New Canadians Centre Joins Peterborough Petes For A Try Hockey Night At The Memorial Centre

Newcomers to Peterborough got a taste of Canadian culture on Tuesday night with ‘Try Hockey’ presented by the Peterborough Petes.

Photos by Luke Best

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Community members from countries all over the world joined Peterborough Ice Kats and Petes players on the ice before Tuesday’s Petes game.

Esther, who came to Peterborough from Peru eight years ago said Tuesday was her second time attempting to skate, though it was her first successful try.

“I was so scared before,” she said. “The first time I did it I was by myself on the canal. It was not a pleasant situation, I wanted to have the whole Canadian experience but it was not successful. But here with the help of the girls here it’s amazing.”

Esther says while there was no ice skating in Peru, before she came to Canada she knew what hockey was and that it was stereotypically Canadian.

While she joked that she didn’t know what she was doing on the ice, Esther has decided she will buy her own pair of skates for next winter.

“I didn’t know how much fun I was missing. What I love the most about this is feeling like you are flying. It’s a feeling I’ve never felt - you’re on the ice standing up on knives.”

The NCC first introduced the Try Hockey program in 2019, according to Jessica Devlin, Youth and Community Programs coordinator. Tuesdays event was the first time they had been on the ice since then due to COVID.

“This was super popular activity, people were super excited to try,” said Devlin. “For Peterborough hockey is such a big part of our culture. When new folks move here this is such a great chance to introduce some of the local culture, it’s amazing to introduce that and give them the chance to try the game.”

The event saw over 50 people, adults and children, on the ice followed by over 300 NCC clients in the stands to cheer on the Petes afterwards.

The Peterborough Petes organization provided equipment for participants, while Emterra and The Bob Gainey Foundation provided tickets to the game.

The night was complete with boxes and boxes of Timbits, for the full Canadian experience.

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Next Gen Kids Sign One-Day Contract With Peterborough Petes

Kids of the Peterborough Petes Next Gen program have signed one-day contracts as staff members for various positions ahead of a matinee game against the Barrie Colts on Monday afternoon.

(From left to right) Callan “Coach Cal” Perks, Next Gen General Manager; Michael Oke, Petes General Manager; Chase Savage, Next Gen Head Coach; Khaiden Kidd, Next Gen Radio Broadcaster; Emerson Malloy Next Gen PA Announcer and Ella Perks, Next Gen In-Game Host. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The Next Gen game allows children to shadow staffing roles such as general manager, public address announcer, a new role as a radio broadcaster and many others.

“I think this is a type of event that gives everybody an opportunity to be involved,” said Michael Oke, Petes general manager. “Whether you are someone that is a strong player or somebody that doesn't play as all but wants to be a fan and enjoy the various aspects, it gives everybody a chance to be involved and participate.”

The Petes accepted applications and auditions from the public earlier this month for the Family Day game. Essays and/or videos were accepted as entries.

The following is a list of the Petes Next Gen staff:

• Callan Perks, General Manager

• Chase Savage, Head Coach

• Abby Docherty, Assistant Coach (not present)

• Emerson Malloy Next Gen PA Announcer

• Ella Perks, Next Gen In-Game Host

• Khaiden Kidd, Next Gen Radio Broadcaster

Coach Cal went viral in a pre-game speech that went viral in November. His twin sister Ella (far right) was the Next Gen In-Game Host for Feb. 21 game. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

Callan “Coach Cal” Perks became a viral sensation with a pre-game speech for the Petes in late November as part of the Next Gen game. Oke says this program is meant to help develop younger generations with several life skills on and off the ice.

“We may be developing future players for the National Hockey League but we're definitely developing future members of our community,” he said. “I think this is a perfect example of an event like this in a special game like this allows us to work with young people and help development for life but not only on the ice but off the ice as well.

The Peterborough Petes defeated the Barrie Colts 4-3. Emmett Sproule, Jax Dubois, Chase Stillman and J. R. Avon were the Petes goal scorers.

Stillman and Spoule were the first and second stars respectively with Declan McDonnell of the Colts as the third.

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Three Petes Have Been Named To NHL Central Scouting Midterm Rankings

The NHL Central Scouting Service released its Midterm Rankings ahead of the 2022 NHL Entry Draft on July 7-8 in Montreal, Quebec. Three Petes made the ranking.

Photo courtesy of the Peterborough Petes.

Forward Tucker Robertson and defenceman Samuel Mayer are projected to go in the 4th round, while Sam Alfano is slated to go in the 6th round.

Robertson, who earned the 109th spot on the North American list, has amassed career-high 19 goals and 22 assists for 41 points in 28 games this season. Amongst Robertson’s 19 goals, seven of them have been on the power play, ranking him third in the OHL. The 5’10.5”, 190 lbs centre, who was selected in the 4th round, 72nd overall in the 2019 OHL Priority Selection, was invited to the Carolina Hurricanes 2021 NHL Prospects Showcase in September.

