CMHA HKPR Launches Second-Annual 'Change the Cycle' to Raise $25,000 For Mental Health Initiatives

The Canadian Mental Health Association Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge (CMHA HKPR) has launched the second-annual 'Change the Cycle' fundraising event at Nicholls Oval on June 15.

Jack Veitch, CMHA HKPR manager of community engagement and education (left) and Ryan Waudby, Tom’s Heating & Cooling president (right) after the latter kickstarted the fundraiser with a $7,000 donation. Photo by dAVID tUAN bUI.

This year's funds support Youth and Family Mental Health programming.

“By supporting Change the Cycle, you are supporting youth and family mental health services in our region and ensuring that the mental health needs of our youth and caregivers are met," said Jack Veitch, CMHA HKPR manager of community engagement and education. “Youth and caregiver supports are an important factor in fostering a healthier and more supportive community for all.”

Last year, the funds went to CMHA’s Garden Homes Project, an initiative of their Supportive Housing program. It aims to support vulnerable individuals at risk of homelessness in the Peterborough area by providing affordable, small homes.

“This year we changed our focus and we're focusing more on youth and family mental health care,” said Veitch. “Our goal being $25,000 to support the program, to support youth mental health and family caregiver mental health supports.”

While the event raised $40,000 last year, 2024’s goal is $25,000 which Veitch believes can easily be reached. To help kickstart the fundraiser, Tom’s Heating & Cooling donated $7,000.

“I've had a lot of friends that really seen the impacts mentally when our whole country went on lockdown,” said Ryan Waudby, Tom’s Heating & Cooling president. “Seeing that impact literally change them socially, I thought it was important to help out in some way, shape or form. I was presented with this as an opportunity and I took full advantage of it.”

Cyclists can register for a 4k, 12k or 26k ride along the Rotary Trail in Peterborough. They can register online as individuals or teams. Registration is $20 per person, and children 12 and under can register for free. Registration includes the ride, a t-shirt and a BBQ lunch.

To become an event sponsor or volunteer, contact Veitch by emailing him at jveitch@cmhahkpr.ca.

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Former Peterborough Petes Konnor Smith Scores In His AHL Debut With the San Diego Gulls

Former Peterborough Pete Konnor Smith will not forget his American Hockey League debut anytime soon as he scored his first professional goal with the San Diego Gulls against the Tucson Roadrunners at the Pechanga Arena in San Diego on Saturday night.

x Photo, San Diego Gulls.

The goal occurred with less than five minutes left in regulation. San Diego had yet to score in the contest and was facing a 3-0 deficit. The Gulls forced a turnover at the Roadrunners’s blue line, creating a three-on-one chance with Smith joining the rush.

The 6’6 defenseman tipped in a one-timer past the Tuscon goaltender for the team’s only goal.

“It was about 12 hours after my season ended in Owen Sound that I got the call up to San Diego,” explained Smith. “It was pretty crazy. I got the call, went home to my billets, packed everything up and drove home to Windsor.”

Smith had signed an amateur tryout on the same day with the club.

“I spent that night with my family and was on a flight out of Detroit at 8:30 a.m,” said Smith. “I landed in San Diego met the staff and team and checked into the hotel. The next day at morning skate was when I found out I was going to be in the lineup that night. It wasn’t expected to be in the lineup that early but I was stoked.”

He won an OHL Championship with the Petes last season and had two assists in 23 playoff games. He also had one more helper in five Memorial Cup games.

Smith was drafted 97th overall by the Anaheim Ducks in the fourth round, at the 2023 NHL Entry Level Draft in Nashville, Tenn. on June 29.

The Petes originally selected the 209-pound defenseman in the ninth round of the 2020 OHL Priority Selection out of the Windsor Jr. Spitfires program.

On Jan. 2, Smith and forward Sam McCue were traded to the Owen Sound Attack in exchange for forward Nico Addy, defenceman Martin Matejicek and a third-round pick in 2026.

“Suiting up for that game and eventually scoring my first AHL goal in the 3rd period was such an unreal feeling,” he explained. “Words can’t even describe my experience so far.”

