Peterborough Lakers Acquire Oakville Rock Forward Rob Hellyer For Two Defensemen

The Peterborough Century 21 Lakers have acquired forward Rob Hellyer from the Oakville Rock in exchange for defensemen Thomas Whitty and Matt Wright in a trade made on Friday afternoon.

Photo courtesy of the NLL.

Hellyer was with the Toronto Rock since being drafted in 2010 of the NLL until being traded to the Las Vegas Desert Dogs last August. He scored 77 points in 18 games this season. 

“He’s going to compete at a very high level,” said Mike Hasen, Lakers’ head coach and general manager. “He’ll handle the ball for us a little more. He does a lot of great things with and without the ball but he’ll be a presence for us that will stabilize the ball on the right side. He’ll be in the right spots for our offense to flow and click together.”

Hellyer last played in the MSL in 2019, with the pandemic cancelling the 2020 and 2021 seasons. The Rock sat out the 2022 and 2023 seasons. Between stints with the Rock, he also spent the 2018 season out west with the Victoria Shamrocks. 

Hasen was not necessarily looking to trade two young defenders, according to a press release. However, the team says the opportunity presented itself. The two defensemen were what Oakville’s general manager, Steve Dietrich, liked.

After playing Sr. B in Quebec last season, Joe Resetarits is returning to the Lakers.

“(Resetarits is) 100 per cent committed to being here and helping us to compete for a Mann Cup again,” said Hasen.

Season tickets for the six-game home schedule are available at the box office with single-game on sale this Thursday. The team’s home opener is on June 13 against Brooklin L.C.

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Two Former Peterborough Petes Square Off at the Memorial Cup In the Battle of Undefeated

In last year’s Memorial Cup, Owen Beck and Michael Simpson were teammates with the Peterborough Petes.

This year, they are opponents in the battle of undefeated with the Saginaw Spirit and London Knights, respectively, as the two teams face off at the DOW Event Center in Saginaw on Wednesday night at 7:30 p.m.

Photo courtesy of Ken Andersen and the Peterborough Petes.

The Spirit and Knights (both from the Ontario Hockey League) share 2-0 records with the winner advancing to the championship game. The loser will play in the semi-final matchup.

Beck was traded to the Spirit for three draft picks and forward Aiden Young on Jan. 8 as part of the Petes rebuild.

He was originally acquired from the Mississauga Steelheads in exchange for Jack Van Volsen, Justin DeZoete, Peterborough’s second and third-round picks in 2025, Erie’s second-round pick in 2025 and Peterborough’s fourth-round pick in 2026 on Jan. 7 last year.

The Montréal Canadiens prospect played 30 games in the regular season last year, scoring seven goals and 18 assists. He logged another eight goals and eight assists in the playoffs to help Peterborough win an OHL Championship.

Beck played another 25 games with 16 goals and 14 assists prior to being traded to Saginaw.

Simpson was selected by the Petes in the 10th round, 193rd overall, by the Petes in the 2019 OHL Priority Selection.

He was given the Wayne Gretzky 99 Award as the playoff MVP when the Petes won the OHL Championship last year.

The London native was traded to his hometown team before this regular season’s start for goaltender Zach Bowen and Kingston Frontenac’s third-round pick in 2025.

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Challenger Baseball Starts Swinging For the Fences For the 2024 Season

Peterborough Challenger Baseball broke out the gloves and bats as it kicked off their season opener for 2024 at Brinton Carpet Park on Monday night.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The organization supports anyone with cognitive or developmental challenges or chronic health issues that prevent them from playing organized sports.

The league typically kicks off on the Monday after the May 24 weekend, with the final game in late August.

“There's a lot of work that goes on behind the scenes over the winter but it makes it all worthwhile when you're and you see everyone giving it all on the ballfield,” said Joe Keating, Peterborough Challenger coach.

Those benefitting from the program learn skills such as communication, teamwork and confidence-building while getting exercise and having fun.

“A lot of it is learning to interact with your peers and play on a team,” explained Keating. Some people don't get a chance to do that so much so we provide an opportunity and environment where everyone can feel welcome and contribute and be successful on a team with their friends.”

As the organization continues throughout the years, the league sees a lot of returning faces but also welcomes several new players into the league.

“We really focus on fun rather than competing,” said Keating. “There's a competitive edge but the focus is for all the players to be successful. We make it fun for the players but we also try to teach and push them to get out of their comfort zone.”

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Peterborough Petes Defenceman Carson Cameron Selected to OHL Second All-Rookie Team

Peterborough Petes rookie defenceman Carson Cameron was named to the 2023-24 Ontario Hockey League (OHL) Second All-Rookie team, announced on Wednesday.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

Cameron is the first Petes defenceman to be voted to an all-rookie team since Slater Koekkoek in 2010-11.

