PTBO Women’s Initiative Network Inc Formed to Support Local Athletes Competing in Ireland

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A new community-driven initiative, the PTBO Women’s Initiative Network Inc (PTBO WIN), has formed to support local athletes who have been selected to compete on the Canada 2 team at the 2026 Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) World Games in Waterford, Ireland this July.

photo courtesy of PTBO WIN.

Local athletes Zoe King, Ciara Gunn, Michelle Schevers and Tash Ennis, all members of the Peterborough GAA club, have been selected to compete on the Canada 2 team.

PTBO WIN originally came together to rally behind these athletes in their fundraising efforts. While the immediate focus is helping send the women to compete on the international stage, the network says they have a long-term vision of advocating for and supporting local women in pursuing their goals, whether in sport, business or beyond.

“What started as a couple of women meeting at a networking breakfast quickly turned into a dedicated group of women committed to supporting other women in the community,” said PTBO WIN President, Kelly Carbajal. “We recognized very quickly that there is a real need in the area for women pursuing their goals and dreams. Our hope is that the Ptbo Women’s Initiative Network can make a meaningful difference for these incredible athletes and for so many more women in the future.”

PTBO WIN aims to raise $20,000 to support these athletes and their journey to the World Games, including training, travel, and ongoing skill development by focusing on three main initiatives:

PTBO WIN Launch Food Festival

Date: June 6

Time: 2 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Location: Peterborough Square Outdoor Patio

This event will feature local food vendors, live music, shopping and an opportunity to meet the athletes and PTBO WIN members.

PTBO WIN 100 x 100 Campaign

Running now through July 1, PTBO WIN is calling on 100 community members or businesses to support local athletes by contributing $100 each, helping to directly fund their World Games journey.

PTBO WIN World Games Send-Off

Date: June 28

Time: 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Location: 100 Acre Brewing Co.

Admission: $20 entry including a free drink or $40 for families (2 adults and 2 kids)

This send-off celebration will feature food and drink sales, a silent auction, live music and a Gaelic football demonstration with opportunities to engage and play alongside local athletes. Attendees can expect interactive challenges, prizes and a vibrant, community-focused atmosphere to help send these athletes off in style.

In addition to the PTBO WIN events, there are several other ways to support the local Team Canada 2 athletes:

Online Raffle

$20 tickets available now until May 1.

Prizes include a $1,000 flight voucher, a signed Toronto Maple Leafs jersey and more. Tickets can be purchased by contacting the athletes directly or at local events.

Square Dance

Date: April 10

Time: 8 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Location: The Social

$15 admission at the door, an evening of live music, dancing, raffle prizes and community connection.

Arriba Indoor Co-Ed Volleyball Tournament

Date: May 2

Time: 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Location: TASS School

Registration: https://www.arribavolleyball.com/coed-tourney-registration-may-2/

VIVA Beach Co-Ed Volleyball Tournament

Date: June 6

Time: 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Location: Whitby Free Methodist Church

Registration: https://www.vivavolleyball.ca/tournaments

“This is such an amazing initiative,” says King. “The community is really coming together to support us. The cost for the whole team is upwards of $60,000 so I hope we can build strong excitement and attendance at these events.”

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Kieran Walton Plays Overtime Hero Twice to Give Peterborough Petes 2-1 Series Lead Over North Bay

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Kieran Walton played overtime hero not once but twice, winning Games 2 and 3 for the Peterborough Petes to take a 2-1 series lead over the North Bay Battalion.

The Petes ended the regular season with a 40-24-1-3 record for third place in the East Division. Photo courtesy of Tom Martineau and the North Bay Battalion.

On Friday, the Peterborough Petes hosted Game 2 after being down one game in the best-of-seven series.

Walton scored on the backhand after receiving a centring pass just under 14 minutes into overtime to give Peterborough a 4-3 win and tie the series at 1-1.

Brennan Faulkner, Braydon McCallum and Walton each had a goal and an assist, Adam Levac had two helpers. Francis Parish scored while Calum Hartnell, Aiden Young and Grayden Strohack each tacked on an assist. Easton Rye stopped 40 of 43 shots for his first career playoff win.

The Peterborough Petes travelled to the Boart Longyear Memorial Gardens in North Bay for Game three with the series evened on Sunday afternoon.

Peterborough scored in the first 12 seconds of regulation for an early 1-0 lead thanks to Levac. He shot it from the high slot which was saved but he chopped at his own rebound and found the back of the net for a 1-0 game.

