Peterborough Petes Primed For Championship Run After Trade Deadline

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The Peterborough Petes are all in for an OHL Championship after making several moves prior to the trade deadline obtaining two current champions and two World Junior gold medalists.

(From left to right) Gavin White, Avery Hayes, Owen Beck and BRennan Othmann at a Petes press conference and will be in the team’s luneup simultaneously for the first time this Thursday. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

Brennan Othmann, Gavin White, Avery Hayes and Owen Beck are four new faces to the Peterborough Petes that were traded to the team and started the season on different clubs.

Othmann was obtained from the Flint Firebirds on Nov. 12, several months prior to the deadline. The Petes dealt Artem Guryev, two second-round and one third-round pick for Othmann. He has scored two goals and nine assists in 10 games with the Petes. He is fresh off a Team Canada World Junior goal medal won last Thursday. Othmann was drafted 16th overall by the New York Rangers in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft.

“What I'm focused on this year and what I was focused on out there is showing my details, that I've built good details and good habits over the last few months and that's the biggest thing the Rangers are looking at,” he explained.

Othmann had two assists in the gold medal game against Czechia at the World Juniors. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

Hayes and White were pickups from the defending OHL-Champion Hamilton Bulldogs where Peterborough sent Nick Lardis, Sahil Panwar, a 2023 third-round pick and a 2026 conditional sixth-round pick on Saturday.

Both players made an immediate impact in their Petes debut in a 3-2 win over the Kingston Frontenacs on Saturday, the same day their trade was announced.

Hayes scored the first two goals for Peterborough including a powerplay goal, all in the second period. He was awarded the first star of the game for his efforts in his first game as a Pete. He had 27 goals and 14 assists in 33 games with Hamilton prior to the trade.

“The coaching staff just said 'go out there and play and don't worry about the system too much,’” explained Hayes. “The two goals were big but getting the win was most important. That's what we were brought here to do, to help the team win.”

White had two powerplay assists including Hayes’s second goal and Tucker Robertson’s late third-period game-winning goal. The defenseman had seven goals and 15 assists in 22 games with Hamilton.

“Me and (Shawn) Spearing, only had one game under our belt but I thought we worked really well together,” said White. “He's pretty shutdown and he lets me kind of do whatever I want ahead of that which is fantastic and we developed that chemistry a little more and keep it going here.”

White (left) and Hayes (right) won the OHL Championship with the Hamilton Bulldogs last season and defeated the Peterborough Petes in a 4-0 sweep in the first round of the playoffs. Photo courtesy of the Peterborough Petes.

Beck was also a part of Saturday’s trade frenzy, obtained from the Mississauga Steelheads in exchange for Jack Van Volsen, Justin DeZoete, Peterborough’s second and third-round picks in 2025, Erie’s second-round pick in 2025 and Peterborough’s fourth-round pick in 2026.

“I knew they (Petes) had done a good job up to that point, loading up for a big playoff push and possibly a championship,” said Beck. “To be a part of that and try and help out the team is going to be a lot of fun and I'm looking forward to it.”

Beck had one assist in three games in the World Juniors after being called up to the team on New Year’s Day. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The Port Hope forward also won a gold medal with Othmann at the World Juniors. He was a late call-up to the team on New Year’s Day after an injury to Colton Dach. He had 17 goals and 23 assists in 30 games with the Steelheads this season.

Beck has yet to play a game with the Petes and is making his team debut this Thursday against the Sarnia Sting at the Peterborough Memorial Centre. All four players will be in Thursday’s lineup together for the first time this season.

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United Way Peterborough Accepting Applications For Its Community Services Recovery Fund

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As part of a $400 million investment from the Government of Canada, the United Way Peterborough & District is accepting applications for its Community Services Recovery Fund (CSRF) to aid charities and non-profits with the deadline of Feb. 21.

File photo.

CSRF aims to support the adaptation and modernization needs of non-profit and charitable Community Service Organizations facing immediate and long-term impacts of the pandemic as they continue to support communities according to a press release.

“The Government supports a more inclusive model of economic growth that creates opportunities for everyone in Canada as the long-term recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic continues,” said Karina Gould, Minister of Families, children and social development. “The Community Services Recovery Fund will strengthen the ability of charities and non-profits to deliver services and resources where they have the most impact. Because of the National Funders’ strong connections with local organizations, they will ensure funding is distributed efficiently to organizations that provide services to communities in need across Canada.”

