Electric City Football Club Folds After Two Years; Pickering FC Acquires Team Licenses

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The Electric City Football Club (ECFC) era has ended in Peterborough after two seasons as Pickering FC has acquired the men’s and women’s licenses, announced by League1 Ontario on Tuesday afternoon.

ECFC PLAYERS LUKE GREEN (MIDDLE) AND CONNOR WILSON (RIGHT) CELEBRATING THE TEAM’S FIRST FRANCHISE WIN WITH FANS, SCORING THREE GOALS IN 14 MINUTES. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The move allows Pickering FC, a founding League1 Ontario club, to restart their L1ON program with full operational control after stepping away before the 2022 season.

The club was initially introduced on Aug. 9, 2021 and started by Keaton Robbins and several local businessmen. Rob Jenkins was recruited as the team’s president for the men’s and women’s teams. Before joining the club, he helped build Calgary’s CPL franchise.

The club faced staff and management turnover shortly before the season’s start. Robbins had departed from the organization before the season opener and first appointed head coach Michael Marcoccia shortly stepped down for family reasons prior to training camp.

Jamie Sherwood, the men’s team’s second head coach, was let go after four games into the season. Randy Ribiero, the women’s head coach served as the interim replacement for the men’s team for the season and remained during the team’s sophomore year. He was terminated from his contract in late September last year. Team president Jenkins had left during the middle of the season.

The club saw record attendance in both the men’s and women’s home openers, setting League1 Ontario records with 1,565 and 1,009 fans, respectively, in 2022. In the two seasons, both the men’s and women’s teams were in the top half of the standings but failed to qualify for the playoffs.

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Peterborough Petes Trade For Defenceman William Haley In Exchange For a Conditional 15th-Round Pick to the Mississauga Steelheads

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Shortly before the OHL trade deadline, the Peterborough Petes traded for defenceman William Haley from the Mississauga Steelheads in exchange for a conditional 15th-round pick in the 2027 OHL Priority Selection on Wednesday.

Photo courtesy of the Peterborough Petes.

The 2005-born defenceman was selected by the Steelheads in the first round, 13th overall, in the 2022 OHL U18 Priority Selection. In 21 OHL games, he netted two assists. Last season, Haley played in 46 games for the Pickering Panthers of the OJHL, scoring once and adding 13 assists for 14 points. The Couburg native is a product of the Ajax/Pickering Raiders U18, picking up 17 points in 26 games during the 2021-22 season.

“William is an 18 year old defenceman who has played in multiple situations,” said Michael Oke, Petes general manager and vice president of operations. “He will provide additional depth to our lineup.”

The Petes are going to Hogwarts to host the Frontenacs on Thursday for Harry Potter night at the Peterborough Memorial Centre.

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71 Teams Battling It Out In the 64th Annual Liftlock U11 Hockey Tournament Beginning Friday

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One of Peterborough’s most significant hockey traditions is back for its 64th year as the Annual Liftlock U11 Hockey Tournament hits the ice starting Friday, announced at the Peterborough & District Sports Hall of Fame on Monday night.

Garth Stoner (left), Neil Moloney (middle) and Carl Silevestri (right) The tournament was formerly called the Peterborough Liftlock Atom Hockey Tournament. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The three-day event starts Friday, with opening ceremonies for house league and rep divisions beginning at 10 a.m. at the Peterborough Memorial Centre (PMC). YourTV Cogeco is broadcasting the first two opening games for house and rep divisions.

The broadcasted games are the Ennismore Eagles White taking on the PHA Purple Panthers for the house league opening game at 10 a.m. Friday. The other is the Peterborough Petes battling against the Toronto Wolverines at 11:30 a.m. in the rep league opening game, also known as the Chris Fee Cup. It pits the host Peterborough team against the visiting squad.

This year features 71 teams from throughout the province in 13 divisions. They are playing throughout six arenas in Peterborough and the Kawarthas. This tournament runs for a second straight year after being shelved for 2021 and 2022 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Tournament chairman Wally Moore says that since the inaugural tournament in 1958. The event has been supported for generations by volunteers and sponsors to help make it a long-standing Peterborough tradition which fits the tournament motto, ‘Not just a hockey tournament...It's a community affair.’

“The longevity of this has made this tournament so well. All the volunteers come back year after year,” he explained. “A lot of us have been doing this for 40 years but the new ones we bring in, our kids have been doing this for 20 years so it's a community thing.”

