Peterborough to Host 2026 Connor McDavid OHL Top Prospects Game In January 2026

Peterborough has been selected as host of the Connor McDavid OHL Top Prospects Game on Jan. 14 next year, announced on Wednesday afternoon.

Photo courtesy of the Peterborough Petes.

The inaugural showcase brought close to 200 NHL scouts out to see the Ontario Hockey League’s rising stars in an East vs. West format. Peterborough’s Porter Martone of the Brampton Steelheads had won it in overtime for the Eastern Conference.

“I’ve heard so much positive feedback from folks across the league, colleagues with the National Hockey League, our great fans and the players themselves on this exciting event,” said Bryan Crawford, OHL Commissioner. “Brantford was a great spot to launch, and Peterborough presents a tremendous opportunity for the league to build upon that foundation and take this event to the next level.”

Among the showcase is hometown star and Petes’s latest first-round pick in the 2024 OHL Priority Selection, Colin Fitzgerald.

The Petes are eager to welcome fans, scouts and the OHL community to the Liftlock City next January according to Michael Oke, Petes general manager and vice president of operations.

“We’re very excited to be co-hosting the 2026 Connor McDavid OHL Top Prospects game with the City of Peterborough at the Peterborough Memorial Centre,” he said. “This is a great opportunity for our fans to see some of the top prospects for the 2026 NHL Draft up close as they face-off against each other. We’re also looking forward to hosting fans from all across Ontario, as we know this game will be embraced by the entire OHL community. This provides us with an excellent opportunity to showcase the City of Peterborough and the Peterborough Memorial Centre. We will be announcing some special events in the future that will be sure to make the experience for both fans and participants a memorable one.”

“Peterborough is home to one of Ontario’s most passionate hockey communities,” said Mayor Jeff Leal. “We are pleased to welcome the OHL Top Prospects Game to our city – an excellent opportunity to showcase our facilities, and our love for the game on a national stage. This event will be an inspiring one for future hockey stars, players and fans and will generate positive economic impact for local businesses and community members. We look forward to working with the Peterborough Petes, the OHL and our local hockey community to create a memorable experience for all.”

Peterborough Petes season ticket holders will have first access to securing tickets for the Connor McDavid OHL Top Prospects Game. Other special events planned around the game will be announced in the fall.

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Peterborough Petes Score Five Unanswered For Comeback Win Over the Kitchener Rangers

The Peterborough Petes rallied for five straight goals to come back and defeat the Kitchener Rangers 5-3, during their Next Gen game at the Peterborough Memorial Centre on Monday afternoon.

Photo courtesy of Kenneth Andersen and the Peterborough Petes.

The Next Gen game (in partnership with Five Counties Children’s Centre) saw the Petes seven kids signed as Next Gen Staff to one-day contracts.

The following are the kids and their respective roles:

• Myles Nugent-Horton: Head Coach

• Abbott Nugent-Horton: General Manager

• Gryffin Tucker: Scout

• Saphira Tuckers: Assistant Coach

• Damien Beaulieu: In-Game Host

• Alexis Beaulieu: Radio Broadcaster

• Bryor Grimes: PA Announcer

As Next Gen Petes, the children had an opportunity to experience the game up close and personal.

(From left to right) Myles Nugent-Horton, Head Coach; Abbott Nugent-Horton; General Manager; Gryffin Tucker; Scout; Saphira Tuckers; Assistant Coach, Damien Beaulieu, In-Game Host; Alexis Beaulieu, Radio Broadcaster and Bryor Grimes, PA Announcer. Photo courtesy of David Pickering and the Peterborough Petes.

The Petes had a rough start to the game. Crucial penalties lead to the game’s first three goals for Kitchener, with two on the power play.

Peterborough started their comeback bid late in the first period as they forced a turnover in the offensive zone. Blake Gowan got the puck from the point, tossed it at the net and Braydon McCallum tipped it in for a 3-1 game at the end of the frame.

Peterborough had a two-man advantage early in the second period and capitalized on their opportunity. Petes defenceman Carson Cameron took a shot at point-blank range but was stopped. There was a mad scramble for the puck and it trickled to the high slot for Brady Stonehouse, who buried it to make it 3-2. Martin Matejicek got on the scoreboard as he received a pass in the high slot. He took a shot on the backhand that found its way through traffic and scored for a 3-3 tie after two periods.

The game was deadlocked for the majority of the third until seven minutes left in regulation. Matejicek struck again as the Petes quickly won the faceoff and received a pass from his defensive partner Rio Kaiser. He one-timed it home for his second of the game and first lead of the night. Petes captain Johnathan Melee added an empty-net goal and Peterborough completed the comeback for a 5-3 win.

