Fleming College Alumnus Named Amongst Olympians as a Runner to Follow on TikTok

Fleming alumnus and current Fleming Knights Cross Country Coach Brendan Carpenter has been recognized by Canadian Running Magazine as a Canadian runner to follow on TikTok.

Photo courtesy of Fleming College.

The list, published on Oct. 21, featured seven runners. Two of which were Canadian Olympians Andre De Grasse and Sage Watson.

Carpenter started running when he was a student at Fleming College and has since lost over 160 lbs.

He is now a marathon runner, a coach, a Saucony Athlete and has a following of over 138,000 on TikTok.

“It's an honor to be on a list with some of Canada's best athletes and something that I would have never expected,” Carpenter said to Fleming College. “I got my start running at the Wellness Centre when I went to Fleming as a student. The facilities that Fleming provided was the catalyst to changing my life and kick starting my weight loss journey to where I am today. I never knew that stepping on that treadmill would lead me to being featured on a list with Olympians. Life will take you some pretty amazing places if do the things that scare you most.”

To view the full list of runners click here.

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Peterborough & District Sports Hall Of Fame Display Their Tribute to the Troops for Remembrance Day

Several Peterborough athletes have served our country and the Peterborough & District Sports Hall of Fame has continued their annual tradition of honouring their efforts in an exhibit.

Pete Dalliday speaks with Pat Bronson as she walks us through displays with veteran/athletes such as Dootch Vitarelli, Bill Crowley Sr., Walter Miler, Gunner Lynch and more.

The displays honour those who served in World War I, II, through Peace Keeping/Modern Conflict efforts and others.

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Electric City Football Club Announces League1 Ontario Women’s Team and Open Tryouts For the 2022 Season

Two weeks after declaring its participation in the League1 Ontario Men's Premier Division in 2022, the Electric City Football Club (ECFC) has been approved to compete in the League1 Ontario Women’s Premier Division in 2022 announced Wednesday.

The ECFC was formally announced to Peterborough on Aug. 9, 2021. Photo Courtesy of ECFC.

“We are very pleased to be pushing ahead with our women’s program ahead of schedule alongside our men’s for the upcoming 2022 season.” ECFC President Rob Jenkins explained, “The response and support from the community has been amazing so far and we heard loud and clear that there was a desire for us to field a Women’s Team in Peterborough as soon as possible.” 

“We are excited to welcome an Electric City FC Women’s team to League1 Ontario for 2022,” Dino Rossi, League1 Ontario Executive Chairman. “Expanding and growing the women’s game in Ontario is a priority for us and developing women’s talent and opportunity with this ownership group in Peterborough and the Kawartha Region is an important addition.” 

The League1 Ontario Women’s Premier Division, along with Première Ligue de soccer du Québec (PLSQ) Womens, is currently the highest level of Women’s soccer being played in Canada. 

 “From our Canadian Women’s National Soccer Team winning the Olympic Gold Medal in Tokyo, to the record number of Canadian women playing at the highest level of the professional game in Europe and the US; the time is now for women’s soccer in Canada, Ontario and Peterborough,'“ said Jenkins. 

In addition to the Women’s Team announcement, the Club also confirmed that Open Tryouts for both the Men’s and Women’s team will take place on Dec. 1 at the Ontario Soccer Centre in Vaughan, registration is limited and now open. 

“Peterborough has produced some great Men’s and Women’s soccer players especially at the League1 Ontario level. As a community-based club one of our main objectives is ensuring that we are opening doors to local talent as much as possible,” Jenkins concluded, “We have received interest from players across the globe to play for Electric City FC and our open tryouts provide the opportunity for all aspiring players to be the spark that will electrify our community.”

The following are full details on the open tryouts:

Date: December 1, 2021 - 8:00am - 4:00pm

Location: Indoors at the Ontario Soccer Centre, 7601 Martin Grove Rd, Woodbridge 

Registration: Limited to 75 Participants Per Team (Men’s & Women’s) 

Go to electriccityfc.com/tryouts to register and get further information.

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Petes Player and Coach Named to Canada’s U17 Capital City Challenge

Petes' forward Nick Lardis has been named to Canada’s U17 roster, while Rob Wilson has been named Head Coach for Team White for the inaugural Capital City Challenge in Ottawa, Ontario announced by Hockey Canada on Friday.

Lardis, a 5’10”, 155 lbs winger, has appeared in all 10 games in his rookie season, tallying four goals and four assists for eight points. The Oakville, Ont. native and Petes' sixth overall pick in the 2021 OHL Priority Selection is tied for fifth in OHL scoring amongst rookies.

“I’m really honoured and excited to put the Team Canada jersey on for the first time in my hockey career,” said Lardis. “You see a lot of players who have success in Hockey Canada’s program who go on to have strong professional careers so it's a great next step for my career.”

Wilson has compiled a 74-58-4-4 record as Head Coach with the Petes including a 4-6-0-0 record this season. The Toronto, Ont. native and Petes alumnus was named Head Coach of Team Red for the 2020 Kubota CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game in Hamilton, Ont. on Dec. 19, 2019. 

“It’s a great honour to work with Hockey Canada and to be named coach,” said Wilson. “It will be super exciting for me and for the young, elite hockey players across the country to work together in this competitive tournament. It’s a great opportunity and I can’t wait to get started.”

The Capital City Challenge will feature three national men’s U17 teams and Canada’s National Women’s Centralized Roster. Preliminary-round action kicks off Friday, Nov. 26 at TD Place Arena, home of the Ottawa 67’s.

The preliminary round finishes on Nov. 29 followed by the semifinals the following day. The medal games will take place on Dec. 1.

The Capital City Challenge will serve as a one-time event to replace the World Under-17 Hockey Challenge which was cancelled due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. It also provides an opportunity for Canada’s National Women’s Team to compete as part of its centralization schedule.

Click here to see Canada’s full U17 roster.

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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

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:  

1. Groups are to enter using designated entry points and adhere to all directional signage and staff direction while inside and while exiting the facility. 

2. 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 

3. No capacity limit to on ice participants, unless identified (i.e. Public Skating/Programs)  

4. Full access allowed during the following hours (Mon-Fri 4pm-11pm or Weekends 7am-11pm), but designated entrances must be utilized  

5. 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.  

6. 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  

7. Changerooms are to be exited by all players/coaches 20 mins following permitted time to permit required cleaning and sanitizing by City staff. 

8. Showers will be available to all user groups  

9. 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.

10. 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.).  

11. All permit holders must ensure that groups of participants and spectators adhere to all Arena Guidelines and Facility Code of Conduct.