Peterborough Petes Introduce Free Ball Hockey For More Than 2,000 Local Students

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The Peterborough Petes have launched the Petes Ball Hockey Program for grade 4-6 students in Peterborough and the Kawarthas, providing equipment, training, and support required for the sport for free announced on Friday.

Petes Coordinator, Marketing & Community Engagement Morgan Blaind does the faceoff for players Quinton Pagé and Sam McCue. Photo courtesy of the Peterborough Petes.

The program is meant to help the grassroots development of hockey in Peterborough. The Petes want to eliminate all barriers to participation in hockey according to a press release.

A launch assembly will be run by the team for each participating school including the schools’ educator ambassadors, Petes’ business staff and current players.

The students regardless of their background, level of hockey experience or physical and cognitive abilities can participate in the program. The students can also meet Petes players, get an autograph and get their first official hockey photo taken after the assembly. They will also receive an official Petes t-shirt and equipment bag, ball hockey rules guide and a letter from Peterborough-born Chase Stillman in addition to free equipment and time each week to play ball hockey in school as part of one of their school’s teams.

“The Petes Ball Hockey Program is an innovative, systematic approach to eliminating barriers to hockey participation, which will help toward our goal of ensuring everyone in Peterborough and the Kawarthas and beyond, has the chance to enjoy the sport of hockey,” said Burton Lee, Petes executive director of business operations. “Whether it be cost, time, accessibility, knowledge, culture or another factor preventing a kid from trying hockey, we believe the Petes Ball Hockey Program will be a solution.”

The first phase of the program starts with 11 schools including:

  • St. Paul Catholic Elementary School, Peterborough

  • St. Paul Catholic Elementary School, Lakefield

  • Kaawaate East City Public School

  • Terry Fox Public School

  • Burnham Public School

  • St. Anne Catholic Elementary School

  • Edmison Heights Public School

  • Bobcaygeon Public School

  • CR Gummow Public School

  • Alexandra Public School

  • Rhema Christian School

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Brennan Othmann Scores Hat Trick In Peterborough Petes 5-3 Win Over the Niagara IceDogs

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It was the Brennan Othmann show as he scored a hat trick to propel the Peterborough Petes to a 5-3 win over the Niagara IceDogs at the Peterborough Memorial Centre on Thursday night.

The Petes won their last game against the IceDogs 8-1 on Pride Night held on Jan. 14. Photo courtesy of Kenneth Andersen and the Peterborough Petes.

Othmann wasted no time, scoring 57 seconds into the first period, tipping in a Tucker Robertson pass for a 1-0 lead. Niagara retaliated just under two minutes later as Michael Podolioukh scored on the backhand, beating goaltender Michael Simpson for a 1-1 tie. Othmann struck again for Peterborough after Avery Hayes forced a defensive zone turnover and eventually made the pass for the Petes’ second goal.

Niagara opened the scoring 6:49 into the second period as Andrew Leblanc was the recipient of a puck chipped out from a board scrum to beat Simpson for a 2-2 tie. Othmann got the lids flying after cleaning up a juicy rebound after a Samuel Mayer shot for a 3-2 lead, closing out the second.

The IceDogs were matching Peterborough goal for goal as Alex Assadourian opened the third-period scoring, ripping a wrist shot from the faceoff dot for a Niagara power play goal to tie it at three apiece. Peterborough peppered Niagara goalie Josh Rosenzweig looked unbeatable with 28 shots during the third, making him seem like a brick wall until Robertson tipped in Brian Zanetti point shot for a 4-3 Petes lead late in the third. Robertson added an insurance marker with an empty-net goal to seal the 5-3 Petes win.

The Petes next game is Pink in the Rink on Saturday against the rival Oshawa Generals at home.

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Peterborough Petes Holding "100 Days of Giveaways" Campaign; Giving Season Ticket Holders 100 Prizes Valued Over $25,000

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The Peterborough Petes are treating their season ticket holders as they launched their ‘100 Days of Giveaways’ campaign valued at over $25,000 in prizes announced on Wednesday.

Photo courtesyt of the Peterborough Petes.

Anyone who puts a deposit down on 2023-24 season tickets before Feb. 15 is entered in every draw to win one of 100 prizes with a combined value of over $25,000. There is no limit to how many days one person can win according to a press release.

