Local Man Collects Donated Lacrosse Equipment For Local Clubs and Abroad

After gathering over 1,200 pounds of community-donated lacrosse gear, John Davis Jr. is giving the equipment to local clubs and underprivileged Ugandan children this fall.

Anything deemed unusable has been discarded from being donated. Photo Courtesy of John Davis Jr.

Davis Jr. has collected gear since the start of the pandemic in the spring of last year through a Facebook campaign. Sticks, helmets, gloves, shoes and more are many of the things given to the cause.

Peterborough, the rest of Ontario and Quebec have donated their gear to Davis Jr. in honour of the cause. The Peterborough Minor Lacrosse Association and Peterborough Lakers have given two sets of home and away jerseys as part of the collection.

The equipment will go to the Uganda Lacrosse Foundation to provide underprivileged Ugandan youth to have access to play lacrosse. Any leftover gear that will not be sent overseas will be donated to local clubs and organizations according to Davis Jr.

“I intend on reaching out to different communities who need equipment for their house leagues,” he said. “I probably have 1,200 to 1,300 pounds of gear.”

Majority of the gear intended for Uganda will be field lacrosse equipment as opposed to box lacrosse. Photo Courtesy of John Davis Jr.

The Davis family have been born with lacrosse in their blood. Davis Jr. is the son of Peterborough Sports Hall of Fame inductee Johnny “Shooter” Davis —who has the Major Series Lacrosse playoff MVP trophy named after him — who won the Mann Cup in his rookie year in 1966.

John Davis Jr. (pictured) is a contributing writer for the New Jersey-based lacrosse website, crossecheck.com. Photo Courtesy of John Davis Jr.

Though Davis Jr. opted not to play professional lacrosse, his desire and passion for the game remained. He got the idea of helping Uganda lacrosse through contacts he made working as a writer for crossecheck.com.

After meeting with Ugandan players and Jaffari Makanda Ibrahim, president of the Ugandan Lacrosse Network and hearing their stories, inspired Davis Jr. to help a campaign with the University of Michigan.

Johnny “Shooter” Davis (pictured) has won two consecutive playoff MVP awards in 1966-67. Photo Courtesy of John Davis Jr.

Davis Jr. has been grateful for the generosity of the communities that have supported his cause since he started it last year.

“The people are just unbelievable, it’s been endless,” he explained. “I had to put a stop on equipment because of how much I’ve been getting.”

The lacrosse writer would have people drop off donated gear at his house or he would come to pick it up himself when people wanted to donate. Lacrosse sticks are something he will always accept and wants to send 50 sticks in the fall. He noted that he has yet to receive any goalie sticks.

A GoFundMe organized by the University of Michigan has been launched to pay for the shipping costs of the gear to Uganda. Click here if you would like to donate.

“Lacrosse is in my blood,” said Davis Jr. “Peterborough is the lacrosse capital, there’s no doubt about it.”

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Peterborough Petes Launch Frontline Workers Drop The Puck Program

The Peterborough Petes recognizes deserving local frontline workers with the Frontline Workers Drop the Puck program announced on Friday.

Photo Courtesy of Peterborough Petes.

The Petes acknowledge that this past year and a half has required additional time, effort and a tremendous amount of dedication from the frontline workers throughout Peterborough and the Kawartha Lakes.

Each week, the Petes will recognize and celebrate one frontline worker who was nominated by a colleague, member of the community or employer for their extraordinary work throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.

File Photo.

The Petes will be accepting applications recognizing frontline workers across all industries. These industries include but are not limited to, first responders, food and agriculture, manufacturing, public transit workers, grocery store workers and construction.

Nominations for this program opened on Friday and end on Aug. 20. The Petes will be selecting one nominee per week starting on Monday, August 9.

The frontline workers who are selected will be invited to participate in the ceremonial puck drop when the Petes return to the Memorial Centre for their home opener on Oct. 14 against the Sudbury Wolves.

Fans can nominate the same individual as many times as they would like. The more nominations an individual receives will result in a better chance of being selected to drop the puck at the Petes home opener.

Puck droppers will be determined based on the number of nominations that are submitted highlighting their work, in conjunction with a review of the reasons they were nominated.

To nominate a frontline worker, click here.