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35th Annual OFAH Under the Lock Fishing Derby a Go Starting April 27

The 35th annual OFAH Under the Lock Fishing Derby is ready for another big year as it returns from April 27 to May 5, announced on Friday.

BUMSTEAD (LEFT) CAUGHT WALTER AFTER HIS THIRD CAST NOT A HALF AN HOUR INTO THE DERBY last year. HIS STEPFATHER JUSTIN DESBARBIEUX (RIGHT) DID IT two years ago, FIVE DAYS INTO THE EVENT. PHOTO BY DAVID TUAN BUI.

“Back by popular demand are early bird registration prizes, goody bags, a hot dog lunch for the kids, and sponsored tagged fish with cash prizes for anglers of all ages to win,” said David Ryrie, OFAH youth education manager.

The youth derby kicks off on April 27 for children 15 and under. It includes 500 tagged trout for instant prizes and a chance to win one of four grand prizes.

The big fish prize of $1,000 cash will go to whoever catches Walter, a rainbow trout estimated to weigh between six and eight pounds.

Travis Parker and Justin Desbarbieux have caught Walter three years in a row. Desbarbieux’s stepson, Benjamin Bumstead, caught it in record time last year, less than half an hour.

The second and third-place grand prize fish ‘Rosie’ and ‘Berty’ are each worth $200 cash plus a free registration to OFAH day camp. The fourth grand prize (appropriately named ‘Kayak’) wins a sit-on kayak and paddle.

The all-ages derby will run from April 28 through May 5. For the third year, it will include tagged fish with cash prizes sponsored by local businesses.

“We still have fish in need of a local sponsor that will both challenge anglers and offset the cost of the stocked Trout for the youth derby,” said Ryrie.

Registration is required for all participants. Admission is $15 for the first child, $10 for siblings and $25 for adults. Purchase tickets online or in person at both Peterborough Canadian Tire locations.

The fish are being released into the canal on April 24 at 1 p.m.

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Peterborough to Host International Curling Fellowship of Rotarians From April 6 to 12

The Rotary Club of Peterborough and Peterborough-Kawartha and Bridgenorth-Ennismore-Lakefield (BEL) are hosting the 27th World Championships of the International Curling Fellowship of Rotarians from April 6 to 12.

In 1956, Rotarians from Scotland, Canada and the USA organized a curling tour to Scotland. Scottish Rotarians visited Canada (Quebec and Ontario) and the USA (Utica and Schenectady, NY) for curling events the following year. Since 1978, this tournament has been bi-annually hosted by Scotland, Canada or the USA. Photo courtesy of Rotary Club of Peterborough,

The tournament is being held at the Curling Club of Peterborough, hosting 21 teams from across Canada, England, Scotland, and the United States who will participate in Friendship Division and Championship Division draws.

The general public is welcome to attend to spectate throughout the event.

The Rotary’s committee has worked hard over the past two years to create a fantastic week of unforgettable moments, friendship, and exceptional curling performances, according to a press release and statement by tournament organizer Ken Seim of the Rotary Club of Peterborough.

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First Career Goal a Game-Winner For Former Peterborough Pete

Former Peterborough Pete Akil Thomas’s first NHL goal was the game-winner for the Los Angeles Kings in a 2-1 victory over the San Jose Sharks at the SAP Center on Thursday night.

Thomas is well-known for his game-winning goal for Team Canada in the gold-medal game against Russia at the 2020 IIHF World Junior Championship in the Czech Republic. Twitter Photo of Los Angeles Kings.

It was Thomas’s second game in the NHL with the Kings after making his debut against the Winnipeg Jets on Monday night.

His goal came just over halfway through the first period. After winger Adrian Kempe scored for the Kings, Thomas scored 18 seconds later.

He joined teammates Pierre-Luc Dubois and Jordan Spence on the rush as they entered the offensive zone. After Spence left a drop pass for Thomas, the latter used the former and a Sharks defenceman as a screen to snap the puck past Sharks goaltender Mackenzie Blackwood, making it 2-0 for the Kings.

