Kinsmen Minor Football League Ready To Kick Off Largest Season in League History

The Kinsmen Minor Football League kicked off its 44th season on Saturday, as expected, the largest season since its inception in 1980.

KMFL President Bryan Junkin addressing a record number of players during the Senior Evaluation Night. Photo courtesy of KMFL.

“We have 260 athletes ready to hit the Gridiron this season," said Bryan Junkin, KMFL president. “To be able to set a new league record only two seasons after recovering from the impact Covid took on us, it's just incredible. It's a testament to the passion and commitment of our volunteers.”

The previous record of 220 athletes was set in the late 1990s or early 2000s according to a press release.

The Senior Division (11-13) has 160 athletes across four teams playing 12-man football. The Junior Division (8-10) has 100 athletes with four teams playing nine-man football. 

“We had such a rush of registrations, that the Board had to decide to cap the team rosters in July.” said Junkin. “This type of growth caught us off guard, but with help from the Kinsmen Club and a fantastic response from the community to our 2024 Sponsorship drive, we were able to purchase the additional player and field equipment needed to take on these additional numbers.”

The League will partner with Electric City Special Needs Hockey to provide food and refreshments on game days. They will also hold their annual Friday Night Lights games on Sept. 27th and Oct. 18th. 

“We have some halftime events planned for those nights and will also be accepting food donations for the local foodbank.” said Junkin.

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Peterborough Petes Sign Forward to OHL Scholarship and Development Agreement

The Peterborough Petes has signed forward Francis Parish to an OHL Scholarship and Development Agreement ahead of Friday’s preseason game in Guelph.

Photo courtesy of the Peterborough Petes.

“Francis put in a lot of work in the offseason and really showed us that he deserves this opportunity,” said Michael Oke, general manager and vice president of operations. “We’re excited to be able to add him to our group.”

The Richmond Hill native was originally selected by the Petes in the 11th round, 213th overall, in the 2023 OHL Priority Selection. Last season, the 2007-born forward played 26 games for the Barrie Jr. Colts U18’s, scoring 15 goals and adding 24 assists for 39 points. He also played in eight playoff games for the Colts, picking up nine points. Parish’s play earned him a call-up to the Leamington Flyers of the Ontario Junior Hockey League where he played in one game according to a press release.

“I’m excited to be a Pete,” said Parish. “The journey continues and I’m looking forward to the opportunity.”

Forward Ben Sherwin has been reassigned ahead of Friday’s game.

The Petes are back in action on Sunday when they host the Sudbury Wolves at the Asphodel-Norwood Community Centre in Norwood. Puck drop is scheduled for 3:05 p.m. Ticket details can be found online. The game will also be streamed live on the Petes official YouTube page.

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Peterborough Petes Seeking U18 Program Billet Families For the 2024-25 Season

The Peterborough Petes is recruiting Billet families for draft picks who have moved to town to play for the primary affiliate team, the Peterborough Petes U18 AAA hockey club, for the 2024-25 season.

Photo courtesy of the Peterborough Petes.

Our partnership with the PMHC and U18 Petes has created a development model for our prospects to work out and practice with our OHL team,” said Michael Oke, general manager and vice president of operations. “It’s an opportunity for them to be around the players and learn what it takes to be in the OHL. In the past week we’ve signed Masen Johnston and Thanasi Marentette, both of whom credited their time with the U18’s as a major stepping stone towards becoming a Pete.”

Johnston, Marentette, Michael Simpson, Sam McCue, Quinton Pagé, Dylan Woulds, Brody Partridge, Easton Rye, Josh Kavanagh, and Cole Patey are all players who spent time playing with the Petes U18 hockey club before making the jump to the OHL Petes.

Families participating in the Billet Family Program receive two lower bowl season tickets, a room and board stipend ($115 per week, per player), invitations to exclusive team events, flex tickets and other team perks and benefits. For more information or to apply, contact Walter Di Clemente at (705) 743-3681 or email info@gopetesgo.com.

The Petes are back in action on Sunday when they host the Sudbury Wolves at the Asphodel-Norwood Community Centre in Norwood. Puck drop is scheduled for 3:05 p.m. Ticket details can be found online. The game will also be streamed live on the Petes official YouTube page.

