Peterborough Blogs
Peterborough Petes Reducing Fan Capacity By Half After Government Announcement
/Beginning Saturday, the number of spectators permitted at Peterborough Petes home games at the Peterborough Memorial Centre is reduced to 50 per cent capacity announced on Wednesday.
The Petes celebrating a home win by saluting the crowd against the Hamilton Bulldogs on Oct. 28. Photo by David Tuan Bui.
The decision came following the same-day announcement made by the Ontario Government. They ordered the capacity reduction for indoor venues with capacities of 1,000 or more to combat the Omnicron variant of the COVID-19 virus. The cut allows for 2,025 fans to be in attendance.
All Season Ticket Members will be guaranteed their seats for every game. Anyone with tickets for Saturday night’s game is still entitled to attend unless otherwise communicated with by Petes or Box Office staff members.
The Petes will continue to work with Peterborough Public Health and the PMC to ensure that all attendees at home games can participate in a safe and fun environment, and will update fans as the organization learns more about the restrictions in the coming days and weeks.
All fans attending Petes game are reminded to follow public health measures at the PMC, including:
Face coverings are mandatory at all times unless actively eating or drinking in your ticketed seat.
Children under the age of two will not require a face covering/mask.
Physical distancing guidelines must be followed. There are markers on the floor to help people stay a minimum of two metres apart.
Hands must be washed or sanitized regularly. Hand sanitizer is available throughout the facility.
Ticket holders are required to submit a contact tracing form online prior to entry that lists the full name and phone number for each ticket holder in their group. This form also includes a list of active screening questions.
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Peterborough Petes Become First OHL Team To Host Pro Women's Hockey Game
/The Peterborough Petes will be the first OHL team to host a Professional Women’s Hockey Player’s Association (PWHPA) game at the Peterborough Memorial Centre (PMC) announced Tuesday.
Kassidy Sauvé (left), Team Sonnet goaltender of PWHPA (left) and Molly Farace (right) of the PGHA U15 AA Ice Kats were the two active women’s hockey representatives at the Petes press conference on Tuesday morning. Photo by David Tuan Bui.
Team Sonnet, PWHPA’s Toronto hub and Team Harvey’s, PWHPA’s Montreal hub, will compete against each other on Feb 19. The game will occur only days after the 2022 Olympic Women's Hockey Gold Medal Game in Beijing.
“It’s an absolute honour to host these elite athletes at the PMC in the new year,” said Shelbi Kilcollins, Petes’ director of marketing and growth. “The opportunity to collaborate alongside the PWHPA is a long-time dream for the Peterborough Petes.”
“This is equivalent to an NHL game with the ladies. These are the best women hockey players in the world that are going to be here at the Memorial Centre,” said Dave Pogue, Petes president. “It's going to be a treat for certainly the young girl hockey players that are going to be able to get their teams in here to watch the game but really anybody that hasn't seen an event like this has to come down.”
Jayna Hefford, Hockey Hall of Inductee, Olympic gold medalist and PWHPA Chairperson virtually appeared at the conference. Attendees included David Branch, OHL Commissioner; Michael Oke, Petes general manager; Dave Pogue, Petes president; Diane Therrien, Peterborough Mayor; Kassidy Sauvé, Team Sonnet goaltender and Molly Farace, U15 AA Peterborough Ice Kats forward.
"The fact that the Petes have partnered with the PWHPA says a lot about their organization,” said Sauvé. “The fact that they are committed to not only growing the game on the men's side but also the women's side.”
“It's part of our mandate to grow the future of hockey and not just boys hockey but girls hockey and it's a tremendous honour to have it here in Peterborough,” said Pogue.
Pre-sale tickets are available on Wednesday at 9:00 a.m. through the Grant Thornton Box Office.
Kilcollins is an assistant coach for Farace and the U15 AA Ice Kats. The team won its third tournament of the season at the Brampton Two Nations Cup on Dec. 5. Farace tallied the championship assist in a 1-0 victory over the North York Storm.
