Peterborough Lakers Break In New Turf With 15-10 Win Over Brooklin Lacrosse Club

The Peterborough Lakers snag their first victory with their brand new turf installed after handily defeating the Brooklin Lacrosse Club 15-10 at the Peterborough Memorial Centre on Thursday night.

Peterborough remains in second place with a 9-3-0 record, while Brooklin remains in third place with a record of 6-5-0. The Lakers have four games remaining in the regular season. Photo courtesy of the Peterborough Lakers.

The first period was a low-scoring affair but saw the Lakers take a 3-1 lead with goals from Austin Hasen, Mike Robinson and Josh Currier for Peterborough. Tanner Cook scored the lone goal for Brooklin.

The second period was the complete opposite as the ball found the back of the net 12 times split between both teams. Brooklin was able to snare their first lead of the game, scoring five of the period’s first seven goals for a 6-5 lead. Peterborough got hot and went on a 4-1 run shortly afterwards for a 9-7 lead after two.

Peterborough kept their foot on the gas pedal scoring another six goals in the third period while limiting Brooklin to three. Currier and Holden Cattoni capped off their night in the final frame, each scoring a hat trick and two assists to earn five-point nights.

Landon Kells earned the win in net for Peterborough with 39 saves. The win was the Lakers’s largest offensive showing of the season.

“We’re getting more comfortable with each other,” said Mike Hasen, Lakers head coach. “We had a lot of opportunities. They played well but we also got a lot too with 68 shots on goal. It was a great offensive output. Tonight was a good night.” 

The Lakers can rest until next Thursday when they host the first-place Six Nations Chiefs. The game will honour the 1973 Mann Cup-winning Lakers team.

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Peterborough Facing Baseball Umpire Shortage With Immediate Work Available

Peterborough youth baseball is facing a shortage of umpires and the Kawartha Baseball Umpires Association (KBUA) is looking for help for immediate work reported Wednesday.

Several youth games are runnign without umpires according to a report from the KBUA.

The organization is seeking both new and experienced umpires for immediate work.

Fees range from $35 to $75 per game, across all age groups from 8 to 18. This includes house league and rep teams.

For more information or to apply to be a KBUA umpire, email Jamie Graham at graham.jamie15@gmail.com.

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Hometown PTBO: Shawn Dunbar With His Success With the Lakefield Chiefs and In Professional Boat Racing

This week on Hometown PTBO, Pete Dalliday talks with Shawn Dunbar about his boat-racing career, the Lakefield Chiefs and living the lakeside life.

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Two-Time Stanley Cup Champion Mitchell Stephens Re-Signs One-Year Deal With Montréal Canadiens

Two-time Stanley Cup champion and Peterborough’s Mitchell Stephens is remaining in Quebec as he signed a one-year two-way contract with the Montréal Canadiens on Monday.

Photo courtesy of the Montréal Canadiens.

The 26-year-old forward played 68 games with the Laval Rocket in 2022-23, scoring 20 goals and 21 assists.

Stephens has played 72 career NHL games with the Tampa Bay Lightning (winning back-to-back Stanley Cups) and Detroit Red Wings. He tallied three goals and 10 assists for 13 points.

The Peterborough forward also played 203 career AHL games with the Syracuse Crunch and the Laval Rocket, netting 57 goals and 68 assists.

Stephens was selected in the second round, 33rd overall by the Lightning in 2015.

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Peterborough Petes's Derrick Walser Hired As Red Deer Rebels Head Coach

Peterborough Petes assistant coach Derrick Walser is headed out west as he has been hired as the Western Hockey League’s (WHL) Red Deer Rebels head coach, announced on Wednesday.

The Walser family has been active members of the Peterborough community since joining the Petes in 2017. Photo courtesy of the Peterborough Petes.

The New Glasgow, N.S.-born coach joined the Petes in August of 2017 as an assistant coach. He spent the last six years with the Petes and capped off his tenure with an OHL Championship and coached in this year’s Memorial Cup. Prior to joining the Petes, Walser served as a player/head coach of the UK’s Belfast Giants in the Elite Ice Hockey League (EIHL) for two seasons.

“On behalf of the Peterborough Petes, we’d like to congratulate Derrick as he takes this exciting step in his coaching career,” said Michael Oke, Petes general manager. “Over the last six years, Derrick has been a staple on the Petes bench and has earned the opportunity to become a head coach at this level. We wish Derrick, his wife Sara and their sons Camden and Hudson nothing but the best in this transition.”

“I’m thankful to Mike Oke for bringing me into this organization six years ago,” said Walser. “Peterborough will always feel like home to me and my family. We’ve loved our time here with the Petes organization.”

Before his coaching career, Walser played nineteen seasons of professional hockey between the NHL (Columbus), AHL (Syracuse, Saint John, Albany, Toronto), ECHL (Johnstown), KHL (Chekhov), Swiss-A (Rapperswil-Jona), DEL (Berlin), and EIHL.