“It felt amazing,” said Thomas. “I just wanted to have a good first (period) and to score in the first period just made the nerves go away. It just made me feel a little bit more comfortable.”

The Sharks scored late in the third period with 1:52 left in the game to make it 2-1 but could not score again. That made Thomas’s goal the game-winner for the Kings.

He was acquired by the Petes in a trade from the Niagara IceDogs in Jan. 2020 for Cameron Butler, two second-round picks (2020, 2022), one third-round pick (2022) and a fourth-round pick (2024).

He played 22 games for the Petes, scoring nine goals and 31 assists before the Ontario Hockey League was shut down by the COVID-19 pandemic. Thomas was invited back to the Peterborough Memorial Centre for Game Three of the OHL Championship against the London Knights as part of the pre-game ceremonies to pump up the fans on May 15.

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Former Peterborough Pete Nick Lardis Signs a Three-Year Entry Level Contract With the Chicago Blackhawks

Former Peterborough Pete forward Nick Lardis has agreed with the Chicago Blackhawks on a three-year, entry-level contract that runs through the 2026-27 season ($896,667 salary cap hit), signed on Wednesday.

Photo courtesy of Kenneth Andersen and the Peterborough Petes.

Lardis spent a full season with the Petes in 2021-22, playing 63 games for 18 goals and 19 assists. He played another 36 with the Petes before being traded to the then-Hamilton Bulldogs on Jan. 7 last year with Sahil Panwar, a 2023 third-round pick (obtained from the Flint Firebirds), and a 2026 conditional sixth-round pick for Avery Hayes and Gavin White.

The 18-year-old appeared in 37 regular-season games with the Bulldogs this season, posting 29 goals and 21 assists.

The 5-foot-11, 171-pound Oakville native was originally drafted by the Blackhawks in the third round (67th overall) of the 2023 NHL Draft.

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Peterborough Petes Forward Brennan Faulkner Named Westland Insurance Community Player of the Month

Peterborough Petes forward Brennan Faulker is the recipient of the Westland Insurance Community Player of the Month for March.

Photo by dAVID tUAN bUI.

The London native participated in three ball hockey visits to local schools and attended the Volt Hockey launch event at the YMCA of Central East Ontario which is designed to create a team environment for players with disabilities.

“I think it’s very important to be active members of the community,” said Faulkner. “We’re role models for these kids and it’s important to be a positive influence.”

The Petes Ball Hockey Program launched last year and has provided free ball hockey to over 2,000 local students and counting.

The Petes, in collaboration with educator ambassadors in each school, provide each participating school with all necessary equipment, training and support to play ball hockey at no cost.

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Former Peterborough Pete Makes NHL Debut With Los Angeles Kings

It was a few years in the making but former Peterborough Petes Akil Thomas made his NHL debut with the Los Angeles Kings who took on the Winnipeg Jets at the Canada Life Centre on Monday night.

Akil Thomas skating with a young fan prior to a game. Photo courtesy of the PEterborough Petes.

Thomas got his opportunity after centreman and former Montréal Canadien Philip Danault is day-to-day with an upper body injury. Thomas got to play on the fourth line with former Hamilton Bulldog Arthur Kaliyev and rookie Alex Laferriere. Thomas only logged 3:42 of ice time and was on the ice for the Jets’s first goal of the game.

“It's kind of a crazy couple of days and a lot has to be taken in pretty quick but I'm very thankful to be here,” said Thomas.

Thomas’s parents were in attendance for the game and drove roughly 22 hours to see their son in his debut. They were unable to get a flight in time and opted to drive from Toronto to Winnipeg for the game.

“It means the world with the injuries and everything so I'm very thankful for the opportunity and obviously having people come out and support me means the world to me,” said Thomas.

Thomas has struggled with injuries in the last two years. He missed the first half of the 2021-22 season and only played 40 games. The next year, he suffered another injury on Nov. 19 that ended his year after just 13 games.