The visitors had a late power play in the second period but a Pete blew a tire which allowed the Battalion to counter on the rush. They had an outnumbered attack despite being a man short and scored to make it 1-1.

In the dying seconds of the third period, Walton had the chance to win it in regulation but was denied. Unable to reach a decision, the game went to overtime.

No one had scored for the first 15:39 of the extra frame but North Bay goaltender Mike McIvor had a costly match penalty for roughing that gave the Petes a five-minute power play.

Walton capitalized on his second chance, scoring uncontested on a one-timer from the faceoff circle and gave the Petes a 2-1 win and 2-1 series lead.

Walton had a two-point afternoon with a goal and an assist, Levac scored and both Garrett Frazer and Adam Novotný got an assist. Rye made a few highlight-reel saves, stopping 47 of 48 shots for his second-career OHL playoff win.

The series continues with game four back at the Boart Longyear Memorial Gardens on Tuesday with puck drop for 7:05 p.m.

@ptbo_canada Kieran Walton played overtime hero not once but twice as he won Games two and three for the @Peterborough Petes to take a 2-1 series lead over the North Bay Battalion. #ptbocanada #journalism #fyp #news #sports ♬ Winning - ROKKA

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Porter Martone Signs Three-Year Entry Level Contract With Philadelphia Flyers

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Peterborough’s Porter Martone is one step closer to playing in the NHL as he signed a three-year entry-level contract with the Philadelphia Flyers on Sunday.

Photo byJordan Cooper.

He was drafted to the Flyers, sixth overall, in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft last June.

Martone is the first player from Philadelphia’s 2025 draft class to ink an entry-level deal. He is the fifth prospect to sign with the Flyers in the last month, which includes Noah Powell, Cole Knuble, Alex Ciernik and Riley Thompson. 

He committed to Michigan State University and the Spartans a month after being drafted. The team plays out of Munn Ice Arena in East Lansing, Mi.

In the 2025-26 season, Martone completed his first season of collegiate hockey with Michigan State University and had 25 goals and assists in 35 games. He scored once and racked up two assists through two games at the 2026 NCAA Tournament. He led his team in both goals and points as a freshman throughout the season. Martone was the only freshman selected to the All-Big Ten First Team. He also took home Big Ten All-Freshman Team honors.

He spent most of his OHL career with the Mississauga/Brampton Steelheads and had a brief stint with the Sarnia Sting.

Martone also captained Team Canada to a gold medal at the 2024 IIHF U18 World Championship 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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Peterborough Petes Hit Fundraising Total of $43,486 For 17th Annual Pink In the Rink Campaign

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The Peterborough Petes raised $43,486 during their 17th Annual Pink in the Rink Campaign in support of the Survivors Abreast Peterborough Dragon Boat Team. 

Photo courtesy of Kenneth Andersen and the Peterborough Petes.

“The Peterborough Petes organization is thrilled to announce that the 17th Annual Pink in the Rink Campaign has raised a total of $43,486 in support of Survivors Abreast,” said Michael Oke, general manager and vice president of operations. “We are incredibly grateful to our fans, partners, community members, staff, volunteers, and Survivors Abreast whose generosity and support made the 17th Annual Pink in the Rink Campaign a success. Initiatives like Pink in the Rink continue to demonstrate the power of our community coming together to support an important cause.”

This year, Pink in the Rink featured a month-long fundraising campaign that included customized Pink in the Rink merch and jersey replica sales, ticket sales through Survivors Abreast and the sale of names for a special Pink in the Rink rinkboard. Multiple other fundraising activities took place on game night, including a silent auction, an on-ice game-worn jersey auction, a pass the bucket and Pizza Hut Chuck-A-Pep.

The net proceeds from the Pink in the Rink Campaign will support Survivors Abreast, a group of breast cancer survivors from the Peterborough area in various stages of treatment and recovery. Known for hosting Peterborough’s Dragon Boat Festival, which so far has raised over $4.9 million dollars towards cancer screening, diagnosis and treatment at Peterborough Regional Health Centre, their mission is to improve fitness and develop paddling skills required for dragon boating, and to raise funds and awareness for breast cancer care in the Peterborough Community.

“We are beyond grateful that the Petes chose to support our organization this year,” said Janice James, Survivors Abreast President. "These funds will go a long way in supporting our mission.  Recovery after a cancer diagnosis doesn’t just end with surgeries and treatments. Survivorship is a journey of its own and Survivors Abreast plays a huge role in this.”