Funding supports one-time projects primarily focused on program and service innovation and redesign using information gained during the COVID-19 pandemic. Community Foundation of Greater Peterborough will administer the Investing in Systems and Processes stream and Canadian Red Cross Ontario will administer the Investing in People stream.

“Agencies have been going above and beyond throughout the pandemic to continually support vulnerable community members who face complex social issues,” said Jim Russell, United Way CEO. “The Program and Service Innovation and Redesign stream is a valuable opportunity for local Community Service Organizations to formally adapt their programs and services to fit within the pandemic recovery context. We are proud to have been invited by the Government of Canada to manage this vital community investment.”

To apply, applicants can fill out the application online in English or in French.

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Voice of Business: Increased Investment Needed In Critical Mineral Production

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Demand for critical minerals is expected to increase by 400 per cent to 600 per cent by 2040, according to the report titled Enhancing Domestic Critical Mineral Supply Chains commissioned by the Canadian Chamber of Commerce (CCC) Critical Minerals Council.

Critical minerals — like aluminum, lithium, and nickel — will underpin our push for net zero emissions. They are an essential part of building electric vehicles, solar panels, wind turbines, and many everyday products.

Canada is positioned as a leader in mining both in terms of innovation and access to resources. As demand is set to dramatically increase, the report prompts that Canada needs to act quickly and decisively to address barriers standing in the way of capitalizing on this opportunity. Our county has the potential to increase mining, production and processing of minerals to meet global demand.

The CCC’s Critical Minerals Council is made up of members representing upstream and downstream corporations, academic institutions, and Indigenous associations.

The report notes the foundation for any growth in critical mineral supply chains in Canada is a commitment to reconciliation with Indigenous peoples, which includes meaningful and early engagement with Indigenous governments and organizations from project conception to development and oversight.

The report contains 14 recommendations, which include:

  • Incentivize consumers to recycle end-of-life products with critical mineral content

  • Increase the scale and awareness of exploration grants

  • Accelerate clean energy projects

  • Provide targeted infrastructure investment

  • • Support focused research and development

Read the full list of recommendations in the report: Enhancing Domestic Critical Mineral Supply Chains.

There are valid criticisms of the mining industry, including its impact on climate change. However, demand is increasing. As a nation, we need to work with Indigenous and climate stakeholders to be leaders in environmentally and socially responsible mining practices.

Producing critical minerals domestically allows the industry to provide products for global demand under the environmental, labour, and economic scrutiny we set up, rather than relying on producers like China.

Increasing our recycling capacity and opportunities will play a big role in moving forward, but our move to net-zero emissions and global demand for electronics will require a significant amount of mining.

According to the report, electric vehicles require a far greater quantity and breadth of critical minerals than conventional fossil fuel-burning vehicles. According to the International Energy Authority, it takes about 200 kg of critical minerals to produce a typical electric vehicle. These include lithium, nickel, cobalt, graphite, rare earth elements, copper, and manganese. China currently dominates the lithium-ion battery market, producing about 75 per cent of global anode and cathode production.

Alternative energy productions also require large amounts of critical minerals. Solar panels require a large array to produce absorbent and conduction layers and module frames. Wind turbines require large amounts of copper, rare earth elements, and aluminum for cables, electrical components, coils and permanent magnets.

Our government recently introduced the Canadian Critical Minerals Strategy, which largely aligns with the report from the CCC. The future of our plans to aggressively reduce our greenhouse gas emissions and meet the targets we have set relies on our government working with industry to responsibly and sustainably increase our mining and improve our critical mineral supply chain to become global leaders in this sector.

Content provided by the Peterborough and the Kawarthas Chamber of Commerce.

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Public Information Centre for Proposed Organics Facility in Peterborough to be Held January 26

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A public information centre on the proposed Peterborough organics facility will be held on Jan. 26 from 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. in the Gold Room of the Otonabee-South Monaghan Memorial Centre (24 Fourth St., Keene)

photo courtesy of the city of peterborough.

The City of Peterborough expects to launch a City-wide organic waste collection and composting program GROW (Green Resource Organics Works) in the fall of 2023 to help Peterborough achieve the goals of the Waste Free Ontario Act. This Act aims to divert 100% of organic material from landfill.

The federal government is contributing $6.1 million toward the $15.3-million project over a four-year period, ending Mar. 31, 2024

As part of the GROW Peterborough program, the City proposes to develop a facility to accept and process leaf and yard waste and source separated organic materials.

