Peterborough Petes

Last updated

Peterborough Petes
Peterborough Petes logo.svg
City Peterborough, Ontario
League Ontario Hockey League
ConferenceEastern
DivisionEast
Founded1956 (1956)–57
Home arena Peterborough Memorial Centre
ColoursMaroon, black, cream, white
    
General managerMike Oke
Head coach Rob Wilson
Affiliate Lindsay Muskies
Website www.gopetesgo.com
Franchise history
1951–1954 Kitchener Greenshirts
1954–1956 Kitchener Canucks
1956–presentPeterborough Petes
Championships
Playoff championshipsOHL champions (1959, 1972, 1978, 1979, 1980, 1989, 1993, 1996, 2006, 2023)
Memorial Cup champions (1979)

The Peterborough Petes are a junior ice hockey team in the Ontario Hockey League. The team has played at the Peterborough Memorial Centre in Peterborough, Ontario, Canada, since 1956, and is the oldest continuously operating team in the league.

Contents

History

The Petes were born on October 1, 1956, when the Kitchener Canucks relocated to Peterborough after the 1955–56 season. They also became a sponsored junior team for the Montreal Canadiens of the NHL. The Petes played their first game on November 4, 1956, and won their first game on November 8, 1956.[ citation needed ]

The Petes have won the OHL Championship ten times, which is the second-most in OHL history behind the Oshawa Generals who have 13 and the most in the postwar era. The franchise’s most recent OHL Championship was in 2023 with a six game victory over the London Knights. They won the Memorial Cup once, in 1979.[ citation needed ]

TPT Petes

The team was sponsored by Toronto-Peterborough Transport (TPT) from 1956 to 1966. Scotty Bowman was brought in to coach by the Montreal Canadiens organization from the Ottawa-Hull Canadiens junior team, and led the team to a second-place finish in 1959. Peterborough defeated the Barrie Flyers, Guelph Biltmore Mad Hatters and Toronto St. Michael's Majors in the playoffs to win their first OHA championship. Bowman and the TPT Petes went on to reach the Memorial Cup for the first time that year but fell to the Winnipeg Braves. The TPT Petes claimed their first Hamilton Spectator Trophy during the 1965-66 season, but were eliminated from the playoffs.[ citation needed ]

Roger Neilson era (1966–1976)

The team became known as the Peterborough Petes Hockey Club in 1966–67, which was also the beginning of Roger Neilson's tenure as coach. The Petes wore the TPT logo on their sweaters until 1974–75, when their colours were changed to maroon and white and a new "Petes" logo was adopted.[ citation needed ]

Neilson led his team to seven consecutive winning seasons from 1968 to 1975, also finishing first overall in 1970–71, winning the J. Ross Robertson Cup in 1972, and were runners-up in 1973 and 1974. In the 1972 Memorial Cup, the Petes lost a close 2–1 game in the finals to the Cornwall Royals.[ citation needed ]

Neilson left behind a winning legacy in Peterborough and set the standard for coaches to come. Neilson was the first coach to use videotape analysis as a teaching method, leading to the nickname "Captain Video," and also the first to use microphone headsets to communicate with his assistant coaches.[ citation needed ]

Neilson also pushed the envelope causing several rules to be rewritten. During one Petes game, his team was up one goal, but was down two men in a five on three situation for the last minute of the game. Realizing that more penalties could not be called under the existing rules, Neilson put too many men on the ice every ten seconds. The referees stopped the play and a faceoff was held relieving pressure on the defence. After this display the rule was changed so that a call for too many men on the ice in a 5 on 3 situation now leads to a penalty shot.[ citation needed ]

Neilson also discovered that if he put a defenceman in net instead of a goalie during a penalty shot, the defenceman could rush the attacker and greatly reduce the chances of a goal. Today the rule states that a team must use a goalie in net for a penalty shot, and that the goalie may not leave the crease until the attacking player touches the puck.[ citation needed ]

Neilson was promoted for the 1976–77 season, coaching the Dallas Black Hawks in the former Central Hockey League.[ citation needed ]

Three seasons, three titles

The Peterborough Petes won three consecutive OHL championships in 1978, 1979 and 1980. Gary Green coached the first two championships followed up by Mike Keenan in 1980. The Petes won the Hamilton Spectator Trophy two consecutive times in 1979 and 1980. Peterborough's success also continued into the Memorial Cup, reaching the championship game all three years, and winning the national junior title in 1979.[ citation needed ]

Many future NHL stars played for Petes in these three years. Those of note are: Keith Acton, Bob Atwell, Keith Crowder, Ken Ellacott, Doug Evans, Dave Fenyves, Tom Fergus, Larry Floyd, Mark Kirton, Rick LaFerriere, Steve Larmer, Larry Murphy, Mark Reeds, Stuart Smith, Steve Smith, Bill Gardner, Tim Trimper and Jim Wiemer.[ citation needed ]

Dick Todd era (1982–1993)

Dick Todd started with the Petes as a trainer in the 1970s and was with the team through their three Memorial Cups. As a coach he led the team to two more Memorial Cup tournaments—in 1989 in Saskatoon, and in 1993 in Sault Ste. Marie. During Todd's time as coach, the Petes won six division titles and had the best overall winning percentage in the OHL. Todd was awarded the Matt Leyden Trophy as OHL Coach of the Year in 1987–88.[ citation needed ]