Prior to being called up to the Kings, Thomas had 22 goals and 21 assists in 61 games with the Ontario Reign (the Kings’s AHL affiliate) this season.

He was acquired by the Petes in a trade from the Niagara IceDogs in Jan. 2020 for Cameron Butler, two second-round picks (2020, 2022), one third-round pick (2022) and a fourth-round pick (2024).

He played 22 games for the Petes, scoring nine goals and 31 assists before the Ontario Hockey League was shut down by the COVID-19 pandemic. Thomas was invited back to the Peterborough Memorial Centre for Game Three of the OHL Championship against the London Knights as part of the pre-game ceremonies to pump up the fans on May 15.

Thomas is well-known for his game-winning goal for Team Canada in the gold-medal game against Russia at the 2020 IIHF World Junior Championship in the Czech Republic.

Thomas was drafted by the Kings in 2018 in the second round, 51st overall. Following his OHL career, Thomas spent time with the Kings’ AHL affiliate, the Ontario Reign since the 2020-21 season.

The Kings lost to the Jets 4-3 with a late goal from Winnipeg in the third.

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2024 Inductees Announced For Peterborough & District Sports Hall of Fame

Six names are being immortalized into Peterborough & District Sports Hall of Fame for the class of 2024, announced on Monday.

Photo courtesy of the Peterborough & District Sports Hall of Fame.

The inductees are being honoured at the Peterborough Memorial Centre in a ceremony on June 8 at 7 p.m.

The following are this year’s inductees:

Photo courtesy of the Peterborough & District Sports Hall of Fame.

Fred Blowes (Builder: Women’s Field Lacrosse)

Blowes came to Peterborough in 1987 to teach at Lakefield District Secondary School. His contribution to field lacrosse in Peterborough has been significant, particularly in developing female lacrosse players.

He founded and coached the Kawartha Women’s Field Lacrosse Club which began as an U20 team that competed in the Ontario Women’s Lacrosse League.

The Kawartha Lacrosse Club has grown over the years with the addition of U9/11/13/15/19, Senior Rep Teams and a House League.

The KWFC has earned many provincial honours. As a coach, Fred’s U19A teams earned provincial gold in 1998, 1999 and 2002 and two Ontario Summer Games Gold Medals in 1998 and 2002. He was named OWFL Coach of the Year in 1998, 2002, 2008, 2010, and 2011.

Blowes continues to lead the Kawartha Lacrosse Club as President. Many players from the Club have succeeded at the Provincial, National, International, Ontario University and NCAA levels.

He has mentored more than forty players who have received NCAA Scholarships and eleven players who have gone on to represent Canada at both U19 and/or Senior World Championships.

Under Blowes’s leadership, Peterborough has hosted several female field lacrosse international, national and provincial championships and World Lacrosse Festivals. Over a 37-year high school career, Blowes has chaired both OFSAA Boys’ Basketball Championships at Lakefield and two Girls’ Ontario High School Provincial Cups while at Kenner.

He served as Boys’ (1995-2008) and Girls’ (2001-2011) High School Lacrosse Convenor. He coached many high school teams to Kawartha and COSSA Championships, including the Lakefield Tiger Boy’s Lacrosse Team to four Ontario High School “B” Championships and the Kenner Rams Senior Boy’s Basketball team to a fourth-place finish at OFSAA “A” in 2023, followed by an OFSAA “A” Silver Medal in 2024.

He also served as the Head Coach of the Fleming College Women’s Basketball team in 2013. It would be safe to say that Fred Blowes is the driving force behind the success of female field lacrosse in Peterborough.

Photo courtesy of the Peterborough & District Sports Hall of Fame.

Steve Caban (Athlete: Multi-sport Special Olympian)

Since the age of 10, Caban has competed in local, provincial, national and international competition in many sports: cross-country skiing, floor hockey, swimming, soccer, softball, basketball and 10-pin bowling.

