Peterborough Blogs
Local Online Radio Station to Stream Throwback Peterborough Petes Broadcasts
/Following last season’s run to an OHL Championship for the Peterborough Petes, the Kawartha Time Machine online radio station makes up for the Petes’ absence in the post-season by streaming several full throwback games beginning this Thursday at 7 p.m.
The Kawartha Time Machine was founded in 2015 by retired broadcaster Gordon Gibb to curate and preserve regional broadcast archives through a music-based, online nostalgia station. Gibb has served as the in-house public address announcer for the Peterborough Petes since the 1996-1997 season. Photo courtesy of Kawartha Time Machine.
Running each Thursday for seven straight weeks, several games streamed include a reprise of the 1974 exhibition game between The Peterborough Petes representing the Canadian entry in The World Junior Invitational Hockey Championship. This non-sanctioned tournament served as the precursor to the annual tournament enjoyed in the modern day.
The pivotal game for the Petes was played on Jan. 6th, 1974, against Russia. The game—as well as the tournament and the events leading up to it—is the subject of ‘The First Ones,’ a book by Ed Arnold released in the fall.
The game between the Petes and Team Russia was originally broadcast live from Leningrad on 1420 CKPT with Bill Bennett on the morning of Jan. 6th.
With a copy of the broadcast loaned to us from Pete Pearson, The Kawartha Time Machine originally streamed the broadcast archive on the morning of Jan. on the exact 50th anniversary of the game. The Petes vs. Russia game will be the first game of a multi-week series.
The full schedule is as follows:
March 28: Petes @ Russia Jan. 6 1974 (1420 CKPT, Bill Bennett)
April 4: Petes @ Niagara Falls Flyers, Game 2 of the OMJHL Finals (Cable, 1979. The Petes would go on to win the J. Ross Robertson Cup that year and later, bring home The Memorial Cup for the first, and only time in franchise history).
April 11: Petes v Marlies Jan. 2, 1986 (Gary Hahn, Kevin Varrin, Cable 6)
April 18: Petes @ Oshawa Dec. 1, 2002.
April 25: Petes v Plymouth Whalers, Dec. 15, 2005 (Bob Eakins Your TV)
May 6: Petes v London Knights (Game 2) May 7, 2006
May 13: Petes @ Kingston March 13, 2013
Several games will feature several NHL alumni and current players such as Eric and Jordan Staal, Dallas Eakins, Ron Tugnutt, Doug Jarvis, Stan Jonathan and John Druce, the latter also serving as colour commentator in later games. Neilson served as a coach for the 1974 Russia game.
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Peterborough Petes Draw Third Overall Pick In 2024 OHL Priority Selection
/Following the OHL Priority Selection Lottery, the Peterborough Petes have drawn the third-overall pick in the 2024 OHL Priority Selection on Wednesday evening.
Screenshot.
Full Lottery Results:
Windsor Spitfires
Sarnia Sting
Peterborough Petes
Niagara IceDogs
The Petes entered the evening with a 20 per cent chance of receiving the first overall pick. The Niagara IceDogs had the odds of 40 per cent, followed by the Windsor Spitfires at 30 per cent and the Sarnia Sting at 10 per cent.
The 2024 OHL Priority Selection will begin on April 12th at 7 p.m. with the first three rounds. Picks four to 15 are selected on the 13th.
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Peterborough Petes Commemorate Staff and Players in Annual Year-End Ceremony; Head Coach Rob Wilson Signs Eight-Year Extension
/To mark the end of the regular season, Peterborough Petes staff, family and friends attended the team’s annual year-end awards ceremony at The Venue on Tuesday.
In addition to winning the Petes Executive Trophy, Petes goaltender Liam Sztuska (left) was a recipient of the Molson Cup (most three-star selections voted by media). pHOTO BY dAVID tUAN bUI.
Michael Oke, Petes general manager, made a surprise announcement that the organization has signed head coach Rob Wilson to an eight-year contract extension through the 2031-32 season.
“I’m very privileged to be head coach of the Peterborough Petes and I do feel that,” said Wilson.
Wilson was the teams’s 23rd Head Coach in May 2018. Wilson has amassed 154 wins, clinching a playoff spot in four of his five seasons in his tenure with the Petes. Photo by David Tuan Bui.