The proposed facility will be next to the Peterborough County/City Waste Management Facility in Otonabee-South Monaghan Township, on land jointly owned by the City and County of Peterborough.

The Jan. 26 meeting will be the third of four planned public information centres about this project.

The first public information centre was held on Nov. 4, 2020, and introduced the proposed Peterborough organics facility project. The second was held on Feb. 24, 2021, and provided an update on the project’s progress as well as an opportunity to provide input.

On Jun. 16, 2022, a virtual meeting was held to further inform members of the public and stakeholders. This meeting provided rationale for the need of a leaf and yard waste and source separated organic waste processing facility in Peterborough County, providing details about the approvals required prior to constructing the facility, an overview of the development, engineering design, construction, operation and monitoring of the proposed facility.

Information presented at the meeting will be available on the City’s website. Those who are unable to attend the meeting can review the updated and past information, as well as provide feedback to the project team. Members of the public, agencies, Indigenous communities and other interested persons are encouraged by the City of Peterborough to participate in the project by attending meetings and/or contacting them directly with comments or questions at GROW Peterborough (500 George St. N) or by email.

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The 63rd Liftlock U11 Hockey Tournament Returns After Two-Year Hiatus; Volunteers Honoured Ahead of Event

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After a two-year hiatus, one of Peterborough’s biggest hockey traditions makes its return as the 63rd Annual Liftlock U11 Hockey Tournament returns to the ice from Thursday to Sunday.

(form left to right) Bill Auckland, Teena & Jack Flood and Mike Dennis were recipients of Frank Lustic, Steve Casey and Don McCrory’s Referee’s Award respectively at the 63rd Liftlock U11 Hockey Tournament. The tournament was formerly called the Peterborough Liftlock Atom Hockey Tournament. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

Opening ceremonies of the house league begin at 5:30 p.m. at the Healthy Planet Arena while Rep Division opening ceremonies are at the Peterborough Memorial Centre at 9 a.m. Callum Perks better known as ‘Coach Cal’ is doing the ceremonial puck drop before the game.

This year features 87 teams in 11 divisions playing throughout 10 arenas in Peterborough and the Kawarthas. It is also the return of AAA divisions. While the number of teams dropped from 114 in 2019, chairman Dan McNamee is just happy to have the tournament back for the children.

“The kids are happy to be back, the parents are excited to see the tradition back,” he said. “If it weren’t for the volunteers and directors who were working behind the scenes for this tournament, they’re the ones who get all the accolades for putting on this tournament.”

This year is without the skills competition due to lower numbers but it is not being shelved permanently for future tournaments according to McNamee.

“We’ll give it a little bit of a break and we’ll look at bringing it back in the future,” he explained. “It’s not like it’s gone forever, it’s a great show and those kids are the all-stars for the night and I hope we’ll get it back soon.”

Several awards were distributed ahead of the opening ceremonies recognizing some volunteers for their contributions to the tournament over the years:

  • Don McCrory Referee’s Award for exemplifying McCrory’s dedication to officiating - Mike Dennis

  • Steve Casey Award for a volunteer going the extra mile to contributing to the tournament’s success – Teena and Jack Flood

  • Frank Lustic Award for exemplifying all Lustic’s qualities who volunteered for over 25 years in minor sports – Bill Auckland

A cheque presentation of $2,500 was also donated to Autism Central East Ontario as the chosen beneficiary as the tournament supports a local charity annually.

The eagerness of all the volunteers and committee members showed as they were happy to see the event return after a two-year hiatus, according to McNamee.

“Let’s just get on the ice,” he exclaimed. “I just want to see the kids get skating and see the smiles on their face and hear the parents cheering them on. It feels like two decades and not two years, it’s been a long time coming so let’s play hockey.”

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Peterborough Petes Acquire Defenseman Cam Gauvreau and Draft Picks At OHL Trade Deadline

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As the Ontario Hockey League trade deadline finished on noon Tuesday, the Peterborough Petes made two trades, getting defenceman Cam Gauvreau and four draft picks total announced on Tuesday.

Photo courtesy of the peterborough Petes.

The Petes got Saginaw Spirit’s fourth-round pick and Windsor’s 2025 third-round pick in 2025 while trading defenceman James Guo and their sixth-round pick in 2023.

