Peterborough Blogs
Peterborough Offensive Linesman to Make CFL Debut For Hamilton Tiger-Cats
/The lights have never been brighter for offensive lineman Joseph Bencze as he will make his CFL debut with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats against the B.C. Lions on Friday night.
The Hamilton Tiger-Cats are second in the East Division with a 6-5 record behind division leader Toronto Argonauts. Facebook Photo.
The Peterborough lineman was drafted in the fifth round, 45th overall in the 2020 CFL Draft. He signed with the Ti-Cats on Jan. 21 last year but did not play that season due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Bencze made 24 appearances over four seasons with the McMaster University Marauders through 2016-19 as an offensive tackle and defensive tackle.
He recorded 26.5 total tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss and two quarterback sacks during his time on defence during his university career.
The 6-5 Ti-Cats will host the 4-7 Lions on Friday at 7:00 p.m. EST.
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Peterborough Petes Mourn Passing of Alumnus Tony Featherstone
/Peterborough Petes alumnus and former NHL player Tony Featherstone has passed away on Sunday.
Photo Courtesy of the Peterborough Petes.
Featherstone spent three seasons with the Petes organization from 1966-69. including the Kitchener Greenshirts final season in the 1966-67 season.
He tallied 39 goals, 48 assists for 89 points in 97 games in the Ontario Hockey Association (OHA) before he was selected in the first round, seventh overall in the NHL Amateur Draft by the Oakland Seals.
In the NHL, the Toronto-born right-winger had 17 goals, 21 assists for 38 points with the Seals, California Golden Seals and the Minnesota North Stars before being traded to the Montreal Canadiens in 1971. He would report and play with their AHL affiliate in Nova Scotia for two seasons. He appeared in the Calder Cup Finals both years, winning one in 1971-72.
Before hanging up his skates in 1976, Featherstone played two seasons for the Toronto Toros of the World Hockey Association (WHA) where he put up 29 goals, 45 assists for 74 points in 108 games.
“Tony was a guy who was tough, but not aggressively tough,” stated Pete Pearson. “Every team had one player that made space for their team and he was that guy.”
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Peterborough Petes Tucker Robertson Named OHL Player of the Week
/Peterborough Petes forward Tucker Robertson OHL Player of the Week, following five points including three goals and two assists after a pair of victories announced Monday.
Photo Courtesy of the Peterborough Petes.
Robertson got the Petes going on last Thursday with a goal and two assists in the 4-3 home win over the Hamilton Bulldogs. He earned first star honours going 21-for-29 in the faceoff circle getting the Petes’ third win of the season.
The forward scored another pair of goals on Saturday against the Niagara IceDogs 5-4. Robertson was once again the game’s first star, going 16-for-30 in faceoffs while recording four shots on goal.
“I had a great summer, the 18 months off because of COVID-19 helped me out a lot for training,” said Robertson. “I want to get to the highest level and I want to be the best I can be. I’ve had a lot of great people around me, and the coaches have had a lot of trust in me. I have a lot of great teammates as well.”
An 18-year-old product of Toronto, Ont., Robertson is second among OHL skaters producing 1.78 points-per-game this season. His 16 points (6-10–16) over nine contests pace the Peterborough offence while his 238 faceoffs are the third-most in the League as he currently boasts a 58.8 percent success rate.
Robertson recorded 18 points (8-10–18) over 55 games in 2019-20 after being a fourth-round (72nd overall) pick from the Toronto Marlboros U16 program in the 2019 OHL Priority Selection. He attended rookie camp with the Carolina Hurricanes this past September.
Robertson along with teammates Sam Alfano and Justin DeZoete were named to NHL Central Scouting Preliminary Players to Watch List last month.
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Undefeated Trent Excalibur Women's Field Lacrosse Team Wins Back-To-Back Championships
/A successful title defence for the Trent Excalibur women’s field lacrosse team as they won the Ontario University Athletics (OUA) Patterson Cup championships at Vaso’s FIeld in Oshawa on Sunday afternoon.
Queen’s Gaels had defeated the Trent Excalibur four times during the regular season. Photo courtesy of Trent Excalibur.
Trent defeated the Queen’s Gaels 10-9, maintaining a lead the entire match. It was the first victory all season that Trent had over Queen’s.