Mayer, a hard-hitting rearguard with offensive upside, has eight goals and 12 assists for 20 points in the first 28 games of his OHL career. The L’Original, Ontario native is ranked 120th on the North American list. The 6’2.5”, 200 lbs left-shot d-man is first in the OHL with four power play goals and second in the league in goals amongst defencemen. He was selected by the Petes 15th overall in the 2020 U18 OHL Priority Selection.

Alfano, who has six goals and five assists for 11 points in his first 28 career OHL games, is ranked 190th on the North American list. The Cayuga, Ontario native who stands at 6’3.5” and weighs 205 lbs, recorded his first multi-goal game on January 7 against the Kingston Frontenacs. Alfano skated at Hockey Canada’s Program of Excellence Summer Showcase in July, 2021. The 2004-born right winger was selected in the 2nd round, 23rd overall in the 2020 OHL Priority Selection.

Fans can watch Robertson, Mayer, and Alfano face off against the Sudbury Wolves this Thursday on YourTV Peterborough-Lindsay, or tune in on Freq 90.5.

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New Capacity Restrictions at the Peterborough Memorial Centre And Updated Schedule

The Government of Ontario announced on Monday that no spectators will be allowed into sports and entertainment venues until Jan. 26.

Photo courtesy of Peterborough Petes.

Credits will automatically be applied to Season Ticket Member accounts by the Box Office after each game that is played without permitting fans to attend, and can be used toward playoff tickets, 2022-23 Season Tickets, or other PMC events.

Ticket purchasers will be contacted directly by the PMC Grant Thornton Box Office or Petes staff with further information.

Games played during this time will be broadcast live on YourTV and OHL Live, and on the radio at Freq 90.5.

Fans looking to use their ticket credits towards a discounted OHL Live subscription can contact the Petes Sr. Coordinator, Season Ticket Sales & Service, Mike Kosciesza, at 705-743-3681 ext. 263 or by email: mkosciesza@gopetesgo.com.

All 2021-22 flex pack voucher usage will be extended through to the entire 2022-23 season. All ticket prices from the 2021-2022 season will be honoured for those redeeming their vouchers the following year

For those who have already redeemed their flex pack vouchers for a game between Jan. 5 and 26, their tickets will be treated like a single game ticket. All single game ticket holders will be contacted directly by the Grant Thornton office ticketing team directly.

Below is a list of the affected home games (schedule subject to change):

• Jan. 8 vs. Kingston at 7:05 p.m.

• Jan. 13 vs. Sudbury at 7:05 p.m.

• Jan. 15 vs. Oshawa at 7:05 p.m.

• Jan. 20 vs. Ottawa at 7:05 p.m.

• Jan. 27 vs. Kingston at 7:05 p.m.

The Ontario Hockey League today announced a series of changes to the 2021-22 OHL Regular

Season schedule, including one Petes home game that will be postponed due to COVID-19

protocol and two previously postponed home games that have been rescheduled later this

month.

Due to Covid-19 protocol, the following game has been postponed:

• Jan. 6 vs. Hamilton at 7:05 p.m.

The following games have been rescheduled:

• Jan. 18 – Peterborough Petes at Niagara Ice Dogs, 7:00 p.m. (from Dec. 31)

• Jan. 25 – Mississauga Steelheads at Peterborough Petes, 7:05 p.m. (from Dec. 4)

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OHL Confirms to Continue 2021-2022 Hockey Season

The Ontario Hockey League (OHL) has reaffirmed its decision to continue the season after a Board of Governors meeting held on Wednesday morning.

The Peterborough Petes held a 9-15-2 record before their first game was postponed on Dec. 30. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The decision was made despite the restrictions issued by the Ontario Government in response to the Omicron COVID-19 variant. The order took effect on Wednesday.

The rules include closing indoor sport and recreational fitness facilities including gyms except for athletes training for the Olympics, Paralympics and select professional and elite amateur sport leagues.

The #OHL has reaffirmed its commitment to continue the 2021-22 season. pic.twitter.com/xDEp6StDaL

— OntarioHockeyLeague (@OHLHockey) January 5, 2022

The league is speaking with government officials to determine how the season should progress.

OHL will provide the public with updates as they develop.

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Petes AAA Steve Richey Tournament Is Cancelled

In accordance with Mondays announcement from the Ontario government, which includes the closure of arenas, the Peterborough Petes AAA Steve Richey Tournament of Champions has been cancelled.

The Steve Richey Tournament is a premier AAA tournament.

In past years this tournament has drawn some of the top ranked AAA teams from Ontario and the US.

The tournament was originally scheduled for Jan. 13 -16. There has been no mention of rescheduling.

Beginning on Wednesday 12:01 am all arena facilities will be closed for a period of at least 21 days.

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Petes Collect 388 Pieces Of Hockey Equipment In Effort To Make Hockey More Accessible

The Peterborough Petes in partnership with Emterra Environmental successfully collected 388 pieces of hockey equipment in the Try Hockey equipment drive on Dec. 17 and 18.

All equipment will be used in future, free hockey initiatives offered by the Petes in an effort to make hockey more accessible.