Prizes have been contributed by Leon's, Rawscoe's Sports Collectibles, Bobcaygeon Brewing Company, Mark’s, Swish, Couture Candy PTBO, Walden’s Kitchen Centre, Charlotte Products, the Petes Store and more. Prizes range from pressure washers, Dyson vacuum cleaners, gift cards, air compressors, Petes game-worn jerseys and other prizes. 

Season Ticket Members can pay in full upfront or put in a non-refundable deposit of $150 per seat to reserve their tickets. The final payment deadline is July 7. The season ticket renewal deadline is May 12.

The Petes’ next game is at home to the Niagara IceDogs at the Peterborough Memorial Centre on Thursday.

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Photos: Meet, Greet and Eat With the Peterborough Petes at Dr. J's

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Petes hockey fans enjoyed dining with their favourite players Tuesday afternoon at Dr. J’s BBQ and Brews Meet, Greet and Eat with the Peterborough Petes event. After a hearty lunch provided by Dr. J’s, they capped the event off with a Q&A with Pete Dalliday and photo opportunities with the players.

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Peterborough Petes Pink In The Rink Supporting Five Local Hockey Moms Affected By Cancer

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The Peterborough Petes 14th annual Pink in the Rink game against the Oshawa Generals to take place Saturday, Feb. 4 at 7:05 pm at the Peterborough Memorial Centre; supporting hockey moms affected by cancer.

photo courtesy of the peterborough petes.

The Petes will wear their special themed jerseys designed by Kyle McDonald, which highlight the names of nearly 200 people who have battled cancer. The jerseys feature a special PRHC Foundation shoulder crest and design inspired by classic hockey sweaters, which pay tribute to Peterborough’s deep hockey roots and the hockey moms that this year’s campaign is supporting.

Fans can get a sneak peak of the jerseys here.

The official game jerseys are available for purchase at the Pink in the Rink live post-game auction. To take part in the auction, fans are asked to move to the Gibson’s Finest Club Section immediately following the game. A game ticket is required to take part in the game-worn jersey auction. 

The 14th annual Pink in the Rink game will celebrate and honour Hockey Moms who have been affected by cancer.

These five local hockey moms have been named campaign ambassadors for this year’s Pink in the Rink campaign:

  • Jennie Ireland

  • Dara Gosselin

  • Elke Rye

  • Karen Tarkington

  • Dana Thorn

Fans can donate to Jennie, Dara, Elke, Karen and Dana through their personalized PRHC Foundation Pink in the Rink fundraising pages, with a charitable tax receipt available for supporters.

The hockey mom ambassadors will be honoured alongside PRHC Physician Ambassador Dr. Neera Jeyabalan during the pre-game ceremony, which will also include a video tribute to hundreds of cancer fighters before the puck is dropped.

Fans can support the campaign through an online auction and an in-person silent auction in the North Lobby on game night. Official Pink in the Rink t-shirts are also on sale leading up to and on game-night.

The limited edition Petes Lager featuring a Pink Can from Bobcaygeon Brewing Co. will donate 25 cents from each can to the Pink in the Rink campaign.

Proceeds from the Pink in the Rink campaign will support cancer care at PRHC. Lesley Heighway, PRHC Foundation President & CEO, says that with cancer volumes on the rise, donors are essential to the hospital’s ability to serve more patients, support earlier diagnosis and ensure safer, more effective treatments close to home. 

After raising a total of $900,000 over the past 13 years, the Petes previously announced that this year’s fundraising goal is $50,000, moving the team one step closer to the ultimate goal of $1 million dollar raised to fight cancer in Pink in the Rink’s history. 

“The number of patients from Peterborough and the surrounding area who rely on PRHC to support their cancer journey continues to climb,” said Heighway. “It’s events like Pink in the Rink and organizations like the Peterborough Petes – along with the people and businesses who support them –  that fund the tools our experts need to save and improve lives. With your help, we’ll continue investing in vital technology upgrades like our Interventional Radiology suites, where cancer is just one of the conditions treated, and experts perform minimally-invasive biopsies, install intravenous chemotherapy ports, and even offer precise, targeted cancer treatments – safely and quickly so patients can go home sooner.”

Tickets for the 14th annual Pink in the Rink game are sold out. Pending game day and visiting team hold requirements, a very small number of additional tickets may be released for sale on Saturday, February 4 at 1pm through the PMC Grant Thornton Box Office online, in-person, or at (705) 743-3561. 