He has travelled the world competing for Canada as an elite Special Olympian. He represented Canada at the 1999 World Special Olympics summer games in North Carolina winning three gold medals; the 2005 world winter games in Nagano, Japan, winning gold in the 5K x-country, 4th in the 1K and 5th in the 4x 1K relay; he medaled in the 2009 winter games in Boise, Idaho; and won bronze in x-country skiing at the 2013 winter games in Pyenongchang, South Korea.

Caban has medaled at many provincial and national winter and summer games. At the 2008 national winter games in Quebec City, he took home three cross-country skiing gold medals; in the 2016 national winter games in Corner Brook, Newfoundland, he won one silver and two bronze in cross-country skiing.

In 2023, Caban along with a number of other Peterborough Special Olympians won gold at the provincial qualifier swim meet in Pickering. In 2024, him and his Ontario team won silver in floor hockey at the national winter games in Calgary. He will be competing in swimming at the 2024 Ontario Spring Games in Waterloo.

Caban is one of Ontario’s most decorated Special Olympians. In 2017 he was awarded the Ontario Special Olympics Lifetime Achievement Award. He has also been recognized for his athletic achievements by the Government of Canada, Provincial Government and the City of Peterborough.

He is a successful athlete because of his talent and the hard work he puts into his training in order to qualify for national and world competition. One of Peterborough's most decorated athletes, Steve remains humble about his success and still enjoys playing many summer and winter sports.

Photo courtesy of the Peterborough & District Sports Hall of Fame.

Ray Kerslake (Builder: Squash)

The Peterborough native was introduced to squash while attending university. In 1975, he joined the Peterborough Racquet Club. For over 45 years, he has played in many local and area tournaments; he was the Peterborough Squash Champion in 2001 and has played in Ontario and Canadian Masters Championships over the past 25 years, winning bronze in Ontario in 2019 and placing 4th at the Canadians in 2019. He was the 60+ winner at the Paul Wilson Squash Classic in 2018 and 2019.

Kerslake’s passion for the sport has translated into his leadership role in the Peterborough Squash community. He has achieved Level 1 and 2 Squash Ontario coaching certifications. He continues to teach juniors and adults which he has done for over 40 years including a few athletes who went on to be successful at the national and international level.

A Squash57 program for Young Adults with Developmental Disabilities was established in 2021. He was Club Pro at Goodlife Fitness; took over lead person for the intercity league (Kawartha Squash League); in 2010 formed the KSL a competitive league for A and B level teams from clubs in the area, Peterborough, Cobourg, Campbellford, YMCA, Trent University and Clarington. He launched ‘The Squash Shop’ at the PSC in 2013, providing high-quality equipment and racquet stringing for members and local squash players at reasonable prices.

Kerslake is the glue that brought people to the table in 2012 to find a way to create the Peterborough Squash Club (PSC), a Not-for-Profit Club run by volunteers and provide the stability that exists today.

He has chaired over 15 tournaments and has been a PSC Board member since 2013. It is the accepted fact within the squash community that if it were not for the effort, leadership, organization and commitment of Ray Kerslake, there would be no squash in Peterborough.

As a flourishing club, the PSC was recognized with the 2018 Squash Ontario ‘Outstanding Achievement’ award. Ray was individually recognized for his contributions to Peterborough squash with the 2022 Squash Ontario ‘Outstanding Achievement’ award. As a Squash Pro, program coordinator and financial lead for the PSC, Ray is a true ambassador of the game. He is a ‘Builder Extraordinaire."‘

Photo courtesy of the Peterborough & District Sports Hall of Fame.

Barbara Mervin (Athlete: Rugby)

Mervin was born in St. John’s, Nfld and moved to Peterborough in 1984. Growing up, she was a competitive gymnast at Kawartha Gymnastics.

After seeing rugby played by the boys at Adam Scott CVI, she decided to give it a go and join the Peterborough Pagans Rugby Club from 1998-2005 and was a player/coach in 2005.

She played for the University of Western Ontario, earning a B.A. in Art History and winning USPORT 2002 Rookie of the Year. From 2003 to 2005, she was an All Canadian and 2005 MVP at the National University Rugby Championships in 2004 and 2005.

