Peterborough Blogs
Peterborough County Family Recognized For Sports Volunteer Efforts With Commemorative Plaque
/Township Council, Staff and community members gathered to celebrate the unveiling of the Wilford Family plaque at the Douglas Sports Centre Ball Diamond in Lakefield on Thursday evening.
Photo courtesy of the Peterborough County.
This plaque has been installed to acknowledge the Wilford family (Jim, Yvonne and children Jessica and her husband Shawn, and Jimmy) for contributing to youth sports in our community.
“What stands out about the Wilford family is their deep commitment to the members of our community. They haven’t just supported our sports programs—they’ve helped build them,” said Sherry Senis, Selwyn Township Mayor. “Whether through countless volunteer hours, coaching, organizing, or contributing to the construction and maintenance of our ball diamonds, the Wilford’s have poured their hearts into making sure our kids have the opportunities and facilities they need to thrive and play.”
The Township of Selwyn would again like to thank the Wilford family for their commitment to our community.
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Peterborough Pete Alumnus Selected to NHLPA Rookie Showcase On Sept. 4
/Peterborough Petes alumnus and Los Angeles Kings forward Akil Thomas has been selected as one of 33 players to participate in the 14th annual NHLPA Rookie Showcase at the MedStar Capitals Iceplex in Arlington, Va. on Sept. 4.
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. Photo courtesy of the Peterborough PEtes.
This event allows Upper Deck to capture photographs and videos of the selected rookies and prospects in their respectful NHL team uniforms to utilize the content for the company’s future products.
Thomas made his LA Kings debut on April Fools’ Day., in seven games, he had three goals and one assist with the team.
The Petes acquired Thomas in a trade from the Niagara IceDogs in January 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 for the season. 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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Peterborough's Nolan Burke Traded to San Jose Sharks As Part of Top Goalie Prospect Deal
/Peterborough’s Nolan Burke is headed to the Golden State as he was traded from the Nashville Predators to the San Jose Sharks as part of a deal involving top goalie prospect Yaroslav Askarov on Friday afternoon.
Photo courtesy of Tim Burke.
The Predators sent Burke, Askarov and a 2025 third-round pick in exchange for a 2025 first-round pick, centre David Edstrom, and goaltender Magnus Chrona.
The undrafted centreman signed his three-year entry-level contract with the Predators on Nov. 14, 2022.
Burke spent his entire OHL career with the Sarnia Sting, hitting the 50-goal mark in his last season.
Only four other Sarnia Sting players have broken the 50-mark in OHL history during the regular season. Reid Boucher in 2012-13 (62), Steven Stamkos in 2007-08 (58), Ivan Novoseltsev in 1998-99 (57) and Jon Sim in back-to-back seasons from 1995-97 (56).
Burke spent 2016-18 with the U15 AAA and U16 AAA Peterborough Petes.
Hometown PTBO: Gary Dalliday Memorial Golf Tournament of the Broadcaster's Esteemed Career and Community Service
/This week on Hometown PTBO, David Tuan Bui talks with Community Care Peterborough, Tim Dalliday and Dan O'Toole about Gary Dalliday's legacy of his career and community service at his Memorial Golf Tournament.
Peterborough Jr. C Lakers Cap Off Perfect Season With Series Sweep to Win Meredith Cup
/The Peterborough Jr. C Lakers’ perfect season is complete as they defeated the Fergus Thistles 14-7 in Game Three to capture the Meredith Cup at the Healthy Planet Arena on Saturday night.
July 28 was Peterborough’s only loss against the Nepean Knights in 6-5 result in the semifinals. Photo courtesy of Peterborough Jr. C Lakers.
The team had a perfect 16-0 record in the regular season entering the playoffs. The team only had one postseason loss and ended on an overall 28-1 record.
According to a prior press release, a Peterborough junior lacrosse team has had an undefeated season in roughly 50 years.
Peterborough drew first blood in game one, taking a 9-6 win on the road at Centre Wellington Sports Complex on Wednesday night. Peterborough fought off a late rally from the Thistles to hang on for the win and lead the best-of-five series, 1-0.
The Lakers had the opportunity to win the Meredith Cup in Peterborough if they could win consecutive home games in back-to-back nights.