Gauvreau, a 2003-born defenceman from Hamilton, was originally drafted by the North Bay Battalion in the 10th round, 191st overall, in the 2019 OHL Priority Selection. A 6’2”, 190lbs, shutdown defenceman, Gauvreau has played 72 games in his OHL career with one goal and eight assists, along with 113 penalty minutes. Gauvreau was traded to Saginaw from the North Bay Battalion in a four-player deal.

“We’re excited to welcome a player of Cam’s character and ability to Peterborough,” said Michael Oke, Petes general manager. “He is a hard-working defenceman who will add a competitive edge to our blueline, while also providing leadership support on and off the ice.”

Peterborough also traded Stevie Leaskovar for the Mississauga Steelheads’s fifth-round pick and a 10th-round pick in 2025.

The Petes next game is against the Sarnia Sting on Thursday. Newly acquired Owen Beck and Cam Gauvreau will make their Petes debut while Brennan Othmann returns from the World Juniors.

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Nominate a Local Business to ‘Beat the Blue Monday’ with Showplace

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The Showplace Performance Centre presents Beat the Blue Monday, bringing free music performances to brighten workplaces across Peterborough on Jan. 16.

Photo courtesy of Mary Zita Payne.

Between 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. on the third Monday of the year, various local businesses throughout central Peterborough will have the opportunity to beat the Monday blues with various local talents.

“The third Monday in January is said to be ‘the most depressing day of the year,’ says Showplace in a press release. “The sub-zero temperatures, the lack of daylight, the arrival of our post-Christmas credit card bill. Don’t worry, Showplace is here to help!”

Photo courtesy of Showplace Performance Centre.

Kate Suhr, Melissa Payne and The Weber Brothers will be visiting nominated businesses on their lunch break to spread some light and cheer in the community through the sharing of art.

To nominate a local business, reach out to Showplace via email and tell them which business could use some cheering up. Remember to include the business name and address.

Visit the Showplace website for more information on Beat the Blue Monday and other event listings.

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Environmental and Racial Justice Leader Named 2023 Ashley Fellow At Trent University

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Chúk Odenigbo, an equity leader at the forefront of racial and climate justice, has been named the 2023 Ashley Fellow at Trent University announced on Monday. 

Photo courtesy of Trent University.

The 2023 Ashley Fellow is co-hosted by Trent University’s Lady Eaton College (LEC) and Peter Gzowski College, colleges that are home to living-learning communities that focus on Indigenous leadership and environmental sustainability and leadership and civic engagement, respectively according to a press release.

“Chúk has received national recognition for his work as a sustainability leader, a changemaker, and a keen representative of the Francophone community in Canada. His visit provides incredible opportunities for students in all colleges to learn and engage with new ideas,” said Dr. Melanie Buddle, Gzowski principal. 

As Ashley Fellow, Odenigbo will visit Trent’s Peterborough campus from Jan. 23 to Feb. 3. He will sit in on lectures, visit classrooms and offer mentorship sessions for students. During his visit, Odenigbo will also deliver two public lectures on social justice:

"When I think about Ashley Fellowship at Trent University, I think of the idea of acting as a future ancestor," said Odenigbo. "As a young person in Canada holding multiple intersecting identities, the Ashley Fellowship means a lot to me because it allows me to be visible for other young people who are still figuring themselves out. [It is] an honour, to have been given the opportunity to interact and share with the next generation of young changemakers."

A Franco-Albertan from Calgary, Odenigbo is passionate about the interactions between culture, health and the environment. This passion has led him to his current role as founding director and director of Ancestral Services for Future Ancestors Services Inc., a youth-led, Indigenous and Black-owned, social enterprise that advances climate justice and equity. 

Beyond his work with Future Ancestors Services, Odenigbo is also co-founder of The Poison and The Apple, a bilingual non-profit organization that seeks to change the ways that Canadians interact with nature and make the outdoors diverse and welcoming spaces for all. 

“An important quality for the Ashley Fellow to embody is a desire to learn and a passion to share knowledge,” said Dr. Christine Freeman-Roth, LEC principal. “Through his research into medical geography, Chúk will be able to shed light on public health policies and strategies and is looking forward to learning more about Indigeneity and amplifying Black knowledge.” 

Odenigbo is enthusiastic regarding the appointment and looking forward to leading discussions around the impact of linguistic justice on climate change and environmentalism; questions of race and equity; defining and valuing Black knowledge in the context of the spread of disease and public health; and environmental racism.

