Ryan Foster Named Head Coach to the U16 AAA Peterborough Petes

Former assistant coach Ryan Foster has been named the head coach of the U16 AAA Peterborough Petes for the 2024-2025 season.

The U16 AAA Petes had 13 players drafted to the OHL. Graphic by Mark Dizon.

Foster was an assistant coach for former head coach Michael Farrugia for the Peterborough Elite Court Sports U16 AAA Petes 2022-2023 season. The latter was hired as an assistant coach for the Oshawa Generals in late November.

Foster was a coach and player in the Peterborough Petes minor system. During the 1993-94 season, he was part of the Peterborough Petes Provincial Jr. A team.

He has had several coaching stints with the Petes from 2016-2018 and 2021-2023 in peewee, bantam and midget divisions.

“I’m really thankful to get the opportunity to coach in the PMHC, particularly the U16 program,” said Foster. “I have been very lucky to work alongside some terrific coaches, hockey people and players these last few years and I am looking to bring that knowledge and experience to the 2024/25 team.

The U16 Petes had a successful last season as runner-ups to the Steve Richey Cup in January (in a 1-0 loss), crowned Ontario Minor Hockey Association champions in March (in triple overtime) and semi-finalists in the OHL Cup.

“The U16 program has been top-notch in recent years and we are looking to continue that trend with a team that is hard-working, disciplined and competitive,” said Foster.

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Peterborough Petes Steamrolled By Rival Oshawa Generals, 5-1; Easton Rye Makes Team Debut

Peterborough could not keep up with rival Oshawa Generals and fell on the road 5-1 at the Tribute Communities Centre on Sunday night. Petes goalie Easton Rye made his OHL debut when he was substituted into the game late in the third period.

Photo courtesy of Kenneth Andersen Photography and the Peterborough Petes.

Oshawa started the scoring as former Peterborough Pete Connor Lockhardt beat Liam Sztuska on a sharp-angle shot that ricocheted in for a 1-0 lead. Peterborough countered as Johnathan Melee took a shot from inside the faceoff circle and Jax Dubois pounced on the rebound for a tie game.

Unfortunately, it was all downhill for Peterborough from here as late in the period, the Petes turned the puck over in their own zone and Oshawa capitalized and scored on a rebound shot from Dylan Roobroeck for a 2-1 lead.

The Generals got a pair of goals in the second thanks to Beckett Sennecke and Calum Ritchie and extended Oshawa’s lead 4-1 going into the third period.

The home team kept pouring it on as Stuart Rolofs scored 10 seconds into the period off a one-timer and it was 5-1 Generals. Just under eight minutes into the period, Sztuska was pulled from the game and Rye filled in, playing 12:12 of the final frame. He stopped all seven shots faced in relief.

The Petes are on their holiday break and return to action on Dec. 28 to visit Kingston and fae the Frontenacs. Puck drop is scheduled for 7 p.m. at the Leon’s Centre. The Official Road Game Watch Party is at Shoeless Joe’s Peterborough on Lansdowne Street.

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Peterborough Petes Lose Close Battle With 3-2 Loss to Kingston Frontenacs

The Petes did not end the weekend as they wanted by taking a 2-1 loss despite 40 shots on net to the Ottawa 67’s at the Peterborough Memorial Centre on Sunday.

The Peterborough Petes are 1-6 in the last seven games and have dropped to third in the East Division. Photo courtesy of Kenneth Andersen Photography and the Peterborough Petes.

The Petes were first to hit the scoreboard as Samuel Mayer quickly wristed it off the faceoff draw and Mason Vaccari for a 1-0 lead, 5:10 into the period. Kingston special teams would get them the lead as both Ethan Miedema and Jacob Battaglia scored on the power play each for a 2-1 lead. Peterborough would tie the game late in the first as Jax Dubois forced a turnover in the offensive zone, centred it for Johnathan Melee, who one-timed it home for a two-point night and a 2-2 game.

With no scoring in the second, both teams were trying to get the go-ahead goal in the third frame. Just less than three minutes in, Kingston peppered Zach Bowen and on the third rebound, Matthew Soto was able to chip it it for a 3-2 lead. The Petes outshot Kingston in the third period 11-9 but could not find the back of the net and lost six of their last seven games.

