Peterborough Women’s Special Olympic Soccer Team Brings Home Gold at Provincials

Peterborough Women’s Special Olympic Soccer Team made history at the 2025 Provincial Special Olympic Games, taking home a gold medal in an undefeated run in Brantford over the weekend.

Photo courtesy of Debbie Quinlan.

Throughout the three-day event the team hosted a Women’s division at the Provincial Summer Games for the first time. The team won despite extreme heat conditions.

Candace Bushie, Crystal Cochrane, Jasmine Davis, Haley Fowler, Heather Fowler, Nicole Hewitt, Kristen Lackey, Gillian McHugh, Miriam McHugh, Kacee Quinlan, Jenn Wildman, Carlea Wilkie-Ellis and coaches Shawna Goode, Debbie Quinlan and Linda Wilkie were all part of the winning team.

The Peterborough Panthers Soccer team wona silver medal at the Provincial Games. Coached by Patrick Henry, Corlea Freeland and Bill Chapman, the team consisted of: Adam Ferguson, Brian Davis, Blair Bastien, Mary McDougall, Jacob Zitman, Mike Ludlow, Makaya Dafoe, Steve Caban, Ryan Blinn and Dylan Armstrong.

Peterborough’s Special Olympic track athletes, coached by Sydney Venton, saw results from the following atheletes:

• Gaerrisen Freeland: Gold medal in 100 m., 200 m., 400 m., shotput and Javelin

• Lisa Butler: Gold medal in 400 m, shot put and javelin. Bronze medal in 100 m

• Mercedes Laking: Gold medal in shotput and bronze medal in 100 m

Coached by Toni Hill and Alan Brioux, the following Bocce Special Olympic athletes achieved these results:

• Dalton Davis: Gold medal

• Jesse Campbell, Julien Cloutier-Austin and Florence Ekman: Bronze medals

• Monique St Pierre: Fourth place

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Peterborough Lakers Continue Winning Streak With Home Win Over Oakville Rock

The Lakers keep rolling with their fourth win in a row, defeating the Oakville Rock 9-6 at the Peterborough Memorial Centre on Thursday night.

Photo courtesy of David Pickering and the Peterborough Lakers.

“I think they're keeping it simple and they’re playing with a bit of pace,” said Mike Hasen, Lakers head coach. “The ball is moving. We have had a tendency of getting it stuck on one side. Right now, it's swinging side to side and a lot of guys are getting a lot of good looks. We’re getting a lot of great shots and great opportunities and, you know, I think the biggest thing for us is that we're sticking with it. We’re not bailing on things when it doesn't go our way. Like 27-28 shots after the first period tonight with (only) one goal, right, we stuck with it. We didn't try to change anything, we just continued through and that’s a great sign of maturity, basically.”

The opening frame was a low-scoring affair, with each team only finding the back of the net once. Mike Robinson scored first for the Lakers followed by Chris Weier for Oakville.

The second period saw the most scoring in the game as the teams traded scores for the first eight goals. Braedon Saris, Holden Cattoni, Joe Resetarits and Ben Tremble scored for the Lakers, respectively. The Lakers broke the alternating goal streak as Saris scored for Peterborough in the final 70 seconds of the period to give the Lakers a slim 6-5 lead.

Peterborough allowed the first goal of the period 3:30 in but clamped down defensively after that. Nearly halfway through the period, Cattoni got his second of the game to regain the lead for the Lakers. Peterborough sealed the game after scoring twice in the final 61 seconds courtesy of Brad McCulley and Ben Trumble for the 9-6 victory.

The Lakers hit the road Saturday to Collingwood to play the Owen Sound North Stars. They will have some challenges as Peterborough will have a depleted lineup due to several Lakers attending defenceman Jordan Stouros’ wedding.

Hasen projects 13 regulars, including Nick Rose, will be available. The rest of the holes will be filled by callups from Sr. B and Jr. A.

“We’re going to look a little bit different. A few unknowns out there but defensively we're going to be strong,” he said. “The right side is going to be consistent but the left side is going to be a little bit by committee with a couple new guys in there.”

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Photos: Hockey Benders Hit Lansdowne Place For Meet-and-Greet As Part of Canadian Mall Tour

Cole Lequier and Aiden Dale, also known as “The Hockey Benders,” had fun with fans in a meet-and-greet event at Lansdowne Place as part of their Canadian Summer Mall Tour.

