Peterborough Petes Fall in Overtime 3-2 In Michael Simpson's Return to the Peterborough Memorial Centre

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It was a triumphant return for former Pete Michael Simpson as he and the London Knights took down Peterborough in overtime, 3-2, at the Peterborough Memorial Centre on Thursday night.

Photo courtesy of Kenneth ANdersen and the Peterborough Petes.

Jumping right to the second period, London drew first blood off an odd-man rush as Easton Cowan sniped a shot past Liam Stutzka for a 1-0 lead. Cowan had another chance to score off a penalty shot but Stutzka was able to track the puck and make the save. The Petes found themselves on the board as Meyer threw the puck at the net and created a mad scramble for the rebounded puck. It eventually got on Meyer’s stick again and he buried it past Simpson for a 1-1 tie going into the third period.

Peterborough was on the penalty kill but Jax Dubois forced a turnover in the Knights’ defensive zone and eat Simpson high for a 2-1 lead. Peterborough was trying to hang on to the lead but in the dying 17 seconds, Sam Dickenson slapped a one-timer and tied the game to go into overtime.

The extra frame saw London have the puck with 90 seconds left as Isaiah George received a pass out in the high slot and was able to snipe it home for a 3-2 London victory.

The Petes will get little rest for their next game as the travel to Brantford to take on the Bulldogs on Friday night.

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Peterborough Petes to Host Alumni Homecoming Weekend for Oct. 20 - 21

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The Peterborough Petes are hosting an Alumni Homecoming Weekend that features a mixer at the Maple Moose Pub, a day of golf at Peterborough Golf & Country Club (PGCC) and a Petes game.

The itinerary is as follows:

  • Friday, Oct.20

    • 7-10 p.m. - Mixer at the Maple Moose Pub

  • Saturday, Oct. 21

    • 9:30 a.m. - Golf Registration at Peterborough Golf & Country Club

    • 10:00 a.m. - Brunch at Peterborough Golf & Country Club

    • 11:00 a.m. - Shotgun start at Peterborough Golf & Country Club

    • 7:05 p.m. - Peterborough Petes vs Oshawa Generals at the PMC

Prior to the game, the 1973-74 Petes are being honoured with a pregame ceremony on the ice. This team was the first Canadian representative in the history of the IIHF World Junior Championships in 1974, taking home a bronze medal.

“We’re really excited to be able to welcome back so many great alumni with this event,” said Morgan Blaind, Petes coordinator of marketing and community engagement. “It’s been a few years since we’ve been able to put on an event like this. That being said, it’s so important for us to see our alumni interact and reconnect with each other. It’s also a great opportunity for us to recognize our amazing history through celebrating the 1973-74 team.”

All Petes alumni and their guests are invited to attend the weekend according to a press release. Golf slots will be allocated to alumni before opening to guests. Interested alumni can contact Blaind via e-mail or by calling 705-743-3681 ext. 221.

The Petes host the London Knights on Thursday at the Peterborough Memorial Centre. This is the return of the 2023 Playoff MVP and former Petes goaltender Michael Simpson. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:05 p.m.

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Peterborough Petes Name General Manager Michael Oke to Vice President of Operations In Five-Year Deal

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Peterborough Petes general manager Michael Oke had been granted extra responsibilities as he signed a five-year deal with the team to become their vice president of operations in addition to his current role announced by the team on Tuesday afternoon.

Oke has been the Petes’ full-time general manager since Feb. 14, 2013. He served as interim general manager for four months prior to being given the permenent position. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

“Coming off an OHL Championship, we needed to ensure that we had a plan in place to get back to the Memorial Cup and we believe Mike can help us to achieve that plan,” said Dave Lorentz, Petes president. “The General Manager’s duties are more than just drafts and trades; the administrative part of the job has increased year after year with new policies and issues that arise from the league. Mike has the experience to navigate through these issues as well as working with our coaching staff to draft and find the players needed to make us competitive.”

The contract will run until June 2028 as he takes over the vacant role formerly held by Burton Lee. The latter left the organization in early August to accept a position as director of game operations with the Provincial Women’s Hockey League.