The Petes are right back at game two against North Bay this Friday at the PMC with puck drop for 7:05 p.m.

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Peterborough Petes Drop Game One to North Bay Battalion In Goaltenders Duel

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Goaltenders Easton Rye and Jack Lisson put on a clinic between the pipes but it was the North Bay Battalion who won the battle with a 1-0 victory over the Petes to take game one at the Peterborough Memorial Centre (PMC) on Thursday night.

The Petes ended the regular season with a 40-24-1-3 record for third place in the East Division. Photo courtesy of Kenneth Andersen and the Peterborough Petes.

Rye was tested early in the first period, just 1:38 in, as the Battalion were attacking off the rush, put a shot right at Rye’s right pad with a juicy rebound that wound up on North Bay forward Cam Warren’s stick. He one-timed it right at the net but Rye made the sliding save to keep it scoreless.

Both teams were evenly matched in the first period as Rye and Lisson stopped nine shots apiece and it was scoreless after one.

It took until the final five minutes of the second period to see the game’s first score, and it was courtesy of Lirim Amidovski of the Battalion in strange fashion. Amidovski took a point shot that found its way through traffic and hit the crossbar. However, it ricocheted off Rye’s back and trickled into the net for a 1-0 game. Lisson stopped all 14 shots this period while Rye stopped 12 of 14.

The third period provided few opportunities as both teams totalled 11 shots on net. Rye did his job, stopping the seven shots that went his way but the Petes had to pull the goalie with 42.9 seconds remaining. Peterborough could not find the equalizer, and North Bay escaped game one with a 1-0 win.

Lisson was named the first star of the game, stopping all 26 shots. Rye was the second star, stopping 29 of 30 and Amidovski claimed the third star with the game-winning goal.

@ptbo_canada Goaltenders Easton Rye and Jack Lisson put on a clinic between the pipes but it was the North Bay Battalion who won the battle with a 1-0 victory over the @Peterborough Petes to take game one. #ptbocanada #journalism #fyp #news #sports ♬ Winning - ROKKA

The Petes are right back at game two against North Bay this Friday at the PMC with puck drop for 7:05 p.m.

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The Always-Improving Peterborough Pete Brennan Faulkner Gets Playoff Run To Finish OHL Career

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Peterborough Petes forward Brennan Faulkner, fresh off a second consecutive Norm Bryan Award for most improved player, is set for his first and only playoff run with the team, starting Thursday.

Faulkner had 23 goals and 3 assists more than last season to earn his second Norm Bryan Award. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

Faulkner was honoured at the Petes year-end banquet at the Venue on Tuesday night. Including his second Norm Bryan Award, he was presented a gift from the Petes as a graduating overage player. He was kept along with James Petrovski and Matthew Soto as the three eligible 20-year-old overage players an Ontario Hockey League team can roster.

“You put the work in when nobody's looking so when you get the recognition, it's something to be proud of,” explained Faulkner. “I'm doing the same thing this summer: I'm going to get bigger, stronger and try to build my confidence. I'm grateful for the opportunity that I've had here and the trust they put into me.”

The London native was drafted sixth overall in the 2022 U18 OHL Priority Selection by the Petes. In his first season with Peterborough in 2023-24, he registered six assists in 64 games. The following year, he had six goals and 17 assists in 65 games, earning him his first Norm Bryan Award. He was awarded the same honour on Tuesday night after skyrocketing his numbers to 29 goals and 20 assists in 68 games; he and Matthew Soto were the only Petes to suit up in all their regular-season games. Faulkner spent his entire OHL career with the Petes.

“When they tell you it goes by quick, you don't think of it as you do now,” he explained. “I'll definitely be back here to see the boys. That's definitely something I'll miss for sure: coming to the rink every day, seeing the guys, being with them, being around them and I'll definitely be back for sure.”

Last summer, Faulkner said he trained diligently throughout the off-season to make a bigger impact in his final year with the Petes.

“Every year, you're hoping to get bigger and stronger but also build your confidence,” he explained. “I'd build my strength and most importantly, my confidence. I think shooting the puck more was a big thing I needed to add to my game so this year, I worked on that and it helped me.”

After graduating from the Petes, Faulkner has committed to Robert Morris University to play for the Colonials in Pittsburgh, Penn. He plans to study in the Teaching in Higher Education program and wants to pursue a career in education if he cannot attain one in hockey.

