Peterborough Petes Sign Second-Round Pick to OHL Scholarship and Development Agreement

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The Peterborough Petes has signed 2024 second-round pick Blake Gowan to an OHL Scholarship and Development Agreement announced on Wednesday afternoon.

Photo courtesy of Kenneth Andersen and the Peterborough Petes.

“It’s an honour to be a part of such an amazing organization,” said Gowan. “I can’t wait to get to Peterborough and get started.”

The Petes selected the Kingston-born defenceman in the second round, 32nd overall, of the 2024 OHL Priority Selection. He played in 33 games with the Barrie Colts U16 last season, scoring two goals and 25 assists for 27 points.

In 10 playoff games, he scored three times and added eight assists for 11 points en route to an OMHA Championship and a spot in the OHL Cup.

“On behalf of the Petes, I’d like to welcome Blake to the team,” said Michael Oke, Petes general manager and vice president of operations. “Blake is a solid, hard-hitting defenceman who makes good decisions in his own end. We had the opportunity to watch Blake a lot this season with Barrie and were very impressed with his play, especially in the playoffs and the OMHA Championship.”

Gowan is the second Petes pick from the 2024 Priority Selection to commit to the team after the team signed third-overall pick Colin Fitzgerald to an OHL Scholarship and Development Agreement on May 4.

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Two High School Student-Athletes Receive $500 Scholarship From Peterborough Petes Education Fund

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High school student-athletes Lilly Legault and Nikolas Pawlowski are named the recipients of the Peterborough Petes Education Fund, each receiving a $500 scholarship, announced at the Peterborough Memorial Centre on Wednesday morning.

Rod McGills, Peterborough Petes vice president (left); Nikolas Pawlowski, Petes U18 AAA captain and Laura Kennedy, Petes Fund board member (right) presenting the $500 cheque to Pawlowski for his efforts. Legault was absent during the press conference. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

Legault and Pawlowski were selected by their coaches as outstanding players from the U18 AA Peterborough IceKats and U18 AAA Peterborough Petes respectively.

Legault is a left winger, graduating from St. Peter’s Secondary School this summer. The high school senior plans to continue her hockey career at the collegiate level in the United States.

“I feel so much gratitude for being chosen to receive this year’s Peterborough Petes Education Award,” explained Legault. “Thank you to my coaches and thank you to the Peterborough Petes for establishing these scholarships for students.”

“Our coaching staff unanimously chose Lilly for this generous award. She is committed to her studies just as much as her athletics and overall enjoys learning,” said Jay Legault, U18 AA IceKats head coach. “She worked at getting ahead all through high school by enrolling in summer courses. She never missed practices due to over-scheduling or upcoming tests. Lilly is committed and organized in balancing both hockey and her studies. That’s a trait a coach notices and wants in their players.”

Lilly is the daughter of NHL and Anaheim Ducks draft pick Jay Legault. The latter was drafted in the third round, 72nd overall by the Ducks in 1997. Photo courtesy of the Peterborough Petes.

Pawlowski was captain of the U18 AAA Petes as a defenseman. He moved from the Durham area to Peterborough when he was 16 and was with the team for two seasons. This year, he logged two goals and 16 assists in 33 games.

”I'm very grateful. It doesn't happen without a great team around me,” said Pawlowski. “Just to have this opportunity, I feel very thankful to my coaches and to everybody to the whole organization.”

“Nik was a dedicated leader all year,” said Colin Sharpe, U18 AAA Petes head coach. “His work ethic and commitment to improving was an example for everyone on the team. We know he will carry these qualities into his next steps for both hockey and education.”

Pawlowski was a member of the Ajax/Pickering Raiders prior to moving to Peterborough with the Petes Minor Hockey system. Photo courtesy of the Peterborough Petes.

The Durham region native is graduating from Norwood District High School this summer, and like Legault, he wants to continue his hockey career in the collegiate ranks in the United States.

“I'm going to keep pursuing hockey and hopefully pursue a scholarship in the States.,” he explained. “I'm interested in science (kinesiology) and the human body so we'll see where that takes me.”