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Jordan Haynes Becomes First Peterborough Man To Win Canadian Premier League Soccer Championship
/History was made as Peterborough’s Jordan Haynes became the first Peterborough soccer player to capture a Canadian Premier League title on Sunday.
Jordan Haynes was the surprise guest during the Electric City Football Club’s Season ticket launch party on Tuesday. Photo by David Tuan Bui.
Haynes earned his first title in his second season with the club. He started as the left back in the 1-0 Pacific FC win over the defending-champion Forge FC at Tim Hortons Field in Hamilton.
"Two years ago, I never would have expected to be in a position to even be playing for a title in a professional league in Canada in my second season with them (Pacific FC),” said Haynes. “The emotions that were running through my head during the game, after the game, and even now are still surreal."
The win was a measure of revenge for Pacific FC since Forge FC defeated them in each of their three regular-season matchups 3-0, 2-1 and 2-1 respectively.
"Everyone was counting us out,” explained Haynes. “Pacific has never beaten Forge historically so we said let's win when it matters and obviously this is the most important one we've had against them ever. If anything, that just fueled our fire more. We believed in ourselves, that's all that matters. When it happens like that and you come on top, it's just even more sweet."
Pacific FC became the third seed for the playoffs with a 13-9-6 record. They advanced to the finals after a 2-1 over Cavalry FC-2.
Haynes signed with the Pacific FC in October last year.
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Fleming College Pre-Service Firefighting Instructor Brings Home Medals in World Firefighter Combat Challenge Championships
/Shawna Coulter, a local Port Hope resident, instructor at Fleming College and a member of the Whitby Professional Firefighters Association Local 2036, has returned from the World Firefighter Combat Challenge Championships with three medals (a Bronze and two Silvers).
Photo by Danielle Graham.
The Firefighter Combat Challenge is a sport designed to put firefighting fitness skills to the ultimate test, taxing physical and mental strength against the clock wearing 50lbs of firefighting gear.
The World Championships were hosted November 2-6 in Fort Pierce, Florida.
Coulter qualified for the World Championships by medaling in three divisions in a regional qualifier in Pittsfield, Massachusetts in September.
Men and women compete on the same course, complete the same tasks, all wearing the same firefighter gear replicating the real world demands of firefighting for all genders.
“The tasks we work through on the course don’t change. It doesn’t matter your age, gender or size - it’s all the same,” said Coulter. ”That represents the demand of firefighting - whether you are male or female you are still required to complete the same tasks on the job.”
The competition is comprised of six elements including carrying weighted hose packs up a 5 storey tower, an 175lb mannequin rescue, forcible entry and more.
“It allows you to prepare, and allows you that strong belief that no matter what you encounter on the job you can handle that.”
Photo courtesy of FirefighterCombatChallenge.
Coulter notes that because of her small stature, during the challenge she was carrying almost double her weight.
“I top in at around 135 lbs, so for me to complete the course I have to make sure I have to make sure that I keep my fitness training to a certain intensity,” she said. “One of the most grueling parts of the course happens at the very end, it includes dragging a 175-pound dummy 100 feet backwards. So for me once you include the 50-pound gear plus the 175-pound dummy I’m basically picking up and dragging twice my weight. “
Coulter says completing the last part of the course is a clear indicator to herself that if she ever needed to she could drag a crew member or a resident, no matter their size, out of a fire while on the job.
Prior to competing this year, training looked different than it did in other years.
“The last few years have been a challenge in terms of being able to train for that level of competition,” said Coulter. “Particularly not having consistent competitions to be able to attend, it’s definitely a challenge after two years to pursue that.”
Coulter and her team were able to train at Wild Water and Wheels, which she says played a huge role in their success.
“I was very fortunate to have an amazing group of fire fighters to train with. That has made a world of difference - whether or not those firefighters were competing this year they still came out and trained with me and helped me prepare - it’s very much a team effort.”
Photo by Rick Stephens.
Coulter has been competing in the sport since 2016 and is a member of the only all-female team competing under a branch the International Association of Firefighters in North America.