Peterborough had a seesaw battle with Fergus in Game Two which included several visiting Thistles fans who were almost just as loud as the Lakers crowd at the Healthy Planet Arena on Friday night.
The home team was able to clamp down defensively and deny Fergus any scoring while netting two goals to win Game Two, 13-9.
With a chance to sweep the series and win the Meredith Cup before the home Peterborough crowd, the Lakers did just that with a convincing 14-7 win at the Healthy Planet Arena on Saturday night.
Once the Lakers took the lead, they never lost it thanks to an eight-goal surge in the second period. Peterborough outscored Fergus in every period to maintain their lead and capped off their perfect season.
“We are deeply grateful for the incredible support and dedication our community has shown us this season. To our amazing sponsors, volunteers, staff, and crew, as well as our passionate fans and parents - thank you from the bottom of our hearts. Your unwavering commitment and generous contributions have been the driving force behind our success,” according to a statement released by the team following their championship win.
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Four Exceptional Student-Athletes Graduates Receive Peterborough & District Sports Hall of Fame Bursary
/Four graduating student-athletes were recipients of the annual Peterborough & District Sports Hall of Fame Bursary Award at a presentation ceremony at the Peterborough Memorial Centre on Wednesday night.
(Left to right) Linda de Jeu, PDSHoF Second Vice Chair; Ireland Payne, TASS graduate; Ava Johnston, Adam Scott Graduate, Brynn Jenkins, Crestwood Graduate; Finn Hughes, Holy Cross Graduate and Tim Barrie, first vice chair. Photo by David Tuan Bui.
Finn Hughes, Brynn Jenkins, Ava Johnston, and Ireland Payne were this year’s winners, taking home $2,000 apiece from the bursary. Each recipient was a graduating high school student that attending University in the fall.
This year’s winners will have their headshots commemorated in the Hall of Fame and their names etched into the history of the awards’ beneficiaries. The award has been given annually to four recipients since 1996 (with 2020 having six).
Hughes graduated from Holy Cross Secondary School, will attend Laurier University, study Business Administration and play rugby for the Golden Hawks.
He is an honours student with a 90 per cent average.
The Hurricane alumnus captained football, basketball, and rugby for Holy Cross. He was named senior athlete of the year and earned several MVP awards. He also served on the school’s student council.
In the community, he was a member of the U18 Team Canada rugby program, U19 Team Ontario rugby, Peterborough Pagans, Petes minor hockey and Otters football.
As a volunteer, Hugues was a link leader at Holy Cross, volunteered with special needs students, was an OFSAA lacrosse volunteer and gave back to minor hockey as a referee and scorer and timer.
“It's an honour,” explained Hughes. “I'd just like to thank the Peterborough and District Sports Hall of Fame for thinking of us and getting us in here. It feels great.”
Jenkins graduated from Crestwood Secondary School this past summer with a 94 per cent average as an honours student. She is attending Queens University, studying Health Sciences and will play varsity rugby.
At Crestwood, she played rugby, basketball, volleyball, track and field and wrestling. She was captain of the rugby team and earned an OFSAA gold medal in wrestling. She competed at OFSAA in track and field for four years. She earned MVP honours in rugby and was given the Dysart award, one of the highest athletic honours at Crestwood.
Outside of school, Jenkins was a member of the Peterborough Pagans Rugby Club, played Kawartha lacrosse, soccer and has attended the Rugby Canada development academy.
Jenkins was an active volunteer. She worked with Kawartha Food Share, was a referee for junior rugby, coached mini rugby and advocated for black athletes on social media.
“It feels wonderful to be recognized for all of the hard work that I've put in and all of us,” said Jenkins.
Johnston is a graduate of Adam Scott Collegiate and is attending the University of Guelph. She will study Health Sciences and play rugby for the Gryphons.
The 96 per cent average honours student played high school rugby, volleyball, wrestling and ultimate frisbee. She was captain of several teams, leading them to OFSAA gold medals in Ultimate and Kawartha and COSSA championships in Rugby and volleyball. She was Adam Scott’s senior female athlete of the year and earned many MVP awards.