He won the ‘Most Dedicated’ award during the Minor AAA Petes Banquet held last month.

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Peterborough Lakers Drop Season Opener 13-10 On the Road to Oakville Rock's Third-Period Surge

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The Peterborough Lakers are not off to the start they wanted as they lost to Oakville 13-10 thanks to a nine-goal third period from the Rock at the Toronto Rock Athletic Centre on Monday night.

Photo courtesy of the Peterborough Lakers.

The two teams were evenly matched in the opening frame, scoring four goals apiece. Thomas Hoggarth had Peterborough’s first two goals followed by Taite Cattoni and Jake Withers.

Peterborough took control of the game in the second period as the shut out Oakville and tacked on another four goals for an 8-4 lead. Koleton Marquis and Owen Hiltz had the first two goals for the Lakers. The returning Joe Resetaris, who played Jr. B Quebec lacrosse last season, returned to score his first of the season. Dylan Hutchinson capped off the perfect period for his first goal in the last second.

Oakville had rallied in the third and assumed control for the rest of the game. After they coughed up a Withers goal just five seconds into the final stanza, the Rock went on a five-goal run to tie the game up at nine apiece.

Hoggarth got the hat trick and let Peterborough regain a 10-9 lead. In the final two minutes of the game, Oakville rang off four unanswered goals to finish off the Lakers and hand them their first loss of the season.

The Lakers will try to redeem themselves on their continued road trip and face off against the Brampton Excelsiors at the Brampton Memorial Arena on Thursday night at 8 p.m.

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Swim, Bike and Run Hard at the Treescape Chemong Lake Triathlon On Aug. 11

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The Treescape Chemong Lake Triathlon will be held on Aug. 11 at the Ennismore Waterfront Park in Ennismore.

Photo courtesy of Treescape Chemong Lake Triathlon.

The park is located at 1085 Ennis Rd., with the event in support of BEL Rotary.

The triathlon welcomes participants of all ages and skill levels. It features a variety of race options such as the Try-a-Tri, Sprint Triathlon, Duathlon and a Team Relay Sprint Triathlon.

“It’s an excellent opportunity for families, friends and individuals to engage in a healthy, active lifestyle while enjoying the beautiful surroundings of Chemong Lake,” said Ryan Driscoll, race director.

Race Day Schedule:

  • 8 a.m.: Race day check-in begins

  • 9 a.m.: Try-a-Tri start

  • 10:30 a.m.: Relay, Sprint Tri & Duathlon star

Race Categories and Fees (Prices increase July 1 for all events):

  • Try-a-Tri (ages 11 and older): 300 m swim, 10 km bike, 3 km run - $85

  • Sprint Triathlon (ages 12 and older): 750 m swim, 20 km bike, 5 km run - $90

  • Duathlon (ages 12 and older): 3 km run, 20 km bike, 5 km run - $90

  • Team Relay Sprint Triathlon (ages 12 and older) (two or three members): 750 m swim, 20 km bike, 5 km run - $100

“Participants and spectators alike will have the opportunity to enjoy a fun-filled day at Ennismore Waterfront Park,” said Driscoll. “The event not only promotes physical fitness but also supports a great cause. Funds raised from the triathlon will benefit the Rotary Club of Bridgenorth-Ennismore-Lakefield, helping to support their various community projects.”

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David Tuan Bui


Former Peterborough Petes Owen Beck and James Guo Win Memorial Cup, Beck Named Tournament MVP

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Former Peterborough Petes Owen Beck and James Guo can add a ‘Memorial Cup’ to their hockey resume as they won the tournament with the Saginaw Spirit in a 4-3 win over the London Knights on Sunday night.

Beck winning the OHL Championship with the Petes during the 2022/23 OHL season. Photo by Samantha Bianco.

Beck was named tournament MVP and awarded the Stafford Smythe Memorial Trophy with four goals and one assist in the tournament. He scored the game’s first two goals and helped Saginaw become the first American-based Ontario Hockey League team to win the Memorial Cup.