“Although our intent was to look for a replacement to fill the vacant business lead role, over the last four to five weeks we were very pleased to observe the growth in our staff and their initiative to take on a larger role in their departments,” said Lorentz. “Their talent and skill levels allowed the Board to reassess the business structure and reevaluate the posting. In the end, the Board felt that with Mike’s guidance, the Business staff will grow and prosper under this new reorganization.”

“First and foremost, I would like to thank the Peterborough Petes executive board for the trust and commitment that they have shown me,” said Oke. “It’s exciting to formalize an extension with the Petes and I look forward to continuing the work we’ve been doing on the ice and in the community.”

He originally joined the Petes in 2010 as the manager of player personnel in April. Oke was promoted to director of player personnel in July of the same year.

“I would also like to thank (head coach) Rob Wilson, as well as members of our hockey operations staff for the strong relationships we’ve formed over the past number of years,” he said. “We’ve built a strong team in hockey operations with our coaching, medical, training and scouting staff. We've also built an equally strong staff with the business department and I’m looking forward to working closely with that group as well.”

The Petes have promoted Patrick O’Connor as director of player personnel/assistant Coach to assist with some of the general manager duties. Patrick has been with the teams since 2019 as an assistant coach. Along with his duties on the ice, he is now the key contact for players off the ice. Patrick will also assist with the CHL Import Draft, especially with establishing a stronger European scouting presence as a British native.

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Peterborough Petes Knock Off Kingston Frontenacs With 5-4 Win In Home Opener

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The Petes’ championship-banner-raising home opener goes unspoiled as they defeated the rival Kingston Frontenacs, 5-4, at the Peterborough Memorial Cetnre on Thursday night.

Photo courtesy of Kenneth Andersen Photography and the Peterborough Petes.

Prior to the game, the Petes held a banner-raising ceremony to commemorate their 2023 OHL Championship. The ceremony featured members of the Petes Board of Directors including President Dave Lorentz, Dave Pogue, Rod McGillis and George Gillespie. They joined general manager Michael Oke and 2022-23 Petes Captain Shawn Spearing on the ice before the puck drop.

Donovan McCoy was named the 62nd captain of the Peterborough Petes. He is entering his fourth year with the Petes after being selected in the first round, 15th overall, of the 2020 OHL Priority Selection.

“Donovan’s demonstrated over his time here to be a consummate teammate,” said Oke. “He’s respected by coaches, management and most importantly his teammates. He’s a very hardworking individual that works hard on the ice and in the gym and is a positive influence to everyone around him. At this time, the remainder of the leadership group will be named at a later date.”

Photo courtesy of Kenneth Andersen Photography and the Peterborough Petes.

The Petes wasted no time in getting on the scoreboard as Sam McCue attempted a wraparound chance but the puck went awry. Luckily, Jax Dubois became Johnny-on-the-spot and scored off the loose puck for a 1-0 lead, 52 seconds into the game. Ethan Miedema gave Kingston a highlight reel goal as he made a windmill deke over Brayden Velliaris and beat Liam Sztuska on the forehand for a 1-1 tie.

Sam McCue made a centering pass to Johnathan Melee for a one-timed shot but Mason Vaccari made the same. McCue kept hacking away at the loose puck and found the back of the next for his first career OHL goal. Special teams started to favour Kingston as Matthew Soto was able to snipe a goal from just outside the faceoff circle for a 2-2 tie going into the second period.

The Petes had to face a five-on-three penalty kill as Kingston cycle the puck and Miedema capitalized on a rebound for his second of the game and a 3-2 Frontenacs lead. Melee was able to tie the game up at three fresh off the draw. The Kingston centerman gave up on the faceoff, believing there was going to be a redo but it counted, late in the second period. The tie was short-lived as Peterborough could not corral an intercepted puck, coughed it up and Linus Hemström sniped one home for a 4-3 lead. The Petes had a two-man advantage of their own and Peterborough made no mistake as Samuel Mayer teed up a slapshot for a game-tying goal with 69 seconds left in the period.