A cheque presentation of $2,500 was also donated to Kairos Non-Profit Housing of Peterborough and Camp Northern Lights as the chosen beneficiaries, as the tournament supports a local charity or more annually.

Several awards were distributed ahead of the opening ceremonies recognizing some volunteers for their contributions to the tournament over the years:

  • Don McCrory Referee’s Award for exemplifying McCrory’s dedication to officiating - Neil Moloney

  • Steve Casey Award for a volunteer going the extra mile to contributing to the tournament’s success – Garth Stoner

  • Frank Lustic Award for exemplifying all Lustic’s qualities who volunteered for over 25 years in minor sports – Carl Silvestri

A full tournament schedule can be found online.

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Peterborough Petes Acquire Defenseman Grayden Strohack From the Flint Firebirds For Three Draft Picks

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Just one day before the OHL trade deadline, the Peterborough Petes have acquired defenseman Grayden Strohack from the Flint Firebirds in exchange for London’s third-round pick in 2025, a fourth-round pick and a fifth-round pick both in 2027, announced on Tuesday afternoon.

Photo courtesy of Natalie Shaver and the Peterborough Petes.

Strohack, a 2006-born defenceman, was initially selected by the Firebirds in the third round, 55th overall, of the 2022 OHL Priority Selection. In 33 OHL games, he’s picked up two assists. Last season, the 6’3 Waterloo native played in 45 games for the St. Marys Lincolns, scoring three goals and adding eight assists for 11 points. Strohack also played in the 2022 OHL Cup with his hometown Waterloo Wolves U16, picking up one assist in four games.

“Grayden is a big, young defenceman who is very physical and comfortable in his own end,” said Michael Oke, Petes general manager and vice president of operations. “We’re looking forward to adding him to the lineup and aiding in his development.”

The Petes are going to Hogwarts to host the Frontenacs on Thursday for Harry Potter night at the Peterborough Memorial Centre.

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Peterborough Petes Captain Donovan McCoy Gets Traded to the Sudbury Wolves For Caden Taylor and a Draft Pick

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Peterborough’s transactions keep going as Petes captain and defenceman Donovan McCoy has been traded to the Sudbury Wolves to get forward Caden Taylor and a conditional fourth-round pick in 2027, announced on Monday night.

Photo courtesy of Kenneth Andersen and the Peterborough Petes.

Taylor, a 2007-born forward, was a first-round pick, ninth overall, by the Wolves in the 2023 OHL Priority Selection. In 27 OHL games, he scored one goal and added four assists for five points. Last season, Taylor played for the Mississauga Senators U16, leading the GTHL in scoring with 37 goals and 39 assists for 76 points in 36 games. The Shanty Bay, Ont. native led the Senators to the 2023 OHL Cup, leading the team in scoring with six goals and four assists for 10 points in four games.

“We’re very excited to add Caden to the lineup,” said Michael Oke, Petes general manager and vice president of operations. “Caden is a big, young forward with a lot of potential who led the GTHL in scoring last season.” 

McCoy, a 2004-born defenceman, was originally selected by the Petes in the first round, 15th overall, in the 2020 OHL Priority Selection. The Belleville native has played in 163 games over four years with the Petes, scoring eight times and adding 42 assists for 50 points. Last postseason, McCoy appeared in 22 games for the Petes, scoring twice and picking up eight assists for ten points, helping Peterborough to an OHL Championship. This season, McCoy was named the 62nd Captain in Peterborough Petes history.

“I’d like to say thank you to Donovan for everything he’s done for the Petes and the City of Peterborough over the past four years,” said Oke. “From being selected as a 15-year-old, to becoming the 62nd Captain in Peterborough Petes history, Donovan has been a consummate professional during his time with the organization. He has been an amazing role model on and off the ice and we can’t thank him enough for that. Donovan’s hard work and dedication was a huge part of our 2023 OHL Championship, and he will always be a champion in Peterborough.”

The Petes are going to Hogwarts to host the Frontenacs on Thursday for Harry Potter night at the Peterborough Memorial Centre.

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Peterborough Petes Ship Owen Beck to the Saginaw Spirit For Forward Aiden Young and Three Draft Picks

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The Peterborough Petes are continuing to make deals prior to Wednesday’s trade deadline as Montréal Canadiens prospect and OHL Champion Owen Beck is headed to the Saginaw Spirit for three draft picks and forward Aiden Young, announced on Monday night.

Photo by Samantha Bianco.

