Peterborough Petes Connor Lockhart Named OHL Player of the Week

Petes forward Connor Lockhart has been named the OHL Player of the Week after his three-game performance, helping Peterborough advance to the third round of the playoffs, announced on Monday.

Photo courtesy of the PEterborough Petes.

Lockhart posted four goals, one assist and five points during the three-game span along with a plus/minus rating of +1.

He scored a hat trick for the Petes in Game Six to help eliminate the regular-season champion Ottawa 67’s last Monday. The Vancouver Canucks prospect scored a goal and an assist against North Bay for a Game One win on Friday.

The 20-year-old Kanata native recorded 29 goals, 50 assists and 79 points in 66 games this season.

The Petes forward has a career 154 points with 61 goals and 93 assists over 187 OHL regular-season games between Peterborough and Erie. Lockhart was the Erie Otters third overall pick of the 2019 OHL Priority Selection. He has 10 points this postseason with six goals and four assists over 12 games. Lockhart was selected in the sixth round, 178th overall by the Vancouver Canucks in the 2021 NHL Draft.

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Peterborough Petes Split Series With North Bay Battalion After 3-1 Loss In Game Two

The Peterborough Petes will return home with an evened series at one apiece after a 3-1 loss to the North Bay Battalion in game two at the North Bay Memorial Gardens on Sunday afternoon.

The Petes took game one with a score of 3-2 on Friday night. Photo courtesy of the Peterborough PEtes.

The first period was evenly matched defensively as both goalies Michael Simpson and Dom DiVincentiis stood tall for Peterborough and North Bay respectively. Stopping all shots that came their way for a 0-0 tie. Shots were 12-11 in favour of North Bay.

The ice was broken in the second period as the home team struck first. Tnias Mathurin got a shot off from just outside the faceoff circle in the high slot. Simpson made the save but left a rebound for Kyle Jackson to cash in for a 1-0 North Bay lead. Peterborough tied it up just over seven minutes later. DiVincentiis had just robbed Owen Beck’s one-timer shot but the rebound got to Brennan Othmann for a 1-1 tie after two periods.

The third period saw no goals until just under five minutes left in the period. Liam Arnsby was able to quickly snap a shot with traffic in front of Simpson for a late go-ahead goal. Peterborough pulled their goalie but Gavin White was unable to control the puck at the offensive blue line, turned it over and Owen Van Steensel deposited an empty-net goal and the insurance marker for a 3-1 North Bay victory.

The Petes return to the Peterborough Memorial Centre for game three on Tuesday to continue the Eastern Conference Final best-of-seven series against North Bay Battalion. Puck drop is set for 7:05 p.m.

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Peterborough's Jared Wayne Signs With NFL's Houston Texans

Peterborough’s Jared Wayne did not get his named called but his NFL dream is far from over as he signed an undrafted free agent contract with the Houston Texans on Saturday.

Jared Wayne is the son of former CFL linebacker Patrick Wayne. The latter spent nine years in the league mostly with the Ottawa Roughriders but also had stints with the B.C. Lions and Toronto Argonauts. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

It would have been the first person from Peterborough to be drafted to the NFL if his name was called.

Wayne played four seasons of his collegiate football career all with the Pittsburgh Panthers, totalling 13 touchdowns during that span.

He finished with career-highs of 60 receptions for 1,062 yards — his first 1,000-yard season — and five touchdowns; one short of last year’s total.

Locally, Wayne has played in the Kinsmen Minor Football League, Peterborough Wolverines and Adam Scott Lions.

In his final collegiate game, he helped the Panthers win the Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl on Dec. 30 with five receptions for 50 yards for a 37-35 win over the UCLA Bruins. His performance earned him an invite to play in the Hula Bowl.

He had another year of eligibility with Pittsburgh but decided to enter the NFL draft according to his father and former CFL linebacker, Patrick Wayne.

“I’m very proud, the whole family is proud of how he’s grown on the field and as a person,” he said in a prior interview with PTBOCanada.

Wayne impressed NFL scouts with his speed, posting a 4.53 second 40-yard dash at the combine.

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10-Year Old-Boy Catches "Walter" One Year After Stepfather Snags Fish At OFAH Fishing Derby

Like father, like son, as 10-year-old Ben Bumstead has caught the top prize ‘Walter,’ at the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters (OFAH) Under the Lock Fishing Derby one year after his stepfather Justin Desbarbieux did it on a gloomy Saturday morning at the Peterborough Lift Lock.

Bumstead (left) caught Walter after his third cast not a half-an-hour into the derby. His stepfather Justin Desbarbieux (right) did it last year, five days into the event. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

Bumstead caught Walter, the prized rainbow trout that weighs roughly eight to 10 lbs. at a length of 20-24 inches. He caught it after his third cast less than 30 minutes into the event. He snagged Walter with worm bait near the train turn bridge just beside the barrier netting. Bumstead was overjoyed when he found out it was Walter.

“I felt like I could do a backflip,” he exclaimed.

“ I couldn't wait for him to run up to the stage and tell everyone how he just caught Walter,” said Desbarbieux.