The third period only saw one goal but it was an important one for the Petes. In the dying seconds of the power play, Tommy Purdeller from just outside the faceoff circle, wristed one home for a 5-4 lead and the Pets hung on for their first win of the season.

The Petes travel to our nation’s capital to take on the defending regular-season champion Ottawa 67’s on Friday.

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Former Peterborough Petes Akil Thomas Scores Hat Trick Against Vegas Golden Knights In Preseason Game

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Former Peterborough Petes Akil Thomas is making a case to crack the Los Angeles Kings’s roster as he scored a hat trick against the Vegas Golden Knights in preseason action to lead the team to a 4-3 comeback win at T-Mobile Arena on Wednesday night.

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

Thomas’s first goal came late in the second period with 4:21 left as Thomas shot a quick wrister after a pass from Francesco Pinelli to bring it to a 2-1 Golden Knights lead.

Now down 3-1 into the third, Thomas capitalized on a loose-puck rebound after a Steven Santini shot. It went off Vegas goalie Adin Hill’s pad and Thomas unleashed a quick wrist shot to cut the Golden Knights’s deficit to one.

With just over two minutes left, Los Angeles pulled their goalie to try and tie the game. Former Barrie Colts captain Brandt Clarke took a shot from the point that was blocked by Vegas’s Johnathan Marchessault. Thomas chopped at the loose puck on the backhand and hit the top-shelf corner for the hat trick to tie the game and send it to overtime.

Tyler Madden scored 4:30 into overtime to give the Kings a 4-3 comeback win over Vegas.

Thomas 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 COVID-19 pandemic shut down the Ontario Hockey League.

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. He has not played a regular-season game with the Kings since being drafted into the NHL.

The Toronto native 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.

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Hometown PTBO: The Peterborough Minor Hockey Association Giving Back to the Community With a $80,000 Surplus

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This week on Hometown PTBO, Pete Dalliday talks with Walter DiClemente and Chad Cavanagh of the Peterborough Minor Hockey Association about how they are giving back to community organizations with an $80,000 surplus from the Peterborough Petes championship season.

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Hometown Goalie Masen Johnston Ready To Crack Peterborough Petes Roster During Training Camp

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After getting his name called in this year’s Ontario Priority Selection, hometown goalie Masen Johnston is ready to crack the team roster with the Peterborough Petes as the team is going through a four-day training camp that started Tuesday and will end on Friday.

JOhnston has been with the AAA Peterborough Petes since Novice and was a participant in this year’s OHL cup. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The team went through fitness testing and orientation at Hybrid Sports on Tuesday prior to the day one scrimmage that began Wednesday morning.

The 16-year-old Peterborough native was paired with OHL champion and playoff MVP goaltender Michael Simpson to represent Team Hybrid Sports for team scrimmages. It was a dream for Johnston to learn from and play backup to a championship goalie.

“Being able to be with a veteran goalie like that (Simpson), a guy that's been around the league and has been producing around the league too so it's just awesome,” said Johnston. “Hopefully, I can pick up a couple of things from him.”

The 6 ft. 186-lbs. goaltender got his first taste of Petes action in his scrimmage game against Team Sign-a-Fied on Wednesday morning. Simpson played just under 13 minutes of the 25-minute scrimmage before Johnston got on the ice to round out the game. He and Simpson combined for a shutout and a 3-0 victory over Team Sign-a-Fied.

“It's awesome putting on the maroon and white jersey. It's special. There's a lot of history behind the logo,” explained Johnston. “I just want to make the lineup and make a difference in the community too and be an all-around-team player.”

Johnston was taken 112th overall as Peterborough’s fourth pick in the sixth round from the U16 Minor AAA Peterborough Petes in this year’s Ontario Priority Selection. He was the winning goalie for the Petes when they won the Ontario Minor Hockey Association Championship on March 19 in triple overtime. He was also a finalist in the Steve Richey Cup in January.

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Peterborough Petes Wrap Up Day One of Training Camp

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Peterborough Petes 2023 Training Camp kicked off training camp at the Hybrid Sports facility with introductions, medicals and fitness testing on Tuesday.