Johnston was a member of the Ice Kats for hockey, part of the Peterborough Pagans Rugby Club and has been a member of the Ontario Rugby program.
Off the field, the Adam Scott Lion alumnus was a Sunday school volunteer and assisted with the Million Meals program. She was also an active volunteer and referee at the KPR elementary rugby and ultimate tournaments.
“It's just really awarding putting in a ton of hours into both sports and off the field,” explained Jenkins. “It's satisfying knowing that you're getting recognition for all of it and it's awesome for all of us.”
Payne graduated from Thomas A. Stewart and will attend the University of New Brunswick in the fall to study environmental management and play volleyball.
She played high school basketball, volleyball, badminton, tennis, soccer and track and field. Ireland earned multiple MVP awards in her sports while maintaining a 94 per cent average.
She was a member of Peterborough Thunder Volleyball, Soul Beach Volleyball and Peterborough Badminton Club.
Her volunteer work involves helping at Kawartha Food Share, Peterborough Humane Society and several KPR elementary sporting events.
“I'm very grateful that I got to be recognized and just very happy,” said Payne. “It makes me feel proud of myself and affects my self-esteem. It helps me feel more confident when you're recognized for high school accomplishments.”
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Peterborough Jr. C Lakers Hold Off Third-Period Surge From Fergus Thistles To Take Game One of the Meredith Cup In 9-6 Win
/The Peterborough Jr. C Lakers draw first blood in the Meredith Cup finals, fighting off a late rally from the Fergus Thistles to take Game One in a 9-6 victory at the Centre Wellington Sports Complex on Wednesday night.
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The Lakers opened the scoring just under five minutes into the game as Jeremiah Wade scored get break the ice. It took just over eight minutes for the next score Nick Fornier extended Peterborough’s lead to make it 2-0. Fergus got on the board under a minute later but Drew Calderwood got one right back for the Lakers to end the first in a 3-1 lead for Peterborough.
Only one player found the scoresheet in the second period but it was Wade who scored three consecutive goals to extend Peterborough’s lead to 6-1.
The Thistles attempted to mount a comeback, scoring the first four of five goals for a 7-5 game. Ryder Perry had the lone goal for Peterborough in nearly the first 15 minutes of the period. The Lakers were able to make one more push, getting the next two goals thanks to Liam Vollins and Reed Chamberlin with the latter scoring on the power play. Fergus scored with 68 seconds left but it was too little, too late and the Lakers hung on for 9-6 win.
The Lakers return home to the Healthy Planet Arena to play back-to-back games for Games Two and Three on Friday and Saturday night at 8 p.m. If they win both home games in the best-of-five series, the Lakers can sweep the Thistles and win the Meridith Cup at home.
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Final Peterborough Area Roller Derby Home Double-Header Hits Douro This Saturday
/It’s the last chance to catch both Peterborough Area Roller Derby PARD teams in action on their home track as they take the track at the Douro Community Centre this Saturday.
Peterborough Area Roller Derby is an inclusive, co-ed, skater run, not-for-profit organization started in 2015 and is made up of skaters from across central Ontario who compete on both its regulation and WFTDA Charter. Photo courtesy of PARD.
PARD’s Charter team takes on visiting Salt City Roller Derby at 4 p.m. At 6:30 p.m., PARD’s Regulation will meet up with Ottawa Roller Derby’s Bytown Blackhearts. Doors open at 3:30 p.m and between games there will be opportunities for audience members to win prizes in the Chuck-A-Duck and the Pool Pony races.
Tickets to this all ages, family friendly event are $15 at the door, or $10 in advance by contacting the league or going online. Kids 12 and under are free. Merch tables and a meal from Mammoth Barbeque will be set up in the arena parking area. The event is licensed and cash only is accepted at the bar.
Our next intake of skaters — including absolute beginners to roller skating — will take place in late September with their Learn to Skate/Roller Derby 101 program.
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Fleming Phoenix Name New Varsity Soccer Coaches For Men's and Women's Teams
/Fleming College has named two local residents Victor Waselenko and David Brown as head coaches for the men’s and women’s varsity soccer programs, respectively.
Photo courtesy of Fleming College.
