Peterborough Petes Seeking Billet Families For 2025-26 Season

The Peterborough Petes are looking for billets for the upcoming 2025-26 season.

Photo courtesy of the Peterborough Petes.

Billet families are responsible for providing the following:

• A clean, smoke-free, welcoming home that a player will feel comfortable in

• A private room with a bed and good mattress

• A private desk/workspace for homework

• Nutritious meals and snacks

• Support of team rule enforcement including curfew, community engagement, academic standards, etc.

Families receive the following as compensation:

• Two lower bowl season tickets

• A weekly stipend

• Invitations to exclusive team events

• Flex tickets for use throughout the season

• Other team perks and benefits

All potential billet families will undergo a home visit by Petes security, Risk Management and Billet Liaison Walter Di Clemente and each adult in the family will be required to complete a police check.

Those interested in learning more about the Billet Family Program or applying can fill out a form online or email eebenbauer@gopetesgo.com.

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Peterborough Petes Sign 2024 First-Round Import Pick to Standard Player Agreement

The Peterborough Petes have signed 2024 first-round import pick Adam Novotný to an OHL Standard Player Agreement.

Photo courtesy of the Peterborough Petes.

“We are very excited to announce that we have signed Adam Novotný to an SPA,” said Michael Oke, general manager and vice president of operations. “Since selecting him in last year’s import draft, we believed that the Petes would be an excellent place for him to continue his development. Paddy (O’Connor) has done a great job building a strong relationship with Adam over the past year which has been a huge part of making this signing possible. We’re very happy to be able to add Adam to our group and help him prepare for the 2026 NHL Draft and beyond.”

“After I was drafted last season, I became more interested in the Peterborough organization,” said Novotný. “I immediately contacted Martin Matejicek, who had only positive things to say about the club.”

The Kobylice, Czechia resident was originally selected eighth overall by the Petes in the 2024 CHL Import Draft. Last season, the 2007-born forward appeared in 41 games for Mountfield HK in Czechia’s top professional league, scoring one goal and contributing two assists for a total of three points. He also featured in 10 playoff games for Mountfield, scoring twice. In the 2023-24 season, Novotný played in 48 games for Mountfield HK U20, scoring 32 goals and adding 27 assists for a total of 59 points. In 2023, Novotný made his debut in the Czech Extraliga for Mountfield, scoring in his first game and becoming the youngest player to score a goal in the league at 15.

Petes Director of Player Personnel and Assistant Coach, , has built a strong relationship with Novotný since the Petes selected him in 2024.

“We are really excited to welcome Adam Novotný to the Peterborough Petes,” said Patrick O’Connor, Petes assistant coach and director of player personnel. “His signature and commitment is a huge part of our plan moving forward. Adam is an elite young talent who is highly driven and focused on coming to play and compete in the OHL for the Petes. He will be showcasing his vast skill set ahead of the NHL draft in the summer of 2026.”

“Although I didn’t play for the club last season, coaches Patrick O’Connor and Rob Wilson communicated with me frequently,” saidd Novotný. “This helped convince me that it was the right choice for my development. They also visited me in the Czechia to meet my family, for which I was very grateful. Of course, I consulted my decision with my family, and I feel tremendous support from them.”

Novotný has also represented Czechia on the international stage at multiple levels. This past season, he featured in seven games for Czechia at the World Junior Championships in Ottawa, scoring once and helping his team win a bronze medal. He also represented his country at the 2025 U18 World Championships in Texas, scoring twice and adding four assists for six points in five games. 

“As for my personal goals, I want to help the team as much as possible and be a valuable player both on and off the ice,” explained Novotný. “I realize that this season is important for me, so I want to do my best to help not only Peterborough but also the Czech U20 national team.”

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Hockey Benders Hit Lansdowne Place July 16

Internet sensations Cole & Aiden, also known as “The Hockey Benders,” are hitting Lansdowne Place as part of their Canadian Summer Mall Tour on July 16th from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., announced on Tuesday.

Photo courtesy of Lansdowne Place.

The pair are known for their viral social media videos, mostly revolving around hockey humour.

The duo will be at Centre Court, where fans can take a photo opportunity, purchase exclusive merchandise from their hockey lifestyle brand at their booth, and experience them in person with a meet-and-greet.

Their tour has four Ontario stops including Kingston, Ottawa, Oshawa, and Peterborough, before heading west to Fort McMurray, Edmonton, Calgary, and Medicine Hat.

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Local Sports Coach Arrested From Child Luring Investigation

Former Cavan FC and Peterborough Hockey Association coach Jeff Merrick has been arrested after a child luring investigation, announced on Friday.

Photo courtesy of Belleville Police Servi e.

The 46-year-old Peterborough man was arrested by Belleville Police Service Internet Child Exploitation Unit (ICE) and Emergency Response Unit (ERU).