Photo courtesy of the Peterborough Petes.

An orientation session was held for players and their families and was led by Michael Oke, Petes general manager before the players split off into medical testing, headshots and fitness testing.

“It was a great start to camp today with everyone working hard in the gym at Hybrid,” said Oke. “We’re looking forward to seeing that hard work carry over on the ice tomorrow as scrimmages begin.”

During the fitness testing portion of training camp, Donovan McCoy, Braydon McCallum, Owen Beck, Chase Lefebvre and Sam McCue all featured in multiple top threes. The top performing Petes in each fitness category were as follows:

300-yard Shuttle Run (two heats)

  1. Sam McCue 51s, 54s

  2. Jax Dubois 52s, 56s

  3. Raymond Thurston 52s, 58s

Vertical Jump

  1. Donovan McCoy 34.4”

  2. Braydon McCallum 33.4”

  3. Owen Beck 33.2”

Broad Jump

  1. Owen Beck, Braydon McCallum 10’

  2. Liam Sztuska, Rheydan McCoy 9’11”

  3. Chase Lefebvre 9’9’’

Pull-ups

  1. Brennan Faulkner 25 reps

  2. Quinton Pagé, Owen Beck 24 reps

  3. Jace McGrail 23 reps

5-10-5 Shuttle Run

  1. Donovan McCoy, Maximus Macerollo 5.14s

  2. Sam McCue, Braydon Mccallum 4.15s

  3. Chase Lefebvre 4.22s

20-Yard Dash

  1. Braydon McCallum 2.56s

  2. Donovan McCoy 2.57s

  3. Chase Lefebvre 2.58s

Wednesday and Thursday’s scrimmages are streamed live on the Petes Facebook page.

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Peterborough Petes Introduce Dave Lorentz as New Team President; Dave Pogue Steps Down From Role After Seven-Year Tenure

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The Dave Loretz era began as he was introduced to the public as team president in a press conference at the Peterborough & District Sports Hall of Fame on Wednesday afternoon.

(From Left to Right) Petes Board of Directors Rod McGillis, Dave Lorentz, George Gillespie and Dave Pogue. Loretz becomes the second team president to ever play for the Petes behind the late Pat Casey who passed away peacefully last Saturday. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

Lorentz takes over the role after former president Dave Pogue announced his retirement at the Petes 2023 Awards Banquet on March 28. The latter remains on the Board of Directors as Past President and Alternate Governor after a seven-year tenure with the Petes.

“I think it's time for a different voice. Eventually, you could become white noise in certain circles so it was time,” explained Pogue. “I've got some other ventures that I want to concentrate on and I'm going to start on the board assisting Dr. Bob Neville at the league level because I've made some good relationships with other owners in the league and just trying to work on bettering the Petes within the league and certainly to get a new facility.”

Pogue has fully endorsed Lorentz as the new team president and says he will be able to maintain the high standards and championship aspirations that the team exhibited last year when they captured the OHL title.

“Dave helped create that standard. We have been working very hard as a group to get to this point and 17 since our last championship, we've learned a lot over those years and Dave has been part of the driving force there,” he said. It won't be 17 years before we win another one, I can tell you that.”

Lorentz played three years for the Petes from 1987 to 1990 and was captain of Peterborough’s 1989 OHL Championship team. The team made deep playoff runs including a championship in the 1988-89 season. Lorentz wants to maintain the current atmosphere and mentality as team president to win another OHL Championship and hopefully a Memorial Cup title.

“I think building a culture of winning, building a culture that you're going to go for it when you have the opportunity and be successful builds champions,” he explained. “I'm expecting in the near future that we will do this again because I really want a Memorial Cup ring.”

Lorentz added that he did not want to change much in terms of the face of the organization but to put an emphasis on the Petes to foster a positive experience for everyone in the company.

“My focus is going to be directed to the players and the staff, trying to find ways that we can enhance their experience in Peterborough,” he said. “As a former player and alumni, I want those players coming here to experience the best that they can because not all of them are going to make the pros but they're going to go on to great careers. If we can provide them with every opportunity to achieve their goals then that's what we need to do.”