The Petes are at home again to host the Brantford Bulldogs at the Peterborough Memorial Cnetre this Thursday. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:05 p.m.

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Peterborough Petes' Thursday Game Postponed to Friday Due to Weather Conditions

The Peterborough Petes will have to wait one more day to get revenge on the Ottawa 67’s as their Thursday night matchup has been postponed to Friday due to the inclement weather and poor travel conditions, announced by the Ontario Hockey League on Thursday afternoon.

Photo courtesy of Tim Austen and the Peterborough Petes.

This game is the second leg of a home-and-home series which was originally scheduled for back-to-back days. The Petes were shut out by the Ottawa 67’s 3-0 on Wednesday night at TD Place.

Puck drop remains scheduled for 7:05 p.m. at the Peterborough Memorial Centre.

All tickets for Thursday’s game will be honoured on Friday.

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Peterborough Petes Are Blanked In Nation's Capital By Ottawa 67's

The Peterborough Petes could not find the back of the net and were shut out 3-0 to the Ottawa 67’s at TD Place on Wednesday.

Photo courtesy of Tim Austen and the Peterborough Petes.

This game was the first leg of a home-and-home series on back-to-back days for both teams.

The first period was slow for both teams as no one was able to beat the goaltenders and they remained 0-0 after the first. Peterborough led the shot department with 11-5.

Ottawa drew first blood only 2:02 into the second period as Frankie Marrelli scored to make it one nothing. It was followed up six-and-a-half minutes later by Matthew Mayich who made it 2-0, the end result of the period. Ottawa outshot Peterborough 9-8 in the frame.

The Petes had ten shots in the third period to Ottawa’s nine but could not solve 67’s goalie Colin MacKenzie for the shutout and 3-0 score.

Petes goaltender Zach Bowen stopped 20/23 shots in the loss. Petes defenceman Grayden Strohack hit a career milestone as it was his 100th OHL matchup.

Both teams will play in the second half of the home-and-home series as Ottawa comes to Peterborough to play again on Thursday night at the Peterborough Memorial Centre. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:05 p.m.

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Peterborough Petes Sign American Goaltender to OHL Scholarship and Development Agreement

The Peterborough Petes has signed American goaltender Dylan Lee-Stack to an OHL Scholarship and Development Agreement, announced Monday.

Photo courtesy of Kenneth andersen and the Peterborough Petes.

The New York, N.Y. native attended both Petes development and training camp as an undrafted free agent last year. Last season, the 2007-born goaltender played 18 games for the Yale Jr. Bulldogs 16U, with a 2.83 GAA. He also played in eight games for Brunswick School in Connecticut, picking up a 1.86 GAA and a .927 save percentage.

“Dylan had a great camp with us in August,” said Michael Oke, Petes general manager and vice president of operations. “He had an opportunity to go back to Brunswick School this season, where we’ve been able to monitor his development both on video and in person. He’s a composed, young goaltender and we’re looking forward to having him join the team in the future.”

Last month, Lee-Stack was ranked 30th for North American goaltenders in NHL Central Scouting’s Mid-Term Rankings for the 2025 NHL draft. He joins Carson Cameron (87), Caden Taylor (113), and Aiden Young (183), who were also mentioned in the rankings. This year, Lee-Stack has suited up for the Yale Jr. Bulldogs 18U and Brunswick School, where he will finish the season.

“I’d also like to acknowledge the work that Head Coach Mike Kennedy and the rest of the staff who work with Dylan at Brunswick have put in to further his development over the past two years,” said Oke. “They’ve done a great job in preparing him for this next step in his career.”

The Petes continue their road trip as they will take on the Ottawa 67’s on Wednesday. The game is the first leg of a home-and-home series being played on back-to-back days. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. at TD Place.

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Peterborough Petes Get the Split in Back-to-Back Road Games

The Peterborough Petes split their back-to-back road games, taking a loss over the London Knights but earning a shootout win over the Sarnia Sting.

Photo courtesy of Tyler Bennett and the Peterborough Petes.

The Petes took a 3-1 loss to the Knights at Canada Life Place on Friday night.

Petes goaltender Easton Rye stopped 35/38 shots in the loss. Colin Fitzgerald had the team’s lone goal while Braydon McCallum picked up an assist, extending his point streak to five games. The game was a milestone for second-year forward Brody Partridge, who skated in his 100th OHL contest.

Peterborough bounced back with a 3-2 shootout win over Sarnia at the Progressive Auto Sales Arena on Saturday night.

Francis Parish scored his fourth and fifth goals of the season, both in the second period. Fitzgerald had two assists, while Aiden Young and Carson Cameron had one assist each. Rye stopped 25/27 shots and two in the shootout to pick up his ninth win.