During the two-day campaign, fans made donations at the Peterborough Memorial Centre and a variety of equipment was generously donated including 56 pairs of skates, 32 sticks, 57 pairs of gloves, 43 helmets and 20 hockey bags.

“Peterborough’s generous community spirit was exhibited throughout the two days of equipment collection. We are incredibly excited to use what was dropped off and run free, introductory to hockey programming in the near future and continue to make hockey more accessible for the Peterborough community” said Shelbi Kilcollins, Petes Director of Marketing and Growth.

“We are very grateful for the support of the Peterborough community and their contributions towards this initiative. We look forward to further creating a circular economy in sports with the Petes through our ongoing partnership,” said Paulina Leung, Chief Sustainability Officer, Emterra Group.

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Peterborough Petes Sign Quinton Pagé to Standard Player Agreement

Hoping to bring speed and toughness to their lineup, the Peterborough Petes have signed forward Quinton Pagé to a standard player agreement on Thursday.

Photo Courtesy of the Peterborough Petes.

Pagé, a 5’8”, 183 lbs left shot forward was selected by the team in the sixth round, 114th overall in the 2021 OHL Priority Selection. In 15 games with the Petes U18 AAA team this season, the Kincardine, Ont. native registered eight goals and six assists for 14 points.

During the 2021-22 Big Nickel Tournament, Pagé tallied five goals and two assists for seven points in seven games.

“It’s a huge honour to be signing with a historical franchise in the OHL,” said Pagé. “I’m looking forward to picking up things from some of the older guys and learning from all the coaching staff. They’ll teach me lots of things to support me in elevating my game.”

“He’s a hard-working, strong forward who has continued to work hard and develop throughout the fall in practices with us and while playing with the U18 PMHC AAA Petes. We are excited to have him join the lineup in tonight’s game,” explained Mike Oke, Petes general manager.

Pagé will wear #5 and is expected to make his OHL debut Thursday against the Mississauga Steelheads. He becomes the third player from the 2021 OHL Priority draft class to commit to the team, joining Nick Lardis and Zack Lewis.

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Peterborough Petes Reassign Cole Patey to the Lindsay Muskies

The Peterborough Petes have reassigned forward Cole Patey to the Jr. A Lindsay Muskies of the Ontario Junior Hockey League announced Tuesday.

The 6’0”, 200 lbs Utterson native played a total of seven games for the Petes across the 2020-21 and 2021-22 seasons.

Patey was selected in the sixth round, 113th overall by the Peterborough Petes in the 2019 OHL Priority Selection from the North Central Minor Midget AAA Predators and spent his 2019-20 season with the U18 PMHC Peterborough Petes.

“It was a tough start to the season for Cole battling an injury and this will provide him the opportunity to get into some meaningful game action,” said Michael Oke, Petes general manager.

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U12 Jesse’s Tap and Grill Peterborough AAA Petes are first Peterborough AAA Team Since 1994 to Win Silver Stick Invitational Champions

The Jesse’s Tap and Grill Minor U12 AAA Petes captured the 2021 Silver Stick Invitational Tournament in Whitby recently.

Photo courtesy of Erin Brioux.

Not since 1994 has a Peterborough AAA hockey team won the Silver Stick International Tournament.

In game one the Petes tied Gloucester 2-2. Evan Fitzgerald scored two goals with assists to Ryder Evans, Liam Marion, and Cooper Poskin.

In game two the Petes got things rolling and defeated Niagara North Stars 4-2. Fitzgerald scored two goals with singles to Evans and James Dueck. Assists went to Wes Elliott with two, Marion, Evans, Thomas Dalliday and Joey Gusso.

In game three the Petes got revenge from an earlier season loss to the Brantford 99ers and defeated the 99ers 3-1. Evans recorded two goals, while Fitzgerald added a goal and two assists. Single assists went to Marion and Gusso.

In game four the Petes faced the Sun County Panthers and won by a score of 2-0. Poskin and Dueck scored for the Petes with assists to Blake Brioux and Cole Roberts.

In the quarterfinal matchup the Petes faced the #1 ranked Vaughan Kings. The Petes defeated the Kings 4-1. Marion, Fitzgerald, Brioux and Taytem Adams scored for the Petes. Assists went to Gusso with two, Marion, Poskin, Dalliday, and Adams.

In the semifinal matchup, the Petes defeated a strong Markham Majors team 2-1, avenging another loss from earlier in the season. Dalliday and Evans scored for the Petes with assists to Fitzgerald, Adams, Brioux, and Marion.

The championship game was the third game of the day for Petes against the Soo Jr. Greyhounds. A hard-working gritty effort by all players led to a 4-1 Petes win in the Championship. Scoring for the Petes was Gusso, Dalliday, Marion and Adams with assists to Adams, and Brioux.

Jack Dunford, Lucas McIntyre, Parker Call and affiliated player Royce Colton provided the Petes with hard work and strong defensive efforts all weekend.

The goaltending duo of Landon White and Matty Colling were solid all weekend for the Petes, coming up with big saves at key times of the games. This top duo had an amazing 8 goals against in 7 games.

The U12 Petes next game is Saturday against the Markham Waxers.

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