Petes Forward Named to Team Canada Black for Inaugural Capital City Challenge

Hockey Canada announced Friday that Petes forward Nick Lardis has been named to Team Canada Black for the inaugural Capital City Challenge in Ottawa, Ontario.

Photo courtesy of the Peterborough Petes.

Lardis, a 5’10”, 155 lbs winger, has appeared in all 12 games in his rookie season, tallying five goals and five assists for ten points.

The Oakville, Ont. native and Petes sixth overall pick in the 2021 OHL Priority Selection is currently ranked thirteenth in OHL scoring amongst rookies.

Lardis will join fellow OHL forwards, Denver Barkey (London Knights), Calum Ritchie (Oshawa Generals), Alex Pharand (Hamilton Bulldogs), and Colby Barlow (Owen Sound Attack) on Team Canada Black.  

Announced on November 5, Petes Head Coach Rob Wilson was named Head Coach for Team White and Petes Alumnus Kyle Raftis was appointed Director of Operations for Team Canada Red.

The Capital City Challenge will feature three national men’s U17 teams and Canada’s National Women’s Centralized Roster. Preliminary-round action kicks off Friday, November 26 at TD Place Arena, home of the Ottawa 67’s. The preliminary-round will conclude on Monday, November 29, followed by the semifinals on Tuesday, November 30. The medal games will take place on Wednesday, December 1.

The Capital City Challenge will serve as a one-time event to replace the World Under-17 Hockey Challenge, which was cancelled due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, while providing an opportunity for Canada’s National Women’s Team to compete as part of its centralization schedule.

Full-event ticket packages for the Capital City Challenge can be purchased for $80 (plus applicable fees), while single game tickets are available starting as low as $5. Tickets are available at HockeyCanada.ca/Tickets.

Click here to see Canada’s full U17 roster.

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Sam Alfano of the Petes named OHL Academic Player of the Month

The Ontario Hockey League announced on Friday that Sam Alfano of the Peterborough Petes has been named the OHL’s East Division Academic Player of the Month for October.

Photo courtesy of the Peterborough Petes.

Alfano holds a 96% average in five Grade 12 U/M level courses at Thomas A. Stewart Secondary School and posted the highest grade in the class with a perfect 100% on his Grade 12 University Data Management midterm.

He is described by his teacher as a hard worker, well-mannered and very interactive with the students while balancing a busy hockey schedule.

The 17-year-old forward was drafted by the Petes 23rd overall in the 2020 OHL Priority Selection out of the Southern Tier Admirals U16 program and has scored one goal over his first eight OHL games.

The Cayuga, Ont. native was named OMHA-SCTA Player of the Year in the 2019-20 season with 63 points over 32 games with the Admirals.

“It’s been awesome. The transition coming from my hometown to Peterborough has been made easy with the support of my parents, the Petes staff and our Academic Advisor Shannon Fife,” said Alfano.

Owen Beck (Mississauga Steelheads; Central Division), Cal Uens (Owen Sound Attack; Midwest Division), and Bronson Ride (Windsor Spitfires; West Division) were also named Academic Players of the Month for October.

A total of 343 graduates utilized their OHL Scholarship at post-secondary institutions across North America during the 2020-21 academic year, with a total contribution by teams of over $3.1 million. Over the past 10 seasons, OHL Scholarship payments have totalled more than $25 million.

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U15AA Ice Kats Come Out on Top at Clarington Applefest Tournament

The Peterborough Cavanagh Disposal Ice Kats U15AA dominated the competition and won the Clarington Applefest tournament over the weekend.

Photo courtesy of Shelbi Kilcollins.

The team beat the Nepean Wildcats in the gold medal final 3-2 in overtime. Chey Degeer scored the first goal. Molly Farace scored the second goal third period and the overtime winner.

The Ice Kats beat Stratford 1-0 in the semifinals and went 4-0 in the the round robin with goalies Sadie Davidson and Lacey Clement combining for five shutouts.

“This group is an incredibly special team, 90 per cent of the team was together two seasons ago during second year Peewee - they were ranked number 1 in the country,” said assistant coach Shelbi Kilcollins. “That season got cut short due to COVID.”

Game winning overtime goal scored by Molly Farace. Video courtesy of Shelbi Kilcollins.

Now the team is back together with a few additions from out of town, Kilcolins says last weekend was their first opportunity in two years to vie for something tangible like a gold medal.