He had allegedly been operating in online chat rooms under the username “Peterboroguy.”

Merrick was arrested and charged with:

• Luring a person under 16 x2

• Making written child pornography

• Invitation to sexual touching

Merrick has been held for a bail hearing since his arrest.

Police are aware that Merrick is the head coach of at least two U18 girls’ sports teams in the Peterborough and Cavan areas and are concerned that there may be other victims.

Cavan FC released a statement regarding the arrest on their Facebook page:

“Cavan FC was contacted this afternoon by the Belleville Police Service. Jeff Merrick has been removed from his role with Cavan FC effective immediately, pending an ongoing investigation. We will be cooperating fully with the police.”

Anyone with information regarding this investigation or who may be a possible victim is asked to contact Detective Constable Lacey Montgomery of the BPS ICE Unit at lmontgomery@bellevilleps.ca.

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Peterborough Petes Release Preseason Schedule

The Peterborough Petes have released their schedule for the 2025 OHL preseason with four games announced on Monday.

Photo courtesy of the Peterborough Petes.

The Petes’ first three preseason games will take place in local community arenas to be announced later this week. The fourth and final game will take place in Sarnia at Progressive Auto Sales Arena.

The Petes’ full preseason schedule can be seen below:

• Saturday, August 30 at 7:05 p.m. vs Erie Otters (location TBA)

• Sunday, August 31 at 2:05 p.m. vs Erie Otters (location TBA)

• Sunday, September 7 at 2:05 p.m. vs Kingston Frontenacs (location TBA)

• Friday, September 12 at 7:05 p.m. @ Sarnia Sting (Progressive Auto Sales Arena)

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Lakers Snap Three-Game Skid With Win Over Owen Sound; Peterborough Climbs to Second Place In Standings

The Peterborough Lakers snap a three-game losing streak and moved to second place in the Major Series Lacrosse standings after a 9-7 win over the Owen Sound North Stars at the Peterborough Memorial Centre on Thursday night.

Photo courtesy of David Pickering and the Peterborough Lakers.

The Lakers jumped out to a 3-0 lead after a pair of Braedon Saris goals and a tally from Brad McCulley. Owen Sound responded with a pair of Jackson Webster scores and it was 3-2 after the first.

Peterborough struck again to start the period as Adam Thistlehwaite and Joe Resetarits scored to extend the Lakers’s lead. The teams alternated the next three goals, including Holden Cattoni’s first score of the game, for a 6-4 lead into the third.

The Lakers scored twice to open the stanza for a third consecutive time. Carter Page scored shorthanded while Resetarits got his second of the game. Owen Sound scored two straight of their own and both teams traded goals with Cattoni getting his second of the game. The Lakers hung on and won by a score of 9-7.

“Finally, a good effort at home,” said Cattoni. “We’ve been struggling to find our rhythm and tonight we played a pretty solid game top to bottom. Kudos to their goalie, almost 60 saves. We pulled out a good win and one that we needed at home. We’d like to have probably more than nine goals on 70 shots, but that’s hopefully something to come in the near future.”

The win moves Peterborough to 8-4 and are solely in second place behind the Six Nations Chiefs.

“The wins and losses are one thing but it’s the way we were playing that we weren’t happy with,” explaing Cattoni. “You can’t always control when the ball goes in the net or if you catch a hot goalie, or their team has a good shooting night. That happens. We were more just disappointed with the way we were playing and the effort we were showing so this was a good step forward for us tonight and hopefully we can replicate that in the weeks to come.”

The Lakers play on the road on Wednesday to face the Brooklin Lacrosse Club.

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Peterborough Petes Select Three From 2025 CHL Import Draft

The Peterborough Petes have selected three players in Leon Kolarik, Yanis Lutz, and Melvin Fernström from the 2025 CHL Import Draft on Wednesday.

“We’re very excited about the players that we were able to select in today’s Import Draft,” said Michael Oke, general manager and vice president of operations. “Over the course of the season, Rob Wilson, Patrick O’Connor, myself, and other members of our staff have had the chance to watch these players in person and on video. All three players displayed the abilities needed to succeed in the OHL and the characteristics that we look for in a Peterborough Pete.”

The Petes’ first pick in the draft was 63rd overall in round two, taking Kolarik, the Austrian forward from Red Bull Hockey Akademie Juniors.

A 2007-born forward from Vienna, he played in 36 games for the RB Hockey Juniors in the AlpsHL last season, scoring 10 goals and adding 13 assists for 23 points. He also played in seven games for EC Salzburg in the ICEHL (Austria’s top league), scoring once and adding two assists for three points. In the playoffs, Kolarik led EC Salzburg U20 in scoring, with eight goals and six assists for 14 points in eight games. Kolarik has also represented his home country of Austria at multiple levels. This past year, he scored seven points in five games at the U18 World Championship Division 1A, while also recording four assists in five games at the U20 World Championship Division 1A.

