Peterborough Petes Defenceman Carson Cameron Named OHL East Division Academic Player of the Month

Peterborough Petes rookie defenceman Carson Cameron has been named the East Division Academic Player of the Month for December, announced by the Ontario Hockey League on Wednesday.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

Cameron holds an “A” average in three grade 11 university-level courses, including an 81 per cent average in Physics, a 78 per cent average in Functions and an 85 percent average in Fitness Leadership at Thomas A. Stewart Secondary School.

“Carson is a responsible, conscientious student. He is currently enrolled in three academic classes with an 81 per cent average,” said Shannon Fife, Petes academic advisor. “Carson was able to maintain his studies while playing for the U17 World Juniors for Canada and continues to hold himself to a high standard.”

“Carson has done a good job transitioning into the OHL both on and off the ice,” said Michael Oke, Petes general manager and director of business operations. “Despite moving away from home, attending a new school and the demands of a busy hockey schedule, Carson continues to maintain strong grades.”

The 16-year-old Bobcaygeon defenceman has played 26 games this season, recording one goal and 10 assists for the Petes. The 6-foot, 171-pound blueliner was Peterborough’s first-round pick (13th overall) in the 2023 OHL Priority Selection from the Central Ontario Wolves U16 program. In November, he represented Canada White at the 2023 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge, bringing home a gold medal.

The Petes look to get another winning streak going on Wednesday as they travel to Sarnia to take on the Sting. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. at Progressive Auto Sales Arena. The official road game watch party at Shoeless Joe’s Peterborough.

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Oshawa Man Charged With Alleged Spousal Assault

A 19-year-old Oshawa man has been charged with assault after allegedly striking his partner on Saturday.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

At roughly 2:57 a.m., officers responded to a disturbance call in the area of McDonnel Street and Donegal Street.

They saw the suspect and the victim walking westbound on McDonnel Street near Cross Street. The woman had visible injuries to her head and face according to the police report. The male was arrested and searched. Police discovered the suspect was in possession of composite knuckles and a nearby broken window was also located.

The man arrested and charged with:

• Possession of Weapon for Dangerous Purpose

• Assault – Spousal

• Mischief Under $ 5,000

The accused was released on an undertaking and is scheduled to attend court on Jan, 16.

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The Art School of Peterborough Victorious In Annual DBIA Downtown Holiday Window Contest

The Art School of Peterborough has been crowned the winners of the Peterborough Downtown Business Improvement Area’s (DBIA) annual Downtown Holiday Window Contest announced on Wednesday.

Raine Knudsen (left) and Jenni Johnston (right) celebrate their win in front of the Art School shop window, holding the handmade ornaments distributed to community members throughout the holiday season. Photo courtesy of the Peterborough DBIA.

During the holidays, Downtown Peterborough shop windows were transformed into magnificent displays reflecting this year’s theme, Aurora Borealis.

“With snowy decorated little pine trees and hand painted polar bears under the illuminated arctic sky. In celebration of the Holiday season, the Art School is offering ceramic crescent moon ornaments made by our staff and students, inspired by the Aurora Borealis to remind us how bright and colourful our local Peterborough community is,” said Raine Knudsen, The Art School of Peterborough receptionist. “These ornaments are offered as free (or by donation) to give back to our incredible local community. The Art School wishes you a joyful, rejuvenating, and bright New Year, and winter ahead.”

The winners for 2023 are:

• First place – The Art School of Peterborough, 174A Charlotte St.

• Second place – Lavender Moon, 181 Charlotte St.

• Third Place – Hi Ho Silver, 392 George St. N.

“The Art School of Peterborough is overjoyed and so grateful to receive first place for this year’s window contest. Thanks so much to our community; our students and instructors, coworkers, and neighbours for sharing the love and support,” said Knudsen.

The top three winners will receive cash prizes of $1,000, $500, and $300 for their winning windows. Locals voted online for their top three holiday window displays throughout the contest period from Nov.20 until Dec. 31.

“Every year, the downtown shop owners put so much love and creativity into the holiday window contest. It really sets the tone for the shopping season and enhances the downtown experience with colour, whimsy, and charm,” said Hillary Flood, DBIA vibrancy manager.” This year’s theme was Aurora Borealis and our businesses pulled out all the stops to capture the spirit of the Northern Lights. It’s always incredible to see Peterborough rally behind our window contest and the community engagement in our program saw a significant increase this holiday season with 3,897 votes casted to help determine this year's top window display.”

The window displays for this year’s contest can be viewed on the voting website.

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Northumberland Hills Hospital Delivers First Baby of 2024

Northumberland Hills Hospital has delivered Vanessa and Jake Morris’s daughter Georgia Elizabeth Morris, as its first baby of 2024 born on New Year’s Day.

The Maternal/Child Care team at NHH welcomed 537 births at the hospital in the last fiscal year. Photo courtesy of Northumberlan Hllls Hospital.