“What was really notable was the resilience the girls displayed the entire weekend,” said Kilcollins. “Every player played a significant role in the win.”

Kilcollins recalls a moment the team shared on the bench, and says it was like a movie.

“Coach Chris looked at the girls and said ‘someone gets to be a hero today’. It evoked some serious emotion on the bench,” she said. “Later in the dressing room someone yelled ‘Molly is a hero!’.”

Kilcollins says the team is aiming to be number one in the country this season.

“We’re not looking to be best in the area, or even the GTA, we’re going for it all.”

Team members include: head coach Chris Moher, assistant coach Shelbi Kilcollins, assistant coach Tim Degeer, Lacey Clement, Chloe Fife, Kate Bell, Rhaea Flint, Claire Baynham, Sadie Davidson, Chey Degeer, Syd Sawyer, Amy Clements, Soph Harold, Molly Farace, Kylee Strano, Claire Chambers, Ava Moher, Avery Johnston, Clara Williams and Brooke Cavanagh.

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The Hometown Hockey Roadshow is Coming to Lindsay

Rogers Hometown Hockey is hitting center ice at the Lindsay Recreation Complex this Saturday, Sunday and Monday from 11 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Tickets to this event are free and can be reserved here.

Attendees can expect COVID-friendly events like hockey-related activities, NHL Alumni appearances, local vendors and music.

Ron MacLean and Tara Slone will be live on site on Monday at 6 p.m.

The Sportsnet hosts will share stories that celebrate the hockey history and culture that puts Lindsay on Canada’s hockey map.

The event will end with a live stream of the Toronto Maple Leafs taking on the Carolina Hurricanes.

This year marks the eighth annual Hometown Hockey Roadshow.

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Stirling Minor Hockey Receives Free Equipment Thanks to the Egg Farmers of Ontario

Stirling Minor Hockey is one of ten recipient associations of The Ontario Minor Hockey Association’s (OMHA) new Player Assist Program presented by Egg Farmers of Ontario.

Photo courtesy of OMHA.

The pilot project will eliminate the cost of equipment for 350 hockey families across 10 minor hockey associations for players under 7 entering the game.

The sets include skates, shin pads, pants, shoulder pads, elbow pads, neck guard and helmet.

The associations will retain the 350 sets of equipment at the conclusion of the hockey season to loan to players in following years, similar to loaning out a library book.

The 10 Associations who have each received 35 sets of equipment over the past month are Flamborough, Georgina, Ilderton, Parry Sound, Shallow Lake, Simcoe, South Huron, Southpoint, Stirling and Twin Centre.

“With hockey now back on the ice, we know this equipment is going to be put to use right away,” said OMHA Executive Director Ian Taylor. “We know some of our families are feeling the pinch because of COVID-19 and we hope programs like this one will help families participate in the game across the province.”

The OMHA is working with each of the 10 Associations on delivering programming for the recipients to ensure a positive first experience. The Associations are each hosting an Initiation Program festival as well as parent information sessions throughout the season.

Since 2018, the Egg Farmers of the Ontario has supported the OMHA’s Playdowns where more than 31,000 minor hockey players compete on 6750 teams from January through March. With Playdowns unable to take place the past two seasons because of the pandemic, the Egg Farmers of Ontario wanted to support OMHA participants in a new way.

“Egg Farmers of Ontario is proud to be a part of a program that supports and encourages children to be active as part of a healthy lifestyle. We are excited to lend a helping hand to new players who are keen to learn about Canada’s favourite past time without the worry of the cost of equipment,” said Scott Helps, Egg Farmers of Ontario Chair.

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Peterborough Minor Hockey Boston Pizza Icefest “AAA” Tournament is Back

The Peterborough Minor Hockey Council (PMHC) has announced the return of hockey tournaments to the City of Peterborough on Thursday, along with the 2021 Boston Pizza Icefest “AAA” Tournament from Oct. 14-17 at arenas in Peterborough and area.

Photo courtesy of Peterborough Minor Hockey Council.

The Tournament will host 56 “AAA” hockey teams from U12 – U15, from all over Ontario showcasing some of the best talent minor hockey has to offer.

The tournament will see a total of 112 round-robin games plus playoff games over the four days and feature the following number of teams:

• U12 - 12

• U13 - 16

• U14 - 12

• U15 - 16

Competition starts Thursday afternoon at 1:30 p.m. More details are available by clicking the website link below.

https://peterboroughminorpetes.ca/Tournaments/1522/2021-2022_Boston_Pizza_Icefest_Tournament/

A COVID-19 Safety Plan has been submitted and approved by Peterborough Public Health and the City of Peterborough. It can be found on the tournament website.