Photo courtesy of the Peterborough Petes.

With the Petes second pick, 109th overall, they selected Lutz from EV Zug U20 in Switzerland.

The 2008-born forward from Lachen, played 34 games for EV Zug U20 this season, scoring 14 goals and adding eight assists for 22 points. He also played in 12 games for EV Zug U17 this year, scoring eight goals and adding five assists for 13 points. Lutz has represented his home country of Switzerland at the U17 level. In 2024-25, he played in 16 games for the Switzerland U17 team, scoring six goals and providing six assists for 12 points.

Photo courtesy of Philipp Hegglin and EV Zug.

The Petes third and final pick in the draft came at 121 in round three, taking Fernström, a Pittsburgh Penguins prospect from Orebro HK in Sweden.

A 2006-born forward from Bålsta, he was initially selected by the Vancouver Canucks in the third round, 93rd overall, in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft. He was acquired by the Pittsburgh Penguins on Feb. 1, along with Danton Heinen, Vincent Desharnais and a first-round pick in exchange for Marcus Pettersson and Drew O’Connor. On June 13, Fernström signed an entry-level contract with the Penguins after putting up 17 points in 48 games with Örebro HK in the SHL in 2024-25.

Photo courtesy of Steve Ellis.

“We are very pleased with how the Import draft went today,” said Patrick O’Connor, Petes director of player personnel and assistant coach. “Rob (Wilson) and I spent extensive time in Europe doing a lot of research on these players and we’re very happy to be able to select them today. Leon is a talented, quick young player with a good hockey IQ, and is someone who we believe will put up good offensive numbers in the OHL. Yanis is an explosive, offensive player who is a little bit younger, but is also someone who we believe will succeed at the OHL level. Melvin has a good shot, knows where to be on the ice and has professional experience playing in the SHL.”

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Peterborough Petes Forward Named to U.S. Under-17 Select Team

Peterborough Petes forward Gerry DiCunzolo has been named to the 2025 U.S. Under-17 Select Team to compete at the Under-17 Four Nations Tournament from Aug. 5-9 in Plymouth, Mi.

Photo courtesy of TDavid Pickering and the Peterborough Petes.

“I’d like to congratulate Gerry on being named to the U.S. Under-17 Select Team,” said Michael Oke, general manager and vice president of operations. “This is a great opportunity for him to play with and against some of the top players in the 2009 age group. This experience will be very beneficial as he prepares for his first season in the OHL with the Peterborough Petes.”

The Buffalo native was initially selected by the Petes in the third round, 61st overall, in the 2025 OHL Priority Selection. The left-handed centre played 62 games for Shattuck-St. Mary’s 15O last season. He led the team in scoring with 57 goals and 90 assists for 147 points. DiCunzolo also played in four games with Shattuck at the USA 15-only National Championships, leading his team in scoring with three goals and three assists for six points.

On May 27, DiCunzolo signed an OHL Standard Player Agreement (SPA)with the Petes, becoming the first player from their 2025 draft class to do so. Second-round picks Kieran Raynor and Matthew Perreault have both been signed to an SPA.

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Ontario Offering Free Fishing Until July 6

The Ontario government is celebrating Canada Day by allowing all Canadian residents to fish for free in Ontario until Saturday.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

“This week is the perfect chance to gather with friends and family to reel in new experiences and explore all the great fishing opportunities our province has to offer,” said Mike Harris, Minister of Natural Resources. “I encourage fishing enthusiasts and first-timers alike to cast a line in celebration of Canada – the True North, strong and free, and the place we call home.”

According to the provincial government, recreational fishing is a vital part of Ontario's economy and heritage, contributing significantly to local tourism and employment.

These free-fishing opportunities remove barriers and encourage those new to fishing to give it a try, allowing them to discover the enjoyment of fishing first hand says the Ontario government

Anyone participating in Family Fishing Week, must follow all conservation licence catch and size limits and obey sanctuaries and other fishing regulations.

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Peterborough's Porter Martone Drafted Sixth Overall to the Philadelphia Flyers

The NHL dream has come true for Peterborough’s Porter Martone as he was drafted sixth overall by the Philadelphia Flyers at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, Ca. on Friday evening.

Photo by Jordan Cooper.

Martone spent the majority of his Ontario Hockey League career with the Mississauga/Brampton Steelheads and had a brief stint with the Sarnia Sting, playing 29 games during the 2022-23 season.

He finished this season with 37 goals and 61 assists in 57 games while captaining the Steelheads. He also captained Team Canada to a gold medal at the IIHF U18 World Championship last year in Finland.

The Peterborough forward was a member of the Petes U15 AAA team, scoring six goals and 15 assists in 36 games.

Porter is the son of his father and former NHL player Mike Martone. The latter was known for scoring the game-winning overtime goal in the 1996 OHL Championship against the Guelph Storm.

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