“The first time I ever competed I didn’t complete the course, but that’s a good thing because it teaches you not just about positive goal setting but to look at something that’s very difficult that might be intimidating and teaches you to break it into sizable tasks.”
In 2022 the women’s team aims to have three women stepping onto the Canadian course and who are also aiming for the 2022 World Firefighter Combat Challenge in Salt Lake City, Utah in October.
She notes that the sport encourages her to set and reach new goals in both competing and in her work.
“The great thing about the sport is realistically even though you’re ranked against a list of others, you’re really competing against yourself,” she said. “It doesn’t matter if you finish first or last, or even if you don’t finish the course. It’s about improving yourself, because that’s going to apply to your career and your life in general.”
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Peterborough Petes Sign Quinton Pagé to Standard Player Agreement
/Hoping to bring speed and toughness to their lineup, the Peterborough Petes have signed forward Quinton Pagé to a standard player agreement on Thursday.
Photo Courtesy of the Peterborough Petes.
Pagé, a 5’8”, 183 lbs left shot forward was selected by the team in the sixth round, 114th overall in the 2021 OHL Priority Selection. In 15 games with the Petes U18 AAA team this season, the Kincardine, Ont. native registered eight goals and six assists for 14 points.
During the 2021-22 Big Nickel Tournament, Pagé tallied five goals and two assists for seven points in seven games.
“It’s a huge honour to be signing with a historical franchise in the OHL,” said Pagé. “I’m looking forward to picking up things from some of the older guys and learning from all the coaching staff. They’ll teach me lots of things to support me in elevating my game.”
“He’s a hard-working, strong forward who has continued to work hard and develop throughout the fall in practices with us and while playing with the U18 PMHC AAA Petes. We are excited to have him join the lineup in tonight’s game,” explained Mike Oke, Petes general manager.
Pagé will wear #5 and is expected to make his OHL debut Thursday against the Mississauga Steelheads. He becomes the third player from the 2021 OHL Priority draft class to commit to the team, joining Nick Lardis and Zack Lewis.
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Electric City Football Club Hosts First Public Event With Season Ticket Launch Party
/The Electric City Football Club (ECFC) shared its first night with its fans at a season ticket launch party at the Publican House on Tuesday night.
The season tickets include games from the women’s and men’s teams. Photo by David Tuan Bui.
Fans were able to purchase vouchers to reserve season tickets for the team’s inaugrual League1 Ontario season next year. Roughly 60 fans were in attendance for the event.
"The city continues to impress every time," said Rob Jenkins, ECFC president. "You send out the word and all of a sudden you've got a good group of people and they're there. They want to be involved and it's been absolutely amazing. I've been floored by the support we've received."
A fan shows off the first season ticket voucher for ECFC. Photo by David Tuan Bui.
The season tickets include all home regular-season matches for the Women’s and Men’s teams. The season consists of roughly 20 home matches combined from May to September.
Tickets are limited will be made available Season tickets will start at approximately $200 for the season. Season Tickets will be available for purchase early in 2022 once stadium seating and schedule are confirmed (approximately February) by the league.
Season ticket deposits can be made online or at their shop at 1054 Monaghan Rd., Suite 202.
"We're seeing people wear our patch and we're seeing the jerseys being worn," said Jenkins. "Once you start seeing people just supporting something that we built here, it's a game-changer."
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Peterborough Petes and Emterra Environmental Collecting Equipment For Try Hockey Equipment Drive
/The Peterborough Petes and Emterra Environmental are helping make hockey for everyone with the Try Hockey equipment drive which collects donated hockey gear to make it more accessible announced on Tuesday.
Photo Courtesy of the Peterborough Petes.
The donated equipment is being used for future free hockey initiatives that seek to reduce financial and social barriers to joining the game of hockey.
The drive will happen on Dec. 17 and 18 from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. where donations are accepted from families at the southeast side of the Peterborough Memorial Centre parking lot.