Mackenzie Manuliak led Trent’s offence with four goals while OUA all-star Avery Digiorgio scored twice. Jocelyne Lemay rounded out the Excalibur scoring with three goals.
Excalibur head coach Tori Wasson was awarded Coach of the Year while midfielder Avery Digiorgio and defender Victoria Clark were named First Team All-Stars.
“It’s all about the team, and the leadership from the student-athletes and coaches,” said Deborah Bright-Brundle, director of Athletics and Recreation at Trent University. “To come back to the pitch from an intensive training year due to pandemic to win the Patterson Cup once again and win gold in 2021 is truly amazing. We could not be prouder of our women’s lacrosse team and program. All credit goes to our coaches and student-athletes.”
Trent defeated the Guelph Gryphons 12-5 and trounced the Wilfred Laurier Golden Hawks 19-5 on Saturday to advance to the semifinals on day one of the tournament. They defeated the Western Mustangs 13-5 on Sunday to advance to the championship game.
“Our team worked hard for this win,” said Wasson following the gold medal victory. “I’m so proud of each player. This win was all them – the heart, getting to this point, and rising as a team is so important.”
In just eight years, the team has won the Patterson Cup three times, first in 2016, then again in 2019 and 2021. In 2018, the team won bronze at the OUA Championship.
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Hometown PTBO: Bill Speers On His Father's NHL Legacy, The Lindsay Clipper and Relationship With Bobby Orr
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This week on Hometown PTBO, Pete Dalliday speaks with Bill Speers of Lindsay about this father Francis William Speer and his NHL legacy, the story behind the "The Lindsay Clipper" nickname and relationships with Bobby Orr and other hockey greats.
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Ontario Government Announces Arena Guidelines Changes
/The province has announced A Plan to Safely Reopen Ontario and Manage COVID-19 for the Long Term according to Peterborough Public Health (PPH) announced Monday.
File Photo.
PPH has confirmed that facilities used for sports and recreational fitness activities including areas for spectators within those facilities, can make updates to their facility safety plans. Below are some of the key highlights of the announcement:
Effective 12:01 a.m. on Mon. October 25th, 2021:
Proof of vaccination (POV) is required for every person 12+ entering the indoor facility unless they have an approved exemption.
In the Peterborough Public Health region, there is a letter of instruction in effect for indoor facilities where organized sports are played or practiced that must be implemented, which requires POV for coaches, volunteers, and officials 12 years of age and older (effective Oct. 18th), as well as for active participants 12-17 (which commences Nov. 26).
For more information about approved exemptions, refer to the guidance document, beginning on page 4.
Capacity limits for facilities can be removed; which means confirming proof of vaccine is exceptionally important.
Physical distancing requirements in spectator and non-spectator areas can be removed.
Contact tracing requirements remain for everyone entering the facility
Active screening requirements remain for everyone entering the facility
Facilities are still required to have safety plans
Organized sports leagues and organized events must submit a safety plan to the facility prior to being granted a permit to use the facility
Everyone must wear a mask indoors, limited exemptions apply (including when a person is engaged in athletic or fitness activity)
Enhanced cleaning & disinfection is still required
Photo Courtesy of Peterborough Public Health.
Reopening/Exit Step Guidelines-General:
1. Hand sanitization upon entry of the facility is highly recommended.
2. Masks are required in indoor areas. Some exemptions apply as per the provincial regulations.
3. All individuals entering must provide proof of vaccination (POV) before entering the facility. Individuals must be fully vaccinated (two doses plus 14 days) against COVID-19 and provide their proof of vaccination along with approved Identification in order to access all indoor sport and recreation facilities. Limited exemptions are permitted.
4. All individuals entering an arena facility must actively screen to record the name(s) and contact information of every member of the public entering the facility. This includes all participants including coaches, athletes, and spectators from both home and visiting teams, using the following link (https://www.peterborough.ca/ArenaScreen/). Confirmation is presented in digital (email/screenshot) or printed paper copy form to security/city staff prior to entry
5. Floor markers, signage and enhanced cleaning measures using disinfectant with a DIN# are implemented to control the risk of transmission.
6. An approved safety plan is required from each user group prior to facility access or rental
Reopening/Exit Step Guidelines- Arenas:
Groups are to enter using designated entry points and adhere to all directional signage and staff direction while inside and while exiting the facility.
