Countdown to the Peterborough Petes Home Opener: Lucas Karmiris Ready for Long-Awaited Petes Debut

By Scott Arnold

After missing all of last season while recovering from two knee surgeries, Lucas Karmiris is finally healthy and ready for his first season with the Petes.

Matthew perrerault put in a lot of work over the summer in preparation for his sophomore ohl season with the peterborough petes (photo by scott arnold)

Karmiris was acquired by the Petes from the Brampton Steelheads before last season, but his first year in Peterborough got off to a heartbreaking start when he suffered a knee injury on the opening day of training camp.

The injury eventually required two surgeries and kept the overage forward out for the entire 2025-26 season.

While his teammates were playing games, Karmiris spent much of the year working toward getting back on the ice.

“It’s been a lot of work. Long days, you know, six hours a day of rehab and working out in the pool, strengthening, skating. It’s been a long process.”

Missing an entire season was difficult, especially while trying to keep pace with everyone else, but Karmiris feels the work has paid off.

“You know, it’s hard when you miss that much, you know, keep up with everyone else that’s healthy. But I think I’ve done a good job and I feel great right now and I’m excited to get started.”

Now, the 19-year-old, who turns 20 on September 27th, is back with the Petes and looking forward to finally showing Peterborough what he can bring.

Karmiris has 96 points in 165 career regular season OHL games, all with the Steelheads organization. He says his game is built around playing with pace, contributing in all areas of the ice and creating offence.

“Yeah, I like to play with a lot of pace. I’d say I’m a 200 foot centerman. You know, I play in all zones in the game. And I like to create offense.”

After everything he has gone through to get back to this point, Karmiris is simply happy to be back with his teammates and wearing the Petes jersey.

“It feels great. I mean, it’s been a long time coming. Long process for me, a long journey, but I’m so excited to be here and be with the guys again and, you know, play for the Petes.”

And after waiting an entire season for the opportunity, Karmiris is looking forward to seeing what this group can accomplish.

“We have a good team this year and it’s going to be a fun year.”

The Petes will open their season at home against the Kingston Frontenacs on Thursday, September 17th, at 7pm at the Memorial Centre.

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

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Women Build ’26 Bringing Local Women Together to Build Three Homes in Norwood

By Scott Arnold

Women from across the region will spend four days on a Habitat for Humanity build site in Norwood, helping build three affordable homes for local families.

Women Build ’26 will bring women from across the region together for hands-on construction in Norwood. (Photo courtesy of Habitat for Humanity Peterborough & Kawartha Region)

Habitat for Humanity Peterborough & Kawartha Region’s Women Build ’26 runs from September 21st to 24th, bringing women from local businesses, organizations and the community together for hands-on construction.

No construction experience is needed. Participants will receive safety training and learn new skills while working alongside their teams on the active build site.

Construction is already underway on three new affordable homes being built by Habitat for Humanity Peterborough & Kawartha Region in Norwood. (Photo courtesy of Habitat for Humanity Peterborough & Kawartha Region)

Construction is already underway, with the foundations in place and the three families who will eventually receive the homes already selected.

The three-bedroom homes will be for three different families: a three-generation family of women, a single mother raising two teenagers and a young family with two small children, supported by a single income while one parent stays home to raise their children.

“Affordable homeownership changes what is possible for a family,” says Susan Zambonin, CEO of Habitat for Humanity Peterborough & Kawartha Region.

The Women Build ’26 project will help bring three local families closer to affordable homeownership. (Photo courtesy of Habitat for Humanity Peterborough & Kawartha Region)

The week will wrap up with the Women Build Cocktail Celebration on September 25th. Businesses and community members can also support the project through donations of food, refreshments, supplies or financial gifts.

Habitat says 100% of funds raised through Women Build will go directly toward construction of the three homes in Norwood.

More information about Women Build ’26, including how to register a team or support the project, is available through Habitat for Humanity Peterborough & Kawartha Region.

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

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Petes Add Two Left-Handed Defencemen Ahead of Home Opener

By Scott Arnold

The Peterborough Petes have added a pair of left-handed defencemen to their lineup, making moves on September 10th and September 11th as the team gets set for the start of the new OHL season.

the peterborough petes have acquired left handed defenceman Jacob Xu from the London Knights (photo courtesy of the peterborough petes)

On Friday, September 11th, the Petes acquired 2008-born defenceman Jacob Xu from the London Knights in exchange for North Bay’s fourth-round pick in 2028 and a sixth-round pick in 2030.

Xu, a left-handed defenceman from Richmond Hill, was originally selected by the Kitchener Rangers in the eighth round, 157th overall, of the 2024 OHL Priority Selection.