The Petes played their last game before their Christmas break and have two road games before returning to the ice on Dec. 28. They play the Guelph Storm on Friday and the Oshawa Generals on Sunday before their holidays.

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Peterborough Petes Forward Owen Beck Selected to Team Canada For the 2024 World Junior Championship

Peterborough Petes forward and Montreal Canadiens second-round pick Owen Beck, has been named to the final roster for the 2024 IIHF World Junior Championship, announced by Hockey Canada on Wednesday evening.

File Photo.

The tournament will take place from Dec. 26 to Jan. 5 in Gothenburg, Sweden.

Beck is representing Canada for the second time at the U20 level. In the 2023 World Juniors in Moncton, N.B. and Halifax, N.S., he was a late addition to the roster, joining Petes’ teammate and fellow 2023 OHL Champion, Brennan Othmann. In three games, Beck recorded an assist and won gold with a 3-2 overtime win over Czechia.

“We’re very proud of Owen,” said Michael Oke, Petes general manager and vice president of operations. “To have the opportunity to play for Canada twice is a very big accomplishment. We know that Owen will represent the Petes and the community of Peterborough very well and we’re looking forward to watching him play.”

Beck was initially selected by the Mississauga Steelheads 29th overall in the 2020 OHL Priority Selection. He has played in 153 OHL games in his three-year career, scoring 61 goals and adding 86 assists for 147 points. In October last year, he was signed by the Montreal Canadiens to a three-year entry-level deal and made his NHL debut for the Canadiens in an emergency call-up on Jan. 2023 against the Ottawa Senators.

The Petes will try to get back in the winning column this Thursday as they host the Kingston Frontenacs for their annual Christmas Game. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:05 p.m.

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Local Pedorthist Publishes New Book Highlighting Peterborough Petes 67-Year History With 101 Short Stories

Local pedorthist Nick Caravaggio Jr. recalls the Peterborough Petes 67-year history in a new book he published called ‘Petes 101: The Unofficial History of the Peterborough Petes.’

Nick Caravaggio Jr. is a Canadian Certified Pedorthist at the Caravaggio Orthotic Clinic. He took over the business from his late father, Nick Caravaggio Sr., a founding member of orthotic therapy in Canada. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The 300-page book contains 101 short chapters throughout the team’s 67-year tenure including the recent 2022-23 OHL Championship title.

“I've always wanted to write a book. It's been on my bucket list for a long time and I've just been a big sports fan my entire life,” explained Caravaggio. “There's a lot of books out there about the Canadiens, the Leafs and whatnot that are similar to this book and I thought it would be cool to try for the Petes.”

The book pays homage to his late father and Petes fan, Nick Caravaggio Sr. Before the father’s passing, Caravaggio Sr. was able to read most of the book. He took Caravaggio Jr. — when he was six at the time— to his first Petes game on Nov. 3, 1990. To commemorate the occasion, Caravaggio Sr. bought his son a puck that bears the book's cover.

The late father ran the Caravaggio Orthotic Clinic and could not spend much time with his son. The Petes game became the foundation for the close bond between both Nicks and they made a concerted to attend games more frequently to spend more time together.

“He's the main reason why we have such a good relationship with the Petes because he took me to my first game,” explained Caravaggio Jr. “We had such a good connection and it just strengthened our whole bond. I have to thank the Petes because they're the reason why my dad and I had such a good relationship.”

The book contains interviews with Petes’ players, coaches, staff and more throughout the team’s 67-year span. Interviews for the book included Don Barrie, Pat Casey, Scotty Bowman, Terry Doyle and several others.

He credits former Petes general manager Jeff Twohey with getting him closer to the world of junior hockey than he ever imagined according to the book. He also mentions local author, journalist, and former editor Ed Arnold for being his mentor and helping him write the book. Caravaggio Jr. only had a few people to talk to for the book but the aforementioned helped establish more connections for interviews.

“It just kind of snowballed,” explained Caravaggio Jr. “This whole community, they're so tight. They're such nice people and very welcoming to me. I'm not a hockey guy, I never played at a high level so they're very welcoming to accept me and actually talk to me.”

