Millbrook Resident Bringing Gaelic Football Club To Peterborough Sports Scene

Peterborough resident Tracy Campbell is inviting athletes to lace up their boots and try Gaelic Football in hopes to develop and promote the Irish sport through the Peterborough Gaelic Football Association.

Campbell playing Gaelic football in Ottawa. Captured by Photographer Brad Smith.

Gaelic Football is a popular Irish sport played on a grass field. It is played with a round ball and both hands and feet are used to control and pass the ball. There are 15 players on each team, with only 1 referee.

Played by both men and women, there are associations all over Canada.

Before moving to the Peterborough area, Campbell played Gaelic Football in places like South Korea, Kingston and Ottawa.

Now living in the area she hopes that adults looking to have fun and learn a new sport will come out to learn and scrimmage with athletes of all abilities.

“You’re moving from point a to point b, kicking the ball or bouncing it, but it’s really not that rough,” said Campbell. “It’s not as rough as people seem to think it is. Most people when they start, unless they grew up in Ireland, they have no knowledge of it.”

While the Peterborough Gaelic Athletic Association (PTBO GAA) is not yet an official member of the Gaelic Athletic Association, Campbell hopes that the sport will take off in the city and soon be a certified association.

The GAA houses a few different Gaelic sports, including Gaelic football, hurling and camogie.

Currently Campbell’s main goal is gaining interest. Actual team practices and ‘learn-to-play’ nights will begin when weather permits.

“One of my favourite things about it is that sense of community you feel with the club,” said Campbell. “I’ve never experienced anything like it. I grew up playing sports and I’ve never experienced the sense of community you get with Gaelic football.”

Anyone interested should follow PTBO GAA on Instagram and Facebook for updates and email peterboroughgaa@gmail.com.

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Local Man Jon Thurston Takes Home Bronze Medal With Canada's Paralympic Wheelchair Curling Team

Team Canada Paralympic Wheelchair Curling Team, with Jon Thurston of Dunsford, cinched a Bronze medal against Slovakia on Friday.

In an intense game aired Friday at 6:30 a.m. local time, Canada triumphed over Slovakia 8-3 to secure a spot on the podium.

With Canada leading 4-3 after seven ends and Slovakia lying two, Thurston, who belongs to the Peterborough Curling Club, knocked both Slovakia stones out on his first throw to leave Canada lying three.

Slovakia put up a good fight, though in the eighth and final end Thurston delivered two near perfect shots to secure the win.

This is a first Paralympic Medal for Thurston, who played as an alternate.

Canada has reached the podium in all five wheelchair curling tournaments since the sport was added to the Games in 2006.

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Peterborough's Shawn Evans Traded to Halifax Thunderbirds For Draft Picks

Lakers alumnus and Peterborough’s Shawn Evans has been traded to the Halifax Thunderbirds from the Rochester Knighthawks of the National Lacrosse League announced Wednesday.

The Halifax Thunderbirds made their league debut on Dec. 7, 2019, defeating the New York Riptide 12–4 Photo by David Tuan Bui.

Halifax is sending their second-round draft pick in the 2023 NLL Entry Draft and their top first-round compensation pick in the same draft for Evans.

The 35-year-old won a Champion’s Cup with the 2007 Knighthawks. He is a two-time National Lacrosse League MVP (2013 and 2015) and has been a four-time NLL All-Pro First Team member (2013-16) and an NLL All-Pro Second Team member (2012). He was also named to the 2006 NLL All-Rookie Team. 

He was selected by the Rochester Knighthawks in the first round (second overall) of the 2005 NLL Entry Draft. The Knighthawks took Evans first overall in the 2019 NLL Expansion Draft.

“Shawn Evans’s career speaks for itself. Evy is a proven winner at all levels, from junior to the pros,” said Curt Styres, Thunderbirds owner and general manager. “Whenever you are able to add a player of Shawn’s calibre to your roster this late in the stretch, it is a no-brainer.”

Photo courtesy of the Halifax Thunderbirds.

After spending his first six seasons with the team, he spent the next four years with the Calgary Roughnecks, where Evans won both his MVPs and set then-records for most assists recorded in a single season (83) and points (130) in 2015.

The Peterborough, Ontario native has 1,277 points (453 goals and 824 assists). His 453 goals are the ninth most recorded by a player in NLL history, his 824 assists are the fifth-most in NLL history and his 1,277 points are the sixth-most in NLL history and the second-most amongst active NLL forwards. Evans also has the third-most penalty minutes in league history with 591 PIM.

