Local Athlete Lands in Tokyo For the 2021 Paralympics To Bring Back Gold

It was a long plane ride from Canada to Japan but Paralympian Cody Caldwell has arrived safely on Wednesday to compete in the Tokyo 2021 Paralympic Games.

File Photo.

Caldwell confirmed on his Instagram that he made it safely to the Paralympic village on the Harumi waterfront district of Tokyo after leaving Canada on Tuesday.

“Late night arrival to the village but we made it,” he said on an Instagram post.

He is representing Team Canada in wheelchair rugby in his second Paralympics. His last appearance in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil earned a fourth-place finish in 2016.

The Paralympics was originally scheduled for 2020 but was postponed one year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Caldwell is not the only family member on the trip as his father serves as the “jack of all trades” for the team.

“It’s a huge honour to be able to go with him and he’s pretty much drove us to hockey growing up and he’s drove us to any sport that we wanted to play,” explained Caldwell. “Now he gets to experience it from inside the ropes. It’ll be really cool for him and myself.”

File Photo.

The team has three scheduled round-robin games in Group B. The United States, Great Britain and New Zealand are the three other teams in Canada’s bracket.

The top two teams will advance to the semifinals to play against the other top countries in Group A —which consists of Australia, Denmark, France and Japan —in a single-elimination playoff round.

File Photo.

The following is Team Canada’s wheelchair rugby schedule:

• Aug. 25 vs. Great Britain

• Aug. 26 vs. United States

• Aug. 27 vs. New Zealand

All games are at 12:45 p.m. (Japan Standard Time) and are held at the Yoyogi National Stadium.

“Peterborough has always been home. It’s a great city. I've always felt supported by it,” explained Caldwell. “To be from Peterborough and any time I get to represent it on the world stage, it’s a full-circle effect.”

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Hometown PTBO: Dave Pogue Speaks About His Past Work Ventures, Team55 and Suicide Awareness and the Peterborough Petes This Fall

This week on Hometown PTBO, Pete Dalliday speaks to Peterborough Petes President Dave Pogue about his work history, Team55 tackling suicide awareness and a sneak peek on the upcoming OHL season.

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Back-To-Back Champion to Bring Stanley Cup Back to Peterborough

After winning back-to-back Stanley Cup Championships in his first two seasons with the Tampa Bay Lightning, Peterborough’s Mitchell Stephens will bring the prestigious trophy to Peterborough next Wednesday.

Stephens winning his second consecutive Stanley Cup at the Amalie Arena in Tampa Bay, FL. Photo Courtesy of Mitchell Stephens.

“It’s going to be amazing to see my family and my friends celebrating it with me,” said Stephens. “My parents weren’t able to come down to either event. It’s going to be an amazing feeling for my dad to hold the Stanley Cup.”

Stephens will ride in a boat starting at the Peterborough Lift Lock at 5:30 p.m. He will descend the historic landmark with hockey’s most coveted trophy. The public is encouraged to spectate at the canal with parking and designated viewing areas on Ashburnham Drive to watch the water parade. Additional parking is available at the Lift Lock Visitor Centre on Hunter Street.

The boat will make its way through the Trent Severn Waterway to Little Lake and finish at the Fred Anderson Stage in Del Crary Park at roughly 6:30 p.m.

A route map of the Stanley Cup water parade starting at the Lift Lock and going down the Trent Severn Waterway. File Photo.

The 24-year old was unable to bring the cup home after his first win due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Each winning member is allowed one day with the trophy where players typically bring it back to their respective hometowns. He had the cup for the day in Tampa Bay but understood why he could not bring it back to Peterborough.

“We understood it was challenging circumstances last year with COVID,” explained Stephens. “But to win it again and have the chance to celebrate in our hometowns like a normal year definitely made it sweeter.”

Stephens winning his first Stanley Cup championship in Edmonton in his rookie year during the 2019-20 NHL season. Photo Courtesy of Mitchell Stephens.

Stephens had played minor hockey in Peterborough for years before he played for the Toronto Marlboros of the Greater Toronto Hockey League from 2011-2013 in the U15 and U16 age groups.

From 2014-2017, the hometown champion has played in two World Juniors and two World Junior U18 Championships winning a gold, silver and bronze medal.

Stephens as a member of the Peterborough Petes before playing minor Peewee hockey in Toronto. Photo Courtesy of Mitchell Stephens.

In 2013, he was drafted eighth overall by the Saginaw Spirit in the Ontario Hockey League Priority Selection draft where he played for four years.

He was drafted 33rd overall in the second round by the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2015 and was sent to play with the Syracuse Crunch, the team’s American Hockey League farm team.

Stephens has scored a total of eight goals in his four World Junior appearences. Photo Courtesy of Mitchell Stephens.

Stephens scored his first goal on Dec. 28, 2019, against Montréal Canadiens’ Carey Price— who Tampa Bay beat in Stephens’s second cup win — after his rebound shot bounced off Artturi Lehkonen.

Entering his third NHL season, Stephens was traded to the Detroit Red Wings for a sixth-round pick in the 2022 NHL Entry Draft on July 30.

“The Lift Lock is a staple of Peterborough. It’s been recognizable. For me to do that, to bring the community together and celebrate one of the greatest trophies in sports,” reflected Stephens. “It’s an exciting opportunity for me to show the young athletes in Peterborough that I grew up playing minor hockey and I achieved this. The most important thing is to share it with my friends and family to the people who supported me during the highs and lows and show my gratitude.“

A reminder to everyone attending that all COVID-19 protocols are in effect, exercise caution and to maintain social distancing while viewing the event.

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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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