Last season, he split time between Kitchener and London after being acquired by the Knights during the season. In 59 games between the two teams, Xu recorded one goal and 13 assists for 14 points.

He also has a Peterborough connection already, having played in last season’s Connor McDavid OHL Top Prospects Game at the Peterborough Memorial Centre. Xu picked up one assist in the game.

The Petes say they’ve been keeping an eye on Xu since his U16 season, with General Manager and Vice President of Operations Mike Oke describing him as a big, physical defenceman who moves well.

Xu is currently committed to play hockey at Harvard University after his OHL career.

the Petes have Signed Defenceman James Buchan to OHL Scholarship and Development Agreement (photo courtesy of the peterborough petes)

The move comes one day after the Petes announced the signing of another young defenceman.

On Thursday, September 10th, the team signed 2009-born defenceman James Buchan to an OHL Scholarship and Development Agreement.

Buchan, from Georgetown, Ontario, attended Petes Training Camp in August as a free agent invite after spending last season at St. Paul’s School in New Hampshire.

He put up four goals and 19 assists for 23 points in 31 games, leading the school’s defencemen in scoring.

Before joining St. Paul’s School, Buchan played in the Oakville Rangers AAA system. He also made an impression during the Petes’ summer and preseason, including Development Camp in June, training camp and three preseason games this year. He has recorded six shots on goal in those three games.

Oke called Buchan an important piece for the future of the Petes and said the team believes he has the qualities it looks for both on and off the ice.

With both players now joining the organization, the Petes have added some size and experience to their group of defencemen while also bringing in a younger player the club sees as part of its future.

The Petes will open their season at home on Thursday, September 17th, but fans will get a chance to see their revamped lineup in preseason action on Saturday, September 12th, when they host the Niagara IceDogs at the PMC. Puck drop is set for 4:05pm.

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

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Lakers PRHC Night at the PMC Raises $20,000 for Local Patient Care

By Scott Arnold

A night of lacrosse and community support has turned into a $20,000 boost for patient care at Peterborough Regional Health Centre.

(left to right) lakers director of community engagement and partnerships pete dalliday, prhc foundation community giving & engagement manager jane lovett, prhc foundation president & ceo lesley heighway and kinsmen club of peterborough president bob hall (photo via instagram @prhc_foundation)

Another Peterborough Lakers season is in the books, but one special night from June is still making a difference at Peterborough Regional Health Centre.

PRHC Night with the Lakeshow brought the local lacrosse community together to support the regional hospital, with fans helping raise money throughout the night.

Thanks to the generosity of the Kinsmen Club of Peterborough, every dollar raised was matched up to $10,000.

When the fundraising total needed one final push to reach that $10,000 mark, one generous Lakers supporter stepped up to help get it there.

With the matching funds from the Kinsmen Club, that turned the night's fundraising total into $20,000 for the PRHC Foundation.

It is a pretty special result from a night that brought together the Lakers, their fans and the wider Peterborough community, all while helping support the hospital so many people in the region rely on.

And while the Lakers' season may be over, the impact of that June night will continue well beyond the final whistle.

$20,000 raised, thanks to a community that showed up for the Lakeshow and for its regional hospital.

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

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Former Petes Star Jason Dawe Was in Manhattan When 9/11 Changed Everything

By Scott Arnold

Twenty-five years later, the former Peterborough Petes star still gets chills thinking about what he witnessed in New York City that morning.

Jason Dawe during his time with the Peterborough Petes (photo courtesy of the ontario hockey league)

For Jason Dawe, September 11th, 2001, wasn't something he watched unfold from a television screen.

He was in Manhattan.

Dawe, who played for the Peterborough Petes from 1989 to 1993 and helped the team win an OHL championship in 1993, was in New York as part of the Rangers organization when the terrorist attacks happened.

On the 25th anniversary of September 11th, Dawe shared his memories of that morning on Facebook, offering a glimpse into what it was like to experience the events from inside New York City.

He was at Madison Square Garden for New York Rangers training camp when, according to Dawe, he watched the first plane hit the World Trade Center.

At that moment, Dawe says, there was no way of knowing what was happening or what was still to come.

Then another plane hit.

The events of the morning continued to unfold, and what initially seemed impossible became a terrifying reality for those watching from Manhattan.

Dawe remembers the moment the towers came down especially vividly.

Madison Square Garden, several kilometres from the World Trade Center, felt like it had been hit by a massive earthquake.

His hotel room was at 34th Street and Lexington Avenue, giving him a view toward the Hudson River and the area around Ground Zero.

He was suddenly witnessing one of the most devastating days in American history from the heart of New York City.

Twenty-five years later, the memories haven't faded.