Hockey Benders Cole Lequier (left) and Aiden Dale (right) walk through the large queue of fans waiting to get their photos taken and autographs. All photos by David Tuan Bui.

The pair are known for their hockey branding and apparel and social media videos.

Fans could have their photos taken with the duo, purchase their merchandise, have their autographs taken and quickly chat with them.

@ptbo_canada The @HockeyBenders hit up Lansdowne Place in a meet-and-greet as part of their “Canadian Summer Tour.” #ptbocanada #ptbo #peterborough #journalism #journalist #news #fyp #hockeybenders ♬ The Hockey Song - Smithnthompson

Their tour has four Ontario stops including Kingston, Ottawa, Oshawa and Peterborough as the last city of their Eastern leg.

They continue their tour, heading west to Fort McMurray, Edmonton, Calgary, and Medicine Hat.

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Three Peterborough Petes Invited to Hockey Canada Program of Excellence Summer Camps

Peterborough Petes forward Colin Fitzgerald (U18) and 2025 draft picks Kieran Raynor (U17) and Kaden McGregor (U17) were all invited to attend Hockey Canada’s U18 and U17 Program of Excellence Summer Camps, announced on Thursday.

McGregor (left), Fitzgerald (middle) and Raynor (right). Photo courtesy of the Peterborough Petes.

“Congratulations to Colin, Kieran, and Kaden on their recognition by Hockey Canada,” said Michael Oke, general manager and vice president of operations. “This is a great opportunity for them all to compete with some of the best Under 18 talent in Canada. We wish the three of them the best of luck as they hit the ice with the ultimate goal of representing Canada at the Hlinka Gretzky and U17 World Challenge later this year.”

Fitzgerald, an Otonabee native, has been invited to the U18 camp after a rookie season with the Petes, which saw him score 12 goals and add 16 assists for 28 points in 48 games. The Petes initially selected him with the third overall pick in the 2024 OHL Priority Selection from the Peterborough Petes U16s. Fitzgerald has experience playing for Canada, after winning a silver medal with Canada Red at the 2024 U17 World Challenge.

The U18 Selection camp will take place from July 29 to Aug.1 at the Sixteen Mile Sports Complex in Oakville.. Players at the U18 camp will have the opportunity to represent Canada at the 2025 Hlinka Gretzky Cup, which takes place from August 11-16 in Brno (Czechia) and Trenčín (Slovakia).

Petes 2025 draft picks Kieran Raynor and Kaden McGregor were both selected to take part in the Under-17 National Development Camp.

Raynor, a forward from St. Catharines, was originally selected by the Petes in the second round, 27th overall, in the 2025 OHL Priority Selection. He featured in 27 games for the Niagara North Stars U16’s last season, scoring 29 goals and adding 23 assists for 52 points. He then added five goals and eight assists for 13 points in eight playoff games, helping the North Stars to a place in the OMHA Championships and the OHL Cup. Raynor also skated in three games last season for the GOJHL’s St. Catharines Falcons, picking up one assist. 

McGregor, a forward from Braeside, was selected by the Petes with the first overall pick in the 2025 OHL Priority Selection, winning the OHL’s Jack Ferguson Award as the league’s number one pick. Last season, he captained the Ottawa Valley Titans U16 to an HEO Championship, leading the league with 38 goals and 44 assists for 82 points. McGregor added another 24 points in nine playoff games, becoming the first Petes draft pick to win HEO Player of the Year since Mason McTavish in 2019. In the OHL Cup, McGregor scored three goals and added eight assists for 11 points, earning a spot on the tournament all-star team.

The 2025 U17 World Challenge begins on Oct. 31.

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Peterborough Tigers to Host Ontario Baseball Association Championship This August

Peterborough Baseball Association (PBA) and the Peterborough Tigers are hosting the Ontario Baseball Association (OBA) Championship, as the best 8U AAA teams from across the province are coming to town to compete for the title. 

Back: Bill Mercer, Scott Perrin, Andrew Mercer, Joe Curry, Matt Pyke Middle: Louis Curry, Declan Manol, Reed Tivy, Chase Massie, Weston Perrin, Camden Raftis Front: Lucas Nelson, Jackson Pyke, Henry Helleman, Reign Mercer, Easton Condon, Asher Young. Photo courtesy of the Peterborough Baseball Association.

The OBA tournament is held from Aug. 21 to 24 with games at Bowers Park, Kinsmen and East City Bowl.

There are 16 8U AAA teams competing across 31 games, vying for the championship.

