Peterborough Petes Sign German Defenseman Rio Kaiser; Will Debut Friday Night Against Soo Greyhounds

The Peterborough Petes have signed German defenceman Rio Kaiser to an OHL Scholarship and Development Agreement, announced on Friday.

Photo courtesy of Matt Zambonin and the Peterborough Petes.

The Petes originally selected the Berlin, Germany native in the first round, 31st overall, of the 2023 CHL Import Draft. The 6’7” defenceman has played 10 games over two seasons for Eisbären Berlin of the DEL, Germany’s top league.

Since 2023, he’s featured in 18 games for Eisbären Juniors Berlin U20, scoring two goals and adding six assists for eight points. The 2006-born Kaiser has also played 24 games on loan with Lausitzer Füchse of the DEL2, scoring once and adding two assists.

“Rio is a defenceman who already has experience playing professional hockey in Germany’s top league,” said Michael Oke, general manager and vice president of operations. “He’s very difficult to play against and is a big, physical presence on the ice. We think he’s a good addition to our team and we’re excited to see him on the ice.”

Kaiser has represented Germany at multiple levels. Most recently, he suited up for Germany U20 at the 2025 World Junior Championships in Ottawa.

“I’m a big defenceman who likes to play physical,” said Kaiser. “I’m really excited to be here and to get started with the Peterborough Petes.”

Kaiser will wear number 17 and is expected to make his OHL debut against the Soo Greyhounds at GFL Memorial Gardens.

The Petes lost their last game 4-1 to the home North Bay Battalion on Thursday night.

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Peterborough Petes Fall In Comeback Bid From Niagara IceDogs In 3-2 Loss

The Peterborough Petes started strong but could not finish the job as they let the home team Niagara IceDogs ring off three-straight goals for a 3-2 win at the Meridian Centre in St. Catherine’s on Tuesday night.

Photo courtesy of Vivid Eye Photography and the Peterborough Petes.

Things started well for Peterborough as Carson Cameron squeaked the puck past Niagara goalie Owen Flores at a sharp angle to make it 1-0 just under seven minutes in. The Petes kept rolling in the opening period as they forced a turnover in their defensive zone. Peterborough counterattacked with an odd-man rush and Gavin Bryant buried it home off a pass from Caden Taylor for a 2-0 lead.

Unfortunately, Niagara immediately responded 15 seconds later as Ethan Czata was able to snipe the top corner off a rush to cut the deficit in half. Just under two minutes later, Braidy Wassilyn hit the same spot as Czata in the high slot to tie things up at two apiece to end the first.

With no scoring in the second, the game’s next goal came late in the third. Peterborough lost the puck at the offensive blue line and Niagara quickly went on the offensive. A point shot came from the IceDogs and Mathieu Paris tipped it in as he was left alone in front of Petes goaltender Easton Rye.

Peterborough could not tie things up and leave St. Catherine’s with a 3-2 loss.

The Petes return home to take on the North Bay Battalion at the Peterborough Memorial Centre on Thursday night. Puck drop is scheduled for 7 p.m.

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Peterborough Petes Allow Goal In Dying Seconds to Fall 5-4 to Ottawa 67's

The Peterborough Petes were step-for-step with the Ottawa 67’s but allowed a goal in the final 11 seconds in regulation to fall 5-4 at the Peterborough Memorial Centre on Sunday night.

Photo courtesy of Kenneth Andersen and the Peterborough Petes.

This was Peterborough’s first game in nine days due to the holiday break.

The Petes conceded the first goal early, 2:31 in but responded quickly. Just over two minutes later, Peterborough scored two goals from Caden Taylor and Francis Parish (with the former goal on the powerplay) to make it 2-1.

The goals did not stop there as Ottawa rang off two goals to take back the lead, 3-2. Peterborough got the equalizer on the power play as Taylor wristed it in the top corner for a 3-3 tie after a goal-filled first period.

The Petes scored the second period’s only goal. The Petes forced a turnover in their defensive zone and on the rush, Adam Levac wristed one through for a 4-3 lead.

As Ottawa trailed in the third, they made up ground on the power play with less than eight minutes in regulation. Will Gerrior one-timed it through Zach Bowen for a 4-4 tie. In the dying seconds of the game, Ottawa took a shot from the point. The puck was loose in front of Bowen, and after a scramble for the puck, Gerrior buried it for a 5-4 with 11 seconds left to give Ottawa the win.

The Petes have a New Year’s Eve date in St. Catharines to take on the Niagara IceDogs on Tuesday night at the Meridian Centre. Puck drop is scheduled for 6 p.m.

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Peterborough Petes Earth Fifth Straight Home Win With 4-3 Shootout Win Over Ottawa 67's

The Peterborough Petes stay hot during the holidays, winning five games in a row at home thanks to a 4-3 shootout win over the Ottawa 67’s at the Peterborough Memorial Centre on Thursday night.

Photo courtesy of Kenneth Andersen and the Peterborough Petes.