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ReFrame Film Festival Announces Complete Lineup of 2023 Films

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The ReFrame Film Festival reveals a slate of over 60 social justice documentary films for the upcoming virtual festival from Jan. 26 to Feb. 3.

The virtual festival features an extensive list of films on the International circuit including Subject, which explores the life-altering experience of sharing one's life on screen through the participants of five acclaimed documentaries, Be My Voice about exiled journalist Masih Alinejad who urges Iranian women to rebel on social media, The Seeds of Vandana Shiva presenting the incredible life story of the Gandhian eco-activist and Devil Put The Coal In The Ground, which looks at the devastation brought on by the coal industry and its decline.

Canadian premieres include Norwegian Headache about a historic lawsuit that grants unborn Norwegians the right to a clean environment and Freedom Hill which explores the environmental racism washing away the town of Princeville, North Carolina. Canadian feature films include The Colour of Ink following acclaimed Toronto artist Jason Logan as he creates incredible inks from foraged plants and found objects and Love in the Time of Fentanyl about a renegade safe injection site in Vancouver's Downtown Eastside.

Local short films include the world premiere of Rewilding the Classroom by educator Cam Douglas and filmmaker Rodney Fuentes, about aligning educational practices with the reality of environmental crises through the Youth Leadership in Sustainability program and The Butch and the Baby Daddy, by Trent professor Karleen Pendleton Jimenez about a trans/butch lesbian who asks her close friend to help her build a family.

ReFrame and Artspace have collaborated for an in-person exhibition on-view at Artspace from Jan. 25 to Feb. 25. Featured projects include What Fools These Mortals Be, a three-channel video installation that reimagines Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream in a series of tableaux vivants (living pictures) performed by formerly incarcerated women and Intravene, an immersive audio experience about the opioid crisis. For viewing times and additional live performing information, check out the ReFrame and Artspace websites.

The festival is also hosting an in-person opening night screening at Showplace Performance Centre on Jan. 26. Opening night will feature All the Beauty and the Bloodshed, the critically acclaimed film about the life and activism of renowned photographer Nan Goldin. Tickets are sold separately and are not available as part of the virtual festival.

Audiences across Canada can stream the documentary films from Jan. 26 to Feb. 3.

The full program can be found on the ReFrame website, with virtual passes and ticket packs available now. Tickets for individual virtual films will be available as of Jan. 11. 

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Peterborough Police Service Swear In New Chief Stuart Betts

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Stuart Betts has been sworn in and is official chief of the Peterborough Police Service in a ceremony in the Austin Doran Hall of the Mount Community Centre on Monday.

Police constable Mike Lasseter (left) plays in newly sworn-in Peterborough Police Service chief Stuart Betts (right) who assumes the role on Monday. Betts

Over 100 people were in attendance for the ceremony including Mayor Jeff Leal, Councillor Gary Baldwin, Councillor Keith Riel and officers from around the province for the ceremony among others.

Betts was the Deputy Chief of Operations and Deputy Chief of Administration for the London Police Service prior to joining Peterborough. He brings 26 years of policing into his new role.

“You can expect me to be open, accessible and very present,” said Betts. “I intend to be very public in this community, I see that the role of Chief of Police is more than just Chief of Police, it's about being a leader in the community and that's a role I intend to take very seriously.”

Betts has been familiar with the city as his wife is from Peterborough and he met her here. His first concern is to continue familiarizing himself with the community.

“My first and foremost priority is to really get embedded in the police service, to learn the people, what makes a police service and the people who work here,” said Betts. “My number one priority is to get to know the people who work here so that I know how they're serving the community and then to see what we can do to continue that service and where we can and can't service.”

During Betts’s career, he has served as Frontline Patrol to Executive Services as well as Support Services and Administrative departments.

Betts has completed the Senior Management Institute for Police with the Police Executive Research Forum at the University of Boston and the Police Leadership Program at the Rotman School of Executive Management at the University of Toronto. He has a Bachelor of Arts Degree from York University, a Masters of Business Administration Degree from the University of Fredericton and is pursuing a second Masters degree in Law in Alternative Dispute Resolution at Osgoode Hall Law School.

The newly-appointed police chief is also a certified Canadian Risk Manager and certified Change Management Practitioner. He has served as the co-chair of the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police, Police Information and Statistics Committee.

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