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Trent Excalibur Men's Lacrosse Start Home Opener With 11-6 Victory Over Queen's

The Trent Excalibur men's field lacrosse team 2024 home opener was a success as they defeated the Queen’s Gaels 11-6 at a packed Justin Chiu Stadium on Wednesday night.

Photo courtesy of David Pickering and Trent University.

Queen's drew first blood but Mason Tardiff, Dylan James and Dallyn Rai gave Peterborough a three-goal run. The Gaels got a late goal to end the first quarter for a 3-2 score.

Queen struck again early on to tie the game at three. Jack Mcalpine got the team’s first powerplay goal. Dallyn Rai followed up for the Excalibur to restore the two-goal lead. Kingston got another two goals to tie it at five at halftime.

The third quarter was a low-scoring affair but in favour of Trent. After letting in the first goal of the quarter, Trent scored on the man advantage thanks to Adam Hawrelak. Howden James followed up for the Excalibur for a 7-6 lead into the final quarter.

Trent clamped down defensively, disallowed anything past their net and struck four times, thanks to Jordan Dool twice, Holden Lowes and Rai’s second score, for the 11-6 win.

The men’s team continue their homestand against the Carleton Ravens this Saturday at 8 p.m.

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Hometown PTBO: Peterborough Petes Forward Colin Fitzgerald Being Drafted to His Hometown Team

This week on Hometown PTBO, David Tuan Bui talks with Peterborough Petes centreman Colin Fitzgerald about being drafted to his hometown team, growing up with the Minor Petes system and how his father, a former OHL draftee, helped shape his hockey life.

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Peterborough Petes Single Game Tickets Available For 2024-25 Season

Single Game tickets for Peterborough Petes 2024-25 regular season home games are on sale while supplies last at the Grant Thornton Box Office.

Photo courtesy of Cade Dunford and the Peterborough Petes.

A full Petes home schedule can be found online with the Community Big 8 schedule and details can be found here. According to the Petes, more theme nights will be announced in the coming weeks.

Tickets can be purchased by clicking here, calling (705) 743-3561 or visiting the Grant Thornton Box Office during business hours.

Flex vouchers can be redeemed by visiting the Grant Thornton Box Office at the Peterborough Memorial Centre (PMC). Vouchers can only be redeemed in person during box office hours (Wednesday through Friday, 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.).

Fans interested in purchasing a Petes 10-Game Flex Pack can visit the Petes Store in person or online by clicking here.

The best way to guarantee tickets to every Petes home game is by purchasing a season ticket package while supplies last. Season tickets start at just $353 for the entire 34-game home schedule and include thousands of dollars in benefits and incentives. Interested parties can contact the Petes Coordinator of Season Ticket Sales and Service Tyler Hall by clicking here or by calling (705) 743-3681 ext. 209.

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Peterborough Petes Sign Defenceman 2023 Draft Pick to OHL Scholarship and Development Agreement

The Peterborough Petes make another addition as they signed defenceman Thanasi Marentette to an OHL Scholarship and Development Agreement.

Photo courtesy of the Peterborough Petes.

“Thanasi is a big, strong defenceman who is solid in his own end,” said Michael Oke, general manager and vice president of operations. “We had a chance to watch him a lot last season as he developed with the U18 Petes, working out and practicing with the OHL team regularly. This is another good example of how our relationship with the U18 Petes provides players with a development model and pathway to the OHL.”

The Petes selected the Windsor native in the 10th round, 196th overall, in the 2023 OHL Priority Selection. Last season, the 2007-born, 6’0” defenceman played 31 games for the Peterborough Petes U18s, scoring four goals and adding 12 assists for 16 points. He also played in 10 playoff games, scoring once and picking up four assists for five points.

In 2022-23, Marentette had 13 points in 32 games for the Toronto Nationals U16s, adding another three in five games in the 2023 OHL Cup.

“It feels amazing,” said Marrentette. “Being with the U18s last season gave me a great opportunity to learn about what it takes to be an OHL player. I can’t wait to get started.”