“It’s an honour to be recognized by the league for the year I had,” said Cameron. “I’m looking forward to getting back to the PMC and continuing to grow.”

The Bobcaygeon native was selected 15th overall by the Petes in the 2023 OHL Priority Selection. In his debut season, he tallied 4 goals and 22 assists for 26 points across 59 games.

“Congratulations to Carson and all the hard work he put in over the season. Being recognized as one of the top performers in the league is a great accomplishment,” said Michael Oke, Petes general manager and vice president of operations. “We are looking forward to watching Carson continue to grow and develop as a player moving forward.”

The CHL Import Draft takes place on July 3 at 11 a.m. The Petes hold the ninth overall selection in the draft.

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Fourth Annual Lakers Alumni Golf Tournament Returns in 2024 to Support Grassroots Lacrosse Programs

The fourth annual Peterborough Lakers Alumni golf tournament returns to Keystone Links Golf & Country Club on June 21.

JOHNNY “SHOOTER” DAVIS AS ONE OF FOUR LAKERS ALUMNI THAT PARTICIPATED IN THE CEREMONIAL TEE-OFF. PHOTO BY LUKE BEST.

The tournament benefits the sustainability and grassroots lacrosse programs in the Peterborough area.

According to Jamie Batley, former alumni president, the annual event ‘took a year off’ last year but is back in full swing.

Tickets are $100 and include 18 holes, a cart, a commemorative hat, lunch and more.

Golfers can register online and send an e-transfer to ptbolakersalumni@gmail.com for payments. Registration begins at 11:30 a.m. with tee off at 1 p.m.

The tournament is also seeking hole sponsors or prize donations.

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Two Peterborough Girls Grapple to Gold At National Judo Championships

Akshila Amarasinghe and Avery Fam of Ninja Academy in Peterborough grappled and threw their way to gold at the National Judo Championships in Montréal on May 22-23.

Akshila Amarasinghe (left), Paul Teleki (middle) and Avery Fam (right) after the trio celebrate the girls’ success in Montréal. Photo courtesy of Ninja Academy.

“What makes this a spectacular result is not only the national result but that they learned and competed in complex katas designed for high rank black belt gradings as well,” said Paul Teleki, Ninja Academy sensei. “Akshila and Avery have been training up to five days every week over the past several months and you can only achieve these results through countless hours of dedication.”

Both girls have earned Gold in Ju-no-kata previously, once in October 2023 at the Ontario Kata Championships and again in April 2024 at the Tora Invitational in Brampton. They earned bronze in Kodokan Goshin Jutsu in April.

“In their training they have already started sharing their knowledge with their peers, resulting in a positive ripple effect for students of all ages,” said Teleki. “They are trailblazers in their age category and I believe they will inspire judoka of all ages to pursue these difficult katas in the future.”

The Ninja Academy is shifting its focus on launching its first Ninja Olympics event at the Peterborough Sport and Wellness Centre on June 23 for elementary-aged kids.

The event has a fair of activities and challenges with awards for kids in their respective age categories. Teleki says the event will help kids and families understand their athletic potential in a fun event.

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No Carpet For Lakers Classic? Not So Fast...

The Lakers Classic which runs Friday to Sunday is getting carpet after all at the Peterborough Memorial Center (PMC) according to a City Councillor and the Peterborough Lakers.

The Laker Classic is in its 36th year, missing only two seasons: one due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the other to a storm and tornado. Photo courtesy of the Peterborough Lakers.

The Lakers issued a statement of disheartenment Wednesday morning, stating that the PMC was originally not going to install the new $325,000 carpet until June 12 without explanation.

“Despite our requests and the significant community impact of this decision, we were informed without explanation that the carpet would not be put down until June 12,” as stated in a Lakers press release. “This decision is a significant blow to our Junior Lakers and the many young athletes participating in the Laker Classic, who will miss the thrill of playing on the premier turf.”

On Wednesday night, the Lakers announced that the carpet would be installed in time for the event according to a Facebook post.

“After some discussion with the Mayor and the support of our lacrosse community, plans are now on to have the carpet laid and available for use by the JR’s and the Laker Classic this weekend,” as stated in a Facebook post.

Criticism was taken to the municipal government and their response confirmed that the PMC is installing the carpet for this weekend.

“I have been advised by City staff that the company which installs the carpet intends to have it in place for the weekend,” said Councillor Leslie Parnell.

The Classic has roughly 35-40 teams and 90-100 games over three days across five arenas. The tournament features divisions from Tyke to Midget with athletes aged seven to 16 across the province.

