Peterborough Blogs
Hometown Goalie Masen Johnston Ready To Crack Peterborough Petes Roster During Training Camp
/After getting his name called in this year’s Ontario Priority Selection, hometown goalie Masen Johnston is ready to crack the team roster with the Peterborough Petes as the team is going through a four-day training camp that started Tuesday and will end on Friday.
JOhnston has been with the AAA Peterborough Petes since Novice and was a participant in this year’s OHL cup. Photo by David Tuan Bui.
The team went through fitness testing and orientation at Hybrid Sports on Tuesday prior to the day one scrimmage that began Wednesday morning.
The 16-year-old Peterborough native was paired with OHL champion and playoff MVP goaltender Michael Simpson to represent Team Hybrid Sports for team scrimmages. It was a dream for Johnston to learn from and play backup to a championship goalie.
“Being able to be with a veteran goalie like that (Simpson), a guy that's been around the league and has been producing around the league too so it's just awesome,” said Johnston. “Hopefully, I can pick up a couple of things from him.”
The 6 ft. 186-lbs. goaltender got his first taste of Petes action in his scrimmage game against Team Sign-a-Fied on Wednesday morning. Simpson played just under 13 minutes of the 25-minute scrimmage before Johnston got on the ice to round out the game. He and Simpson combined for a shutout and a 3-0 victory over Team Sign-a-Fied.
“It's awesome putting on the maroon and white jersey. It's special. There's a lot of history behind the logo,” explained Johnston. “I just want to make the lineup and make a difference in the community too and be an all-around-team player.”
Johnston was taken 112th overall as Peterborough’s fourth pick in the sixth round from the U16 Minor AAA Peterborough Petes in this year’s Ontario Priority Selection. He was the winning goalie for the Petes when they won the Ontario Minor Hockey Association Championship on March 19 in triple overtime. He was also a finalist in the Steve Richey Cup in January.
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Peterborough Petes Wrap Up Day One of Training Camp
/Peterborough Petes 2023 Training Camp kicked off training camp at the Hybrid Sports facility with introductions, medicals and fitness testing on Tuesday.
Photo courtesy of the Peterborough Petes.
An orientation session was held for players and their families and was led by Michael Oke, Petes general manager before the players split off into medical testing, headshots and fitness testing.
“It was a great start to camp today with everyone working hard in the gym at Hybrid,” said Oke. “We’re looking forward to seeing that hard work carry over on the ice tomorrow as scrimmages begin.”
During the fitness testing portion of training camp, Donovan McCoy, Braydon McCallum, Owen Beck, Chase Lefebvre and Sam McCue all featured in multiple top threes. The top performing Petes in each fitness category were as follows:
300-yard Shuttle Run (two heats)
Sam McCue 51s, 54s
Jax Dubois 52s, 56s
Raymond Thurston 52s, 58s
Vertical Jump
Donovan McCoy 34.4”
Braydon McCallum 33.4”
Owen Beck 33.2”
Broad Jump
Owen Beck, Braydon McCallum 10’
Liam Sztuska, Rheydan McCoy 9’11”
Chase Lefebvre 9’9’’
Pull-ups
Brennan Faulkner 25 reps
Quinton Pagé, Owen Beck 24 reps
Jace McGrail 23 reps
5-10-5 Shuttle Run
Donovan McCoy, Maximus Macerollo 5.14s
Sam McCue, Braydon Mccallum 4.15s
Chase Lefebvre 4.22s
20-Yard Dash
Braydon McCallum 2.56s
Donovan McCoy 2.57s
Chase Lefebvre 2.58s
Wednesday and Thursday’s scrimmages are streamed live on the Petes Facebook page.
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Peterborough Petes Hire Nate Oke As An Assistant Coach
/The Peterborough Petes have hired Nate Oke as an assistant coach for the 2023-24 season announced on Monday evening.
Mark Million is the owner of The Capital PTBO which opened in late January of last year. File Photo.
Oke served as the team’s Skill Development Coach last season.
“We’re very excited to add Nate as an assistant coach,” said Michael Oke, Petes general manager. “He did a great job last year as the team’s skill development coach and left a lasting impression on everyone he worked with. Nate already has a great relationship with the players and coaching staff, having spent a lot of time working closely with the team through the season, playoffs and Memorial Cup.”
The Fenelon Falls native has been working in the area of player skill development for the past eight years, providing both in-season and off-season skill training for players at the pro, junior and minor hockey levels. Last season, he head coached the Central Ontario Wolves U16s, who were captained by Petes 2023 first-round pick, Carson Cameron. They also won the Steve Richey Tournament on Jan. 22.
“I’m very excited about the opportunity to be an assistant coach with the Petes,” said Nate. “I had an opportunity to work closely with the staff and players last season so I’m already well acquainted with everyone. I’d like to thank Mike Oke, Rob Wilson and everyone involved with the Peterborough Petes for this opportunity and I can’t wait to get started this week.”
In May, Nate was named head coach of the Peterborough Petes U18s. He continues to support the U18 program working alongside Petes U18 assistant coaches Clair Cornish and Ian Armstrong.
Nate joins Petes head coach Rob Wilson, associate coach Andrew Verner and assistant coach Paddy O’Connor on the Petes coaching staff.