Following speeches from Wilson and team president Dave Lorentz, captain Johnathan Melee gave a public address in which he recognized his teammates, staff, and several others for supporting the organization throughout the season.
After the speeches, the following awards were presented:
Mark Teevens Memorial Award (most assists) – Tommy Purdeller (34 assists)
Ed Redmond Memorial Trophy (scholastics and hockey) – Brody Partridge
Outboard Marine Veterans Award (sportsmanship and ability) – Jonathan Melee
Black’s Family Trophy (rookie of the year) – Carson Cameron
Vince and Lottie Garvey Award (off-ice contribution) – Tracy and Chip Adamo
Molson Cup (most three-star selections voted by media) – Liam Sztuska
Donnie Marsh Memorial Trophy (most dedication to team) – Cam Gauvreau
Ed Rowe Memorial Award (most goals) – Braydon McCallum (18 goals)
Norm Bryan Award (most improved player) – Braydon McCallum
Ushers Trophy (best defenceman) – Carson Cameron
Bill Bennett/CKPT Memorial Award (leading scorer) – Tommy Purdeller (47 points)
Gary Dalliday Award (community service) – Tommy Purdeller
Petes Executive Trophy (most valuable player voted by teammates) – Liam Sztuska
The Board of Directors and Alumni Association presented gifts to the graduating and overage players:
Liam Sztuska
Quinn Binnie
Chase Lefebvre
Jonathan Melee
Ryder McIntyre
Tommy Purdeller
Cam Gauvreau
Oke ended the night with a speech, acknowledging the players, hockey and business staff, billets, parents and fans. He then continued by marking on- and off-ice achievements this season.
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Peterborough Petes Looking For Bright Future After Transitional Season
/The Peterborough Petes' player lockers were emptied after a down season of trying to defend their OHL Championship on Tuesday afternoon.
Cam Gauvreau, Peterborough Petes defenceman signs autographs as finishes his Ontario Hockey League career with the team. pHOTO BY dAVID tUAN bUI.
Peterborough finished with a 20-40-8 record, trailing by 12 points of the last playoff spot behind the Barrie Colts with 60 points.
The Petes had an electric start to the season, being named the league's second-best team in the OHL Power Rankings during Week 8 (Nov. 20). They held a record of 12-3-4 during that time. Peterborough fell to Earth as they wound up with a 2-16 record before the Jan. 10 trade deadline.
Michael Oke, Petes general manager, traded away several players to rebuild the team for the future after the team’s slump.
He said he was willing to move in either direction at the deadline, depending on whether another title run was viable or whether it was time to rebuild the team based on their record.
“We felt it was in the best interest of ourselves and of the players that were absolutely unbelievable during last year's magical run to put them in a position to have some success and further along their OHL careers as they were coming to an end,” explained Oke in a prior interview. “At the same time, allow us to acquire some new players to come and retool for another championship run on our end.”
The following were the transactions Peterborough made before the trade deadline:
Nico Addy (forward), Martin Matejicek (defenceman) and 2026 third-round pick from the Owen Sound Attack for Konnor Smith (defenceman) and Sam McCue (forward)
A second-round pick in 2024, Soo’s third-round pick in 2027 and Ottawa’s fifth-round pick in 2027 from the Ottawa 67’s for Samuel Mayer (defenceman)
Flint’s second-round pick in 2025, Guelph’s third-round pick in 2026 and Windsor’s fifth-round pick in 2027 from the Kingston Frontenacs for Jax Dubois (forward)
Aiden Young (forward), Ottawa’s second-round pick in 2025, Saginaw’s second-round pick in 2027, and Mississauga’s third-round pick in 2026 from the Saginaw Spirit for Owen Beck (forward)
Caden Taylor (forward) and a conditional fourth-round pick in 2027 from the Sudbury Wolves for Donovan McCoy (defenceman)
Grayden Strohack (defenceman) from the Flint Firebirds for London’s third-round pick in 2025, a fourth-round pick and a fifth-round pick both in 2027
William Haley (defenceman) from the Mississauga Steelheads for a conditional 15th-round pick in 2027
(FROM LEFT TO RIGHT) NICO ADDY, MARTIN MATEJICEK, AIDEN YOUNG, CADEN TAYLOR AND WILLIAM HALEY. (absent) GRAYDEN STROHACK. PHOTO BY DAVID TUAN BUI.