Dawe described September 11th as the craziest day of his life and said he still gets chills thinking about what happened.

For Peterborough, Dawe is best remembered as one of the greatest offensive players in Petes history.

He remains the franchise's all-time leading goal scorer with 169 goals and ranks second in career points with 337. After his time in Peterborough, Dawe was selected in the second round of the NHL Draft by the Buffalo Sabres and went on to play in the NHL with Buffalo, the New York Islanders and Montreal Canadiens before joining the New York Rangers organization.

But on September 11th, 2001, none of that mattered.

He was simply a hockey player in New York who found himself watching history unfold from inside the city.

And 25 years later, he still remembers exactly what it felt like.

We remember September 11th, 2001, through the stories of the people who were there, and Dawe's is one that brings that day a little closer to home.

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

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Peterborough’s Porter Martone Takes His Talents to the Major League Baseball … to Throw Out the First Pitch for the Phillies

By Scott Arnold

Porter Martone hasn't played his first full NHL season yet, but he's already getting a pretty good idea of what it's like to be part of Philadelphia's sports scene.

peterborough native porter martone got to throw out the first pitch on the thursday night as the philadelphia phillies hosting the houston astros in mlb action (photo via instagram @philadelphiaflyers)

The Peterborough native and 6th overall pick of the Philadelphia Flyers threw out the ceremonial first pitch Thursday, September 10th, as the Philadelphia Phillies hosted the Houston Astros at Citizens Bank Park.

Martone, wearing a powder blue Phillies jersey, got a big ovation from the Philadelphia crowd before taking the mound and delivering the pitch to the Phillie Phanatic.

(photo via instagram @philadelphiaflyers)

(photo via instagram @philadelphiaflyers)

(photo via instagram @philadelphiaflyers)

(photo via instagram @philadelphiaflyers)

The 19-year-old also joined the Phillies broadcast during the game, getting a chance to take in another side of the city's passionate sports culture.

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A post shared by NBC Sports Philadelphia (@nbcsphilly)

It's another pretty cool stop in what's been a whirlwind year for Martone, who went from his freshman season at Michigan State to making his NHL debut with the Flyers, playing in the Stanley Cup Playoffs and representing Canada at the IIHF World Championship.

Now, with his first full NHL season just around the corner, Martone is getting a taste of what it means to be a Philadelphia sports star.

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A post shared by Philadelphia Flyers (@philadelphiaflyers)

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Two NLL Teams Are Gone, Leaving a Long List of Peterborough Lacrosse Connections Looking for New Homes

By Scott Arnold

The Ottawa Black Bears and Philadelphia Wings are gone from the National Lacrosse League, and that leaves a long list of Peterborough lacrosse connections waiting to see where they land next.

tracey kelusky (left) and Paul day (second from right) are two of peterborough natives affected by the announcement of the philadelphia wings ceasing operation in the national lacrosse league. Also pictured are mike Hasen (holding mann cup) and bobby keast far right. (photo courtesy of Peterborough lakers)

The National Lacrosse League announced Thursday that both the Ottawa Black Bears and Philadelphia Wings have discontinued operations and will not take part in the 2026-27 season.

The league will move forward with 12 teams for its 40th anniversary season, but the decision has a very local impact.

Philadelphia had several Peterborough connections throughout its organization.

Peterborough native Paul Day was the Wings' general manager, while fellow Peterborough native Tracey Kelusky was the team's offensive coach.

The Wings also had three Peterborough natives on the roster in Dylan Hutchison, Dustyn Birkhof and goaltender Deacon Knott.

Two members of the Peterborough Lakers, Alex Pace and Liam Patten, were also part of Philadelphia's organization.

Ottawa had its own strong Peterborough ties.

Lakers leading point-getter Rob Hellyer was part of the Black Bears, along with fellow Lakers player Justin Sykes. Former Lakers Tyler Carlson and Cole Begley were also part of the Ottawa organization.

Now, all of those players are left waiting to see where their NLL careers continue.

The league has combined the Ottawa and Philadelphia player pools for a single dispersal draft, which is scheduled for September 15th at 4pm ET.

The Oshawa FireWolves will have the first selection, followed by the Las Vegas Desert Dogs, Rochester Knighthawks, Calgary Roughnecks, San Diego Seals, Halifax Thunderbirds, Colorado Mammoth, Georgia Swarm, Buffalo Bandits, Saskatchewan Rush, Vancouver Warriors and Toronto Rock.

The draft order is determined by regular-season winning percentages over the past two completed seasons, with the most recent season weighted at 70 per cent.

Following the dispersal draft, teams can sign selected players and negotiate with selected unrestricted free agents, subject to league rules.

