Tributes Pouring in for Local Lacrosse Player Eric Hainer

By Scott Arnold

The lacrosse community is mourning the loss of Kawartha Fury player Eric Hainer, who died in a car accident while travelling home after competing in the team’s first-ever Medicine Cup tournament in Fenelon Falls.

the community is remembering Local lacrosse player eric hainer, who passed away over the weekend

In a Facebook message shared by the Fury, the team said the loss came shortly after a meaningful day of lacrosse that marked a milestone weekend for the program. Hainer had been part of the U22 roster competing at the event and was on the floor throughout the tournament.

The organization noted that Hainer’s presence was felt strongly during the Medicine Cup, where he scored both his first and last goals for the team during the event. He was described as a player who brought energy, respect, and a clear love for the game every time he stepped onto the floor.

Hainer is a PMLA alum, having come through the Peterborough Minor Lacrosse Association system. He is the son of Peterborough Jr A Lakers assistant general manager Mike Hainer and the brother of Jackson Hainer, a Lakers alumnus and current Trent Excalibur goaltender.

The Fury message highlighted Hainer’s connection to the roots and traditions of lacrosse, noting his use of a wooden stick and his appreciation for the cultural foundations of the sport.

Hundreds of messages and comments have been shared on social media as people express condolences. On Monday, a GoFundMe was set up to raise funds to support the family.

Support has been extended to his family, teammates, coaches, and friends as the lacrosse community continues to process the loss. The organization also encouraged players to lean on one another and continue to find connection in the game Hainer loved.

Scott Arnold is a Journalist and Content Creator at PTBOCanada Media Inc

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Fleming College Hosting Free Lacrosse Event Celebrating The Creator’s Game

By Scott Arnold

Fleming College is inviting students and community members to take part in a free interactive lacrosse event that highlights the Indigenous roots and cultural significance of the sport.

Fleming college’s 2nd annual Lacrosse — the creator’s game is set for june 17 (photo provided by fleming college)

The event, titled Lacrosse – The Creator’s Game, will take place June 17 at the Sutherland Campus and is being hosted by Indigenous Student Services and Fleming Phoenix Athletics.

Organizers say the day is designed to explore the history, meaning and lasting legacy of lacrosse as Canada’s national summer sport, while also offering participants a chance to learn and play together.

Two featured speakers will take part in the event. They include Jim Calder, a Canadian Lacrosse and Sports Hall of Famer, author and pioneer of the game, as well as Justin Warner, a professional player, coach and founder of Liftlock Lacrosse Company.

The second annual event runs from 10 am to 3 pm, with participants asked to meet in Room D1 114 at the Sutherland Campus.

No registration is required and lunch will be provided for those attending.

Open to all experience levels, organizers say the event is meant to be an inclusive opportunity to learn more about lacrosse while celebrating its Indigenous origins and community connections.

Scott Arnold is a Journalist and Content Creator at PTBOCanada Media Inc

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St. Peter's Wyatt McInnes Hurdles to Gold at OFSAA Championships

By Scott Arnold

St. Peter Catholic Secondary School student Wyatt McInnes brought provincial gold back to Peterborough after a strong performance at the 2026 OFSAA Track and Field Championships in St. Catharines on Saturday.

St. peter’s athlete wyatt mcinnes in action at 2026 ofsaa track and field championships (photo via instagram at spssathletics)

McInnes captured the gold medal in the novice boys 100-metre hurdles at the provincial championship, which was held at the Niagara Olympic Track and Field Complex.

The St. Peter athlete advanced to the final as the top qualifier after posting the fastest preliminary time of 14.48 seconds. He then ran 14.75 seconds in the final to secure the OFSAA title.

Wyatt Mcinnes was all smiles on podium after winning OFsaa gold in the 100m hurldes. Cameron Nanson of Kennedy collegiate in windsor took home the silver and noah anderson from loyola CSS in mississauga earned the bronze (photo via instagram @spssathletics)

McInnes finished first in a field of 24 athletes from across Ontario competing for the provincial championship, earning a gold medal for St. Peter and adding another provincial accomplishment to the school's successful athletics program.

Scott Arnold is a Journalist and Content Creator at PTBOCanada Media Inc

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Holy Cross Hurricanes Storm Their Way to OFSAA Rugby Gold

By Scott Arnold

The Holy Cross Hurricanes are bringing another provincial championship back to Peterborough after capturing the OFSAA Girls A/AA Rugby title today in Stratford.

Holy Cross Hurricanes are bringing gold back to peterborough after winning ofsaa girls rugby championship in stratford
(photo courtesy of Sarah wade)

Entering the tournament as the top-ranked team, and as the defending two-time champions, Holy Cross lived up to its billing with a dominant run through the provincial championship field. The Hurricanes capped off their impressive weekend with a huge win over Bayside in the gold medal match to claim the OFSAA crown for the third straight year.