Prior to entry, all individuals including players, coaches/trainers, instructors, officials/ timekeepers, and all spectators must provide POV and completion of screening to on duty security/city staff at designated entry points of each facility
No capacity limit to on ice participants, unless identified (i.e. Public Skating/Programs)
Full access allowed during the following hours (Mon-Fri 4pm-11pm or Weekends 7am-11pm), but designated entrances must be utilized
Controlled access is still effective for all nonprime hours Mon-Friday 6a-3pm. Access to be provided by city staff 30 mins prior to permitted time at designated point of entry.
Changerooms provided with no capacity restrictions. Please note rooms may not be available immediately but will be no later than 30 mins prior to permitted time
Changerooms are to be exited by all players/coaches 20 mins following permitted time to permit required cleaning and sanitizing by City staff.
Showers will be available to all user groups
Off-ice training and activities (i.e shooting pucks/balls) are not permitted inside the facility. Warm up activities such as stretching will be permitted but should be minimized within the facility.
All permit holders are responsible for ensuring their groups and participants adhere to all governing body sport regulations and policies (e.g., Hockey Canada, Ontario Hockey Federation, Skate Ontario etc.).
All permit holders must ensure that groups of participants and spectators adhere to all Arena Guidelines and Facility Code of Conduct.
U15AA Ice Kats Come Out on Top at Clarington Applefest Tournament
/The Peterborough Cavanagh Disposal Ice Kats U15AA dominated the competition and won the Clarington Applefest tournament over the weekend.
Photo courtesy of Shelbi Kilcollins.
The team beat the Nepean Wildcats in the gold medal final 3-2 in overtime. Chey Degeer scored the first goal. Molly Farace scored the second goal third period and the overtime winner.
The Ice Kats beat Stratford 1-0 in the semifinals and went 4-0 in the the round robin with goalies Sadie Davidson and Lacey Clement combining for five shutouts.
“This group is an incredibly special team, 90 per cent of the team was together two seasons ago during second year Peewee - they were ranked number 1 in the country,” said assistant coach Shelbi Kilcollins. “That season got cut short due to COVID.”
Game winning overtime goal scored by Molly Farace. Video courtesy of Shelbi Kilcollins.
Now the team is back together with a few additions from out of town, Kilcolins says last weekend was their first opportunity in two years to vie for something tangible like a gold medal.
“What was really notable was the resilience the girls displayed the entire weekend,” said Kilcollins. “Every player played a significant role in the win.”
Kilcollins recalls a moment the team shared on the bench, and says it was like a movie.
“Coach Chris looked at the girls and said ‘someone gets to be a hero today’. It evoked some serious emotion on the bench,” she said. “Later in the dressing room someone yelled ‘Molly is a hero!’.”
Kilcollins says the team is aiming to be number one in the country this season.
“We’re not looking to be best in the area, or even the GTA, we’re going for it all.”
Team members include: head coach Chris Moher, assistant coach Shelbi Kilcollins, assistant coach Tim Degeer, Lacey Clement, Chloe Fife, Kate Bell, Rhaea Flint, Claire Baynham, Sadie Davidson, Chey Degeer, Syd Sawyer, Amy Clements, Soph Harold, Molly Farace, Kylee Strano, Claire Chambers, Ava Moher, Avery Johnston, Clara Williams and Brooke Cavanagh.
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League1 Ontario Welcomes Electric City Football Club to Men’s Premier Divisions for 2022
/Peterborough officially has a professional soccer team as the Electric City Football Club (ECFC) has been welcomed in the League1 Ontario Men's Premier Division for the 2022 season, the ninth campaign for the Provincial Division III league announced on Wednesday.
The team was announced on Aug. 9 at the Silver Bean Café. Photo by Angela O’Grady.
ECFC joins League1 Ontario by virtue of acquiring the license previously held by Toronto Skillz FC, who joined L1O in 2016.
“Welcoming an organization like Electric City FC, that is laser-focused on bringing both elite amateur and professional football to their community, is an exciting addition to our league,” said Dino Rossi, League1 Ontario executive chairman. “We are so pleased to see the support that the community of Peterborough has shown already for this club and we look forward to supporting ECFC's efforts to create a pathway to professional soccer for aspiring players in the Kawartha region.”
Driven by local passion and strong community support, this group has been focused on bringing a soccer team to Peterborough over the past number of years.