The father-son duo was present at Wednesday’s fish release where all the rainbow trout were put into the canal in preparation for the event.

Bumstead gave himself an ‘extra advantage’ prior to Walter being tossed into the water.

“I touched his tail for good luck and I said to the guy, ‘I'm catching Walter this year,’” explained Bumstead. 

Desbarbieux caught Walter last year and has participated in the fishing derby since he was a child. Photo by David Tuan bui.

The two have bonded well over the years as Desbarbieux came into Bumstead’s life at an early age. The two often go hunting and fishing together and call each other father and son. Desbarbieux says he had a ‘proud father’ moment, seeing Bumstead catch Walter.

“You got to love it, especially so early in the derby like that,” he said. “It’s a very proud moment for the kids for sure, you got to love it.”

The Norwood District Public School student is walking away with the grand prize of $1,000 cash and gets to keep Walter. Bumstead said he was splitting some of the money with his early childhood friend but has no plans with the remainder of the cash as of yet.

The derby began Saturday with the youth event — for children 15 and under — at 9 a.m. and the all-ages kicking off Sunday at 9 a.m. and runs until May 7. It includes 25 tagged fish, each with a $200 cash prize sponsored by local businesses.

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Hometown PTBO: Chloe Reflecting Her Cycling Life and Her Stories of Aiding Ukraine During The War

This week on Hometown PTBO, Pete Dalliday talks with Chloe Black about her cycling, being the daughter of drummer Alan Black and her stories of aiding Ukraine during their war with Russia.

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Peterborough Petes Draft Nathan Leek and Josh Hutton In 2023 U18 Priority Selection

The Peterborough Petes have drafted Nathan Leek and Josh Hutton in the 2023 OHL Under-18 Priority Selection on Wednesday night.

Photo courtesy of the Peterborough Petes.

“We’re excited about the talent that we were able to add today,” said Michael Oaky, Petes general manager. “We’ve had a lot of success with the U18 draft with picks like Sam Mayer, Dustin Hutton and Jaden Reyes who all played for the Petes. We believe the players we selected today have the potential to make an impact in the Ontario Hockey League and we’re looking forward to participating in their development.” 

Leek was a first-round pick, 11th overall. He’s a 2005-born forward from Alliston, Ont. Leek spent last season with the Barrie Colts U18 where he scored 30 goals and added 34 assists for 64 points in 35 games played.

Hutton was the Petes’s second-round pick, 31st overall from Midland, Ont. He spent last season with the Toronto Red Wings U18 and was teammates with Petes’ goaltending prospect Carter Frost.

The Petes start game one of the Eastern Conference Final against the North Bay Battalion on the road on Friday. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. Fans can attend the official watch party for game one at Dr. J’s BBQ & Brews.

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'Walter' Released Into Canal Ahead of the 34th Annual OFAH Under the Lock Fishing Derby

The first school of fish arrived at the Peterborough Lift Lock as top prize rainbow trout ‘Walter’ was released into the water on Wednesday afternoon to help kick off the 34th Annual Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters (OFAH) Under the Lock Fishing Derby.

GORDON BOWLEY, FISHING DERBY co-CHAIR toses one of 30 trout that went into the Lift Lock canal on WEdnesday afternoon. Photo by Samantha Bianco.

Walter is a rainbow trout weighing roughly eight to 10 lbs. at a length of 20-24 inches. Anyone who catches him gets the grand prize of $1,000. There are 500 tagged trout for instant prizes and a chance to win one of four grand prizes. Instant prizes include fishing nets, tackle boxes, fishing rods and other fishing gear.

This is the second consecutive year the derby has run since the COVID-19 pandemic. It took a two-year hiatus prior to its return last year.

“Fishing season for trout opened last weekend so we're near the beginning of the season and for me, it's my psychological rehabilitation over a long cold winter,” laughed Gordon Bowley, OFAH fishing derby co-chair.

Walter returns as the top prize fish earning the angler who catches him $1,000. Photo by Samantha Bianco.

The derby begins this Saturday with the youth event — for children 15 and under — at 9 a.m. and the all-ages kicking off Sunday at 9 a.m. and runs until May 7. It includes 25 tagged fish, each with a $200 cash prize sponsored by local businesses.

Registration is required for all participants, just $15 for the first child, $10 for siblings and $25 for adults.  

Tickets can be purchased online at ofah.org/underthelock or in person at Peterborough Canadian Tire locations. 

“This is a great opportunity to be outside,” said Bowley. “It's a great year to be doing it and we're so glad to do it again for our second year after the pandemic.

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Peterborough Petes Face the North Bay Battalion In Eastern Conference Championship; Game One On Friday

The Peterborough Petes have drawn the North Bay Battalion in the Eastern Conference Final matchup with game one beginning Friday.

The Petes failed to beat the Battalion in four games during the regular season. Photo courtesy of the Peterborough Petes.

The matchup was confirmed after the Battalion defeated the Barrie Colts 3-1, scoring three goals in the third period in game seven on Tuesday night.