The 5-foot-8, 175-pound right-hander led the Knighthawks in scoring and assists in their 10 games played this season. His best game of the season so far came on Feb. 12 against the Albany FireWolves, where he put up 10 points (1G, 9A) in the team’s 15-13 win against the Eastern Conference foe.

“Evans is a proven winner with championships and MVPs in multiple leagues,” said Mike Accursi, Thunderbirds head coach. “He brings grit and experience along with a tremendously high lacrosse IQ. I’m excited to see him work with our offense group.”

Evans spent part of the next three seasons with the New England Black Wolves before being traded to the Buffalo Bandits midway through the 2018 NLL season.

During the 2016 season, Evans recorded 118 points (50 goals, 68 assists), which is the third-highest single-season points total. He is the only player to hold multiple spots in the top 10 most points recorded in a single NLL season.

Over the last two seasons, Evans has 90 points (23G, 67A) in 19 games. 

If the Thunderbirds do not receive a first-round compensation pick for the 2023 NLL Entry Draft, the Knighthawks will receive the team’s best first-round compensatory pick in the 2024 NLL Entry Draft.

If no first-round compensatory pick is awarded ahead of that draft, then it becomes the Thunderbirds’ best first-round compensation pick in the 2025 NLL Entry Draft.

If Halifax does not receive a compensatory pick in that instance, then Rochester receives their first-round selection in the 2025 NLL Entry Draft and Halifax receives Rochester’s second-round draft pick in that same draft in return.

“The next three weeks are defining moments for us. In the next 18 days, home floor advantage could be decided in the NLL,” said Styres. “Adding Shawn Evans will help our team, as we know COVID is always knocking on each team’s door.”

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Peterborough Lakers Are Back This Year And Ready To Defend Their Mann Cup Title

The Peterborough Lakers will lace up their cleats and storm the Peterborough Memorial Centre this season, after two years of not playing due to COVID-19.

Shawn Evans, Vanessa Oake-Hoagen (Century 21) and Jake Withers. Photo by Angela O’Grady.

“It seems like it’s been forever,” said Brian Cowie, communications director with the Lakers.

The Lakers have not played since 2019, and haven’t played at The Peterborough Memorial Centre since 2018.

Now that COVID restrictions have eased the organization is excited to get back to playing and is ready to take home the Mann Cup for the fourth time in a row.

Century 21 Lakers win The Mann Cup, 2019. Photo courtesy of The Peterborough Lakers.

“Talking with the players, we’re all here. We’re all committed and we’re all ready to go after that four-peat,” said Shawn Evans. “It’s been tough on a lot of us sitting out the last two years after winning three in a row, that’s why it makes it that much more exciting this year to go for four.”

According to Cowie there are uncertainties as to which members will be returning, but as they near the start of the season in June that will become more clear.

“We’re ready to have everyone back in the rink and continue to build what we started here,” said Evans.

In addition to the return of the Lakers, 2022 marks the 150th anniversary of lacrosse in Peterborough.

To celebrate, six Major Series Lacrosse teams will play in Peterborough on June 18. More announcements will come regarding those celebrations, but the Lakers say fans can expect a tailgate party at the Memorial Centre as well as three back to back games.

Peterborough Lakers, 2018. Photo courtesy of Century 21 Lakers.

Season tickets and individual game tickets are available through the Peterborough Memorial Centre online or in person.

Prices for season ticket holders will remain the same as they were in 2019.

“While yes costs have gone up, we’ve always said the Lakers are a family group and we want to make it affordable for families to come out,” said Glenn Powers, marketing.

For more information on season tickets visit peterboroughlakers.ca/schedule.

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Local Reporter Makes All-Female Broadcast Team For Women's Hockey Game

Global News reporter and anchor Katrina Squazzin is going from the newsroom to the broadcast booth for a night on an all-women’s commentary team announced Tuesday.

Squazzin (pictured) joined Global News Peterborough in 2019 is from the Chatham area. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The Peterborough Petes announced Squazzin as the colour commentator for the Professional Women’s Hockey Players Association (PWHPA) regional game between Team Sonnet and Team Harvey held on March 26, at 7:05 p.m.

She is joined by fellow Global colleague and sideline reporter Meaghan Roy and play-by-play commentator Julia Tocheri of TSN.