The book is available on Amazon, the Petes store (at the Peterborough Memorial Centre) and Caravaggio Orthotic Clinic for $25. Caravaggio Jr. is signing book copies before the Petes game at the Peterborough & District Sports Hall of Fame and Museum at 6 p.m. this Thursday.

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Peterborough Petes Struggle to Find the Back of the Net in 2-1 Loss to Ottawa 67's

The Petes did not end the weekend as they wanted by taking a 2-1 loss despite 40 shots on net to the Ottawa 67’s at the Peterborough Memorial Centre on Sunday.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

Ottawa opened the scoring halfway through the first as Caden Kelly entered the zone on a rush. Peterborough had four men back but the 67’s sniped it through Petes goaltender Zach Bowen for a 1-0 lead. The Petes led 17-12 in shots for the period.

Peterborough found the scoreboard just after 11 into the second period as they had a three-on-one opportunity. The Petes cycled the puck perfectly and Quinton Pagé got to cap off the goal to tie things up at 1. Ottawa restored their lead just five minutes later as they had an outnumbered attack in the Petes defensive zone. Cooper Foster was able to beat Bowen via five-hole for the 2-1 lead. Ottawa had 10 shots to Peterborough’s 8 in that stanza.

The final frame saw the Petes pepper 67’s goalie Max Donoso with 15 shots to Ottawa’s six but could not get one past the goal line and the 67’s hung on for a 2-1 win.

The Petes will try to get back in the winning column this Thursday as they host the Kingston Frontenacs for their annual Christmas Game. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:05 p.m.

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Over 1,800 Donations at Annual Teddy Bear Toss; Petes Lose to Bulldogs, 4-2

The Petes collected 1,800 donations from their annual Teddy Bear Toss game and fell to the Brantford Bulldogs 4-2 at the Peterborough Memorial Centre on Thursday night.

Photo courtesy of Kenneth Andersen and the Peterborough Petes.

The Petes got an early power play and Peterborough did not have to wait long to get the teddy bears thrown onto the ice.

Captain Donovon McCoy got a juicy rebound from Chase Lefebvre and sunk it home on a wide-open net for a 1-0 lead just 2:06 into the game. The goal stood as the period’s only score.

The teddy bears collected went towards the Move 99.7 and Pure Country 105 Christmas Toy Drive, in support of the Salvation Army’s Annual Christmas Appeal. 

The Bulldogs got rolling in the second as former Pete Nick Lardis came on the rush on an outnumbered attack. He sniped it past Liam Sztuska and tied it at 1-1. Brantford continued to succeed with long shots as Cedricson Okitundu from outside the faceoff circle also got one past Sztuska late in the period for a 2-1 lead.

Peterborough struck early in the third to tie things up as the team’s newest Pete, Ryder McIntyre, pounced on a rebound and scored on a wide-open net for a 2-2 tie.

With less than two minutes winding down in regulation, Cole Brown scored at the point to give Brantford a late 3-2 lead. They tacked on an empty-netter and left Peterborough with a win.

The Petes will try to snap their losing streak as they head to the nation’s capital to take on the Ottawa 67’s on Saturday.

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Over 100 Special Olympics Athletes All Smiles At Basketball Championship Qualifier

Over 100 smiling athletes were shooting hoops at the Special Olympics Ontario Basketball School Championships Qualifier at St. Peter’s Secondary School on Thursday.

Grade 9 St. Peter Catholic Secondary School student Alden Francis, 14, is one of over 100 students and 30 teams participating in the Special Olympics Basketball Basketball Championship Qualifier. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

There were 30 teams from seven schools (Norwood District High School, TASSS, Crestwood, Adam Scott, Kenner Collegiate, Holy Cross and St. Peter’s Secondary School) were competing to qualify for the School Provincial Championships held on June 10-12 in Chatham-Kent.

This year’s event had more than last year’s which had 75 athletes. The increase in attendance is a positive sign that sports are growing for Special Olympics athletes according to Ernie Ellement, tournament co-organizer.

“It's great to see the community is jumping on board,” he said. “It's a growing, wonderful sport and we're going to keep it going. Everybody's getting baskets, everybody's been getting smiles and that's what it's all about.”