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Local Olympians Help Canada Win First Water Polo Game Since 2004

Lindsay’s Emma and Claire Wright of the Canadian women’s water polo team defeated The Republic of South Africa with an impressive score of 21-1 at the 2020 Tokyo Summer Olympics on Wednesday.

Emma and Claire Wright in Peru. Photo Courtesy of Wendy Wright.

The win improved the team’s record to 1-2 in third place in Group A. Emma scored a goal early in the game and logged 17:08 minutes of play time.

Goalkeeper Clara Vulpisi made her first Olympic appearance, stopping eight of nine shots which allowed Claire to cheer on her sister during this match.

“Outside the water, it’s like I have my sister here and it’s amazing but in the water, she’s my teammate and we’re both there to do a job,” said Emma.

The team is currently sitting third in Group A. This victory put Canada on track to make the quarterfinals where the top four teams from each group will compete.

Quarterfinals will begin on Tuesday.

Canada will face the Netherlands in their final preliminary match on Sunday.

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Three Peterborough Petes Selected to 2021 NHL Draft

It was a dream that Mason McTavish, Brian Zanetti and Artem Guryev all get to live as their names were called in the 2021 NHL Draft on Friday and Saturday.

McTavish helped Team Canada win gold for the first time since 2013 at the 2021 U18 IIHF World Championship in Texas. He had 11 points (five goals, six assists) in seven games, ranking fifth overall in the tournament and tied second on Team Canada. Photo Courtesy of the Peterborough Petes.

McTavish was selected third overall by the Anaheim Ducks on Friday, the earliest a Pete has ever been drafted since Nick Ritchie in 2014, 10th overall (also by the Ducks).

The Zurich, Switzerland-born centreman modelled his game after Ducks captain Ryan Getzlaf.

“He’s a bigger guy, kind of similar to me,” said McTavish. “He’s super talented and he gets around pretty well too for how big he is so I definitely look up to him and admire how he plays the game.”

The Carp, Ontario native recorded 29 goals and 13 assists for 42 points during his 2019-20 rookie campaign with Peterborough, finishing second in the OHL rookie scoring race. He was named to the OHL 2nd All-Rookie team.

Zanetti was having dinner with his family when he heard his name be called by the Philadelphia Flyers. Photo Courtesy of the Peterborough Petes

Brian Zanetti was selected 110th overall in the fourth round by the Philadelphia Flyers.

Zanetti was selected by the Petes at the 2020 CHL Import Draft, first round, 35th overall. The 172-pound defenceman played for HC Lugano U-20 Elit in Switzerland for the 2019-20 and 2020-21 season.

The 2003-born, Switzerland native recorded nine goals and 20 assists for 29 points in 41 games, during last season’s campaign. Zanetti has represented Switzerland at the U16, U17, U18, and U20 levels. 

The Swiss defenceman becomes the eighth Pete in franchise history to be selected by the Philadelphia Flyers.

“When I saw my name, my parents and I were super happy and very excited,” said Zanetti. “My father did cry a bit and was very emotional for me and my grandfather and grandmother.”

Guryev was a part of the Ontario Junior Hockey League’s Lindsay Muskies in the East Division that hosts other teams, especially in the Quinte area including the Trenton Golden Hawks and Wellington Dukes. Photo Courtesy of the Peterborough Petes.

Like McTavish, Artem Guryev joins the Pacific Division as he got drafted 135th overall in the 5th round by the San Jose Sharks. He was overwhelmed with all the support he was receiving when his name was called.

"Everyone congratulated me,” said Guryev. “I didn’t have much time to talk to them because everyone was calling me.”

Guryev was picked in the second round, 22nd overall by the Petes at the 2019 OHL Priority Selection. In his first year with Peterborough, he split his time between the Memorial Centre and Junior A Lindsay Muskies. In his initial season of Jr. hockey, Guryev tallied 3 goals, 5 assists and 70 penalty minutes between the Muskies and Petes. 

He becomes the first Pete to be selected by the San Jose Sharks at an NHL Entry Draft. Former Petes captain, Zach Gallant signed a standard player agreement with Sharks in 2019 and played with their AHL affiliate, the San Jose Barracuda during his 2019-20 campaign. More notably, Petes alumnus Mike Ricci currently serves as the club’s Player Development Coach. 