“I’ve learned a lot being here,” said Walser. “Working with this group, particularly with Rob Wilson, has helped shape me into the coach I am today. We had a great, close-knit crew and I will always have fond memories of my time with the Petes. Not just our OHL win and the support from our epic fans but the time behind the scenes working together towards a championship. The hardest part will be leaving the community we’ve created here.”

Walser was a defenseman for five seasons in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League with the Beauport Harfangs and Rimouski Oceanic. He tallied 82 goals, 173 assists, 255 points and 293 penalty minutes in 255 career games. He was named QMJHL and CHL Defenceman of the Year in 1997-98.

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Peterborough Lakers Snap Five-Game Winning Streak With Six Nations Chiefs Third Period Surge, 12-7

The Peterborough Lakers break their winning streak of five games after losing to the league-leading Six Nations Chiefs, 12-7, at the Iroquois Lacrosse Arena in Hagarsville on Tuesday night.

The loss maintains the Lakers at second place in the league with a game in hand to the league-leading Chiefs but are behind by four points. Photo courtesy of Darryl Smart and the Peterborough Lakers.

Both teams were evenly matched throughout the first period. Josh Currier and Colton Armstrong opened the scoring for Peterborough in back-to-back goals. Kevin Hill and Larson Sundown countered with a pair of goals for Six Nations. Shayne Jackson scored a third for the Chiefs for their first lead of the game before Eli McLaughlin tied it at 3-3. Tim Edwards scored a late goal to give Six Nations a 4-3 lead after the first period.

The second period saw both teams go stride for stride with each other. Six Nations continued their run with Cody Jamieson and Dave Brock netting a pair for a 6-3 Chiefs lead. Holden Cattoni and Cam Milligan got Peterborough’s special teams working as they both tacked on powerplay goals to bring the Lakers within one. Six Nations also saw their man advantage pay dividends as Bell scored a powerplay goal of his own. Taite Cattoni took it upon himself to score unassisted for Peterborough to keep it a one-goal game going into the third with a score of 7-6.

The first-place Chiefs showed why they’re at the top of the rankings as they took over the game in the third. They went on a run of five goals and clamped down on Peterborough’s offense. The Lakers mustered only one goal late in the period with McLaughlin’s second but it was too little, too late for Peterborough as they fell to the Chiefs 12-7.

2019 President’s Cup MVP Warren Hill earned the win in net while Drew Hutchinson gets the loss. The Chiefs improve to 10-2-0 while the Lakers fall to 8-3-0.

The Lakers return home to the Peterborough Memorial Centre to take on the Brooklin L.C. in their second matchup of the season on Thursday night. The Lakers will be playing on a new turf that was installed earlier this week.

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Peterborough Laker Alumnus John Grant Jr. Selected As Assistant Coach For Team Canada In 2025 U20 World Championship

Five-time Mann Cup champion and Peterborough Lakers’ alumnus John Grant Jr. has been selected as an assistant coach for Team Canada in the 2025 U20 World Championship.

John Grant Jr. has been granted a key to the city back in 2016. File Photo.

Grant Jr. was hired as an assistant coach of the Redwoods Lacrosse Club of the Premiere Lacrosse League on Dec. 29.

A two-time MLL MVP, Grant Jr. tallied 393 goals and 232 assists during his playing career. He won the Mann Cup five times with the Lakers in 2004, 2006, 2007, 2010 and 2012. He was voted Mann Cup MVP for 2004 and 2007.

Grant Jr. won five MLL Championships during his career with the 2008 Rochester Rattlers, 2009 Toronto Nationals, 2012 and 2013 Chesapeake Bayhawks and the 2014 Denver Outlaws.

Grant Jr. joins Mark Miyashita, Shawn Wilkins and John Gallant as assistant coaches. Gary Gait is serving as the team’s head coach.

A date and location for the tournament has yet to be announced by World Lacrosse.

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Los Angeles Kings Re-Sign Peterborough Petes Alumnus Akil Thomas To One-Year Deal

Peterborough Petes Alumnus Akil Thomas is staying in California as the NHL’s Los Angeles Kings signed him to a one-year two-way contract worth $775,000 on Saturday.

Akil Thomas skating with a young fan prior to a game. Photo courtesy of the PEterborough Petes.

He was acquired by the Petes in a trade from the Niagara IceDogs in Jan. 2020 for Cameron Butler, two second-round picks (2020, 2022), one third-round pick (2022) and a fourth-round pick (2024).

He played 22 games for the Petes, scoring nine goals and 31 assists before the Ontario Hockey League was shut down by the COVID-19 pandemic. Thomas was invited back to the Peterborough Memorial Centre for Game Three of the OHL Championship against the London Knights as part of the pre-game ceremonies to pump up the fans on May 15.

The Toronto native is well-known for his game-winning goal for Team Canada in the gold-medal game against Russia at the 2020 IIHF World Junior Championship in the Czech Republic.