“It's something nobody's ever going to take away from us,” explained Beck.

Beck’s first goal came in the opening period just after nine minutes into the game. He took the faceoff in Knights zone and a battle ensued for the puck. Beck was able to corral it and with traffic in front, beat former teammate and Peterborough Pete goaltender Michael Simpson as he went top shelf, bar down with his shot to make it 1-0 for Saginaw.

His second goal came on the power play in the final minute of the frame. Saginaw had been given a five-minute man advantage after a Landon Sim check to the head major penalty.

The Spirit wasted little time scoring as Beck got a pass at the faceoff dot from teammate Josh Bloom and one-timed it past Simpson in the top corner for a 2-0 lead.

Beck was traded to the Spirit for three draft picks and forward Aiden Young on Jan. 8 as part of the Petes rebuild.

He was originally acquired from the Mississauga Steelheads in exchange for Jack Van Volsen, Justin DeZoete, Peterborough’s second and third-round picks in 2025, Erie’s second-round pick in 2025 and Peterborough’s fourth-round pick in 2026 on Jan. 7 last year.

Guo logged one assist in the tournament en route to his Memorial Cup championship.

He was drafted 74th overall in the 2021 Ontario Hockey League Priority Selection.

The Woodbridge native was traded to Saginaw and the Petes’s 2023 sixth-round pick for Cam Gauvreau, the Spirit’s fourth-round pick and Windsor’s 2025 third-round pick in 2025 in January of last year.

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Peterborough Lakers Acquire Oakville Rock Forward Rob Hellyer For Two Defensemen

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The Peterborough Century 21 Lakers have acquired forward Rob Hellyer from the Oakville Rock in exchange for defensemen Thomas Whitty and Matt Wright in a trade made on Friday afternoon.

Photo courtesy of the NLL.

Hellyer was with the Toronto Rock since being drafted in 2010 of the NLL until being traded to the Las Vegas Desert Dogs last August. He scored 77 points in 18 games this season. 

“He’s going to compete at a very high level,” said Mike Hasen, Lakers’ head coach and general manager. “He’ll handle the ball for us a little more. He does a lot of great things with and without the ball but he’ll be a presence for us that will stabilize the ball on the right side. He’ll be in the right spots for our offense to flow and click together.”

Hellyer last played in the MSL in 2019, with the pandemic cancelling the 2020 and 2021 seasons. The Rock sat out the 2022 and 2023 seasons. Between stints with the Rock, he also spent the 2018 season out west with the Victoria Shamrocks. 

Hasen was not necessarily looking to trade two young defenders, according to a press release. However, the team says the opportunity presented itself. The two defensemen were what Oakville’s general manager, Steve Dietrich, liked.

After playing Sr. B in Quebec last season, Joe Resetarits is returning to the Lakers.

“(Resetarits is) 100 per cent committed to being here and helping us to compete for a Mann Cup again,” said Hasen.

Season tickets for the six-game home schedule are available at the box office with single-game on sale this Thursday. The team’s home opener is on June 13 against Brooklin L.C.

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Two Former Peterborough Petes Square Off at the Memorial Cup In the Battle of Undefeated

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In last year’s Memorial Cup, Owen Beck and Michael Simpson were teammates with the Peterborough Petes.

This year, they are opponents in the battle of undefeated with the Saginaw Spirit and London Knights, respectively, as the two teams face off at the DOW Event Center in Saginaw on Wednesday night at 7:30 p.m.

Photo courtesy of Ken Andersen and the Peterborough Petes.

The Spirit and Knights (both from the Ontario Hockey League) share 2-0 records with the winner advancing to the championship game. The loser will play in the semi-final matchup.

Beck was traded to the Spirit for three draft picks and forward Aiden Young on Jan. 8 as part of the Petes rebuild.

He was originally acquired from the Mississauga Steelheads in exchange for Jack Van Volsen, Justin DeZoete, Peterborough’s second and third-round picks in 2025, Erie’s second-round pick in 2025 and Peterborough’s fourth-round pick in 2026 on Jan. 7 last year.