Mervin was a member of the U23 Canadian team from 2002- 2004, the Senior Canadian 15’s team from 2005-2017 and the Canadian sevens team from 2008-2013.

She has played 38 international 15s games and seven international Sevens tournaments for team Canada. In world championship competition, the 15s team placed sixth in 2010, second in 2014 and fifth in 2017. The Sevens team placed first in tournaments in Vegas in 2011 and 2012, Dubai in 2011 and Hong Kong in 2012. Barbara won national championships in Ontario in 2002 and 2005 and three in British Columbia.

She moved to British Columbia and has continued to be involved in rugby as a head coach and assistant coach with the following organizations: BC Grassroots Rugby, University of Victoria, Westshore Rugby Club and Shawnigan Lake School.

She served and continues to serve Rugby Canada in many different capacities: Player’s Association, Club Rugby National Board of Directors, and Canadian Rugby Foundation Scholarship Award Committee.

Mervin has received a great deal of recognition for her contribution to the sport of rugby: the 2015 Gillian Florence Award - Rugby Canada Player’s Player Award, 2020 Inductee Rugby Canada Hall of Fame and 2021 Inductee University of Western Hall of Fame.

She completed the fashion design program at Pacific Design College, and in 2012, she founded her line of rugby active wear explicitly made for girls and produced in Canada

Photo courtesy of the Peterborough & District Sports Hall of Fame.

Anna Panton (Athlete/Builder: Lawn Bowling)

Born in Peterborough, Panton joined the Royal Canadian Air Force in 1957 and after her military career, she returned home to Peterborough in 1964.

She has been a presence in lawn bowling for over 25 years. Panton contributed to the success of the Peterborough Lawn Bowling Club as President of the Board of Directors from 2005-2013, overseeing the entire operation of the Club. She was a benefactor for the relocated Club in 2010 and worked to ensure a space for the Club to continue to play.

She is a Level 1 and 2 Certified Coach. Panton coached a District 14 novice team in 2005-2006 and has conducted clinics to train new skips and vices.

From 2003 to 2019, she umpired 16 district, provincial, and national events. As a player, she won trophies in 93 open tournaments between 1999 and 2023. At the Senior Games, she won gold in 2002, bronze in 2007 and gold in pairs in 2009. In 2005, she won two hot shot awards for scoring perfect ends.

In 2007, Panton was named the WOBA ‘Lady Bowler of the Week.’ She was a part of 19 District Championships as a PLBC team member; won ladies single handicap trophy 10 times 1999-2019; ladies novice District 14 Champion three times; ladies fours District 14 Champions five times; ladies pairs District 14 Champions 2005, 2007; ladies seniors District 14 Champions 2005, 2007, 2008; six-time OLBA Provincial medals; Bowls Canada Boulingrin Canadian ladies senior silver medalists 2005 and OLBA mixed pairs District 14 Champions in 2007.

In 2012, Panton received the ‘Award of Merit’ from Bowls Canada for chairing the mixed pairs Canadian Championship. In 2017, Panton and Bob Matthews won the prestigious 71st Black Family Memorial Trophy Mixed Pairs PLBC Tournament for the first time.

On the bowling greens, Panton’s role is that of Skip, managing gameplay and calling the shots. She is an active member of the foundation of the PLBC and proves on and off the bowling greens that she is a valuable and trusted leader within the PLBC organization. When not lawn bowling, Anna is a golfer and curler.

Photo courtesy of the Peterborough & District Sports Hall of Fame.

Brent Tully (Athlete: Hockey)

The Peterborough native grew up playing hockey in the church league for St. Anne’s 1980-84. He played for the Minor Petes from minor Atom to major Bantam between 1984-89.

He was captain of the OMHA Bantam Peterborough Petes Champions in 1989. Tully was also an accomplished lacrosse player winning several provincial championships and one national championship with the Peterborough Minor Lakers in 1987.

Drafted by his hometown team in the second round in 1990, the 6’3 defenseman established himself as an elite player in the OHL from 1990-1994.

