Jacob Baggs Recognized as Peterborough Petes Frontline Worker of the Week

Jacob Baggs, a school custodian and as a food service worker has been named as the winner of this week's Frontline Worker Drop the Puck program.

Photo Courtesy of The Peterborough Petes

Baggs has been working as a custodian at the the Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board (KPRDSB) and as a food service worker at the Peterborough Regional Health Centre (PRHC) throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Jacob has worked extremely hard at the PRHC (Cafeteria) ensuring medical staff are properly fed and hydrated to take care of patients”. said Colleen Condon, one of the many who nominated Baggs. “He also took on another job with the Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board (KPRDSB) as a COVID-19 pandemic cleaner ensuring schools are as safe as possible for Students and Staff. Jacob has always put the needs of the community first during this pandemic making sure he provides the best care possible”

The Petes are celebrating frontline workers who have gone above and beyond for their community during these unprecedented times.

Each week, the Petes will recognize and celebrate one local frontline worker for the additional time and effort they have put in during the pandemic to ensure the health, safety, and happiness of those in their community.

The Petes welcome all members of the community to nominate deserving frontline workers by filling out this form.

The frontline workers chosen will be invited to participate in the ceremonial puck drop at the Petes home opener which will take place on October 14 at 7:05 pm against the Sudbury Wolves.

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Peterborough Petes Sign First Defenceman From 2021 Priority Selection

The Peterborough Petes have signed James Guo, a fourth-round defenceman to a standard player agreement announced in a press conference on Tuesday.

In 2014-15, Guo played for the Toronto Bulldogs netting three goals and two assists in six games at the Brick Invitational. Photo Courtesy of the Peterborough Petes.

The announcement was made by Michael Oke, Petes General Manager at Rawscoe’s Sport Collectibles. Guo was drafted 74th overall in the 2021 Ontario Hockey League Priority Selection.

The 6’1, 180 lbs right shot defenceman played for the Toronto Jr. Canadiens during the 2019-20 season. In 33 games, he recorded 5 goals, 9 assists, 14 points and 6 penalty minutes. The 2005-born Woodbridge, Ontario native is eligible for the 2023 NHL Entry Draft. 

"I’m really excited to get back on the ice and I can’t wait to see all the fans in Peterborough and show them what I can do,” said Guo. 

“We’re excited James has committed to the Petes,” said Oke. “He’s a defenceman who skates incredibly well and is highly intelligent on the ice. He will contribute in a meaningful way across all three zones.” 

The Petes will host the Sudbury Wolves and first overall draft pick Quentin Musty for their home opener on Oct. 14 at 7:05 p.m.

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Peterborough Group Revitalizing Skateboarding With Skatepark Upgrades

After several coats of blue paint, the West49 skatepark gets a facelift from the Peterborough Skateboard Coalition and volunteers on Sunday.

Dan Post (left) performing a grind known as a “tailslide.” Post moved to Peterborough in October and met several coalition members and friends at the West49 skatepark. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The group is made up of skateboard enthusiasts that want to improve skateboard spaces, events and programming through advocacy, fundraising, partnering and engagement in Peterborough.

The paint was supplied by the City of Peterborough with help from Cassandra Babcock, Facilities Manager and Coun. Lesley Parnell according to coalition member Dan Post.

Several members and volunteers painted the McDonnel Street skatepark and spray-painted “tags” of the coalition’s logo. The concrete was patched by skateboarder Riley Wilkins before the park was covered in blue.

Coalition member Geoff Rix performing an “Indy” grab while airborne off a launch ramp. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

Built in 2002, the 8,400 square feet skate park was painted as one way of reinvigorating skateboarding back into Peterborough.

The sport has gained popularity in recent years as a new sport in the Olympics, the rehashing of the popular video game series “Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater” and veteran skaters that can be in skateparks again from the COVID-19 pandemic according to Post.

Sparo Lindsay rides the ramp vertically. Lindsay is the owner of beauty salon Union Studio in downtown Peterborough, Photo by David Tuan Bui.

He wants to grow the Peterborough skateboarding community of all ages and skill levels and wants the city to help foster and accommodate.

"We gave it a bit of revitalization to inject some more energy back into the place, to create a sense of pride,” he said.

Coalition member Aiden Finn performing a “kickflip” while going gap-to-gap from a higher level to a lower one. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The group is seeking help from the City of Peterborough to make more upgrades to the facility such as high-wattage LED lights for nighttime skating, exterior seating, more garbage and recycling bins, a water fountain and a sunshade.

"It's all part of bringing this park back up to a community standard that's more welcoming, more accessible and more inviting," said Post.

The coalition is lobbying the city to build a second skatepark to accommodate the skateboarding community’s growth in Peterborough. The proposed park would have a design that would cater to skaters of all skill levels.

"This design of this park comes from an era it was built," explained Post. "Skateboarding has no rules and so it is constantly evolving. The terrain we skate also needs to evolve alongside it."

The Peterborough Skateboard Coalition is always openly looking for new volunteers to help grow the skateboard community. Photo Courtesy of the Peterborough Skateboard Coalition.

Expanding skateboarding accessibility in Peterborough can foster Olympic-level athletes since the city already displayed elite hockey and lacrosse players in the past according to Post.