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Peterborough Petes Hire Mark Million As New Director of Merchandise
/The Peterborough Petes have hired Mark Million as the new director of merchandise, taking over the position from long-time employee Don Sharp, announced on Monday afternoon.
Mark Million is the owner of The Capital PTBO which opened in late January of last year. File Photo.
“On behalf of the Peterborough Petes, I’d like to welcome Mark to the organization,” said Michael Oke, Petes general manager. “Mark is a longtime resident of Peterborough with an extensive knowledge of retail and the community. While getting to know Mark, it was clear that he is passionate about the Petes and we’re excited to move forward with him as the Director of Merchandise.”
Million, the hometown entrepreneur has been working in retail for decades. He is the owner of The Capital PTBO in downtown Peterborough, a retail store specializing in licensed hats and apparel for local and professional sports teams. Million is a graduate of the Fleming College Sporting Goods Business program.
“It’s a dream come true to be joining the Petes organization,” said Million. “Being from Peterborough, I’ve always had a love for the Petes and the city. I’m looking forward to getting to know our customers and fanbase as they come shopping at the Petes Store.”
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AON Inc. Holding Peterborough Petes Support Rally at Princess Gardens On Sept. 16
/Fans can meet the Peterborough Petes prior to the regular season as Aon Inc. is hosting a support rally to meet and greet with the team at Princess Gardens on Sept. 16.
J.R. Avon fist bumps with fans during the OHL Championship celebration at QUaker Foods City Square. Photo by Samantha Bianco.
The Gardens are located at 100 Charlotte St. where fans can meet the team from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
An autograph signing, slapshot contest and vendor booths will take place at the event.
All are welcome to come out to the meet and greet.
Peterborough Petes Announce 2023 Training Camp Schedule
/The Peterborough Petes have officially announced the schedule for their 2023 Training Camp beginning with fitness testing at Hybrid Sports this Tuesday.
Photo courtesy of the Peterborough Petes.
The camp will have on-ice practices, scrimmages and the annual Maroon vs. White game.
All scrimmages are at the Peterborough Memorial Centre with all welcome to attend. It will also be streamed live on the Petes Facebook Page.
The roster for training camp will be released on Monday. All players will be assigned to one of three teams:
Team East Side Mario’s (White)
Team Sign-A-Fied (Black)
Team Hybrid (Maroon)
The schedule for Training Camp can be found below:
Tuesday - CLOSED to public
12:00 p.m. - Welcome/Registration/Opening remarks
2:15 p.m. - Fitness testing at Hybrid Sports
Wednesday - Scrimmages OPEN to public
8:30 a.m. - Scrimmage - Team East Side Mario’s (White) vs Team Sign-A-Fied (Black)
9:20 a.m. - Scrimmage - Team Sign-A-Fied (Black) vs Team Hybrid (Maroon)
10:10 a.m. - Scrimmage - Team Hybrid (Maroon) vs Team East Side Mario’s (White)
2:00 p.m. - Scrimmage - East Side Mario’s (White) vs Team Sign-A-Fied (Black)
2:50 p.m. - Scrimmage - Team East Side Mario’s (White) vs Team Hybrid (Maroon)
3:40 p.m. - Scrimmage - Team Hybrid (Maroon) vs Team Sign-A-Fied (Black)
Thursday - Scrimmages OPEN to public
8:30 a.m. - Scrimmage - Team Sign-A-Fied (Black) vs. Team Hybrid (Maroon)
9:20 a.m. - Scrimmage - Team East Side Mario’s (White) vs. Team Sign-A-Fied (Black)
10:10 a.m. - Scrimmage - Team East Side Mario’s (White) vs. Team Maroon (Maroon)
2 p.m. - Scrimmage - Team Hybrid (Maroon) vs. Team Sign-A-Fied (Black)
2:50 p.m. - Scrimmage - Team Hybrid (Maroon) vs. Team East Side Mario’s (White)
3:40 p.m. - Scrimmage - TEast Side Mario’s (White) vs. Team Sign-A-Fied (Black)
Friday, September 1, 2023 - Maroon and White Game OPEN to public
4:05 p.m. - Maroon vs. White Game
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Hometown PTBO: Riley Watson On Winning Three Gold Medals In Rowing at the 139th Royal Canadian Henley Regatta
/This week on Hometown PTBO, Pete Dalliday talks with competitive rower Riley Watson about his performance at the 139th Royal Canadian Henley Regatta, his training regimen and his post-secondary rowing future.
Registration For the Ennismore Curling Club Is Open
/Registration for the 2023-2024 season of the Ennismore Curling Club is now open.
Photo courtesy of the ENnismore Curling Club.
Curlers can register online for League Curling, Learn to Curl and Friday Drop-In Curling.
In-person registration and a club social is taking place on Sept. 15 at 7 p.m. at the club, located at 555 Ennis Rd. in Ennismore. Participants are invited to get a drink and catch up with their friends during this night.
Six Nations Chiefs Sweep Peterborough Lakers To Win the MSL Championship In 10-5 Win
/The Peterborough Lakers ‘Drive For Five’ comes to an unfortunate end as they got swept by the Six Nations Chiefs with a 10-5 loss in Game Four at the Peterborough Memorial Centre on Wednesday night.
Photo courtesy of the Peterborough Lakers.
