds. On Saturday, they played two more qualifiers, defeating Sun County Panthers 4-1 and North York Rangers, 5-2.

On Sunday. the Petes had a rematch against the Panthers in the quarterfinals. Peterborough had some late-game heroics as Peterborough was down 2-0 late in the third. They scored with 2:04 left in regulation to cut the deficit to one. In a last gasp, the Petes scored with 2.7 seconds left to send the game to overtime. Colton Adams was the hero for Peterborough with a walk-off goal with 91 seconds left on the clock to advance to the semifinals.,

In the next game, Peterborough defeated the host Hamilton Steel team 2-1, with Kalum Phillips scoring the game-winning goal to advance to the finals.

The finals were a battle of the undefeated as Peterborough faced the North Central Predators. The game came down to a shootout after a 1-1 score and saw Petes’s Blake Brioux score the eventual winner to seal the championship. Landon White was named the game MVP for the Petes.

After two and a half months, the U15 Petes have a 31-4-1 record including pre-season, league play, and two tournament titles.

The U15 Petes host the Ajax-Pickering Raiders at the Healthy Planet Arena at the Sign-a-Fied Pad. Puck drop is scheduled for 6:15 p.m.

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