“I've been around teaching my whole life,” said Faulkner. “My mom's a teacher, my neighbour's a teacher so that's what I'm going to pursue if hockey doesn't work out.”

After Peterborough’s OHL Championship season in 2022-23, the Petes failed to make the playoffs until this year. This season marks Faulkner’s first and only opportunity to play in the OHL postseason.

Regardless of the outcome, Faulkner says 100 per cent that Peterborough is his home away from home.

“It's a place you can call home. It's an organization that does a lot of things top-notch so I was very grateful to be selected by Peterborough and be able to play my whole career here,” he said. “I couldn't have asked for a better organization and people to be around for the past three years and I'm just happy I was able to call it home for the rest of my life.”

The Petes open their first-round series at home against the North Bay Battalion at the Peterborough Memorial Centre this Thursday at 7:05 p.m.

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Petes Defenceman's Fundraiser Collaboration With Milk + Tea Exceeds Expectations and Gets Over 120 Meals to Those In Need

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Petes defenceman Thanasi Marentette and his community initiative, Marentette’s Mission, in collaboration with Milk + Tea’s Brewing Confidence, was a major success that will feed over 120 individuals.

Kathy Song, Milk + Tea co-owner (left); Thanasi Marentette, Petes defenceman and Phillip Cho, Milk + Tea co-owner (right) at the bubble tea establishment, located on George Street in Downtown Peterborough. Photo courtesy of the Peterborough Petes.

The initiative donated a portion of the proceeds from select baked goods and specialty items to feed anyone in need, including ham and cheese sandwiches, fresh bagels, hearty chicken noodle and lentil soup, hot coffee and tea and cookies.

Selected goods sold included sourdough bagels, cinnamon rolls, cookies and bubble tea kits. The campaign goal was not only to raise funds but also to increase awareness of both organizations and their shared mission to support underprivileged individuals and families.

Meals will be served and distributed in partnership with Street Level Advocacy of Peterborough.

“This partnership was a huge success,” said Marentette. “The support from the community has been incredible, and it’s allowed us to turn this fundraiser into something tangible, providing real meals and real support to people who need it most. I am confident this will become an annual event.”

In addition to supporting Marentette’s Mission, the fundraiser also contributed to Milk + Tea Shop’s ongoing commitment to inclusive employment. The business continues to provide training and job opportunities for young adults with Down syndrome and individuals with disabilities.

“We’re extremely grateful for the response from the community,” said Philip Cho, Milk + Tea co-owner . “This partnership allowed us to give back in a meaningful way while continuing to invest in inclusive programs that are central to our mission.”

Following the success of this collaboration, Marentette’s Mission is actively exploring additional partnerships and initiatives to further its goal of uplifting the local community.

The Petes open their first-round series at home against the North Bay Battalion at the Peterborough Memorial Centre this Thursday at 7:05 p.m.

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Peterborough Petes Commemorate Staff and Players At Annual Year-End Ceremony Before 2025-26 Playoff Push

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As the Peterborough Petes’ 2025-26 regular season finishes and playoffs begining Thursday, the organization held its annual year-end awards ceremony at The Venue on Tuesday night.

Easton Rye, Petes goaltender (left) being awarded the Petes Executive Trophy for most valuable player as voted by teammates by Dave Lorentz, team president (right). Photo by David Tuan Bui.

Rob Wilson, head coach; Dave Lorentz, team president; and captain Carson Cameron made speeches. They recognized teammates, staff, and several others for their support of the organization throughout the season.

The following awards were presented:

  • Mark Teevens Memorial Award (most assists) – Kieron Walton (48 assists)

  • Ed Redmond Memorial Trophy (scholastics and hockey) – Gerry DiCunzolo

  • Outboard Marine Veterans Award (sportsmanship and ability) – Adam Novotný

  • Black’s Family Trophy (rookie of the year) – Matthew Perreault

  • Vince and Lottie Garvey Award (off-ice contribution) – Dave “Beamer” Beamish

  • Molson Cup (most three-star selections voted by media) – Easton Rye

  • Donnie Marsh Memorial Trophy (most dedication to team) – Aiden Young

  • Ed Rowe Memorial Award (most goals) – Kieron Walton (40 goals)

  • Norm Bryan Award (most improved player) – Brennan Faulkner

  • Ushers Trophy (best defenceman) – Carson Cameron

  • Bill Bennett/CKPT Memorial Award (leading scorer) – Kieron Walton (88 points)