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Former Petes Lead Hamilton Bulldogs in Comeback Win Over Peterborough, 7-4

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Former Petes Sahil Panwar and Nick Lardis got the upper hand against Peterborough, combining for six points in a 7-4 comeback win at the Peterborough Memorial Centre (PMC) on Sunday.

This was the first meeting between Hamilton and Peterborough after their blockbuster trade. Photo courtesy of Kenneth Andersen and the Peterborough Petes.

The Petes had a great start, ringing off the game’s first two goals. Samuel Mayer threw a shot at the net from the point that somehow found its way past Bulldogs goalie Matteo Drobac. Avery Hayes got a powerplay goal against his former team with a tip-in goal off a Tucker Robertson pass for a 2-0 lead.

The second period looked good for the Petes as Robertson stashed in a rebound on the powerplay for a 3-0 lead. Panwar started to take over the game, scoring with a man advantage to cut into the lead, 3-1. Cole Brown scored for Hamilton under a minute later to make it a one-goal deficit. Hayes scored on his former squad again, thirty seconds later with a one-timer from a Robertson pass. Peterborough’s lead was not safe as Artem Grushnikov and former Pete, Nick Lardis, both scored to tie the game at four into the third.

Hamilton took over the game as they rung off three straight goals from Panwar, Brown and Lawson Sherk. Peterborough failed to score in the third and left five unanswered goals on the board for the 7-4 loss.

Panwar had two goals and three assists in his return to the PMC with Lardis getting one goal.

The Petes are at the PMC against the Niagara IceDogs this Thursday.

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Minor AAA Petes Fundraising For Breast Cancer Research Through Hockey Battles Cancer

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The AAA minor Petes’ teams will be supporting the U12 team’s fundraiser honouring Melissa Hinze; hitting the ice in their pink jerseys to raise awareness for Metastatic Breast Cancer from Jan. 27 to 29.

Photo courtesy of AAA Minor Petes.

The cause is near and dear to the hearts of many in the local hockey community, who believe specialized research into metastatic cancer is so needed.  

This fundraiser is in memory of Melissa Hinze, who lost her battle of stage four Metastatic Breast Cancer in the spring of 2022.

It was Melissa who began this fundraiser through the AAA minor Petes’ last year in hopes that more funds would be raised for cancer research through the Canadian Cancer Society. Her son’s U11 team raised just over $3,000 in this first fundraising event.

While in palliative care she mentioned one of her wishes was for this event to continue. Her husband Chris Hinze, along with their son Blake (11) and daughter Jasmine (13) were determined to see it through for another year.

Melissa passed away on May 11, 2022 after her six-year battle with cancer.

“It was very sudden, she went in for a day procedure and never came back out,” recalls Chris. “She had a great six years when she was battling it, she was an absolute trooper.”

Chris reached out to head coach of the U12 team Wayne Clark, and they began the efforts to celebrate Melissa’s life and raise money for cancer research through the second annual event.

He says 100 per cent of the money raised from this fundraiser, including toque sales and silent auction donations, will go towards cancer research.

“Our goal is to raise awareness. If women are feeling a sensation, or feeling a lump, don’t wait. Go in and get things looked after sooner rather than later,” says Chris, who hopes these earlier cancer measures and precautionary steps can ensure women don’t reach the stage four phase.

The U12 AAA Petes are being joined by the U10, U13, U14 and U15 teams repping their bright pink jerseys at their upcoming games. Chris says this is the first year having this many teams on board.

Schedule for the upcoming Hockey Battles Cancer Minor Petes Games.

The main event, taking place Sunday at 4:15 p.m. will have the U12 Petes facing Kingston at the Healthy Planet Arena. The event is free admission and is set to feature speeches and a ceremonial puck drop with Neave Alderson.

Alderson, a 15-year-old Ewing sarcoma survivor, handed the boys their pink fundraiser jerseys at the Kinsmen Civic Centre on Wednesday.

“My son handed her the jersey and she handed the hockey players their jerseys,” says Chris. “We tried to make it a really special thing, we want to make sure these boys know the importance of what it is they’re doing.”

At the time of this article, the fundraiser currently sits at $2,785 raised of their $4,000 goal.