Single-game tickets for the Petes go on sale this Friday at 9:30 a.m. through the PMC Grant Thornton Box Office.

Fans can get tickets by visiting the Grant Thornton Box Office in person, calling (705) 743-3561 or going online.

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Petes Executive Director of Business Operations Accepts New Position With Professional Women's Hockey League

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Burton Lee, Peterborough Petes executive director of business operations is leaving the organization to accept a position as director of game operations and fan experience within the Hockey Operations Department of a new professional women’s hockey league announced on Wednesday.

BURTON LEE, PETES EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF BUSINESS OPERATIONS (LEFT) ADDRESSING THE 165+ STUDENTS IN GRADES 7 AND 8 ABOUT HIS CAREER EXPERIENCE WITH THE TEAM at a World of Choices program with JA-NEO. PHOTO BY DAVID TUAN BUI.

The league is planning to launch this January. 

Burton originally joined the Petes in August of 2013 as the director of communications and game operations. He was formerly with the Sarnia Sting in the ticket sales department, after having spent nearly a year in the Canadian Football League with the 2012 Grey Cup Champion Toronto Argonauts. 

“I’m extremely grateful to the Petes Board of Directors and to our hockey and business staff for the opportunity to have worked for the historic Petes organization for the past decade,” said Lee. “It has been a pleasure to have partnered with exceptional people at the OHL and CHL, the City of Peterborough, Peterborough & District Sports Hall of Fame, the Peterborough Lakers, and Compass Food Services. Above all, though, it has been a true joy to play a role in the growth of our business team, as our staff continues to work tirelessly to help fans, partners, alumni, and players have world-class experiences right here in Peterborough.”

After his first two years, Lee was promoted to executive director of business operations for the next eight years. He was recognized with the 2022-23 Ontario Hockey League Community Involvement Award. 

“I am looking forward to contributing to one of the most exciting projects in the sport industry, working alongside a renowned ownership and executive team to establish the new professional women’s ice hockey league,” said Lee. “The Mark Walter Group and Billie Jean King Enterprises have initiated something truly special for the hockey world. I am excited to work alongside a team led by Jayna Hefford and to use the knowledge and experience I’ve gained in Peterborough to help fans across North America and around the world experience elite hockey in a new way.”

Lee was born and raised in Delhi and been an active community member since 2013. He is the current chair of the board of directors for Peterborough and the Kawarthas Economic Development and serves as program advisory council chair for various programs at Fleming and Loyalist Colleges. Lee is also involved in minor and recreational sports, having organized the Peterborough Squash Club’s PSB Wilson Squash Classic for several years as well as coaching minor sports teams.

“Burton has been the driving force behind our business operations for the past 10 years,” said Dave Pogue, Petes president. “His innovative and progressive ideas spawning some major changes in our business model have helped the Petes organization make huge strides and Burton’s team is regarded as one of the best and most respected in junior hockey.” 

Lee’s last day with the organization is on Aug. 15. Lee, his partner Heather and their two children are remaining in Douro-Dummer and continue to be with Peterborough County.

“Although we will greatly miss Burton’s talent, leadership and most of all, his second-to-none work ethic, we are very excited for him to be able to take on new challenges with his next career move,” said Pogue. “On behalf of the Peterborough Petes, please join me in wishing Burton the best of luck. We look forward to seeing him, his wife Heather and their children Louie and Lottie around the rink and in the community.”

Lee has worked alongside the hockey operations department throughout his time with the Petes. His decade-long tenure saw him work closely with Michael Oke, Petes general manager to ensure the smooth operation of the team.

“On behalf of everyone in hockey operations, I’d like to congratulate Burton on joining the new professional women’s hockey league,” said Oke. “It’s been ten great years working with Burton and we’re all excited to see him continue his career in something he’s very passionate about. Since we brought Burton on board, we have seen a tremendous amount of growth on the business side of the Petes. Burton’s vision and ideas were an integral part of this growth. Although we will miss him, we know that he’s going to be a great addition to the new league.” 

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