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Peterborough Petes Sign Three Players to OHL Scholarship and Development Agreements

The Peterborough Petes signed Masen Johnston, Adam Levac and Genc Ula to OHL Scholarship and Development Agreements on Saturday.

Photo courtesy of the Peterborough Petes.

“Adam and Genc were two players that our scouts were impressed with during evaluations last year,” said Michael Oke, general manager and vice president of operations. “We were very excited when we were able to select them in the draft.” 

Johnston, a Peterborough native, was originally selected by the Petes in the sixth round, 112th overall, in the 2023 OHL Priority Selection. The 2007-born, 6’1” goaltender featured in 21 games last season for the Peterborough Petes U18s, posting a 2.39 goals against average (GAA). In 2022-23, Johnston played for the Peterborough Petes U16, picking up a 1.20 GAA in 17 games. He also played in six games in the 2023 OHL Cup, recording a 2.89 GAA.

“Masen is another example of the great partnership we have utilizing the U18 Petes as our primary affiliate,” said Oke. “Last season, Masen was able to continue his development playing with the U18 Petes while working out and practicing with the OHL team on a regular basis including getting one-on-one time with Andrew Verner.”

“It’s surreal,” said Johnston. “Being from Peterborough and growing up watching the Petes, it’s a dream come true to sign with the team.”

Levac, a 2008-born forward from Embrun, Ont. was selected by the Petes in the fifth round, 85th overall, in the 2024 OHL Priority Selection. In 32 games last season with the Eastern Ontario Wild U16s, he scored 18 goals and added 24 assists for 42 points while serving as team captain. Levac also featured in two games for the Navan Grads of the CCHL, picking up one assist.

“It feels amazing to sign with the Petes,” said Levac. “I'm very honoured to have this opportunity and I’m excited to get started.”

Ula, a 2008-born defenceman from Chappaqua, N.Y., was selected by the Petes in the fifth round, 99th overall, of the 2024 OHL Priority Selection. In 22 games with the North Jersey Avalanche last season, Ula scored 11 goals and added nine assists for 20 points. 

“It’s incredible,” exclaimed Ula. “I’m very honoured and excited to sign with the Petes. I have a great opportunity in front of me and I can’t wait to take advantage of it.” 

Quinn Binnie has been reassigned ahead of Sunday’s preseason opener in Port Hope. Binnie, an overage forward, played in 57 games for the Petes last season.

“I’d like to thank Quinn for being a great ambassador for the Petes both on and off the ice over the last year,” said Oke. This was a very difficult decision, but one that we had to make due to the number of overage players each team is allowed to carry. We wish Quinn nothing but the best moving forward.”

The following players have also been reassigned:

• Joshua Kaufman

• Kaiden Thatcher

• Aiden Lee

• Vasily Serov

• Easton Lynds

“As we move into preseason, more tough decisions have had to be made,” said Oke. “We will continue to monitor these players moving forward.”

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Hometown PTBO: Ted Higgins Involved In 70 Years of Lacrose and Fundraising For Parkinson's Disease

This week on Hometown PTBO, David Tuan Bui talks with Lakers president Ted Higgins about being involved in lacrosse for 70 years, how Peterborough became invested in the sport and his fundraising efforts for the Parkinson SuperWalk Campaign on Sept. 7.

Click here to donate now!

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Peterborough County Family Recognized For Sports Volunteer Efforts With Commemorative Plaque

Township Council, Staff and community members gathered to celebrate the unveiling of the Wilford Family plaque at the Douglas Sports Centre Ball Diamond in Lakefield on Thursday evening.

Photo courtesy of the Peterborough County.

This plaque has been installed to acknowledge the Wilford family (Jim, Yvonne and children Jessica and her husband Shawn, and Jimmy) for contributing to youth sports in our community.

“What stands out about the Wilford family is their deep commitment to the members of our community. They haven’t just supported our sports programs—they’ve helped build them,” said Sherry Senis, Selwyn Township Mayor. “Whether through countless volunteer hours, coaching, organizing, or contributing to the construction and maintenance of our ball diamonds, the Wilford’s have poured their hearts into making sure our kids have the opportunities and facilities they need to thrive and play.”

The Township of Selwyn would again like to thank the Wilford family for their commitment to our community.

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