Peterborough Blogs
Peterborough Challenger Baseball Hits a Home Run In Their Season Finale Return
/There was no shortage of smiles and fly balls as Peterborough Challenger Baseball concluded their comeback season with the final game of the year at Kinsmen Park on Thursday.
The Senior division kicked off the final game of the season for the non-profit organization. Photo by David Tuan Bui.
The Peterborough Challengers squeaked a 16-13 win over the PTBO Rockstars in the championship game of the senior division.
The organization supports anyone with cognitive or developmental challenges or chronic health issues that prevents them from playing an organized sport.
Peterborough Challenger Baseball has 24 volunteer coaches that are all mentored and instructed by the Jays Care Foundation, the charity arm of the Toronto Blue Jays. There were 76 active players this year with several regulars who sat out for safety reasons.
The Challengers were made up of members who benefit from the non-profit organization while the Rockstars are pick-up players that vary week-to-week as their opponents. The games are casual but the competitive spirit resides in every player that walks onto the field according to Bernie Daynes, Peterborough Challenger Baseball president.
“It's all about learning for them as well as some of them can hit a ball. Tonight (Thursday) was quite competitive but it's all about having fun as well,” he said. “They’re still learning some fielding fundamentals and that's what we do here.”
Peterborough Challenger Baseball has several divisions of all ages including Little League Juniors, Martinez Intermediates and Barfield Seniors. Photo by David Tuan Bui.
The organization last year was able to have a season from the COVID-19 pandemic but got the thumbs-up for this summer. Weekly play typically begins in May but was delayed until mid-June through September.
Playing baseball was an activity both the players and staff were aiming for after coming off a forced hiatus of 16 months.
“We started planning for a return to play in January of this year. As soon as we got the go-ahead from the province and the local health board, we had our plan in action and we put the players back on the field very quickly,” said Daynes.
The PTBO Rockstars during their final game of the season. The team welcomes all skill levels to participate against the Challengers. Photo by David Tuan Bui.
The mission of Daynes’s organization is not only to provide an inclusive outlet for baseball and have fun but to teach life lessons and develop as human beings.
”Also within playing the baseball as a game, it's also as a social network for these players and we also help teach them some social skills as well as how to accept failure as a learning device and not a failure,” he explained. “That's all failure is, that it's an opportunity to learn and these guys here are very quick to learn.”
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Peterborough Petes and Local Brewery Partner With Giveaway For Free Hockey Tickets
/Hockey and beer have come together in town again as the Peterborough Petes and the Bobcaygeon Brewing Company have partnered for the Petes Lager Homecoming Contest, to win Petes Suite tickets announced Monday.
The Petes Lager was first introduced to Peterborough in March earlier this year. Photo Courtesy of the Peterborough Petes.
Beginning Monday until Oct. 17, seven winners will be selected by buying a Petes Lager (16 oz., pint or tall can) at any participating restaurants, scan the QR Code on the coasters with their electronic device and enter all required information for their entry.
Alternatively, participants can download and print the entry form on the Bobcaygeon Brewing Contest company’s website and mail it to Bobcaygeon Brewing Company.
The beer is a 4.0% light lager and the art was designed by Ryan Dawson and illustrated by freelance artist Cam Miller. Photo Courtesy of Neil Morton.
Winners are randomly selected on Oct. 21 and announced through a video that will be shared on the video board and across social media during a Petes home game.
Chosen applicants are required to answer a skill-testing question to claim the prize. All participants must be 19 years of age or older when entering the contest and only one entry per customer per day. Proof of identification will be required.
For more rules and information on the Homecoming Contest, click here.
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Trent University Welcomes New Excalibur Varsity Rowing Head Coach
/It is back to the old stomping grounds for Trent rowing alumna Ugette Vanderpost as she becomes the new Trent Excalibur varsity rowing head coach announced on Friday.
Vanderpost has also graduated from Queen’s and Royal Roads University after graduating from Trent. Photo Courtesy of Trent University.
Vanderpost had graduated from the university in 1992 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics and English.