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Kawartha Lacrosse Receives Donated Lacrosse Sticks From Peterborough Lakers Alumni

Girls participating in the Kawartha Lacrosse camp received lacrosse sticks donated by the Peterborough Lakers Alumni Association at Kenner Collegiate Vocational Institute on Wednesday.

Peterborough Lakers Alumni Association was established in 2018 as a non-profit organization to promote lacrosse within the Peterborough area community through communication, outreach and strengthen ties between past and present players. Photo by PTBOCanada.

Pete Dalliday and Bruce Oglivie represented the Lakers Alumni, presenting the sticks to the club. Lakers player Zach Currier and Warrior Lacrosse donated 44 heads to the Alumni while the Alumni locally purchased 44 lacrosse shafts to support the camp programs of Kawartha Lacrosse and Trent Women’s Lacrosse.

“Their generosity is invaluable,” said Oglivie. “We’re just a supporter and that’s what the Alumni is about. These organizations are doing excellent jobs of getting more youth and young athletes involved in lacrosse.”

The week-long camp runs for girls aged 4-11 that teaches them the basics of field lacrosse. They also participate in several activities such as soccer, arts and games.

It is run by the camp director and head instructor Jocelyne Lemay and Kawartha Lacrosse alumna Sage Darling.

“A lot of these girls are brand new,” said Lemay. “They’ve never played before. We teach them all the necessities and how to play the game.”

“You’re trying to get them immersed in the sport so they can enjoy it with their friends,” said Fred Blowes, Kawartha Lacrosse president. “Hopefully they can continue playing down the future for us.”

Twenty sticks were donated to Kawartha Lacrosse while the rest went to Trent Women’s Lacrosse who run similar programs. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

Over 600 alumni members support local athletes and organizations through fundraisers and donations.

The annual Peterborough Lakers Alumni Golf tournament is hosted at Keystone Links on Sept. 24. Anyone is eligible to participate.

Monthly open euchre tournaments are held at the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 52 on Lansdowne Street.

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Peterborough Petes Mason McTavish Invited to Canada’s National Junior Team Summer Development Camp

Petes forward Mason McTavish has been invited to attend Canada’s National Junior Team summer development camp.

McTavish is one of 51 players that will attend the National Junior Team summer development camp. Photo Courtesy of The Peterborough Petes.

The camp will run from July 28 - August 4 at the Seven Chiefs Sportsplex on the Tsuut'ina Nation near Calgary.

McTavish will join Five goaltenders, 16 defencemen and 30 forwards, including his U18 Hockey Canada teammates Shane Wright and Brennan Othmann.

The camp will also feature combined practices and intrasquad games with players attending Canada’s National Men’s Under-18 Team summer development camp.

McTavish is currently ranked second amongst all North American Skaters and is the highest rated forward on NHL Central Scouting finalized rankings. The 6’2”, 207 lbs centre is a projected top 10 pick in 2021 NHL Draft.

While the OHL awaited the start of the 2020-21 season he was loaned to the e EHC Olten of the Swiss League where he amassed 11 points (nine goals, two assists) in 13 regular season games and seven points (two goals, five assists) in four playoff games.

The Petes will welcome the Sudbury Wolves for their home opener on Thursday, October 14 at 7:05 pm.

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Inaugural Charity Golf Tournament Raises $7,500 for Alzheimer's Awareness

The first annual “Golf for Loved Ones” tournament raised $7,464 for Alzheimer Society of Peterborough, Kawartha Lakes, Northumberland, and Haliburton (PKLNH) at The Quarry Golf Club in Ennismore announced Thursday.

Photo Courtesy of Alzheimer Society of Peterborough.

The tournament hosted 98 golfers on June 26. Lori Banks and her family ran the event in honour of her mother Edna Banks as she was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s for a decade before passing away in 2017.

“The tournament was about raising money, but also about raising awareness,” said Lori. “I don’t think people realize how many people in our area have dementia.”

The intention was not just to raise money but to raise awareness about the 8,590 people living with dementia in PKLNH. Organizers gave each golfer a purple bracelet and purple ribbon to wear for their round to aid in the campaign.