Holy cross hurricanes celebrate their championship win after capturing ofsaa rugby gold
(photo via instagram @ofsaarugbyaa_2026)

Holy Cross opened the tournament with a commanding 79-0 win over host F.E. Madill before defeating St. John Henry Newman of Scarborough 26-7 in its second game.

The Hurricanes continued their march toward the championship by earning a 22-10 victory over Smiths Falls District Collegiate Institute, securing their place in the gold medal game.

In the final, Holy Cross capped things off in style with another big offensive performance when it mattered most, outscoring Quinte West’s Bayside Secondary School 52-10 to complete an undefeated tournament and secure the OFSAA title.

Holy cross hurricanes capped off an incredible season with an OFSAA championship win (photo courtesy of sarah wade)

The championship adds another memorable achievement to the school's strong tradition of athletic success and gives Holy Cross one more provincial banner to celebrate back home in Peterborough.

Scott Arnold is a Journalist and Content Creator at PTBOCanada Media Inc

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Peterborough Jr. Petes Make $2,000 Donation to Community Care Peterborough's Gary Dalliday Memorial Golf Tournament

The Peterborough Minor Hockey Council Jr. “AAA” Petes, in partnership with the OHL Peterborough Petes, have donated $2,000 to the Community Care Peterborough’s Gary Dalliday Memorial ‘Caring for Our Communities’ Golf Tournament.

(From left to right) Walter DiClemente of the Jr. Petes; Pete Dalliday, Petes play-by-play broadcaster and Roger, Petes mascot. Photo courtesy of the Peterborough Petes.

The tournament is on Aug. 10 at the Peterborough Golf and Country Club in honour of Dalliday’s legacy. The tournament this year falls on the anniversary of his passing on Aug. 10, 2018 and pays tribute to his legacy.

Also known as “The Diller,” Gary was a CHEX-TV sportscaster, the radio voice of the Peterborough Petes and a longtime supporter of local sports. He was also a dedicated volunteer with Community Care Peterborough, delivering Meals on Wheels to those in need. He was an alumnus of Peterborough Minor Hockey and the Peterborough Petes.

All proceeds from this special event will support Community Care Peterborough’s Meals on Wheels program, providing nourishment and connection for seniors and adults living with disabilities, specifically in the City of Peterborough, West Selwyn Township, the Municipality of Trent Lakes and Curve Lake First Nation.

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Lakers Lose a Tough One on John Grant Jr. Night at the PMC

By Scott Arnold

A back-and-forth battle at the Peterborough Memorial Centre ended with the Brooklin Lacrosse Club pulling away for a 12-10 victory over the Lakers on Thursday night.

lakers legend John grant jr was honoured during last night’s game at the pmc (photo courtesy of christine liu)

The Peterborough Century 21 Lakers dropped to 2-3 on the Major Series Lacrosse season after falling 12-10 to Brooklin in a high-scoring contest at the PMC.

Brooklin led 3-2 after the opening period before the teams traded goals throughout the second. Peterborough received goals from Rob Hellyer and Brad McCulley in the middle frame, but Brooklin maintained a one-goal advantage heading into the third period.

The game remained tight throughout the final 20 minutes, with the teams tied at both 6-6 and 8-8. Brooklin eventually gained some separation with back-to-back goals midway through the period and was able to hold off the Lakers down the stretch.

Hellyer paced the Peterborough offence with four goals and two assists. Justin Sykes added five points on two goals and three assists, while McCulley scored twice and picked up two assists in his season debut.

Dylan Hutchison and Cam Milligan also scored for the Lakers.

Nick Rose made his first start of the season in goal for Peterborough, stopping 36 shots. The Lakers outshot Brooklin 50-48.

The loss was Peterborough's second in a row following Monday's defeat in Oakville. The Lakers will have an opportunity for a quick response when they travel to Whitby next Wednesday for a rematch with Brooklin.

Scott Arnold is a Journalist and Content Creator at PTBOCanada Media Inc

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Lakefield Chiefs Looking for Volunteers Ahead of New Season

By Scott Arnold

The Graham Carpentry Lakefield Chiefs are recruiting volunteers as the junior hockey club prepares for the upcoming season.

the lakefield chiefs have put the call out to find volunteers for upcoming season (photo via instagram @lakefieldjrc

The organization is inviting community members to join its game-day team and help support operations throughout the year.

A variety of volunteer opportunities are available, including game-day operations, ticket sales, 50/50 sales, music and announcements support, fan engagement and general event assistance.

The Chiefs say volunteers play an important role in creating a positive experience for players, fans and sponsors while helping ensure game days run smoothly.

The call is open to hockey fans, community-minded residents and anyone interested in getting involved with local junior hockey.