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Two Forwards Have Been Released From the Peterborough Petes Roster

Forwards Carson Whitson and Kallaway Mercer have been released from the Peterborough Petes roster announced on Monday.

Photo courtesy of the Peterborough Petes.

Whiteson, a 5’8”, 154 lbs rightwinger is 19-years-old and from Uxbridge, Ont. He played 49 games for the Whitby Fury of the Ontario Junior Hockey League in the 2019-20 season.

Mercer, from Port Hope is 5’ 10”, 168 lbs and previously played for the Kingston Frontenacs from 2018-20.

“As we move forward, there may be an opportunity for them to rejoin the roster,” said General Manager Michael Oke “The Petes want to thank each player for their efforts throughout camp.”

The Petes are heading to North Bay to kick off their 65th season on Thursday against the Battalion before heading to Sudbury to face the Wolves on Friday.

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Petes Sign Stevie Leskovar to Standard Player Agreement

The Peterborough Petes have signed defenceman Stevie Leskovar to a standard player agreement with the team on Thursday.

Photo courtesy of the Peterborough Petes.

Leskovar, a 6’3”, 183 lbs, left-shot defenseman was selected by the team in the fifth round, 95th overall in the 2020 OHL Priority Selection.

“Growing up in Ontario, it’s been a dream of mine to sign with the OHL,” exclaimed Leskovar. “ The Petes are an amazing organization, I couldn’t ask for much more.”

The Cambridge, Ontario native registered four goals, 21 assists, 25 points and 37 penalty minutes in 31 games with the Cambridge Hawks 2019-2020 season.

In the postseason, Leskovar tallied one goal and five assists for six points in eight games.

“We’re excited to have Steve committed to the Petes,” said Michael Oke, Petes general manager. “He’s a hard-working defenceman that brings size, and strength to the lineup, and is well-linked by teammates and opponents.”

Leskovar will wear number three on his jersey.

The Petes will welcome the Sudbury Wolves to their home opener on Oct. 14 at 7:05 p.m.

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Rachelle Levesque is Recognized as Peterborough Petes Frontline Worker of the Week

Rachelle Levesque, a Peterborough Regional Health Centre (PRHC) nurse is named this week’s Peterborough Petes Frontline Worker of the Week as part of their Drop the Puck program announced Wednesday.

Image courtesy of the Peterborough Petes

Levesque has been working at PRHC’s Emergency Medicine department during the pandemic. She switched from working in palliative care to the emergency department to assist her fellow nurses when COVID-19 cases increased in the region.

“Rachelle switched departments to assist her peers that needed the most help during the pandemic,” said Chris White, who nominated Levesque. “She had worked in emergency medicine before so she had the experience and abilities. She’s such an amazing, caring person and ultimately, she is my hero."

Each week, the Petes will recognize and celebrate one local frontline worker for the additional time and effort they have put in during the pandemic to ensure the health, safety, and happiness of those in their community.

The Petes home opener is on Thursday, Oct. 14 at 7:05 p.m.

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Lakefield Chiefs Signs Team Captain For Final Junior Year

William “Keither” Keith of the Lakefield Chiefs in the Provincial Junior Hockey League has signed with the team for his last year of junior and will serve as their captain announced on Wednesday.

Keith has played one game in the Ontario Junior Hockey League for the Cobourg Cougars. Photo Courtesy of Lakefield Chiefs.

Keith will enter his fourth year for the 2021-22 season with the Chiefs according to the team. He scored 25 goals and 13 assists in 37 games during the 2019-2020 regular season.

“Respected by all within the PJHL, we are glad to have him in the final year of his junior career. Big things to come from #77 this year. Welcome back Will,” said the Chiefs in a Twitter post.

📢@Chiefs_JrC are ecstatic to announce (00, F-6'0"-165 lbs) @keithwilliam88 signed & Captain for 2021-22. Entering his 4th season with the #Chiefs, “Keither” is a leader on & off the ice & respected by all within the PJHL. Big things to come from #77 this year. Welcome back Will! pic.twitter.com/PGW9bsGs0l

— Lakefield Chiefs (@Chiefs_JrC) September 8, 2021

In seven playoff games of the 2019-20 season, Keith scored three goals and four assists.

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