During this time, ECFC was able to build a strong foundation for the club and put together an amazing local ownership group and management team that is committed to working with the community to build a world-class professional soccer club that the people of Peterborough can be proud of. This hard work finally came to fruition on Aug. 9 when Electric City Football Club was formally announced.
Supported by the Club’s local ownership group, consisting of 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, Keaton Robbins, Rob Jenkins and Gregory Couch,
ECFC President Rob Jenkins brings a wealth of experience to the organization, having played a critical role in the launching of two of the most successful soccer clubs in Canada, Cavalry FC (CPL) and Foothills FC (USL2).
“We are extremely excited to officially be part of League1 Ontario and to begin on-field preparations for the 2022 season,” said Jenkins. “This League has seen many players go on to professional careers at the next level and represent their country with the Canadian Men’s and Women’s National teams, and we hope to continue that tradition in Peterborough.”
The ECFC logo launch party was on Aug. 13 at the Spa Euphoria rooftop. Photo by David Tuan Bui.
The name Electric City is a reference to the region’s beginnings dating back to the late 1800s when the rivers provided the electric energy, sparking an industrial revolution and attracted companies like General Electric and Quaker to the city, forming the foundation of what Peterborough is today. The team colours of yellow and black represent the hard-working people of the community while also inspiring growth and ambition for future generations.
“This city is primed for something like this and the support we have received from all corners of the community has been overwhelming,” Jenkins continued. “This region and its people deserve the opportunity to showcase itself to not only the rest of Ontario, but to the rest of Canada and the World, and what better way to do so than through the beautiful game.”
The club is working in partnership with Hybrid Sports on a 74 Acre Sports Complex on the edge of Peterborough where they are building a world-class multi-sport training facility including a full-size indoor pitch and an exclusive ECFC soccer stadium, with brand new grass pitch, that the Club will call home.
The full stadium is being built in stages over the next 3 years, with the grass pitch being ready for the team in the spring along with temporary seating and structures for 2022.
“We are building a professional club in Peterborough with the intention of competing at the highest level of the game in Canada in both the Men’s and Women’s game and everything we do is with that in mind,” said Jenkins. “We may be a small market but we have big ambitions.”
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Peterborough Petes Announce Their Leadership Group
/The Peterborough Petes announced their leadership group for the 2021/22 season, on Tuesday.
Tucker Robertson, Shawn Spearing, Keegan McMullen and J.R Avon. Photo courtesy of the Peterborough Petes.
Defenseman Shawn Spearing (#7) has been chosen as captain.
Spearing was selected by the Petes in the 4th round, 75th overall in the 2018 OHL Priority Selection.
The 6’2”, 192 lbs defenceman has suited in 81 career OHL games, totalling two goals and eight assists for 10 points.
“It’s an honour, it’s such a storied franchise,” said Spearing. “We have a locker room full of great guys and a bunch of great leaders.”
Alternate captains are Tucker Robertson (#22), J.R. Avon (#10) and Keegan McMullen (#15)
Avon, a Peterborough native who signed with the Philadelphia Flyers as a Free Agent in September, was selected by the Petes in the 1st round, 11th overall in the 2019 OHL Priority Selection.
Robertson, a Petes 4th round, 72nd selection in the 2019 OHL Priority Selection, is tied for 4th in the OHL in points with seven (two goals, five assists).
Robertson was named to the NHL Central Scouting Service today ahead of the 2022 NHL Entry Draft. In his rookie season, the Toronto, Ontario native tallied eight goals and 10 assists for 18 points.
McMullen, who was selected 300th in the 2018 OHL Priority Selection by the Petes, has four goals and seven assists for 11 points in 47 OHL career games. The Cambridge, Ontario native is currently tied for second in the OHL with one shorthanded goals.
“We have a great group of young men leading our players, who are all prepared to have a strong season. Shawn is our most experienced player, the players and coaches respect him. He competes and comes to play every night and that’s what a good leader does,” said Rob Wilson, Petes Head Coach.
The moment Head Coach Rob Wilson named @SpearingShawn, @McMulley17, @Avonjr_1010, and Tucker Roberston as this year's leadership group! pic.twitter.com/ACiy5D76Rd
— Peterborough Petes (@PetesOHLhockey) October 19, 2021