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Peterborough Petes Video Coach Named Same Role For Canada White's 2025 U17 World Challenge

Peterborough Petes video coach and assistant to the general manager Alex Darling has officially been named as the video coach for Canada White for the upcoming 2025 U17 World Challenge in Truro, N.S., announced on Tuesday evening.

Photo courtesy of the Peterborough Petes.

“It’s truly an honour to be recognized by Hockey Canada and be named as the video coach for Canada White,” said Darling. “I can’t wait to get out to Truro and get to work.”

Darling joined the Petes as a sales and service intern in 2021 before transitioning to his current role in 2022. He served the same role on the Petes coaching staff during the Petes 2023 OHL Championship run. Darling joins former Petes captain and Sudbury Wolves Coach Scott Barney, who was named Head Coach of Canada White.

The 2025 U17 World Challenge begins on Oct. 31.

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Little Lakers Night Returns On Last Regular Season Home Game to Support Five Counties

For the third consecutive year, Little Lakers Night returns on the Peterborough Lakers’ last home regular-season game on July 24 in support of Five Counties Children's Centre (FCCC), announced on Tuesday.

Len Powers (left), Scott Pepin (middle) and Kennedy Meredith in front of a Lakers cutout and the warmup jersey designed by Meredith. Last year’s Little Lakers Night netted $15,295 to support children’s treatment services at Five Counties. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

All proceeds from Little Lakers Night will support Five Counties’ Building Abilities for Life campaign. It enables more children and youth in the region to access life-changing treatment services when they need them.

“Each year, Little Lakers Night has grown in impact and excitement, and it’s certainly become a highlight of the summer season for us,” said Scott Pepin, FCCC CEO. “We’re incredibly grateful to the Lakers for their continued generosity and for giving our kids the chance to be part of something so special. It’s more than a game — it’s a celebration of community.”

“It’s an honour to again team up with Five Counties to host Little Lakers Night and support children’s treatment services in our community,” said Len Powers, Peterborough Lakers board chairperson. “We encourage everyone to come out to Little Lakers Night and show their support for the home side – cheering on the Lakers to victory as they prepare for the playoffs, and supporting the incredible work done by Five Counties in the Peterborough region.”

Little Lakers Night starts pre-game festivities at 7 p.m., one hour before the Lakers take on the Brampton Excelsiors. The event features face painting by donation, freezie sales, a ‘pass the bucket’ fundraiser, and the opportunity to purchase commemorative Little Lakers Night T-shirts in support of FCCC.

During the game, a silent auction is being held with prizes such as two tickets to Canada’s Wonderland, a Crayola Prize Pack and VIP passes to the 2025 Swimming World Cup.

The night also spotlights the children and families supported by Five Counties, with several of them in attendance and some participating in special roles such as the ceremonial pre-game ball drop and behind-the-scenes experiences with the team.

The Lakers are wearing a specially designed warm-up jersey created by Kennedy Meredith, St. Paul C.E.S. Grade 4 student. The jerseys will be available for purchase through an online auction with proceeds supporting Five Counties.

Tickets for Little Lakers Night on July 24 are available now through the Memorial Centre box office. The promo code ‘FIVECOUNTIES’ at checkout takes $3 from every ticket sold towards FCCC.

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Peterborough Lakers Down Season-Leading Six Nations Chiefs At Home

The Lakers got their second home win against the two-time defending Mann Cup champion Six Nations Chiefs, defeating them 10-7 at the Peterborough Memorial Centre on Thursday night.

Photo courtesy of David Pickering and the Peterborough Lakers.

The Lakers scored the game’s first three goals courtesy of Carter Page, Justin Sykes and Thomas Hoggarth. The Chiefs scored one back but Peterborough led 3-1 after the first period.

Peterborough started the period with another run, scoring the first four goals. Page scored shorthanded, Hoggarth (powerplay) gets his second, Braedon Saris (powerplay) and Matt Gilray scored their first of the game. Six Nations went on a three-goal run and closed the gap but Peterborough still led 7-4 after the second period.

Peterborough started the period with another run, this time, scoring two thanks to Page’s hat trick and Sykes’s second. The Chiefs battled for another three-goal run to cut the deficit to 9-7 but Mike Robinson sealed it with a powerplay goal with 66 seconds left to give Peterborough the 10-7 win.

The win keeps the Lakers in second place, four points behind the first-place Chiefs but four points ahead of the third-place Brooklin L.C.

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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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