Young, a 2007-born forward, was selected by the Saginaw Spirit in the first round, 16th overall, in the 2023 OHL Priority Selection. In 27 OHL games, he scored one goal and added seven assists for eight points. The London native played in 34 games for his hometown London Jr. Knights U16 last season, scoring 30 goals and adding 29 assists for 59 points. Young helped the Jr. Knights to the 2023 OHL Cup, where he led the team in scoring with six goals and two assists in five games.

“We’re looking forward to having Aiden join the roster,” said Michael Oke, Petes general manager and vice president of operations. “Aiden is a skilled, young forward who led his team in scoring in the 2023 OHL Cup.” 

Beck was originally 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 2022, he was signed by the Montréal Canadiens to a three-year entry-level deal, making his NHL debut for the Canadiens on Jan. 28 last year against the Ottawa Senators.

During the last postseason, Beck played in 22 games for the Petes, picking up 16 points and helping them to an OHL Championship. He also appeared in all five of Peterborough’s games in the 2023 Memorial Cup, scoring once and adding two assists.

“On behalf of the Petes, I’d like to say thank you to Owen for his commitment to the Petes over the last two seasons,”said Oke. “Since being acquired at the deadline last season, Owen’s attitude, hard work, and dedication has been on display throughout his time as a Pete. From making his NHL debut, to winning a 2023 OHL Championship, we’ve had the pleasure of watching Owen hit some of the biggest milestones in his career so far. We wish Owen the best as he plays in another Memorial Cup in Saginaw. He will always be remembered as a champion in Peterborough.”

The Petes are going to Hogwarts to host the Frontenacs on Thursday for Harry Potter night at the Peterborough Memorial Centre.

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Peterborough Petes Trade Jax Dubois and Samuel Mayer For Draft Picks In Two Separate Transactions

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The Peterborough Petes are overhauling their roster just days before the trade deadline as overage players Jax Dubois and Samuel Mayer have been traded for draft picks, announced on Sunday night.

Photo courtesy of Kenneth ANdersen Photography and the Peterborough Petes.

Mayer was traded to the Ottawa 67’s for their second-round pick in 2024, Soo’s third-round pick in 2027 and Ottawa’s fifth-round pick in 2027.

The Petes selected the 2003-born defenceman in the first round, 15th overall in the 2020 OHL U18 Priority Selection. The L’Orignal, Ont. native has been a durable and reliable blue-line player for Peterborough, appearing in all 173 Petes games over three seasons. Mayer has scored 32 goals and added 82 assists for 114 points. A two-time Ushers Trophy winner as best Petes defenseman, Mayer played in all 23 playoff games last season, scoring twice and adding five assists en route to a 2023 OHL Championship. He also scored and added an assist in all five of the Petes 2023 Memorial Cup games.

“I’d like to thank Sam for his dedication to the Petes and the City of Peterborough over the last three seasons,” said Michael Oke, Petes general manager and vice president of operations. “Despite being passed over in the U16 Priority Selection, we selected Sam in the U18 draft and through hard work and commitment he became two-time Ushers Trophy winner as best Petes defenceman. Sam is one of the most reliable players in the OHL, having never missed a game. He played a huge role in our OHL Championship last season and he will always be remembered as a champion in Peterborough.”

Dubois was traded to division rival Kingston Frontenacs for Flint’s second-round pick in 2025, Guelph’s third-round pick in 2026 and Windsor’s fifth-round pick in 2027.

The 2003-born forward was selected by the Petes in the 14th round, 273rd overall, in the 2019 OHL Priority Selection. In three seasons with the team, he has played in 152 games, scoring 32 goals and adding 55 assists for 87 points. The Ottawa native played in all 23 of the Petes playoff games in 2023, scoring once and adding two assists, helping Peterborough to win an OHL Championship. In the 2023 Memorial Cup, Dubois appeared in all five Petes games, picking up two assists.

“On behalf of the Petes, I’d like to thank Jax for his commitment to the Organization over the last three seasons,” csaid Oke. “He was a huge part of our 2023 OHL Championship last season, and we really appreciate the attitude that he brought to the rink every day. Despite being a 14th-round pick, Jax has shown that hard work and dedication can make you a champion and Jax will always be known as a champion in Peterborough.”

Dubois could be making his return tour to Peterborough very soon as the Petes host the Frontenacs on Thursday for Harry Potter night at the Peterborough Memorial Centre.

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Peterborough Petes Alumnus Brennan Othmann Has Memorable NHL Debut With the New York Rangers

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It was a birthday that Peterborough Petes alumnus and OHL champion Brennan Othmann will not forget in his NHL debut with the New York Rangers against the Chicago Blackhawks at Madison Square Garden on Thursday night.