The newborn weighed eight pounds and 11 ounces at birth and is the couple’s first child. The Bowmanville couple named their child after her maternal great-grandfather, George, whom she met earlier in the morning after her arrival.

“Georgia Elizabeth Morris is named after my grandfather, George,” said Vanessa. “She’s so calm and relaxed. We’re very much in love with her, it’s just wonderful.”

“We’re very excited! There’s lots to learn as first-time parents, and we’re already learning a lot in such a short period of time,” said Jake. “It’s amazing how quickly your life can change and we’re just so happy.”

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'Harmony for Healing' Event Organizer Sends Cordial Invitation Letter to Neil Young and Daryl Hannah

Organizer Philip Jolicoeur has reached out in a cordial letter to famed Canadian musician Neil Young and his wife and actress Daryl Hannah to attend his ‘Harmony for Healing’ suicide prevention concert.

Jolicoeur’s letter that was posted to social media. Photo courtesy of Philip Jolicoeur.

Jolicoeur’s mother passed away from suicide in the summer of 2022. He says Young’s music was a ‘comfort’ to her and himself. Jolicouer got to see Young in concert for the first time when he was four.

The letter was posted to social media on Wednesday and had almost 200 shares on Facebook, tagging the renowned artist.

The show is set for Feb. 22 at Market Hall. Tickets are $40 (plus $4 for ticket office fees) and are available online.

The concert has a house band boasting a large handful of Peterborough’s best performing at the event. The Weber Brothers, Melissa Payne, Nicholas Campbell, Austin Carson, Carling Campbell, Beth Anne Pelow on Sax, Tony Silvestri, Lindsay Barr and the artistry of Jason Wilkins Art & Creative Inc. are showcased at the event.

The event’s fundraising goal is $10,000 annually over a five-year span to raise a total of $50,000. Proceeds go to the Canadian Mental Health Association’s Assertive Outreach Suicide Prevention program.

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Peterborough Petes Drop First Matchup of Three-Game Road Trip to the Sarnia Sting, 2-1

The Peterborough Petes’s three-game road trip is not off to a good start as they fell to the Sarnia Sting 2-1 at the Progressive Auto Sales Arena on Wednesday night.

The Petes sit in fifth and last place of the East Division with 34 points. The team has lost eight of their last 10 games. Photo courtesy of Natalie Silver and the Peterborough Petes.

The game had Peterborough’s two newest members Nico Addy and Martin Matejicek formerly from the Owen Sound (acquired in a trade on Tuesday) make their Petes debut.

The start was not what the visitors wanted as Marko Sikic scored seven minutes in to give Sarnia a quick 1-0 lead, his ninth of the year. Not to be outdone by his teammate, Andrew LeBlanc also tacked on his ninth of the season to give a 2-0 lead over the Petes going into the second.

Two minutes into the period, Peterborough had almost found its footing as Tommy Purdeller seemed to have scored the Petes’s first goal but was called off due to an offside call after review.

The defending OHL champions persisted as they had a man advantage four minutes later. OHL East Division Academic Player of the Month Carson Cameron fired a shot from the point and Quinton Pagé deflected it for a power play goal to narrow the deficit to one going into the final period.

Both teams went back and forth on each other as Petes goaltender Liam Sztuska stopped all shots faced in the third to give Peterborough a chance. However, Sting goalie Nick Surzycia also was a brick wall and disallowed anything past him and Sarnia held on for the 2-1 win.

The Petes head to the second matchup of their three-game road trip, crossing the border into Michigan to take on the Flint Firebirds at 7 p.m. at the Dort Financial Center on Friday.

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Peterborough Petes Acquire Nico Addy, Martin Matejicek and Draft Pick From Owen Sound For Konnor Smith and Sam McCue

With eight days ahead of the Ontario Hockey League deadline, the Peterborough Petes have acquired forward Nico Addy, defenceman Martin Matejicek and a third-round pick in 2026 in exchange for Anaheim Ducks prospect Konnor Smith and forward Sam McCue announced on Tuesday afternoon.

Photo courtesy of Natalie Shaver and the Peterborough Petes.

The 2007-born forward was selected by the Attack in the first round, 12th overall, in the 2023 OHL Priority Selection. In 26 games, the Casselman, Ont. native has one goal and two assists.

The former U16 Toronto Jr. Canadien had 24 points in 33 Greater Toronto Hockey League (GTHL) games last season, winning a 2023 OHL Cup. In that tournament, he scored four goals with an assist in seven games. Standing at 6’4”, Addy represented Ontario in the 2023 Canada Winter Games, scoring twice in six games.

Matejicek, a 2005-born defenceman, was selected by the Attack in the first round, 28th overall, in the 2023 CHL Import Draft. The 6’2” Jihlava, Czechia, native has played 34 games in his OHL career with a goal and an assist. Matejicek has represented Czechia at various youth levels including U18 at the 2023 Hlinka Gretzky Cup where he picked up two assists in five games.