Addy was acquired by the Petes on Jan. 2, eight days before the trade deadline. He made an immediate impact, scoring in his home debut.
“Just getting that point and getting more regularly on the stat sheet feels amazing,” he explained. “It gives you a bit more confidence, that little bit of confidence, that you need to make certain plays happen.”
Addy was one of several young acquisitions to help rebuild the team's future. Coming off an OHL Championship last year, the former Owen Sound Attack said the team can be primed to win another title.
“The championship last year shows us how good and effective this team and organization is so I really trust the hands of them right now,” he said. “I know that if we do the right things, that every single one of us will have a really good shot at getting another championship.”
MELEE (LEFT) is the team’s 63RD CAPTAIN IN FRANCHISE HISTORY. PHOTO BY DAVID TUAN BUI.
When the team introduced its newest players to the public, they also introduced its new team leaders. Jonathan Melee was named the new team captain after his predecessor Donovan McCoy was traded.
Melee was obtained from the then-Hamilton Bulldogs with Alex Pharand and six draft picks for Mason McTavish on Jan. 9, 2022.
After three months of being the team’s newest leader, Melee has learned quickly and is ready to guide the Petes into the next season.
“Before this season, I wasn't the biggest talker in the room but being an older guy on the team, I kind of learned to have a voice in the room and all the young guys listen to the words that are coming out of my mouth,” he explained. “That's one of my goals is just be more talkative in the room and help out as much as I can. When I was their age, I was looking up to my captain and I was listening to every word that they would say so I'm just trying to be that guy for them and being a positive role model.”
PHOTO BY Samantha Bianco.
One player not returning to the team is overage defenceman Cam Gauvreau who played his last game as a Pete on Sunday. He was honoured at the team’s last home game on Thursday.
“It was very emotional for me, doing that last lap around the ice after the game,” he explained. “I'm definitely going to miss this place and it's kind of tough to swallow that was my last time I'll ever be on this ice for the Petes.”
On Jan. 10 last year, he was traded to the Petes from the Saginaw Spirit. In addition to Gauvreau, the Petes received Saginaw’s fourth-round pick and Windsor’s third-round pick in 2025 while trading defenceman James Guo and their last year’s sixth-round pick.
He was part of the OHL Championship team last year, with three assists in 19 playoff games. This memory will last forever for Gauvreau during his Peterborough tenure.
“There's nothing better to celebrate with the boys and have the city behind you too,” he said. “It was really awesome to see the City of Peterborough. We filled this arena every game and it was really special to see.”
The Hamilton-born defenceman is attending the University of Ottawa in the fall and will play for their hockey team, the Ottawa Gee-Gees.
The Petes are honouring its players and staff at their year-end banquet and awards at The Venue on Tuesday night.
Peterborough Petes Round Out Regular Season With Pair of Road Losses
/The defending OHL-champion Peterborough Petes closed out their regular season with a pair of road losses to the Barrie Colts and North Bay Battalion over the weekend.
pHOTO courtesy of the Peterborough Petes.
The Petes finished their final home game with a 9-0 loss to the Ottawa 67’s on Thursday night at the Peterborough Memorial Centre before hitting the road for finish their last two games.
They lost to the Colts on Saturday night, 4-1. Aiden Young score Peterborough’s lone goal before allowing four unanswered from Barrie.
They travelled to North Bay the next day and kept it close after the first period, trailing 3-2. The Petes could not find the back of the net again for awhile and allowed five straight goals. Peterborough mustered a last-minute goal on the power play but it was too little, too late as they fell 8-3 to the Battalion.
With the pair of losses, Peterborough finished with a 20-40-8 record. They were 12 points out of a playoff spot behind the Colts, who snagged the last playoff spot in the East Division with 60 points.
The team ended off as the third-worst team in the league, ahead of only the Windsor Spitfires and Niagara IceDogs, with 44 and 42 points, respectively.
The Petes are having their year-end banquet and awards at The Venue on Tuesday night. The team will bid farewell to Cam Gauvreau, overage defenceman and assistant captain who played his last game with the team on Sunday.