Othmann scored eight goals and 17 assists during the playoffs with the Petes last postseason to help the team win an OHL Championship. Photo by David Tuan Bui

During warmups, Othmann got a solo lap around the Rangers’s side of the ice and got a few shots in before the rest of the team joined him. The game was on the eve of his 21st birthday.

The Rangers defeated the visiting Blackhawks 4-1. While Othmann did not register a point, the Pickering native had five shots on net, three hits and one blocked shot for 12:26 time on ice. It was the most shots on goal by a debuting Rangers player since Mario Marois had seven in 1977.

“I just wanted to have fun and just play my game, I think,” said Othmann. “My game is physicality and shooting and just kind of bringing a presence on the ice.”

Othmann had a few shifts on the top line with Mika Zibanejad and Chris Kreider when Blake Wheeler had a five-minute fighting major penalty.

After the game, Rangers forward Artemi Panarin gave Othmann a hat and had him give a speech. The former Pete had few words but drew applause from his teammates.

“Thanks for the welcome, boys. Good two points, see you on the plane,” said Othmann.

The Rangers are likely to continue using Othmann as the team has several injuries such as Tyler Pitlick (lower body) is week-to-week while Kaapo Kakko (lower body) and Filip Chytil (upper body) are on injured reserve.

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Peterborough Petes Alumnus Brennan Othmann to Make NHL Debut With New York Rangers Thursday Night

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Peterborough Petes alumnus and OHL champion Brennan Othmann is making his NHL debut with the New York Rangers against the Chicago Blackhawks at Madison Square Garden on Thursday night.

Othmann scored eight goals and 17 assists during the playoffs with the Petes last postseason to help the team win an OHL Championship. Photo by Samantha Bianco.

The Pete alumnus is being placed on the third line with Nick Bonino and Jonny Brodzinski. The two were on his line in Hartford before he was recalled to New York on Nov. 28.

Othmann replacing Tyler Pitlick who is out week to week with a lower-body injury.

He was acquired from the Flint Firebirds on Nov. 12, 2022. The Petes traded Artem Guryev, Peterborough’s third-round priority selections in 2023 and 2026 and Hamilton’s second-round selection in 2024 for Othmann.

The Scarborough native, in 40 regular-season games, scored 18 goals and 25 assists with the Petes. Othmann scored eight goals and 17 assists during the playoffs with the Petes last postseason.

The New York Rangers drafted him in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft, 16th overall. In 28 games with the AHL’s Hartford Wolf Pack, he recorded nine goals (tied for seventh in the league) and 14 assists this season before getting called up. His goal and assist totals are tied for seventh and eighth among rookies league-wide, respectively.

Othmann is a two-time IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship Gold Medal winner with Team Canada back-to-back years in 2022 and 2023 with the latter as a Peterborough Pete.

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Peterborough Petes Defenceman Carson Cameron Named OHL East Division Academic Player of the Month

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Peterborough Petes rookie defenceman Carson Cameron has been named the East Division Academic Player of the Month for December, announced by the Ontario Hockey League on Wednesday.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

Cameron holds an “A” average in three grade 11 university-level courses, including an 81 per cent average in Physics, a 78 per cent average in Functions and an 85 percent average in Fitness Leadership at Thomas A. Stewart Secondary School.

“Carson is a responsible, conscientious student. He is currently enrolled in three academic classes with an 81 per cent average,” said Shannon Fife, Petes academic advisor. “Carson was able to maintain his studies while playing for the U17 World Juniors for Canada and continues to hold himself to a high standard.”

“Carson has done a good job transitioning into the OHL both on and off the ice,” said Michael Oke, Petes general manager and director of business operations. “Despite moving away from home, attending a new school and the demands of a busy hockey schedule, Carson continues to maintain strong grades.”

The 16-year-old Bobcaygeon defenceman has played 26 games this season, recording one goal and 10 assists for the Petes. The 6-foot, 171-pound blueliner was Peterborough’s first-round pick (13th overall) in the 2023 OHL Priority Selection from the Central Ontario Wolves U16 program. In November, he represented Canada White at the 2023 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge, bringing home a gold medal.

The Petes look to get another winning streak going on Wednesday as they travel to Sarnia to take on the Sting. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. at Progressive Auto Sales Arena. The official road game watch party at Shoeless Joe’s Peterborough.

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