“We’re excited to be able to add Nico and Martin to the lineup,” said Michael Oke, Petes general manager and director of business operations. “Nico is a big young forward with a ton of potential who won the OHL Cup last year. Martin is a big defenceman who plays solid in his own end and can move the puck.”

Smith, a 2004-born defenceman, was selected by the Anaheim Ducks in the fourth round, 97th overall, in last yea’rs NHL Entry Draft. Originally selected by the Petes in the ninth round of the 2020 OHL Priority Selection, the 6’5” Windsor, Ont. native has appeared in 145 games in three seasons with the Petes, scoring 14 times and adding 21 assists for 35 points. Smith also played in all 23 of the Petes playoff games last season, picking up two assists while winning a 2023 OHL Championship. Konnor appeared in all five Petes 2023 Memorial Cup games with an assist.

“I’d like to personally thank Konnor for everything he’s done over the past three seasons for the Petes and the city of Peterborough,” continued Oke. “Konnor’s been a fan favourite on and off the ice and we wish him nothing but the best moving forward.”

McCue, is a Sudbury, Ont. forward, selected by the Petes in the seventh round, 125th overall, in the 2021 OHL Priority Selection. In 67 career games, he’s scored 11 goals and added five assists for 16 points. McCue played in three playoff games last season en route to an OHL Championship.

“On behalf of the Petes, I’d like to thank Sam for two great years in Peterborough. We wish him the best of luck in Owen Sound,” said Oke. “I’d like to thank both Konnor and Sam for the role they played in last year’s OHL Championship. They both will forever be remembered as Champions in Peterborough.”

The Petes look to get another winning streak going on Wednesday as they travel to Sarnia to take on the Sting. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. at Progressive Auto Sales Arena. The official road game watch party at Shoeless Joe’s Peterborough.

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Man Facing Impaired Driving Charges on New Year's Eve During RIDE Check

A 35-year-old Peterborough man is facing an impaired charge during a RIDE check late Sunday night.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

At 11:53 p.m., officers conducting a RIDE check were approached by a citizen and advised that a vehicle had just struck another vehicle in a parking lot and fled the scene. Officers located the vehicle and conducted a vehicle stop.

The man was arrested and charged with:

• Operation while impaired – blood alcohol concentration (80 plus)

• Drive while under suspension – Highway traffic Act

The accused was issued a 90-day license suspension and a seven-day vehicle impoundment.

The accused was released on an Appearance Notice and is scheduled to appear in court on Jan. 30.

The Peterborough Police conducted RIDE checks between Dec. 31 and Jan. 1, in the City of Peterborough, Village of Lakefield and Cavan-Monaghan Township. Of all 835 vehicles checked, 38 tests were administered and in addition to the above impaired arrest; two warnings with a three-day license suspension were issued.

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PRHC Welcomes First Peterborough Baby of 2024

Peterborough’s first baby of 2024 has been born at the Peterborough Regional Health Centre (PRHC) as parents Robyn and Paul Westwood welcomed their daughter Charlotte Grace Westwood into the world at 1:13 a.m. on Monday morning.

Photo courtesy of PRHC.

Charlotte was safely delivered at PRHC, weighing eight pounds and measuring 21 inches. Mother and baby are doing well according to the PRHC as the family welcomes their first child.

“The care we received at PRHC was very good; our obstetrician was very good – thorough and friendly – and the nursing staff on Labour & Delivery gave us extremely good care,” said Paul.

“We had a great experience at PRHC,” said Robyn.

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Trent Valley Archives Launches 'Tide of Hope' Production For May

Trent Valley Archives (TVA) is launching a new dramatic history theatre initiative with their production, ‘Tide of Hope,’ at Market Hall in May.

Lindsay Wilson (left) and Paden Gilhooley (right) in a scene from Trent Valley Archives Theatre’s Tide of Hope. A public performance of the play will be staged May 16 at The Market Hall Performing Arts Centre. Photo courtesy of Suzanne Schroeter and Peterborough Museum and Archives.

The production is written by Peterborough playwright Ed Schroeter and directed by Gerry McBride. The play is a prequel to the Peter Robinson immigration story geared toward the general public and Grades 6 to 12 students.

The story follows the fortunes and misfortunes of David Nagle, an Irish land agent and rent collector forced to flee to Upper Canada in 1825 when Irish rebels fighting against English tyranny brand him a traitor. The play commemorates the bicentennial of Peter Robinson's immigration while opening a dialogue about immigration, refugees, migrants and European settler history.

The public fund-raiser is at 7:30 p.m. on May 16. Tickets are $26 per person or $36 for table seating, plus applicable service charges and are available on the Market Hall Performing Arts Centre website.

Two performances for school groups are scheduled on May 15 at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Teachers can book their classes by email at trentvalleyarchivestheatre@gmail.com. Admission is $250 for a class of 25 students or more. Teachers may request up to five free seats for themselves and up to four volunteer chaperones at the time of booking.

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