Quinton Pagé opened the scoring after knocking the puck loose off a defender’s stick in the offensive zone and lifting the puck over the pad of a sprawling Jaeden Nelson for a 1-0 lead. Ottawa responded with a goal in the final second of the period as Will Gerrior ripped a one-timer on the power play, just narrowly beating the buzzer for a 1-1 tie.

Late in the second period, the Petes were on the power play. Aiden Young faked a shot and wired a pass to a streaking Colin Fitzgerald, who tipped it in for a 2-1 score. Peterborough built their lead as Young was on the rush and did a give-and-go with captain Johnathan Melee and the former tipped it in on the backhand for a 3-1 lead going into the third.

Ottawa was able to mount a comeback in the third period, scoring twice just over halfway through the period, thanks to Gerrior and Henry Mews for a tie game. With the rest of regulation and overtime solving nothing, the terms went to a shootout to decide a winner.

The following are the shootout results:

• PBO - Caden Taylor (Goal)

• OTT - Caden Kelly (No Goal)

• PBO - Colin Fitzgerald (No Goal)

• OTT - Nathan Amidovski (No Goal)

• PBO - Gavin Bryant (No Goal)

• OTT - Will Gerrior (No Goal)

The Petes have one last game before the holiday break as they hit the road to Kingston to take on the Frontenacs on Friday at 7 p.m. at the Slush Puppie Place.

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Peterborough Petes to Wear Themed Jerseys for Annual Christmas Game; Jerseys to be Auctioned For Scholarship Fund

The Peterborough Petes will show their holiday spirit with special-themed jerseys for their annual Christmas game on Thursday against the Ottawa 67’s at the Peterborough Memorial Centre, with an online jersey auction to follow.

Photo courtesy of the Peterborough Petes.

Proceeds are for the Hockey Ministries International’s Camper Fund, a scholarship fund designed to help their summer campers with financial costs. The auction runs from Thursday at 9 a.m. until 11:00 p.m. EST.

The event will have Christmas-themed games and a visit from Santa Claus. He will be available throughout the game for photo opportunities in the North Lobby.

The puck drop for Thursday’s game is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. Tickets are sold out.

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Peterborough Petes Defeat Rival Oshawa Generals In 4-3 Overtime Thriller

The Petes got the win in dramatic fashion over their rival Oshawa Generals as they walked it of with a 4-3 overtime win at the Peterborough Memorial Centre on Thursday night.

Photo courtesy of Kenneth Andersen and the Peterborough Petes.

The opening period had only one goal and it was courtesy of Petes captain Johnathan Melee on the penalty kill. Braydon McCallum was on the rush short handed and he sent it back to the high slot to a charging Melee who one-timed it home for a 1-0 lead.

Peterborough added to their lead as Blake Gowan snapped a shot but was saved by Generals goalie Isaac Gravelle. Colin Fitzgerald was able to pounce on the rebound and hammer it home for a 2-0 lead. The Generals got on the board after Zackary Sandhu ripped a shot from the point that got through traffic and Petes goalie Easton Rye for a 2-1 score.

Peterborough responded just over three minutes later as Young took a shot from point-blank range that was stopped. Martin Matejicek took a whack at the puck on the rebound and found the back of the net to restore Peterborough’s two-goal lead after two periods.

Oshawa was able to mount a comeback, scoring two goals to tie the game in the third period and send the game to overtime.

In the extra frame, just 49 seconds in, Braydon McCallum cut into the ent to take a shot but was stopped. It created a mad scramble for the loose puck and Gavin Bryant poked the puck back to Matejicek. The latter went wide and drew the goalie towards him as he passed out to Bryant in the slot who buried the wide-open net for a walk-off overtime 4-3 win.

The Petes are back in action against the Ottawa 67’s in our nation’s capital on Friday night.

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Peterborough Petes Getting Hot After 5-3 Victory Over Visiting Guelph Storm

In the team’s most successful stretch of the season, the Petes have won their last three of four games after a 5-3 victory over the Guelph Storm at the Peterborough Memorial Centre (PMC) on Sunday night.

Photo courtesy of Kenneth ANdersen and the Peterborough Petes.

The Petes did not have the ideal start, as they were on the wrong side of a five-on-three powerplay. Guelph’s Jett Luchanko rocketed a one-timer past Easton Rye to get the Storm on the board first, 1-0.

Peterborough would even things up just over halfway through the period as Martin Matejicek ripped a one-timer to tie things at 1. Guelph would regain the lead after some excellent forechecking in the offensive zone. They forced Peterborough to turn the puck over and Lev Katzin backhanded it past Rye for a 2-1 lead after one.

The second period was the Brody Partridge show. He netted two goals for the Petes, the lone scores of the frame. His first goal was off a deflected shot on a wide angle from Francis Parish to tie it up at two. His second goal came from an errant pass by him but came out to the point. Patridge met the puck, wired it past traffic and scored for Peterborough’s first lead of the night going into the third.

Luchanko tied things up at 1:39 into the final frame as he knocked in a rebound from Katzin’s initial shot for a 3-3 game. Peterborough forced a turnover of their own on the forecheck as the Petes scrambled in front of a sprawling Brayden Gillespie. The Petes did everything they could as Gavin Bryant had a few chances in front all alone. He appeared to try a wraparound after two whacks but instead fed Matejicek who buried the wide-open net and a 4-3 lead.