The athletes were cheered on for every basket made by faculty, spectator students, family and cheerleaders.

St. Peter’s grade 9 student Alden Francis loves the feeling he gets when he scores a basket as it’s not just for himself but benefits his teammates.

“I feel happy and I feel good for my team,” said Francis. “I like teamwork, I love the sport and staying active.”

The athletes displayed tons of sportsmanship toward opposing teams by complimenting their play and giving handshakes after each game.

“They're amazing kids. We all get together as educators and we support our kids and schools every day, day in, day out,” explained Ellement. “We want to make sure that they have the best possible experience when they go to high school or when they participate in the community. We want create opportunities for all of our kids with intellectual disabilities to get together and participate in all these sports, support one another and come away with something.”

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Peterborough Petes Aim For $1 Million Goal of Overall Funds Raised For Cancer With 15th Annual Pink In the Rink Campaign

The Peterborough Petes aim to hit a milestone of $1 million raised overall for its 15th annual Pink in the Rink game, announced at the Peterborough Memorial Centre on Wednesday afternoon.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The game is being held on Feb. 3 against the Niagara IceDogs.

The team has raised $954,136 over the past 14 years. The team’s fundraising goal is $50,000 to cross the $1 million mark in Pink in the Rink’s history. 

The proceeds will benefit the Canadian Cancer Society’s Wheels of Hope program this year. It aids those with cancer to get rides to their treatments from volunteer drivers. For those who need to travel independently, it aids in travel costs for safe and reliable transportation.

“The Peterborough Petes players and coaches are extremely excited to participate in the Pink in the Rink campaign this year as ambassadors and help get closer to the one million dollar fundraising mark,” said Michael Oke, Petes general manager and vice president of operations. “Wheels of Hope is a fantastic program and we are very pleased to support this great cause.”

This year, all Petes players and coaches will act as ambassadors for the campaign. Family, friends, and fans can donate on behalf of a particular player or coach by going online and choosing their name from the dropdown menu on the CCS fundraising website. 

“Our Pink in the Rink game is always one of our biggest and most popular games of the year and I think it’s a huge honour and opportunity for the players and the team to be leading the initiative of raising money and awareness for this cause,” said Donovan McCoy, Petes captain.

Official game-worn jerseys will include the names of fans and community members featured in the custom jersey design. Fans can purchase names for just $20 each to be placed on the jersey by contacting the Petes Office at (705) 743-3681 ext. 201, by email or online.

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Peterborough Petes Forward Owen Beck Named to Team Canada Selection Camp for 2024 IIHF World Junior Championship

Peterborough Petes forward Owen Beck has been named to Team Canada’s Selection Camp for the 2024 IIHF World Junior Championship in Gothenburg, Sweden, announced by Hockey Canada on Tuesday afternoon.

Photo courtesy of Kenneth Andersen Photography and the Peterborough Petes.

The second-round pick of the Montreal Canadiens was the only player named to camp who was a part of Canada’s 2023 Gold Medal-winning team. He was a late addition to the roster and appeared in three games in the tournament, picking up one assist. The Port Hope forward won an OHL Championship with the Petes after joining the team at the trade deadline last season.

“We’re excited for Owen,” said Michael Oke, Petes general manager and vice president of operations. “He played very well for us last season and throughout our Championship run. He’s had a good start to the season this year with the Petes and we’re happy to see that get acknowledged by Hockey Canada.”

Beck was originally selected by the Mississauga Steelheads, 29th overall in the 2020 OHL Priority Selection. He has played in 151 OHL games in his three-year career, scoring 60 goals and adding 82 assists for 142 points. In October last year, he was signed by the Montreal Canadiens to a three-year entry-level deal, making his NHL debut for the Canadiens on Jan. 28 against the Ottawa Senators.

The selection camp will take place at the Sixteen Mile Sports Complex in Oakville and will include practices and a pair of games against a team of U SPORTS all-stars on Dec. 12 at 3 p.m. and Dec. 13 at noon.

The Petes welcome the Brantford Bulldogs for Thursday's annual Teddy Bear Toss game. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. at the Peterborough Memorial Centre.

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