This is the Petes’s first trip to the Eastern Conference Finals since 2016-17 and the second time since their OHL Championship in 2006. The last time the Petes and Battalion met in the playoffs was the 2015-16 Eastern Conference Quarterfinal. The Battalion won the series four games to three.

The following is the playoff schedule for the Eastern Conference final:

1. Friday, April 28 - Peterborough @ North Bay - 7 p.m.

2. Sunday, April 30 - Peterborough @ North Bay - 2 p.m.

3. Tuesday, May 2 - North Bay @ Peterborough - 7:05 p.m.

4. Wednesday, May 3 - North Bay @ Peterborough - 7:05 p.m.

5. Friday, May 5 - Peterborough @ North Bay - 7 p.m.*

6. Sunday, May 7- North Bay @ Peterborough - 7:05 p.m.*

7. Monday, May 8 - Peterborough @ North Bay - 7 p.m.*

*If necessary

Tickets for games three and four go on sale to the general public on Wednesday at 9:30 a.m. Fans can purchase tickets starting Wednesday online or by contacting the PMC Grant Thornton Box Office in person or at (705) 743-3561.

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Connor Lockhart's Hat Trick Propels Peterborough Petes In 5-4 Win, Regular-Season Champion Ottawa 67's Eliminated

The Peterborough Petes have knocked off the regular-season champion Ottawa 67’s in a nail-biting game six with a 5-4 win and won the series 4-2 at the Peterborough Memorial Centre on Monday night.

The Petes have yet to lose two consecutive playoff games and lose at home this postseason. Photo courtesy of Kenneth Andersen and the Peterborough Petes.

The Petes got rolling in the first as Owen Beck knocked down a puck in the offensive zone, passed to Chase Stillman who made a spinning backhand pass to Connor Lockhart for a one-timer goal to make it 1-0. Peterborough continued their offense as two minutes later, Brennan Othmann fed Avery Hayes another one-timer to make it 2-0. Ottawa was able to get one before the period’s end as Gavin Ewles ripped one from the high slot through traffic for a 2-1 game.

It was all Peterborough in the second period as Beck found Lockhart on a saucer pass from an odd-man rush and the latter was able to chip it backhanded, beating Ottawa goaltender Max Donoso to make it 3-1 Petes. Peterborough went right back on the attack as 30 seconds later, Jonathan Melee and the Petes with an outnumbered attack ripped it past Donoso to extend Peterborough’s lead to 4-1.

Lockhart continued where he left off as he completed the hat trick in the first minute of the third. Lockhart tried to feed Stillman for a one-timer but a spectacular save was made by backup goalie Collin MacKenzie but the rebound went back to Lockhart for his third of the game. Ottawa would not go quietly however much like game five, scoring four goals in the third period and erasing a three-goal deficit. In just under five minutes, Derek Smyth, Vinzenz Rohrer and Luca Pinelli scored to make it 5-4. The Petes were able to hang on this time and defeat Ottawa, eliminating the regular-season champions in six games. This is the Petes’s first Conference Championship since 2016-17.

Lockhart, Stillman and Beck were awarded three starts of the game.

Tickets for the Conference Championship go on sale Wednesday at 9:30 a.m. through the Grant Thornton Box Office. Peterborough will play the winner between the North Bay Battalion and the Barrie Colts who play game seven on Tuesday night.

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U16 AAA Petes Have 13 Players Drafted to OHL

The Peterborough Elite Court Sports U16 AAA Petes are having 13 players go to the next level as they were drafted in the 2023 OHL Priority Selection on Friday and Saturday.

The U16 Petes participated in the OHL Cup and won the OMHA Cup. PHOTO COURTESY OF THE U16 PETERBOROUGH PETES.

The team had a memorable year as they were the finalists in the Steve Richey tournament in late January, won the OMHA Championship in late March and made the semifinals of the OHL Cup in early April.

“Such an amazing journey that I was so proud to be a part of,” Michael Farrugia, U16 AAA Petes head coach. “These players and their teammates worked so hard and achieved great things.”

The following are the players drafted to the OHL:

• Second round, 31st overall: Wil McFadden, C, Guelph Storm

• Third round, 54th overall: Joshua Avery, C, Brantford Bulldogs

• Third round, 58th overall, Ben Radley, LD, Brantford Bulldogs

• Fourth round, 70th overall, Andrew MacNiel, RD, Kitchener Rangers

• Fourth round, 78th overall, Lukas Moore, RD, Kingston Frontenacs

• Sixth round, 112th overall: Masen Johnston, G, Peterborough Petes

• Seventh round, 136th overall, Graydon Jones, LD, Saginaw Spirit

• Seventh round, 138th overall, Cohen Bidgood, RW, London Knights

• Eighth round, 159th overall, Kaiden Harmon, C, Barrie Colts

• Ninth round, 181th overall, Kayden Buller, LW, North Bay Battalion

• 10th round, 190th overall, Nathan McHattie, LD, Guelph Storm

• 13th round, 249th overall, Owen Fitzgerald, LW, Brantford Bulldogs

• 14th round, 282nd overall, John Lumsden, LD, Ottawa 67’s

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