Petes captain Johnathan Melee capped off the game with an empty-netter and won 5-3 over the Storm. The win also marked three-straight wins for Rye in three consecutive starts.

The Petes stay home for their next game this Thursday against the rival Oshawa Generals. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. at the PMC.

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Peterborough Petes Showered From Teddy Bear Toss After 3-2 Overtime Win Against Sarnia

The stuffed animals were flying as the Peterborough Petes won in overtime 3-2 against the Sarnia Sting on Teddy Bear Toss night at the Peterborough Memorial Centre on Thursday night.

Photo courtesy of Kenneth ANdersen and the Peterborough Petes.

The game was deadlocked with no score until the last minute of the second period where Sarnia was on the power play. Tyson Doucette blasted a one-timer from the point that got by Easton Rye for a 1-0 lead.

With no scoring after halfway through the third period, the Petes fans were anxious to let throw their teddy bears on the ice which occurs after the Petes’s first goal.

That was a good opportunity Petes defenceman Blake Gowan to get his first career OHL goal as he joined the rush. He stickhandled the puck and backhanded it past the Sting goalie for a 1-1 game and to send all of the teddy bears flying to the ice.

Donations of other stuffed animals, toques, gloves and socks flooded the ice. There were 1571 donations were collected in support of the Move 99.7 and Pure Country 105 Christmas Toy Drive, in support of the Salvation Army’s Annual Christmas Appeal.

Less than two minutes later, Peterborough was on the power play. Ryder McIntyre tried a wraparound bid but went off a defender. The ricochet met Aiden Young’s stick and he buried it for the Petes’s first lead of the game, 2-1.

Sarnia was able to battle back late in the period. With 62 seconds left in regulation, Doucette struck again with another one-timer to tie things up at two for overtime.

Just as Peterborough saw their power play finish, Braydon McCallum passed it across to Caden Taylor who sniped it home on a one-timed shot in overtime for the walk-off goal for the 3-2 win. This was the first winning streak for the Petes this season with two straight overtime wins.

The Petes hit the road to Brantford to take on the at the Brantford Civic Centre on Friday. Puck drop is at 7 p.m.

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Peterborough Petes Release Teddy Bear Toss Details For Thursday's Game

With the Teddy Bear Toss Game lined up for Thursday at the Peterborough Memorial Centre against the Sarnia Sting, the Peterborough Petes have released its details, announced on Tuesday.

Photo courtesy of the Peterborough Petes.

Fans are asked to bring donations to the game, including stuffed animals, toques, gloves and socks. Once the Petes score their first goal, donations can be thrown onto the ice.

Chemong Home Hardware Building Centre will collect and count them and donate them to Move 99.7 and Pure Country 105's Christmas Toy Drive, which is in support of the Salvation Army’s Annual Christmas Appeal.

Participating fans are asked to put their donations into a clear plastic bag to prevent them from being damaged on the ice.

Rexall will sell stuffed bears in the concourse of the PMC before the game for $10.

Net proceeds from each bear sold will support the Rexall Care Network, a charitable organization supporting unpaid caregivers across Canada. Rexall will provide a $5 Rexall gift card to anyone who purchases a bear at the game. Fans who can not attend the game but wish to donate can drop off their donations at the Petes Store before the game.

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Former Niagara IceDogs Captain Scores Walk-Off Goal For Peterborough Petes In 4-3 Overtime Win

Ex-IceDog Captain Gavin Bryant scored the walk-off game-winning goal against his former team to give the Peterborough Petes a 4-3 victory at the Peterborough Memorial Centre on Sunday night.

Photo courtesy of Kenneth ANderson and the Peterborough Petes.

This was Peterboroughs third game in four days as they were shut out at home 6-0 to the London Knights on Thursday. They had a 2-0 lead against the Ottawa 67’s but allowed four-straight goals for a 4-2 road loss on Friday.

The Petes found themselves trailing 2-0, 12:13 into the first period with goals from Matthew Virgilio and Kevin He. As Niagara finished killing the penalty and returned to full strength, Carson Cameron wired a shot that went off an IceDog and found the back of the net for a 2-1 game after the first period.

After 6:48 into the second, Braidy Wassilyn reestablished Niagara’s two-goal lead on the power play for a 3-1 game. The former IceDog captain took over the game as the Petes were on an extended power play from a double-minor penalty from Jack Brauti for tripping and roughing. Bryant went coast-to-coast, blowing by all the defenders, corraled his own rebound and scored for a 3-2 game with 4:11 left in regulation.

After the second half of the double-minor penalty had finished, Bryant looked to shoot but instead fed Quinton Pagé for a one-timed tip-in to tie the game with 2:05 left in the third.

The game went to overtime and just 54 seconds in, Bryant finished off his former team with a shot that went off a defender and hit the back of the net for a 4-3 overtime win.

The Petes are bringing their annual Teddy Bear Toss game on Thursday when they host the Sarnia Sting at 7:05 p.m.

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