Organizers say volunteering is a great way to support the team while becoming part of the game-day atmosphere that helps make Chiefs hockey a community event.

Anyone interested in learning more or signing up is encouraged to contact the team through Nick O'Brien at 705-716-3103 or niobrien10@gmail.com.

Scott Arnold is a Journalist and Content Creator at PTBOCanada Media Inc

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Peterborough Jr. Petes Make $2,000 Donation to the PRHC Foundation to Enhance Cancer Care and Treatment

The Peterborough Minor Hockey Council Jr. “AAA” Petes have donated $2,000 to the Peterborough Regional Health Centre (PRHC) Foundation in honour of minor Petes and OHL Petes alumnus Len Powers, announced on Wednesday.

Photo courtesy of the Peterborough Petes.

The donation is in association with the Peterborough Petes and recognizes Powers’ ongoing support of the Foundation.

The funds help the Foundation’s efforts to enhance cancer treatment and care for patients and families throughout the community.

According to the Petes, this donation reflects the shared values of community leadership, generosity, and service that continue to connect past and present members of the Petes family.

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Holy Cross Captures OFSAA Silver After Strong Run in Burlington

By Scott Arnold

The Holy Cross Hurricanes battled their way to a silver medal at the OFSAA Boys A/AA Field Lacrosse Festival in Burlington, finishing second among 12 competing schools from across Ontario.

Peterborough’s holy cross hurricanes bringing home silver medal (photo courtesy ofsaa boys a/aa field lacrosse festival

The Peterborough school put together an impressive tournament, winning three straight games before falling to McKinnon Park of Caledonia yesterday in the championship final.

Holy Cross opened the festival with a dominant 14-3 victory over King's Christian School of Oakville. Hayden Heigh led the offence with four goals and two assists, while Tyson Kitchen added three goals and two assists. Logan Pyke earned the win in net.

The team followed that up with a 9-7 win over St. Mary's of Owen Sound, coached by former Peterborough Laker Adam Jones. Colton Adams scored three times, while Braxtin Howard and Tyson Kitchen each found the back of the net twice. Pyke picked up his second win of the day.

Holy Cross then secured its spot in the final with a 9-5 victory over Governor Simcoe of St. Catharines. Howard paced the attack with two goals and two assists, while Zachary Kinchen and Hayden Heigh each scored twice. Pyke earned another win between the pipes.

In the gold medal game, Holy Cross came up against a strong McKinnon Park squad and fell 12-4. Ryder Evans led the Peterborough side with two goals and an assist.

The silver-medal-winning roster included Jacob McMahon, Hayden Heigh, Colton Giles, Oliver Pacey, Graydon Walst, Ben Chambers, Emmett Colby, Morgan Johnston, James Dueck, Zachary Kinchen, Tyson Kitchen, Ryder Evans, Teegan Delaney, Cole McMahon, Anthony Farace, Eddie Post, Noah Gaudet-Barton, Hudson Riel, Landon Jessup, Kade Villa, Camden Ryan, Braxtin Howard and Colton Adams.

Ty Vickers and Logan Pyke served as the team's goaltenders.

The team was coached by head coach Geoff McKinley and coach Chris Moher.

The Ontario Federation of School Athletic Associations (OFSAA) is the governing body for high school sports in Ontario and represents one of the largest high school athletic sport organizations in North America. Bringing home silver from a provincial championship event is another strong accomplishment for Holy Cross and Peterborough's proud lacrosse community.

Scott Arnold is a Journalist and Content Creator at PTBOCanada Media Inc

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Peterborough Petes Defenceman Named to OHL's Second All-Rookie Team

Peterborough Petes first-year defenceman Matthew Perreault has been selected to the Ontario Hockey League’s (OHL) Second All-Rookie Team for the 2025-26 season, announced on Tuesday afternoon.

Photo courtesy of Kenneth Andersen and the Peterborough Petes.

“On behalf of the Petes, I’d like to congratulate Matthew on being named to the OHL’s Second All-Rookie Team,” said Michael Oke, Petes general manager and vice president of operations.. “Matthew had a great season on the backend, solidifying himself as an important piece of our defensive core as a 16-year-old, something that’s not easy to do in this league. We look forward to seeing what he can bring to the ice next season as he takes on a bigger role with the club.”

The Ottawa native was selected by the Petes in the second round, 31st overall, of the 2025 OHL Priority Selection from the Toronto Titans organization. In his first season with the Petes, Perreault recorded five goals and 25 assists for 30 points, becoming the first 16-year-old Petes defenceman to reach the 30-point mark in his rookie season since Zach Bogosian scored 33 points in 2006–07.

At the Petes’ annual Awards Banquet, he received the Black’s Family Trophy as the team’s Rookie of the Year.

The Petes currently hold the 13th overall pick in this year’s OHL Priority Selection on June 12 at Slush Puppie Place in Kingston.

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