All COVID-19 protocols will be in place upon equipment collection including mask wearing and physical distancing.
“The Petes are excited to work alongside Emterra Environmental on this initiative and future Try Hockey programming in order to make the sport we love more accessible to the Peterborough community,” said Shelbi Kilcollins, Petes Director of Marketing and Growth.
Requested equipment includes skates, elbow pads, shin pads, shoulder pads, helmets, pants, sticks, bags and goalie equipment. There is not a need for undergarments, jerseys, socks, jocks/jills, or neck guards.
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Petes Mason McTavish Invited to Canada’s National Junior Team Selection Camp
/Petes forward Mason McTavish has been invited to Canada’s National Junior Team Selection Camp from Dec 9 - 13 in Calgary, Alberta by Hockey Canada announced on Wednesday.
Photo Courtesy of the Peterborough Petes.
“It’s an honour to be invited to Hockey Canada’s camp,” said McTavish. “I love wearing the Canadian jersey and representing my country. I always dreamt of playing in the World Juniors during Christmas and I’m excited to put the work in to make the team.”
McTavish scored four goals in two games with the Petes. On Nov. 26, the 6’1”, 205 lbs centerman was named Canadian Hockey League (CHL) Player of the Night after scoring a hat-trick in his season debut.
McTavish was selected third overall by the Anaheim Ducks in the 2021 NHL Draft and recorded three points (two goals, one assist) and a +3 rating in nine games with Anaheim this season.
In the Ducks' season opener and his NHL debut, he became the youngest goalscorer in Ducks history (18 years, 256 days) for his first career goal.
In addition to suiting up for Anaheim, the Petes fifth overall pick in the 2019 OHL Priority Selection suited up for the Ducks’ AHL affiliate San Diego Gulls, recording two points (one goal, one assist) in three games.
On the international stage, McTavish served as alternate captain, helping Team Canada win gold for the first time since 2013 at the 2021 U18 IIHF World Championship in Texas. He finished the tournament with 11 points (five goals, six assists) in seven games, ranking fifth overall in the tournament and tied second on Team Canada.
In his rookie season with the Petes, the Carp, Ontario, who was born in Zurich, Switzerland recorded 29 goals and 13 assists for 42 points, finishing second in the OHL rookie scoring race. He was also named to the OHL 2nd All-Rookie team.
McTavish attended Canada’s National Junior Team summer development camp from July 28-August 4 2021 at the Seven Chiefs Sportsplex on the Tsuut’ina Nation near Calgary.
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Peterborough Petes Battling Cancer In 13th Annual Pink in the Rink Game
/The 13th annual Peterborough Petes Pink in the Rink event to benefit the Canadian Cancer Society has a date to help benefit cancer patients and survivors announced on Tuesday.
Meaghan Roy (left) and Doug Gibson (right) with the 2014 Petes Pink in the Rink jersey. Since working at CHEX in 2007, Roy became the first female sports anchor at CHEX in 2014. Gibson played three seasons with the Petes from 1971-73, breaking Mickey Redmond’s goal-scoring mark and competing in the 1972 Memorial Cup final. Photo by David Tuan Bui.
The game is held on Feb. 5 against the Niagara IceDogs with a fundraising goal of over $50,000. All proceeds support the Canadian Cancer Society with a focus on cancer commonly found primarily in women.
"For the first time, the Canadian Cancer Society has shifted their focus to more of their national events so the Petes get to work directly with the Pink in the Rink committee of volunteers to run this event,” said Burton Lee, Petes executive director of business operations.
Petes Alumnus Doug Gibson and sports anchor Meaghan Roy were named as honourary co-chairs for the upcoming event.
"They are two local sports legends if not just straight-up legends,” explained Lee. “We're pretty happy to have them leading the way from a publicity standpoint as we build towards the campaign.”
The digital design of the 2022 Petes Pink in the Rink jersey. In 12 years of the campaign, the Petes have raised $812,099 for Canadian Cancer Society. Photo Courtesy of the Peterborough Petes.