"The fact that we're able to bring a PWHPA game here to Peterborough as someone who grew up playing hockey most of my life, I think of how excited young Katrina would have been to be able to come and see a game in her hometown so I'm just so happy to be a part of it,” said Squazzin.

Squazzin became the first female colour commentator in Petes' history with Freq 90.5 on Feb. 10.

"It's definitely been a step outside of my comfort zone but I'm very thankful for the Petes for giving me the opportunity to call the Petes games and have another opportunity to grow and continue to develop this new skill," she said.

Squazzin previously did colour commentary for basketball with Mustangs TV shortly after graduating from Carleton University (majoring in journalism and law). She has worked several sports gigs such as Homestand Sports, TSN 1150 and CFL.ca both behind the scenes and as an on-camera personality.

The PWHPA broadcast will include a 30-minute pre-show featuring interviews with players, additional sports media figures, PWHPA general managers and hockey influencers from the Peterborough area.

Fans can tune into YourTV Channel 700 to catch the pre-show and entire in-game broadcast on March 26.

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Local Country Star's Sixth Annual Charity Golf Tournament For Youth Mental Health a Go

Country star Tebey is back with his sixth annual Tebey Golf Classic in support of youth mental health announced on Tuesday.

Last year’s event was on June 24 at the Black Diamond Golf Club. Photo courtesy of Greater Peterborough Health Services Foundation.

Over $125,000 has been raised over the past five years towards youth mental health that includes: 

• Covid-19 Response Drop In Centre - YES Youth Emergency Shelter for Youth and Families

• YES Homelessness Prevention Program partnership with Peterborough Youth *Services and YES Year one and Year two Funding

• 211 Awareness Campaign – Peterborough Youth Services and YES Shelter

• Ongoing education for Mental Health Clinicians of the Peterborough Family Health Team to support free patient mindfulness programming

Funds raised through the event will go towards Youth Mental Health programming through Peterborough Youth Services and YES Shelter For Youth and Families.

“It’s going to be great to be back this year raising money for Peterborough Youth Services and the YES Shelter,” said Tebey. “They have provided so much support to those struggling and have had a huge impact on the lives of youth and families in the Peterborough area.”

The tournament is scheduled for June 2 at Wildfire Golf & Country Club with a shotgun tee-off at 1 p.m. An outdoor acoustic performance will happen at 7 p.m.

Foursome tickets are available on Eventbrite for $1,000 where a $200 tax receipt will be provided to each group. The tournament includes a meet-and-greet with Tebey, acoustic performance from him and special guests (to be announced), activities, contests, meals, prizes and professional photos of your group.

“All of us at PYS (Peterborough Youth Services) are so grateful to the Greater Peterborough Health Services Foundation and Tebey for their joint fundraising efforts to improve youth mental health, said Heather Holland, PYS executive director. “Community donations are integral to expanding our reach and impact as an agency and every dollar will be directed to reducing wait times and providing more timely access to service.”

“What we are seeing at the tail end of the pandemic is young people and families left with fewer community supports and available housing options more than ever,” Aimeé Le Lagadec, YES Shelter executive director. “Participating in the Tebey Golf Classic is an incredible and fun way to help YES continue helping young people and families in Peterborough out of homelessness."

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Curve Lake Honoured By Lakefield Chiefs In Partnership At Last Regular-Season Game

Curve Lake First Nation was honoured with a plaque unveiling by the Lakefield Chiefs to celebrate their partnership in their last regular-season game on Tuesday.

(from left to right) Carson Hartwick, Lakefield Chiefs assistant captain; Shawn Dunbar, Chiefs general manager; Michael Battaglia; Andy Mitchell, Selwyn mayor; Anita Locke, Lakefield Ward Councillor: Jeff Jacobs, Deputy Chief of Curve Lake First Nation; Assistant General Manager of Lakefield Chiefs Junior Hockey Club George Ripoll, Chiefs assistant general manager and Jake Hagen, Georgina Ice assistant captain. Photo courtesy of the Lakefield Chiefs.

The plaque is located in the main lobby of the Lakefield-Smith Community Centre that describes the team’s history and affiliation with the Curve Lake First Nation.

Another sign had a land acknowledgement statement of being on the treaty and traditional territory of the Michi Saagiig Anishinaabeg.

(from left to right) George Ripoll, Chiefs assistant general manager; Shawn Dunbar, Chiefs general manager; Jeff Jacobs, Deputy Chief of Curve Lake First Nation and Andy Mitchell, Selwyn mayor. Photo courtesy of the Lakefield Chiefs.