For the Peterborough players involved, next week's draft could quickly change where they spend the upcoming season.

For Day and Kelusky, the situation is different. Their coaching and management experience could lead to opportunities elsewhere as NLL teams continue preparing for the 2026-27 season.

There is also an obvious local connection at the top of the draft.

The FireWolves, who play their home games at the Tribute Communities Centre in Oshawa, will have the first opportunity to select from the combined Ottawa and Philadelphia player pool.

So while two NLL franchises have disappeared, the impact of that decision could be felt much closer to home than it might initially seem.

For a group of Peterborough players, coaches and lacrosse executives, September 15th will be an important day as they wait to find out where the next chapter of their NLL careers will take them.

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

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Peterborough Sees First Flu Case of 2026/27 Respiratory Season

By Scott Arnold

Lakelands Public Health has confirmed the first laboratory-confirmed case of Influenza A in Peterborough, marking an earlier start to this year’s respiratory season.

Lakelands Public Health is confirming the first laboratory-confirmed case of Influenza A, commonly known as the flu, in the City of Peterborough (photo by scott arnold)

The case was confirmed about a month earlier than last year’s first reported case, which was confirmed in October.

Lakelands Public Health says residents can help limit the spread of influenza and other respiratory illnesses by staying home when sick, washing their hands regularly, covering coughs and sneezes and paying attention to indoor air quality.

Residents are also encouraged to consider wearing a mask indoors, particularly if they are recovering from a respiratory infection, there is a lot of transmission or they are at higher risk of severe illness.

The flu vaccine is expected to become available in October and will be free for anyone six months of age and older. Lakelands Public Health says more information about vaccine availability will be shared once timelines are received from the province.

During the 2025/26 respiratory season, there were 1,104 laboratory-confirmed influenza cases across the Lakelands Public Health region.

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

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New Canadians Centre Adds Five Client Meeting Rooms After $166,500 Grant

By Scott Arnold

Renovations at the New Canadians Centre have created five additional meeting rooms where newcomers can privately access settlement services and support.

$166,500 OTF Grant from the Province helps New Canadians Centre create safer, more welcoming spaces for newcomers (photo courtesy of new canadians centre)

The improvements were made possible through a $166,500 Capital grant from the Ontario Trillium Foundation, awarded last summer.

The renovated space is part of the New Canadians Centre’s former St. James United Church building, which the organization purchased in 2025. The new rooms provide additional private, accessible and welcoming spaces for staff to meet with newcomers for settlement support, referrals and guidance.

“This grant allowed us to complete one of our first major improvements to the space, creating more private and welcoming areas where newcomers can access support with dignity,” said Jeeniraj (JJ) Thevasagayam, Executive Director of the New Canadians Centre.

The New Canadians Centre has been supporting immigrants and refugees in Peterborough and surrounding communities for more than 40 years.

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Countdown to the Peterborough Petes Home Opener: Matthew Perreault Is Bigger, Stronger and More Confident

By Scott Arnold

After a promising rookie year, Matthew Perreault is heading into his second OHL season with a clear idea of what he wants to bring to the Petes, both on the ice and in the dressing room.

Matthew perrerault put in a lot of work over the summer in preparation for his sophomore ohl season with the peterborough petes (photo by scott arnold)

The 16-year-old defenceman added muscle over the summer, spending plenty of time in the gym and on the ice as he prepared for his sophomore season with the Petes.

“Lots of training in the gym, five times a week, on the ice, eating a lot of food.”

That added size is something Perreault believes will help him compete at a higher level, while the work he put in on the ice should give him another weapon to bring to the Petes blue line.

“Obviously getting bigger as well. Don’t get pushed around as much. So just adding that size and that speed, that’ll really help me. And honestly, playmaking, helping my teammates and trying to be a leader on and off the ice.”

Perreault finished his rookie season with five goals and 25 assists for 30 points in 65 games, and now he returns with a year of OHL experience under his belt.

That experience has also brought confidence.

“Yeah, I feel very confident. I’m a lot bigger than last year. So yeah, honestly, confidence is key in this league and I feel really confident going into this year.”

He also knows the expectations around this Petes group are high.

The team has added a mix of young players and veteran leadership, and Perreault sees an opportunity to do something special.

“We got a good group here and we’re going to do something special this year.”

And when it comes to what that means, Perreault was clear.

“We expect the championship and nothing less.”

After a summer spent getting bigger, faster and stronger, Perreault heads into Year 2 with confidence and a clear idea of what he wants to help the Petes accomplish.

The Petes will open their season at home against the Kingston Frontenacs on Thursday, September 17th, at 7pm at the Memorial Centre.

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

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