“We are excited to have Trent alumna, Ugette Vanderpost join the Excalibur team as the new head coach of our rowing program,” said Deborah Bright-Brundle, director of Trent Athletics and Recreation. “Joining Trent Athletics and the Peterborough Rowing Club, she will be a great mentor for our student-athletes and continue to advance for the sport of rowing for our community.”
Vanderpost was coach of the Peterborough Rowing Club and Trent Excalibur rowing program from 1998-2000. She remained involved with the Peterborough rowing programs for several years and has seen the transformation and growth of rowing in the community.
She returns to Trent bringing more than 20 years of teaching and coaching experience to her new role.
“I feel very honoured and humbled to join the legacy of Trent rowing,” said Vanderpost. “It’s very exciting to join it at this time in its history as a program. I did this role 20 years ago and I’m excited to be a part of all that it is now.”
Vanderpost is joining the School of Education as an instructor during the 2021/22 academic year and says she hopes to continue promoting a welcoming and inclusive environment for student-athletes of all levels.
“For student-athletes who are trying the sport for the first time or they’re returning to rowing after being away from it for such a long time and waiting for it to come back, it’s a very social and collaborative sport,” she explained. “I’m really looking forward to creating an opportunity for them to return and have them excited.”
With Vanderpost being in the position before, her knowledge and understanding of what Trent and surrounding area has to provide for the student-athletes and community members according to the press rlease.
She wants to bring people back to sport, whether they are just beginner or experienced rowers.
“The thing about sport is that it can be really unifying and energizing, when there’s been a lot of uncertainty about going back to school, it’s nice to marry sport and school back together in a somewhat normal way.”
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Hometown PTBO: Lakers Alumni Jamie Batley Discusses Peterborough Lacrosse-Rich History and Upcoming Open Golf Tournament
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This week on Hometown PTBO, Pete Dalliday speaks with former National Lacrosse League, Major Series Lacrosse coach and Lakers Alumni President Jamie Batley on the rich lacrosse history in the area and their upcoming golf tournament.
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Lakefield Chiefs Signs Team Captain For Final Junior Year
/William “Keither” Keith of the Lakefield Chiefs in the Provincial Junior Hockey League has signed with the team for his last year of junior and will serve as their captain announced on Wednesday.
Keith has played one game in the Ontario Junior Hockey League for the Cobourg Cougars. Photo Courtesy of Lakefield Chiefs.
Keith will enter his fourth year for the 2021-22 season with the Chiefs according to the team. He scored 25 goals and 13 assists in 37 games during the 2019-2020 regular season.
“Respected by all within the PJHL, we are glad to have him in the final year of his junior career. Big things to come from #77 this year. Welcome back Will,” said the Chiefs in a Twitter post.
📢@Chiefs_JrC are ecstatic to announce (00, F-6'0"-165 lbs) @keithwilliam88 signed & Captain for 2021-22. Entering his 4th season with the #Chiefs, “Keither” is a leader on & off the ice & respected by all within the PJHL. Big things to come from #77 this year. Welcome back Will! pic.twitter.com/PGW9bsGs0l
— Lakefield Chiefs (@Chiefs_JrC) September 8, 2021
In seven playoff games of the 2019-20 season, Keith scored three goals and four assists.
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Alyssa Gaudaur is Recognized as the Petes Frontline Worker of the Week
/Alyssa Gaudaur is announced as this week’s Peterborough Petes Frontline Worker of the Week as part of their “Drop the Puck” program announced on Tuesday.
Photo Courtesy of the Peterborough Petes.
Gaudeur is a nurse at Peterborough Regional Health Centre. She remained brave during the pandemic and kept going to work because she is passionate about helping her patients and her colleagues according to the Petes press release.
“Alyssa has been working extra hard over the past 18 months to help patients at the hospital,” said Clarissa Sidaway, who nominated Gaudaur. “She loves her work and truly enjoys helping people. She’s a huge Petes fan and deserves a little recognition for her hard work.”
The Petes are celebrating frontline workers who have gone above and beyond for their community during these unprecedented times.
To nominate a frontline worker, click here.
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.
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Peterborough Petes Sign Five Players to Standard Player Agreements
/Five players have each signed a standard player agreement with the Peterborough Petes following the 2021 training camp announced on Saturday.