During his tenure with the Petes, he scored 30+ points in all three of his full-time seasons. The Petes were the OHL Champions and Memorial Cup runner-up in the 1992-1993 season. Tully was a second-team OHL All-Star for the 1992-93 season. In 1991, Tully was selected to Team Ontario U17 and won Gold at the Canada Winter Games; selected to Team Canada U18 in 1992 winning a world U18 silver medal in Yokohama Japan and won Gold twice while playing on the 1993 and 1994 Canadian National Junior Team at the IIHF World Junior Championships in Sweden and the Czech Republic.

Tully was voted to the tournament all-star team in 1993 and captained the 1994 team. In recent years, TSN named Tully to their all time World Junior All-Star team as one of the best players to ever represent Canada at the World Junior Championships.

In 1992, the Vancouver Canucks selected Brent in the fourth round of the NHL entry draft. HE was under contract for four seasons with the Canucks and joined their AHL affiliate, the Syracuse Crunch, playing from 1994-1997. He moved to Europe in 1997 to further his career in the German Elite League (DEL) with the Augsburg Panthers, Dusseldorf EG, Hannover Scorpions, Kassel Huskies and finished his career in 2002 with the Frankfurt Lions.

Tully was awarded the City of Peterborough Senior Male Athlete of the Year in 1993. In 1994, as a member of the Peterborough Petes, he was named the OHL Humanitarian of the Year for his work in the Peterborough Community.

He continued his winning ways as the General Manager of the Ontario Junior Hockey League Cobourg Cougars from 2014-2017. The team captured the RBC/Centennial Cup, the Canadian Junior A Hockey Championship in 2017 under his guidance. In 2019, he was elected to the Ontario Hockey Association board of governors where he served for three years.

Tully remains the third-highest scoring Petes defenseman in team history. Brent continues to give back to local hockey as a head coach of several AAA Peterborough Petes teams.

The public is invited to attend the induction ceremony with tickets at $20. They can be purchased by emailing info@pdshof.com or calling 705-743-6897.

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History Repeats Itself As Peterborough U16 AAA Petes Get Eliminated In OHL Cup Semifinals For a Second Consecutive Year

For the second straight year, the Peterborough U16 AAA Petes were eliminated in the semifinals of the OHL Cup by the same opponent, the Vaughan Kings, in a 3-0 loss at the Scotiabank Pond in Toronto on Thursday night.

The Petes lost to the Vaughan Kings in last year’s OHL Cup, 4-2, on April Fools Day. pHOTO courtesy of Peterborough U16 AAA Petes.

It was a battle of the undefeated as both teams boasted a 5-0 record heading into the semifinal. The winner would take on the Oakville Rangers, who narrowly defeated the North York Rangers, 6-5, earlier that day.

Peterborough struggled to muster any offense in the first period as they registered three shots on net. The Kings had 13 shots, one of which was courtesy of Cole Emerton. With just over four minutes left in the stanza, the Petes turned the puck over in the defensive zone; Emerton intercepted the pass and was uncontested in his shot to make it 1-0 Kings.

Vaughan extended their lead with a one-timer at point-blank range from Caleb Malhotra, was seemingly stopped by Petes Morgan Hyndman but the puck was sitting at the line. Peterborough tried to clear the puck but the referee deemed the puck had crossed and it was 2-0, Kings over Petes.

Things would not improve for the Petes as one of their top prospects, Colin Fitzgerald, took a tripping penalty, putting the Kings on the powerplay. It only took 10 seconds for Vaughan to capitalize, as Alessandro Di Iorio took a shot from just outside the faceoff circle and ripped it through traffic for a 3-0 lead.

It was all or nothing for the Petes in the period to try and erase a three-goal deficit. Fitzgerald had an opportunity to get Peterborough on the board with a breakaway. He tried the five-hold of Kings goaltender Justin Young but he closed the door on any chance of a comeback and made the save. The Petes outshot the Kings for the first time in any period with 6-4 but none found the back of the net. Peterborough was eliminated from the OHL Cup by a 3-0 score.

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