Thomas was drafted by the Kings in 2018 in the second round, 51st overall. Following his OHL career, Thomas spent time with the Kings’ AHL affiliate, the Ontario Reign since the 2020-21 season. He has yet to play a regular-season game with the Kings since being drafted into the NHL.

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Peterborough Lakers Defeat Cobourg Kodiaks at Pride Night Game

The Peterborough Century 21 Lakers improved their record to 8-2 on Thursday with a 12-9 win over the Cobourg Kodiaks on Pride Night at the Peterborough Memorial Centre. 

photo courtesy of the peterborough lakers.

The Lakers raised over $3,500 through a silent auction featuring specially-designed game-worn Pride jerseys, with proceeds being donated to Sport A Rainbow. 2,116 fans were in attendance at the Thursday night game.

The Sport A Rainbow pledge shows commitment to speaking up against hateful speech and actions in sports. 

“Anytime you can make people feel welcome and make sure everyone is comfortable in their own skin, that’s important,” said captain Robert Hope. “As an educator, it starts with being a good person. Show people respect.” 

Founder and operator of Sport A Rainbow Rose Powers says all the Lakers team members and staff proudly took the Sport A Rainbow Pledge.

“Working with kids for over 30 years, that’s all I want, for youth have a voice,” said Powers. “I know how important it is for kids in our community to see the top lacrosse organization in the City wanting everyone to know they’re welcome here. Representation matters.”

Rose Powers, Middle Back Row and Ella, front. photo courtesy of the peterborough lakers.

Powers says the goal through Sport A Rainbow is to promote inclusion for all– inside and outside of the game.

“A lot of fans have came up to me tonight to make sure that I know that they see me, they see what the pledge is, they see what I’m trying to do and they are in support of it,” continued Powers. “I couldn’t be more proud.”

8 year old Ella, Sport A Rainbow’s youth ambassador, says she took the pledge after Powers came to talk to her hockey team.

“When people take the pledge, you’re making the promise to include people and stand up for what is right to make the world a better place,” she said.

Photos courtesy of the Peterborough Lakers.

“Lakers lacrosse is for everyone. It’s all inclusive,” stated Cam Milligan, who played his first game back in a Lakers’ uniform after being re-acquired from the Kodiaks.  

The Lakers scored four-straight goals to open the game before Cobourg got on the board. Milligan pushed his way to the front of the net to put Peterborough up 5-1 after the first.  

Peterborough continued to dominate in the second period, outscoring Cobourg 5-2 to lead 10-3 after 40 minutes. Jr. A call-up Nick Roode scored his first MSL goal, and Holden Cattoni completed a hat trick. 

The Lakers looked to be in control of the game, leading 11-4 in the third after Cattoni’s fourth of the game, but Cobourg found a spark and scored five goals in the last six minutes of play, including a pair of shorthanded markers, to cut the deficit.  

“They finished hard. Fortunately, we had a lead because we worked hard early,” said Milligan. “We still got the W so I’ll take it.” 

Nick Roode scored on a last-second penalty shot to seal the deal for the Lakers, who remain in second place behind the Six Nations Chiefs. 

Scoring for the Lakers: 

Holden Cattoni (4-3) 

Nick Roode (2-0) 

Turner Evans (1-4) 

Cam Milligan (1-4) 

Taite Cattoni (1-4) 

Mike Robinson (1-2) 

Austin Hasen (1-1) 

Josh Currier (1-0) 

Jake Withers (0-1) 

Matt Gilray (0-1) 

The Lakers are on the road Tuesday to visit the Chiefs in a game that will have first-place ramifications, and then return home next Thursday, July 13 to host the Brooklin Lacrosse Club.

Tickets are available at the Peterborough Memorial Centre box office. 

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Peterborough Petes Sign Fourth-Round Pick Joseph Cadorin to a Standard Player Agreement

2023 OHL Priority Selection fourth-round pick Joseph Cadorin has signed a standard player agreement with the Peterborough Petes announced on Thursday afternoon.

Michael Oke, Petes general manager (left) with Joseph Cadorin (left) was drafted 76th overall from the U16 AAA Ajax-Pickering Raiders. The team introduced Cadorian to the public at the Peterborough Memorial Centre on April 22. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The Kleinburg, Ont. forward was selected in the fourth round, 76th overall by the Petes in the 2023 OHL Priority Selection in April. He played in 34 games for the Toronto Marlboros U16 last season, scoring 20 goals and 31 assists for 51 points. That put him third on the team and fourth in the Greater Toronto Hockey League in scoring. Cadorin helped lead the Marlboros to the 2023 OHL Cup, scoring a goal and two assists in five games.

“It’s an honour to sign with such a great organization like the Petes,” said Cadorin. “I can’t wait to hit the ice and get started.”  

“We’re excited to add Joseph to the team," said Michael Oke, Petes general manager. “He is a talented young forward who really left his mark in the GTHL last season. He’s got a bright future ahead of him and we’re looking forward to helping him get there.” 

Cadorin is the second player to sign with the Petes from the 2023 Priority Selection. The team signed first-round pick Carson Cameron back in May.

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