67-Year-Old Peterborough Powerlifter Claims Provincial Title
/Richard Gosselin is taking the phrase, ‘age is just a number’ to new limits as the 67-year-old Peterborough resident placed first in his division at the Ontario Powerlifting Association (OPA) Provincials at the Montecassino Hotel on Sunday.
Richard Gosselin (left) with Matt Goldsmith, Personal Trainer and Coach (right). pHOTO courtesy of Brianna Gosselin.
Gosselin qualified for provincials, taking first place in his division at the Ontario Powerlifting Association’s Classic AF 2023 at the Anytime Fitness in Woodbridge on July 2.
“It’s been a long road of training, endless time spent in the gym, making sure I am taking care of my nutrition and keeping positive mentally.,” said Gosselin. “You don’t realize how taxing it can be on yourself. But I love it. The gym is my sanctuary and always has been.”
Gosselin was in the Masterclass Division and had the following results:
Squat : 172.5 kg - 380 lbs.
Bench Press: 125 kg - 275 lbs.
Deadlift: 190 kg - 418 lbs.
Gosslein returned to the gym two years ago after retiring from his corporate job. He often worked out as a teen and into adulthood and has worked out every day since. The provincial champion encourages people to pursue their passions, follow their lifelong dreams and never let their age hold them back.
He was coached by personal trainer Matt Goldsmith. Gosselin trains at both Goodlife Fitness locations in Peterborough on Monaghan and Chemong Road.
He plans to continue training and preparing for future competitions this year.
“I'm grateful to be able to do what I love and follow my dreams,” said Gosselin. “The people I have been getting to know and fellow competitors are such an inspiration.”
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Peterborough Petes Finish Off Last Home Game of the Season; Set Season Attendance Record
/Outside of the score, it was all smiles and positivity for a sold-out crowd of 3,862 fans at the Peterborough Memorial Centre as the defending OHL-Champion Petes had their final home game of the season in a 9-0 loss to the Ottawa 67’s on Thursday night.
pHOTO courtesy of Kenneth ANdersen and the Peterborough Petes.
Prior to the puck drop, the Petes honoured overage defenceman and assistant captain Cam Gauvreau, who was playing his last home game with the team.
The sold-out crowd made the overall total 119,747 over 34 home games, 8,505 more than the previous record of 111,242 from the 2005-06 championship season.
After Thursday’s sell-out, the average attendance this season climbed to 3,522, 250 higher than the previous record of 3,272 during 2005-06. These numbers also factored into 20 new single-game attendance records that were set this season.
“The growth following last season's OHL championship is tremendous and unprecedented,” said Eric Evenbauer, director of sales. “Behind the scenes, there is a hard-working staff on both the business and hockey side who work together to provide the best experience possible for our fan base. To have 17 sell-outs in a rebuilding season is remarkable, it goes to show that our fans are excited about the team and the direction we’re heading both on and off the ice. None of what we do would be possible without our incredibly loyal and knowledgeable fan base.”
Unfortunately, it went all downhill from here as the Petes let an early penalty kill their momentum.
After a mad scramble in front of the net, Brady Stonehouse picked up the pieces and scored, beating Petes goaltender Zach Bowen for a 1-0 lead. That was the score heading into the second period. Peterborough only had four shots to Ottawa’s 20.
While the shots were more balanced at 16-10 in favour of the 67’s, the score became lopsided as the visitors rung off five unanswered goals for a 6-0 lead at the end of two.
Easton Rye took over goaltending duties to start the third period. However, Ottawa kept their foot on the gas in the final frame as they tacked on three more goals and routed the Petes 9-0.
The Petes continue their last stretch of road games as they take on the Barrie Colts on Saturday for 7:30 p.m.
Hometown PTBO: 15-Year-Old Kickboxer Dominick Di Falco Needing GoFundMe Help To Attend Hungary's World Junior Championships
/This week on Hometown PTBO, Pete Dalliday talks with 15-year-old kickboxer Dominick Di Falco about how he got into the sport, mentoring kids and his GoFundMe to get him to the World Junior Championships in Budapest, Hungary.
Scan the QR code or click the picture below to donate to the GoFundMe.
Photos: Havelock Minor Hockey Players Skate With the Peterborough Petes Prior to Final Home Game
/The Peterborough Petes put smiles on the faces of Havelock kids and parents as they had a practice and free skate at the HBM Community Centre on Wednesday afternoon.