Photo Courtesy of the Peterborough Petes.
Konnor Smith, Jax Dubois, Ryan Gagner, Samuel Mayer and Jaden Reyers have become the latest Petes to sign with the team announced by Michael Oke, Petes general manager.
“All of these players have demonstrated that they possess the skills and abilities to play at the OHL level,” he said. “We were impressed with their focus and preparation coming into training camp in light of the challenges faced due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.”
Smith, a 6’5”, 208 lbs, was selected by the Petes in the 2020 OHL Priority Selection in the ninth round, 175th overall. The Windsor-born defenceman suited up for the Jr. Spitfires in the U18 Alliance during the 2019-20 season.
Dubois, a forward from Ottawa, was selected by the Petes in the 14th round, 273rd overall in the 2019 OHL Priority Selection. In his 2019-20 season the 6’3”, 195 lbs forward played for the U18 AAA Nepean Raiders and put up 30 goals, 50 assists and 80 points across 45 games.
Hailing from Chatham, Gagner was selected by the Petes in the 2020 OHL Priority Selection in the sixth round, 115th overall from the Chatham-Kent Cyclones. In his 2019-20 season with the Cyclones, the 5’9”, 145 lbs centreman tallied 29 points and 62 penalty minutes across 33 games.
Mayer, a 6’2.5” defenceman from L’Orignal, Ont. was the Petes first selection in the 2020 OHL U18 Priority Selection, going in the 1st round, 15th overall from the Hawkesbury Hawks. Mayer was responsible for Team Maroon’s first two goals in the 2021 Maroon and White Game.
Reyers, a 6'2", 200 lbs forward from London, Ont. was selected by the Petes in the 2021 OHL U18 Priority Selection in the second round, 28th overall from the Kitchener Jr. Rangers U18 AAA. In his 2019-20 season with the Rangers, Reyers picked up 4 goals, 14 assists and 18 points throughout 33 games.
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Peterborough Petes Recap From Day Three of Training Camp
/The Peterborough Petes 2021 Training Camp wrapped up day three of camp with the final six scrimmages played at the Peterborough Memorial Centre on Thursday.
Photo Courtesy of the Peterborough Petes.
“Today went very well,” said Michael Oke, Petes general manager. “There was lots of competitiveness out on the ice each and every game, the coaches and myself were very pleased by the energy out on the ice.”
Team Pat McAuley finished the day 1-3. Team Hybrid ended with a 1-3 record and Team East Side Marios finished on top with a 4-0 day.
The 15 Petes prospects were reassigned on Thursday and are listed below:
Sam McCue, Left Wing
Nolan Brett, Centre
Jack Uniac, Defence
Damien Metastasio, Forward
Jack Kemp, Right Wing
Darren Wilson, Defence
Max Macerollo, Left Wing
Quinton Pagé, Centre
Ryan Shier, Centre
Owen Shier, Defence
Jace McGrail, Defence
Taylor Bothwell, Left Wing
Carter McDougall, Goalie
Gabriel Runco, Defence
Owen McNamara, Right Wing
The Petes annual Maroon and White intrasquad game will take place Friday at 4:05 p.m. at the Peterborough Memorial Centre. Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the game will be a private event. Fans will be able to watch a live broadcast of the game on YourTV Peterborough/Lindsay.
Rosters for the Maroon and White game will be announced Friday at 11:00 a.m.
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Peterborough Petes Wrap Up Day Two of Training Camp
/The Peterborough Petes 2021 Training Camp wrapped up day two of camp with six of twelve scrimmages completed.
Photo courtesy of the Peterborough Petes.
Officials say they saw an impressive performances by rookies and veteran players as the Petes return to the rink.
“We're extremely excited by the level of play so far today,” said General Manager Michael Oke. “It appears that everyone has put the work in following yesterday’s fitness testing and also today on the ice. Certainly the morning session, everyone got the nervousness out of the way, but we are really happy with the group and what they have done so far.”
Team Hybrid was 3-1 for the day, winning one scrimmage in a shootout. Team East Side Marios finished the day 2-2 and Team Pat McAuley was 1-3.
Results from Wednesdays scrimmages