“There is a need to start training and for younger kids to start training, as some of them are going to have Olympic aspirations,” he said. “We have an opportunity to produce some high-level elite skateboard talent here as well that could one day make it into the Olympics.”

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Petes Player Mason McTavish Signs Entry-Level Contract With Anaheim Ducks

The Anaheim Ducks announced today that the NHL club has signed Mason McTavish to a three-year, entry-level contract.

Photo courtesy of the Peterborough Petes.

During his 2019-20 rookie season with the Petes, the Carp, Ontario native recorded 29 goals and 13 assists for 42 points, finishing second in the OHL rookie scoring race.

He was named to the OHL 2nd All-Rookie team.

“I’m super fortunate to be drafted by the Ducks’ organization,” McTavish said. “I bring my size, strength, and strong hockey IQ and I hope I can make an impact here as soon as possible.”

During the 2020-21 season, McTavish was loaned to EHC Olten of the Swiss League due to the cancellation of the OHL season.

During this time he amassed 11 points (nine goals, two assists) in 13 regular-season games and seven points (two goals, five assists) in four playoff games.

Serving as an alternate captain, McTavish helped Team Canada win gold for the first time since 2013, at the 2021 U18 IIHF World Championship in Texas.

The 6’0”, 198 lbs centre finished the tournament with 11 points (five goals, six assists) in seven games, ranking fifth overall in the tournament and tied for second on Team Canada.

McTavish participated in Hockey Canada’s National Junior Team Summer Development Camp from July 28 - Aug. 4, at the Seven Chiefs Sportsplex on the Tsuut’ina Nation near Calgary.

McTavish became the first player from the Petes to be drafted in the first round since Nick Ritchie in 2014 (being selected in 10th overall also by the Ducks). Dallas Eakins, Ducks head coach, suited up for the Petes from 1984-88.

McTavish became the first Pete to be selected third overall in the NHL Entry Draft since Zach Bogosian (2006-08) in 2008.

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Hometown PTBO: Cody Caldwell Speaks About Attending the 2021 Tokyo Paralympics

This week on Hometown PTBO, Pete Dalliday speaks with Cody Caldwell about going to Tokyo’s Paralympics for wheelchair rugby, having his father with him as part of the team and what Peterborough means to him.

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PSW Amy Bursey Recognized as the Petes Frontline Worker of the Week

Amy Bursey, personal support worker (PSW), has been named the winner of this week's Frontline Worker Drop the Puck program.

Photo courtesy of the Peterborough Petes

Bursey has been working as a PSW at Springdale Country Manor throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.

She has dedicated time and effort to help her community through the pandemic while simultaneously being enrolled in the BScN program at Trent University where she is working towards becoming a registered nurse.

“This young lady worked through the pandemic, often short-staffed, double shifts or overtime, to help the residents have a great day of care,” said Sandra Eberhardt who nominated Bursey. “She always went to work with a smile under her mask and took time to go the extra mile to ensure the residents were happy. She would do things like brush a senior's hair, paint their nails, shave a resident's face, or just sit and listen to a story or two.”

Each week, the Petes will recognize and celebrate one local frontline worker for the additional time and effort they have put in during the pandemic to ensure the health, safety, and happiness of those in their community.

The Petes welcome all members of the community to nominate deserving frontline workers by filling out an online form.

The frontline workers chosen will be invited to participate in the ceremonial puck drop at the Petes home opener which will take place on October 14 at 7:05 p.m against the Sudbury Wolves.

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Peterborough Welcomes Electric City Football Club

Electric City Football Club is now officially part of the soccer scene in Peterborough and will be a part of League1 Ontario, the provinces Pro-Am, standards-based, senior soccer league.

Supporters and those involved in the club pose in the Electric City Football Clubs colours at Mondays announcement. Photo by Kirtus Evoy.

At a press conference held Monday at The Silver Bean Café the team announced its ownership group, a team name, and its first club President.

Rob Jenkins was officially announced as the Electric City FC President. Jenkins joins the club after being involved in the launching Cavalry Football club in the Canadian Premiere League (CPL) and Foothills Football Club of the United Soccer League 2, two of the most successful soccer clubs in Canada.

“I am really excited to be part of this adventure and have been blown away by the community of Peterborough and its people,” said Jenkins. “The support I have seen thus far leads me to believe that together we can achieve something really special.”

During the official announcement at the Silver Bean Cafe Jenkins introduced the Club’s local ownership group, including: Neil Morton, Kyle McDonald, Burton Lee, Mo Von Roeder, Beth McClelland, Jon Gillan, Richard Wood, Alex Bridal, Siam Grobler, Alvaro de la Guardia, Paul Bennett and majority owner Gregory Couch.

The team colours, yellow and black, were also shared on Monday.

Electric City FC plans to kick-off in 2022 playing in League 1 Ontario Men’s division and adding a Women’s team in 2023, pending approval. The club also has ambitions to reach the CPL in the future.

“For Electric City FC to reach the heights of the CPL and be considered by the League as a possible expansion club it’s going to take the whole community to get behind the project and show the rest of Canada why Peterborough deserves to be in the country’s top professional league,” said Jenkins. “From what I’ve seen so far from Peterborough and the passionate, hardworking, and talented people who live here, they are up to the challenge.”

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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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