The Montréal Canadiens prospect played 30 games in the regular season last year, scoring seven goals and 18 assists. He logged another eight goals and eight assists in the playoffs to help Peterborough win an OHL Championship.

Beck played another 25 games with 16 goals and 14 assists prior to being traded to Saginaw.

Simpson was selected by the Petes in the 10th round, 193rd overall, by the Petes in the 2019 OHL Priority Selection.

He was given the Wayne Gretzky 99 Award as the playoff MVP when the Petes won the OHL Championship last year.

The London native was traded to his hometown team before this regular season’s start for goaltender Zach Bowen and Kingston Frontenac’s third-round pick in 2025.

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Challenger Baseball Starts Swinging For the Fences For the 2024 Season

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Peterborough Challenger Baseball broke out the gloves and bats as it kicked off their season opener for 2024 at Brinton Carpet Park on Monday night.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The organization supports anyone with cognitive or developmental challenges or chronic health issues that prevent them from playing organized sports.

The league typically kicks off on the Monday after the May 24 weekend, with the final game in late August.

“There's a lot of work that goes on behind the scenes over the winter but it makes it all worthwhile when you're and you see everyone giving it all on the ballfield,” said Joe Keating, Peterborough Challenger coach.

Those benefitting from the program learn skills such as communication, teamwork and confidence-building while getting exercise and having fun.

“A lot of it is learning to interact with your peers and play on a team,” explained Keating. Some people don't get a chance to do that so much so we provide an opportunity and environment where everyone can feel welcome and contribute and be successful on a team with their friends.”

As the organization continues throughout the years, the league sees a lot of returning faces but also welcomes several new players into the league.

“We really focus on fun rather than competing,” said Keating. “There's a competitive edge but the focus is for all the players to be successful. We make it fun for the players but we also try to teach and push them to get out of their comfort zone.”

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Peterborough Petes Defenceman Carson Cameron Selected to OHL Second All-Rookie Team

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Peterborough Petes rookie defenceman Carson Cameron was named to the 2023-24 Ontario Hockey League (OHL) Second All-Rookie team, announced on Wednesday.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

Cameron is the first Petes defenceman to be voted to an all-rookie team since Slater Koekkoek in 2010-11.

“It’s an honour to be recognized by the league for the year I had,” said Cameron. “I’m looking forward to getting back to the PMC and continuing to grow.”

The Bobcaygeon native was selected 15th overall by the Petes in the 2023 OHL Priority Selection. In his debut season, he tallied 4 goals and 22 assists for 26 points across 59 games.

“Congratulations to Carson and all the hard work he put in over the season. Being recognized as one of the top performers in the league is a great accomplishment,” said Michael Oke, Petes general manager and vice president of operations. “We are looking forward to watching Carson continue to grow and develop as a player moving forward.”

The CHL Import Draft takes place on July 3 at 11 a.m. The Petes hold the ninth overall selection in the draft.

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Fourth Annual Lakers Alumni Golf Tournament Returns in 2024 to Support Grassroots Lacrosse Programs

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The fourth annual Peterborough Lakers Alumni golf tournament returns to Keystone Links Golf & Country Club on June 21.

JOHNNY “SHOOTER” DAVIS AS ONE OF FOUR LAKERS ALUMNI THAT PARTICIPATED IN THE CEREMONIAL TEE-OFF. PHOTO BY LUKE BEST.

The tournament benefits the sustainability and grassroots lacrosse programs in the Peterborough area.

According to Jamie Batley, former alumni president, the annual event ‘took a year off’ last year but is back in full swing.

Tickets are $100 and include 18 holes, a cart, a commemorative hat, lunch and more.

Golfers can register online and send an e-transfer to ptbolakersalumni@gmail.com for payments. Registration begins at 11:30 a.m. with tee off at 1 p.m.

The tournament is also seeking hole sponsors or prize donations.

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