Douro Community Centre In The Running For Kraft Hockeyville Arena Renovation

The Douro Community Centre has thrown it’s hat in the ring for the Kraft Hockeyville competition in hopes to win a $250,000 arena upgrade and an NHL game hosted in the community.

Three Douro teams won the OMHA Finals in 2016. Photo courtesy of Kerri Riel.

“Knowing the limited resources that we may have because of COVID, we’re hoping to add to our operational budget and we’ll be able to see some renos,” said Kerri Riel, Douro Minor Hockey Association (DMHA) Secretary.

The cooling plant at the community centre located in Warsaw failed, which means the entire Douro Dukes Hockey Association, 19 teams, is operating out of one arena and four dressing rooms.

She notes that the alternative dressing rooms that are often used for girls playing on mostly boys teams, are in closets.

“It’s not adequate. Right now we’re just not able to provide equitable and inclusive spaces for everyone, and we need to for all Douro Dukes.”

“We have very competitive teams,” she said. “For the last five years we have sent teams to the All Ontario Finals. You look back to 2016 - three of our teams won the OMHA Finals. That was a big deal, almost unprecedented in Ontario.”

Riel says the DMHA hopes that players will want to play in Douro, rather than go play in communities that have more modern arenas.

“We’re the Dukes and we’re proud to be. It was a big deal to be a Duke. Everybody around us has had these updates to their arenas and we just haven’t been able to manage that yet.”

The Kraft Hockeyville competition begins with the ‘Nominate and Rally’ phase, where community members take actions like sharing on social media and submitting photos’ on the Hockeyville site to earn points.

The winning community centre will receive $250,000 in renovations and the opportunity to host a pre-season NHL game in their community.

“We have a long, deep history and a love for hockey,” said Riel. “The opportunity to offer to the whole community a Pre-Season NHL game? That would be the icing on the cake. We could offer thanks for the dedication and support from our volunteers and community.”

The Nominate and Rally phase will end on April 3, after which arena’s will be judged by a panel. The top four will be announced on April 23 and voting will open. One winner will be announced on May 7.

Riel invites anyone with a memory from The Douro Community Centre to add a story, photo or video to the Hockeyville nomination page. Likes and shares on social media will also help the community centre to proceed to the next round.

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Mason McTavish Returns To Peterborough After Trade To Take On the Petes

Former Petes forward Mason McTavish is returning to Peterborough but in a different uniform as the Hamilton Bulldogs come to the Peterborough Memorial Centre on Tuesday night.

Defenseman Owen Power and Matty Berniers were taken first and second by the Buffalo Sabers and Seattle Kraken respectively before McTavish (right) was drafted third overall. Photo courtesy of the Peterborough Petes.

The Petes trades traded McTavish to the Bulldogs on Jan. 9 ahead of the trade deadline in exchange for Alex Pharand, Jonathan Melee and six draft picks.

McTavish was drafted third overall by the Anaheim Ducks in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft. He scored his first NHL goal on his first shot, becoming the youngest player to score in franchise history at 18 years and 256 days of age.

The Carp, Ont. native signed a three-year entry-level contract with the Ducks on Aug. 13.

McTavish became the first Pete to be selected third overall in the NHL Entry Draft since Zach Bogosian (2006-08) in 2008.

The top-ranked Bulldogs in the East Division are looking to continue their 11-game winning streak with a win against the Petes who are 6-2-2 in their last ten games. The Bulldogs have won the last three of four meetings against the Petes this season.

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Electric City Football Club Signs First Goalkeepers To Franchise History

Electric City Football Club (ECFC) has finally found players to guard the net. The club signed goalkeepers Mykaela Volpe and Quillan Roberts. to their women’s and men’s club respectively on Friday.

Mykaela Volpe (left) and Quillan Roberts (right) become the first ever goalkeepers in ECFC history. Photo courtesy of ECFC.

Volpe, 23, from Whitby, Ontario finished her fifth season at Nipissing University.

“We are thrilled to have Mykaela sign with us here at ECFC. She was one of the first players on our initial player list that we were wanting to acquire. She proved herself as the top goalkeeper across U Sports earning 1st team All-Canadian Honours,” said Randy Ribeiro, ECFC Women’s Coach. “Going an entire regular season without conceding a single goal is just unbelievable. She is a very talented goalkeeper that brings leadership and experience into our team.”

In 2021, Volpeand 8-0-1 record with nine shutouts. This streak continued until the Nipissing University’s Ontario University Athletics (OUA) playoff defeat to Western University where she allowed a goal in penalty kicks.

“I think it’s really special to be part of the beginning of something and have the opportunity to build something great. When Coach Ribeiro first reached out to me regarding the opportunity, I was very excited about the environment, the ambitions for the group and it was an experience I immediately wanted to be a part of,” said Volpe. “I also think it’s a great opportunity to grow the game in Peterborough and show local kids the pathways they can pursue with soccer in Canada; especially for the younger girls who would be watching and looking up to us.”

Roberts, 27, is from Brampton, Ontario and has been a member of comedian Will Ferrell’s star-studded MLS team, LAFC, to being the first goalkeeper in history to score a goal in a FIFA finals tournament.

“The foundation of most successful football teams starts at the back with a talented and experienced keeper in net,” said Rob Jenkins, ECFC President. “We feel that Quillan brings the type of leadership and skills to our club that will help us reach our goals and have a positive impact in the community.”

Roberts was one of the first signings in Forge FC’s (Hamilton, ON) history. The goalkeeper has eight Canadian Premier League starts under his belt, with nine Goals Against and four Clean Sheets (second in the CPL that year). During his time at Forge FC, Roberts also started a Canadian Championship game and recorded a shutout in that match.

During his Toronto FC tenure, Roberts signed with TFC in 2012. The MLS club loaned Roberts out to the second-division United Soccer League (USL), where he played 43 games, recorded 12 Clean Sheets and had 64 Goals Against.

In 2018, Roberts signed with LAFC to be their backup goalie and was a part of the expansion team that made the MLS Cup Playoffs in their inaugural season.

“This is a chance for me to continue playing the game I love, at a club is doing things like top CPL sides from the beginning,” said Roberts. “I love the fact that ECFC is open about their plans to join the CPL in the future.”

In 2011, he was named to the Team Canada U17 squad at the 2011 FIFA Under-17 World Cup in Mexico. Roberts started the second game of the tournament, against England.

In the 87th minute, with Canada losing 2–1, Roberts hoofed the ball into England’s net from inside his own half. That goal was the first scored by a goalkeeper in any FIFA finals tournament. Roberts started two other games at the Under-17 World Cup.

Roberts got his first cap for the Team Canada Men’s National Team in 2015, and was named to Canada’s CONCACAF Gold Cup squad in 2015 as well.

Since he only represented Canada in an exhibition game, Roberts was also eligible to represent the Guyana and Jamaica National Teams, his parents’ birth countries.

In May 2019, he was named to Guyana's final roster for the 2019 CONCACAF Gold Cup. Roberts started in net for Guyana in the final Gold Cup group stage match against Trinidad and Tobago in a 1–1 draw.

Roberts has also played two seasons in League1 Ontario (1812 FC in 2021 and Woodbridge in 2017) and won the League1 Ontario Goalie of the Year both seasons, including an amazing 0.79 Goals Against Average in 2017.

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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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