The event was considered a great success according to both the Banks and Kevin Carter, Quarry Golf Club owner. The event has already been booked for next year.

“Lori and Ron ran a great event,” said Carter. “They were very organized and managed to get a great turnout. The golfers had a great day with excellent weather. Lori and her family raised a lot of money for the Alzheimer Society and the tournament will continue to grow and raise more money down the road. The Quarry was thrilled to be involved with such a great cause.”

“Hopefully we can make it bigger and better. We got a lot of feedback from the golfers saying they would be coming back next year,” said Lori. “We raised a lot of money, but we’d like to double it next time. We’ve already booked the course for next year.”

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Douro Local Chases Olympic Rowing Dream

Grace VandenBroek started her rowing career when she was a grade 9 student at St. Peter’s Catholic Secondary School and she has not stopped since.

Photo Courtesy of Rowing Canada Aviron.

The 20-year-old grew up in Douro and is now temporarily living in British Columbia where she was training for the U23 World Championships.

The event took place in Račice, Czech Republic from July 7-11. VandenBroek and her teammates placed 11th in the quadruple skulls.

“I decided to come back here because I’m able to train with people that have the same mindset and have similar goals as me,” said Vandenbroek. “That will help keep me motivated.”

She will return to Peterborough in September to enter her fourth year of Trent University in the Business Administration program.

While her successes in rowing have taken her all over the world, VandenBroek says she likes coming home to her small town.

VandenBroek takes home Bronze at the 2017 World Rowing Junior Championships with Kieanna Stephens. Photo Courtesy of row2k.com.

“It’s a blessing for me to be from such a small community,” she said. “I feel like the whole community is behind you more so than they would if you were from somewhere big like Toronto.”

Her parents and two older brothers have been by her side since the very beginning explained VandenBroek. She also points out her large extended family offers a huge amount of support.

“It’s cool to come home after having all of these opportunities and going to all these places and still come home and wave an everyone that goes by your house because you know who everyone is,” she said.

VandenBroek will continue training when she comes home and has her eyes set on the 2024 Olympics in Paris, France.

“All of my training is directed towards the 2024 Olympics,” she said. “But there’s a lot of steps I need to take between now and then in order to get there.”

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Three Lindsay Locals Head To Tokyo 2021 Olympic Games

Three Lindsay locals will represent Canada at the Tokyo 2021 Olympic Games this summer.

(From Left to Right) Olivia Apps, Claire Wright and Emma Wright. Photo Courtesy of Team Canada.

Olivia Apps started playing rugby in grade 10 while attending I.E Weldon. Now, five years later, the 22-year-old will take to the world stage and represent Canada on the 13-player rugby sevens team.

Since her start in the sport, rugby has taken Apps to places like Australia, Japan and Dubai - though she is proud of her rural roots.

“What’s really important to me is to grow the sport in Lindsay and promote younger girls to stay involved in athletics,” she said. “You know what, you don’t have to be from a big city where sports teams are really good and really competitive. All that stuff doesn’t matter as much as work ethic and believing in yourself.”

While training in Lindsay, Apps shared a strength and conditioning coach with Emma Wright and remembers hoping to be able to watch her compete at the Olympics one day.

Sisters Emma and Claire Wright are representing Canada on the women’s water polo team.

“We both play different positions, so it was a different fight for us to be on this team,” said Claire. “Staying our course, we both got to this point and it’s unreal.”

Claire and Emma in Peru. Photo Courtesy of Wendy Wright.

Claire is a goaltender and says she thinks she can hear Emma cheer extra loud when she makes a save though both players say they cheer on their teammates just the same.

“We’re a big family in the water,“ said Emma. “Outside the water it’s like I have my sister here and it’s amazing but in the water she’s my teammate and we’re both there to do a job.”

The women’s water polo team plays their first game on Saturday, July 24.

Women’s rugby starts on Thursday, July 29.

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Hometown PTBO: Glen Caradus Talks About Staying In Peterborough, Getting Involved In Music And His Cycling Fundraising Event

This week on Hometown PTBO, Pete Dalliday speaks with musician and puppeteer Glen Caradus about why he stayed in Peterborough, how he started performing locally, his upcoming fundraiser and cycling for climate change awareness.

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