“We really want to get the research out there, and to help doctors and scientists to figure out how to deal (passed) stage 1, and what happens when these women are at stage four,” says Chris. “Stage four should not be a death sentence. My wife lived six years via cancer (clinical) trials, research dedicated to just stage four cancer. You can’t put a price on that.”

To donate to Hockey Battles Cancer and support Metastatic Breast Cancer research, visit the link.

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Local Leafs Fan Mike Davy, 65, Passes Away From Cardiac Arrest After Returning From First Live Toronto NHL Game

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Peterborough’s Mike Davy passed away overnight from cardiac arrest at 65, after coming back from his first live Toronto Leafs Game on Wednesday night.

Davy at his first Leafs game with Toronto winning 3-2 in overtime. Photo courtesy of Craig Meridith.

Davy was diagnosed with ‘global development delay’ that significantly hinders his physical and cognitive development. He also had several heart complications throughout his life, undergoing several surgeries including his heart valves. He was supposed to get x-rays of his heart the following morning.

He spent ten years under social worker Craig Meridith through Fleming College’s Blue Box program. He passed away peacefully overnight on Meridith’s couch after returning home from the Leafs game. Meridith said there weren’t any telltale signs of his death when he stayed overnight.

“He had a cough, like a hack. You didn't really think anything of it because he's had heart surgeries over the year,” explained Meridith.

Davy often would accompany Meridith and his partner to their trailer. Photo courtesy of Craig Meridith.

Davy attended his first Maple Leafs game in Toronto on Wednesday against the New York Rangers. Forward Mitch Marner scored the walk-off game-winning goal in overtime for a Maple Leafs 3-2 win.

It was the perfect first and last game for Davy to watch before his passing said Meridith.

“When they announced Mitch's name, his arms went up in the air and he almost jumped out of the wheelchair” he explained. “I had to pin him down so he didn't fall over out of sheer joy.”

Davy had done volunteer work with Trent University with their Blue Box program, Bata Library and bussing tables. He was a Special Olympics athlete in bowling.

“He's funny and outgoing but he also knew how to push your buttons at the same time when he was seeking attention,” said Meridith. “At the end of the day, he was a great guy.” 

Davy was also an avid fan of the Peterborough Petes and Toronto Blue Jays.

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Photos: Peterborough Lakers Present Retirement Jersey to The Pizza Factory Owner Peter Bouzinelos

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The Peterborough Century 21 Lakers presented the Pizza Factory owner Peter Bouzinelos with his own jersey and Lakers season tickets in celebration of 43 years of business. Bouzinelos has been a team sponsor for several years. He is closing down The Pizza Factory for retirement with the last day on Jan. 29.

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Peterborough Petes Blank London Knights 3-0; Head Trainer Brian Miller Works 2,000th Hockey Game

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The Peterborough Petes celebrated their head trainer Brian ‘Bman’ Miller’s 2,000th career game in fashion, with a 3-0 shutout win over the London Knights at the Peterborough Memorial Centre (PMC) on Thursday night.

The Knights dropped four of their last six games while the Petes three of their last four prior to this game. Photo courtesy of Kenneth Andersen Photography and the Peterborough Petes.

Miller was honoured prior to the puck drop at centre ice and was presented with a framed collage of his career highlights.

“It’s surreal,” exclaimed Miller in a Tuesday interview. “I've been doing this for 30 years and 2,000 games but it is real and it's kind of neat because I'm told that a lot of trainers hold in this long and do this many games so it's a special game.”

After Thursday night, Miller has worked 1520 Ontario Hockey League and 480 American Hockey League games. Photo courtesy of Kenneth Andersen Photography and the Peterborough Petes.

Only one goal was scored in the first period, occurring almost in the 16th minute by Petes’s Brennan Othmann on a breakaway. He deked past Knights goalie Brett Brochu for a backhand goal for a Petes’ 1-0 lead after one.

The second period saw the score remain unchanged as both teams totalled 20 shots apiece. Avery Hayes had a shorthanded breakaway chance but was denied by Brochu.

Hayes got redemption and took over the game in the third, sniping a shot from the faceoff circle past Brochu for a 2-0 lead. London pulled their goaltender and had a powerplay late in the game but Hayes scored the shorthanded empty-netter goal from his defensive zone to seal up the Petes’ 3-0 win.

The Petes host the OHL defending champion Hamilton Bulldogs at the PMC for Billet Appreciation Day.

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