The Petes continue their road trip as they will take on the Ottawa 67’s on Wednesday. The game is the first leg of a home-and-home series being played on back-to-back days. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. at TD Place.

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Peterborough Petes Raise $45,153 For 16th Annual Pink in the Rink Campaign

The Peterborough Petes have officially announced their fundraising total for the 16th Annual Pink in the Rink Campaign, raising $45,153 in support of Pedal for Hope, a part of Cops for Cancer at the Canadian Cancer Society, announced on Friday.

Photo courtesy of Kenneth Andersen and the Peterborough Petes.

This year’s campaign featured a month-long fundraising effort, including an online donation page, t-shirts, window stickers, and replica jersey sales. The Petes hosted their Pink in the Rink Game against the Oshawa Generals on Saturday. More fundraising took place during the game, with a silent auction, Chuck-A-Pep, and on-ice game jersey auction all adding to the total.

In addition to supporting pediatric cancer research, the Pedal for Hope tour also raises funds to support the Pediatric Family Counselling Service. This program provides much-needed support to families and children coping with a cancer diagnosis, as well as young adults who have surpassed their diagnosis as they transition into adulthood.

The Petes hit the road as they travel to London to take on the defending-champion London Knights. Puck drop is scheduled for 7 p.m. at Canada Life Place.

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Peterborough Petes Grounded 7-2 to Visiting Flint Firebirds

The Peterborough Petes did not have the best night as they were routed by the Flint Firebirds, 7-2, at the Peterborough Memorial Centre during Mental Health Awareness Night on Thursday.

Photo courtesy of Kenneth Andersen and the Peterborough Petes.

Peterborough got the start they wanted by scoring early. The Petes forced a turnover with heavy forechecking in the offensive zone. Adam Levac got the loose puck and backhanded it in past Firebirds goalie Nathan Day for a 1-0 lead. Unfortunately for the Petes, Flint scored the following four goals that leaked into the middle of the second period.

Brady Stonehouse got one back for the Petes late in the second on the powerplay from a one-timed shot in the high slot to cut the lead to two. Flint retaliated 33 seconds later to make it 5-2 after two periods.

Peterborough did what they could to try and play catch up but the visitors tacked on a goal early from former Pete Sam McCue on the power play and a late period goal to seal it, 7-2.

The Petes hit the road as they travel to London to take on the defending-champion London Knights. Puck drop is scheduled for 7 p.m. at Canada Life Place.

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Fleming Night Hits Peterborough Memorial Centre For Petes Game On Feb. 13

The Peterborough Petes are hosting college students again with Fleming Night when they host the Ottawa 67’s at the Peterborough Memorial Cetnre on Feb. 13.

Photo courtesy of Kenneth Andersen and the Peterborough Petes.

The night celebrates Fleming students, staff, faculty and alumni.

Members of the Fleming community, including alumnus and social media influencer Brendan Carpenter, will participate in a ceremonial puck drop. Announcements recognizing Fleming College will play throughout the game.

The game is the second part of a home-and-home series between the two teams being played on back-to-back days.

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Peterborough Petes to Host Mental Health Awareness Game This Thursday

The Peterborough Petes are hosting a mental health awareness game as they host the Flint Firebirds at the Peterborough Memorial Centre this Thursday at 7:05 p.m.

Photo courtesy of the Peterborough Petes.

The game is in partnership with Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) and the CMHA Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge Branch.

The game day experience will have several features to promote the importance of mental health, including: 

• A CMHA-run kiosk on the concourse where fans can learn more about mental health and the organization’s community-based services 

• A ceremonial puck drop with the CMHA Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge Branch

• Videos featuring Petes players talking about the importance of mental health 

• Public service announcements about mental health and the CMHA Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge Branch

• A CMHA fundraising component 

The key piece of the Talk Today program has been to educate players about mental health and suicide prevention. Each team is also linked to a CMHA mental health coach, who provides support and mental health resources to needy individuals.  

“Talk Today shines a spotlight on mental health awareness, demonstrating how sports and community agencies can unite for a common purpose,” said Jack Veitch, CMHA HKPR manager of community engagement and education and Petes mental health coach. “Thursday’s game celebrates our community's commitment to mental health while reminding everyone of the support services available. Through this partnership, the Peterborough Petes continue to show exceptional leadership in fostering a culture of mental health awareness and support.”

“We’re very excited to once again be partnering with CMHA HKPR for our annual mental health awareness game,” said Eric Ebenbauer, Petes senior director of sales. “Talk Today is such an important initiative as it educates our players and staff about the importance of mental health and provides support services to those in need. Thursday night will be a great opportunity to show the community the benefits of the program, while also spreading awareness about the Canadian Mental Health Association and all the great work that they do.”

Tickets for the game are available now by going online or by visiting the Grant Thornton Box Office.

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