  • Gary Dalliday Award (community service) – Thanasi Marentette

  • Petes Executive Trophy (most valuable player voted by teammates) – Easton Rye

The Board of Directors and Alumni Association presented gifts to the graduating and overage players:

  • Brody Partridge

  • Garrett Frazer

  • Brett Hammond

  • Grayden Strohack

  • Kieron Walton

  • Braydon McCallum

  • Easton Rye

  • Matthew Soto (OA)

  • James Petrovski (OA)

  • Brennan Faulkner (OA)

The first round playoff schedule against North Bay is as follows:

  • Game 1 - Thursday, March 26 @ Peterborough Memorial Centre (PMC) - 7:05 p.m.

  • Game 2 - Friday, March 27 @ PMC - 7:05 p.m.

  • Game 3 - Sunday, March 29 @ Boart Longyear Memorial Gardens (BLMG) - 2:05 p.m.

  • Game 4 - Tuesday, March 31 @ BLMG - 7:05 p.m.

  • Game 5 - Thursday, April 2 @ PMC - 7:05 p.m.* - (*if necessary)

  • Game 6 - Saturday, April 4 @ BLMG - 7:05 p.m.*

  • Game 7 - Monday, April 6 @ PMC - 7:05 p.m.*

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Fleming Phoenix Loggersports Athletes Claim Two National Titles

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Fleming College is celebrating its performance at the 40th Annual Rick Russell Loggersports Competition as the Phoenix Women’s ‘A’ and Men’s ‘A’  Loggersports teams claimed national titles at Dalhousie University in Nova Scotia.

Photo courtesy of Fleming College.

This is the first time Fleming has accomplished this feat since the Loggersports program began in 1974.

“This is a momentous occasion for our entire Fleming community,” said Greg Jefford, Fleming director of student experience and athletics. “Our Women’s and Men’s teams standing on the national podium together reflects the incredible talent and dedication of our athletes, the elite leadership from our coaches, Al Cavers and Darian Carpenter, and the long-standing strength of our Loggersports program at the Frost Campus.”

While the Women’s ‘A’ team successfully defended their National Champion title, the Men’s "A" team reclaimed the top spot they held in 2023-2024.

The Men’s ‘B’ team placed third while the Jack and Jill team — who competed against Men’s teams — was recognized as the top mixed-gender team.  

Women’s ‘A’ team captain Nicole Roy won the Echo Challenge and Hunter Hill of the Men’s ‘A’ team was named the Canadian Intercollegiate Lumberjacking Association Most Valuable Player for earning the highest individual points of any athlete in the league.

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U11 AA Peterborough Petes Derail Undefeated Whitby Wildcats For Lakeshore League Championship

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The U11 AA Peterborough Petes spoiled the Whitby Wildcats’ undefeated season during their best-of-three series, capping off a game three victory, winning 3-2 to capture the Lakeshore League Championship on Wednesday evening.

(From left to right) (Back row) Nash Prentice, Coach Bobby Christie, Jonny Dewhurst, Mason Smith, Brandon Devereaux, Gavin Thomas, Assistant Coach Steve Thomas, Case Hedges, Assistant Coach Jeremy Heffernan, Jack Coveney, Trainer Jeff Taylor and Kaden Grills.

(Middle Row) Oscar Selby, Lucy Christie, Charlie Clements, Jantzen Taylor, Jonah Vogler, Ronan Goselin and Luke Lipscombe.

(Front Row) Nash Bloomfield and Jackson Faught.

(Absent) Assistant Coach Mark Prentice. Photo courtesy of the U11 Peterborough Petes.

The U11 AA Petes had a regular-season record of five wins and three losses for a second-place finish.

The Petes advanced to the finals after inching out a 4-2 win in game three of their series over the Northumberland Hawks in the semifinals on March 10.

Peterborough fell behind early in the final series, being shut out 4-0 by the Wildcats in game one on March 14. The Petes handed Whitby their first two losses in back-to-back games on Monday and Wednesday, respectively.

“This group has shown incredible growth all season,” said Bobby Christie, U11 AA Petes head coach. “Open borders in Ontario Minor Hockey strengthened the league overall, creating stiffer competition and parity across divisions.”

The win gives the Petes the right to compete in the Red Hat OMHA Championship tournament in Whitby from March 27 to 29.

“Their dedication to each other, their work ethic, and their love for the game made this championship possible. I couldn’t be prouder of this team,“ concluded Christie.

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