Playing on turf pays tribute to the Creator’s Game and includes many Indigenous teams from Kahnawake, Six Nations, and Akwesasne.

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Former Peterborough Pete and OHL Champion Cory Stillman Named Guelph Storm Head Coach

Former Peterborough Pete and OHL Champion Cory Stillman has been named the head coach of the Guelph Storm, announced on Thursday.

Photo courtesy of the Ontario HockeyLeague.

Stillman will become the club’s 18th head coach in franchise history.

“Cory brings a wealth of experience as a player and champion as well as a mentor and a teacher of young players,” said George Burnett, Storm general manager. “His desire to return to a head coaching role and lead our group both on and off the ice was very apparent throughout this process. I look forward to working closely with Cory to continue to move our program forward.”

Stillman played in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) for three seasons. He has won the Emms Family Trophy as OHL Rookie of the Year with the Windsor Spitfires in 1991 and won a J. Ross Robertson Cup with his hometown Peterborough Petes in 1993. Stillman amassed 271 points in 178 regular-season games and 26 points in 36 career playoff games during his OHL careern.

He was drafted sixth overall by the Calgary Flames in the 1992 NHL Entry Draft. Stillman registered 727 points in 1025 career NHL games with Flames, St. Louis Blues, Tampa Bay Lightning, Carolina Hurricanes, Ottawa Senators and Florida Panthers. Stillman won back-to-back Stanley Cups with the Lightning and Hurricanes in 2003-04 and 2005-06.

After his playing career in 2010-11, Stillman went on to work in Player Development for the NHL’s Florida Panthers and Carolina Hurricanes before returning to the OHL as Head Coach of the Sudbury Wolves in 2017-18. He mentored the likes of Quinton Byfield, Jack Thompson, Chase Stillman, Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen and Isaak Phillips. Stillman spent three seasons as the Wolves’ bench boss before joining the Arizona Coyotes as an assistant coach in 2020-21.

“I am excited to be named the next Head Coach of the Guelph Storm,” said Stillman. “Working with Scott and George, who are both proven winners, I truly believe we can create something special in Guelph. I am looking forward to the challenge ahead.”

His son Chase was drafted 29th overall by the New Jersey Deveils in 2021. Chase spent two seasons with the Peterborough Petes and won an OHL Championship in the 2022-23 season.

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Hometown PTBO: Porter Martone Captaining Team Canada to a Gold Medal at the IIHF U18 World Championships

This week on Hometown PTBO, David Tuan Bui talks with Mississauga Steelhead Porter Martone about captaining Team Canada to an IIHF U18 World Championship Gold Medal, his father and former NHLer Mike Martone and why he was named “Porter.”

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Memorial Centre Refuses to Install Carpet For Lakers Classic Says Peterborough Lakers

The Lakers Classic is likely being played on concrete as the Peterborough Memorial Centre (PMC) is not putting in the new carpet in time for the tournament according to a Facebook post made by the Peterborough Lakers on Tuesday night.

the Laker Classic has seen many top-level professional players represent their home centers, including local pros such as Shawn, Scott and Turner Evans, Josh and Zach Currier, Ethan Walker, Robert Hope, Thomas Hoggarth, John Grant Jr., and Tracey Kelusky and more. Photo courtesy of the Peterborough Lakers.

The statement claims that the PMC has refused to install the new $325,000 carpet in time for the upcoming Jr’s and Laker Classic which will run from May 24 to 26.

“Despite our requests and the significant community impact of this decision, we were informed without explanation that the carpet would not be put down until June 12,” as stated in a Lakers press release. “This decision is a significant blow to our Junior Lakers and the many young athletes participating in the Laker Classic, who will miss the thrill of playing on the premier turf.”

The Laker Classic is in its 36th year, missing only two seasons: one due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the other to a storm and tornado.

The long-standing tournament has been recognized by the Ontario Lacrosse Association (OLA), earning Historical Status. It is renowned for kicking off the box lacrosse season for the highest-ranked ‘A’ division in the province.

The Classic has roughly 35-40 teams and 90-100 games over three days across five arenas.

The tournament features divisions from Tyke to Midget with athletes aged seven to 16 across the province.

Playing on turf pays tribute to the Creator’s Game and includes many Indigenous teams from Kahnawake, Six Nations, and Akwesasne.

“In light of PMC's refusal, we urge our supporters to contact their councillors and the mayor to express their dismay at how this decision and other latest decision that resulted in the Lakers late home start, tarnishes our community's reputation as the best box lacrosse center in the world. The Senior Lakers remain committed to advocating for all community teams and continuing to support the growth and success of lacrosse in Peterborough despite clawbacks by the PMC and city each year,” according to a statement released by the Lakers.

The PMC was reached out for a comment but did not respond.

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