The Chiefs have been under fire in recent years for the use of Indigenous logos and names for the team’s branding. The plaque explains the team was formed in the 1960s by then-Curve Lake First Nation Chief Dalton Jacobs. The logo (also used by the NHL’s Chicago Blackhawks) is a symbol of strength and perseverance.

“The community and the players that come play for us, they know our winning culture,” said George Ripoll, Chiefs assistant general manager. “I think they need to understand how we were made and come from.”

As part of the team’s continued partnership with Curve Lake First Nation, the team will wear orange warm-up jerseys with the “Every Child Matters” slogan on the front.

Lakefield fell to the Georgina Ice 4-1 with Carson Hartwick as the lone goal-scorer for the Chiefs.

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Hometown PTBO: Dean Morton Officiating His 1,000th NHL Game and His Lone NHL Goal

This week on Hometown PTBO, Pete Dalliday speaks with NHL referee Dean Morton shortly after officiating his 1,000th game and the story of Steve Yzerman assisting his only goal in one game in the NHL with the Detroit Red Wings.

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Local Hockey Player Signs Three-Year Entry Level NHL Contract With St. Louis Blues

Peterborough’s Will Cranley and his dream of being in the NHL has come true as he signed a three-year entry contract with the St. Louis Blues on Wednesday.

WIll Cranley had a .872 save percentage with a 3.84 goals against average in 34 games with the Ottawa 67’s in the 2021-22 season so far. Photo courtesy of Chad Cranley.

The local goaltender’s contract will start for the 2022-23 season. He will continue playing with Ontario Hockey League's Ottawa 67's this year.

He was drafted by the Blues in the sixth round, 163rd overall in the 2020 NHL Draft.

”We are very proud of Will and the young man that he has become both as a person and an athlete,” said Chad Cranley, Will’s father. “Hearing his name called on draft day was extremely special and words can hardly describe the excitement we feel for him with his recent signing with the St. Louis Blues.”

We've signed goalie Will Cranley, our sixth-round pick in 2020, to a three-year entry-level contract. https://t.co/nXlNK5xlUQ #stlblues

— St. Louis Blues (@StLouisBlues) March 2, 2022

Will played for the Peterborough Petes U15 and U16 AAA teams as a goalie for the 2016-17 and 2017-18 seasons respectively.

The 67’s drafted him 35th overall in the 2018 OHL Priority Selection Draft as he spent his entire OHL career there.

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Electric Ale Beer Brewed From Partnership With Electric City Football Club and Bobcaygeon Brewery

Beer and sports have gone hand in hand and the Electric City Football Club (ECFC) and Bobcaygeon Brewing Company (BBC) have teamed to create “Electric Ale” announced on Wednesday.

Bobcaygeon Brewing Company has partnered with other local sports teams such as the Peterborough Petes and their lager, released on March 11 last year. Photo courtesy of Bobcaygeon Brewing Company.

“Community is incredibly important to us at the brewery and the support from the community for ECFC before they’ve played their first game made us even more excited to partner with the team,” said Richard Wood, BBC president. “We’re looking forward to cracking a cold Electric Ale while cheering on the team this summer.”

Electric Ale is a Belgian-style blonde ale with a 4.2 percent alcohol content. It is available at the Bobcaygeon Brewing Company store at 649 The Parkway and on their website beginning Friday with pre-orders available Wednesday.

“Electric Ale is locally brewed Belgian Style Blonde Ale that will quench your thirst while you’re cheering the team on,” explained Wood. “A touch of lemon and coriander on your first sip slowly fades away as into a clean, refreshing finish.”

There will be a joint launch event at Bobcaygeon Brewery to promote and sell the ale on Friday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

ECFC staff will be on hand with merchandise and season ticket vouchers. ECFC players Zach Ellis-Hayden and Angelika Mihalopulous will be present from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. for a meet-and-greet with fans.

“We are excited to continue with our commitment to involving the local community in every way possible,” said Rob Jenkins, ECFC president, “Bobcaygeon was a natural fit for our ECFC beer with its local ties to the community and the fact that Richard and his team have been involved in the project from day one.”

The beer will also be available at the Y-Drive Beer Gardens and VIP tents at all ECFC home games.

“Beer gardens are an important part of the gameday experience that we are trying to create here in Peterborough,” said Jenkins, “Having our own ECFC locally brewed beer available at our matches just adds to the experience.” 

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