Memorial Cup 1996

The Peterborough Petes celebrated their 40th anniversary in 1996. The Petes won the J. Ross Robertson Cup defeating the Guelph Storm in the finals, then and also played at home while hosting the Memorial Cup tournament in 1996. The club achieved a 100% sellout each tournament game, and lost in the final that year to the Granby Prédateurs.[ citation needed ]

50th anniversary

PeterboroughPetes50th.png

Todd returned as head coach of the Petes in 2004. Todd's second season back behind the Petes bench, was the 50th anniversary of the Peterborough Petes founding. They are the oldest continuously operating franchise in the Ontario Hockey League (the rival Oshawa Generals date to 1937 but were inactive from 1953 to 1962).[ citation needed ]

The Petes celebrated their 50th anniversary in grand style, winning the J. Ross Robertson Cup on May 11, 2006, in a four-game sweep of the London Knights. Peterborough travelled to Moncton, New Brunswick, to play in the 2006 Memorial Cup, losing the third place tiebreaker game to the Vancouver Giants. Todd retired for good a few weeks after the Petes returned from Moncton.[ citation needed ]

60th anniversary

The 2015–16 season marked the 60th in franchise history.[ citation needed ]

Rob Wilson era (2018–present)

Under Rob Wilson, The franchise has made three playoff appearances. In 2023, the franchise won their tenth OHL championship over the London Knights and their tenth trip to the Memorial Cup.[ citation needed ]

Championships

Memorial Cup

George Richardson Memorial Trophy

Hamilton Spectator Trophy First overall in the OHL regular season standings.

Bobby Orr Trophy
Eastern Conference Champions.

J. Ross Robertson Cup Ontario Hockey League Champions

Leyden Trophy First overall in the Eastern Division regular season standings.

Coaches

Three coaches of the Peterborough Petes are members of the Hockey Hall of Fame. Scotty Bowman won 9 Stanley Cups in his career, and lead the Petes to the Memorial Cup finals in 1959. Roger Neilson coached 1,000 regular season games in the NHL, and led the Petes to the 1972 Memorial Cup finals. Ted "Teeder" Kennedy played 14 years for the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Gary Green was awarded the Matt Leyden Trophy as OHL Coach of the Year in 1978–79, leading the Petes to their only Memorial Cup championship.

Dick Todd recorded 500 career victories faster than any other coach in Major Junior A hockey history, accomplishing the milestone in just 813 games. Todd was awarded the Matt Leyden Trophy as OHL Coach of the Year in 1987–88.

List of coaches with multiple seasons in parentheses.

Players

The Peterborough Petes have 152 alumni who have played in the National Hockey League. Eight Hockey Hall of Fame inductees played junior hockey for the Petes: Bob Gainey, Wayne Gretzky, Larry Murphy, Chris Pronger, and Steve Yzerman; and coaches Scotty Bowman and Roger Nielson.

The Petes have not retired any numbers, but they have banners hanging from the ceiling honouring past Petes including Bob Gainey, Steve Yzerman, Mickey Redmond, Larry Murphy, Dick Todd, Roger Neilson, Scotty Bowman and Colin Campbell.

Award winners

CHL Player of the Year

CHL Defenceman of the Year

CHL Top Draft Prospect Award

CHL Rookie of the Year

CHL Sportsman of the Year

George Parsons Trophy Most Sportsmanlike at the Memorial Cup

Hap Emms Memorial Trophy Outstanding Goaltender at the Memorial Cup

Stafford Smythe Memorial Trophy Memorial Cup MVP

Red Tilson Trophy Most Outstanding Player

Eddie Powers Memorial Trophy Scoring Champion

Jim Mahon Memorial Trophy Top scoring right winger

Max Kaminsky Trophy Most Outstanding Defenceman

Wayne Gretzky 99 Award OHL Playoffs MVP

Emms Family Award Rookie of the Year

Leo Lalonde Memorial Trophy Overage Player of the Year

OHL Goaltender of the Year

Dave Pinkney Trophy Lowest Team GAA

F. W. "Dinty" Moore Trophy Best Rookie GAA

Dan Snyder Memorial Trophy Humanitarian of the Year

William Hanley Trophy Most Sportsmanlike Player

Bobby Smith Trophy Scholastic Player of the Year

Ivan Tennant Memorial Award Top Academic High School Player

NHL alumni

The Petes have graduated the most players to the NHL of all current OHL teams with a total of 248.[ citation needed ]

Season-by-season results

Regular season

Legend: OL = Overtime loss, SL = Shootout loss

Season GamesWonLostTiedOLSLPointsPct %GFGAStanding
1956–57 5211401——230.2211392397th OHA
1957–58 5221256——480.4621591855th OHA
1958–59 5429205——630.5832221792nd OHA
1959–60 4822233——470.4902062055th OHA
1960–61 4816248——400.4171671886th OHA
1961–62 509338——260.2601142106th OHA
1962–63 50211811——530.5301441323rd OHA
1963–64 5624257——550.4911762005th OHA
1964–65 5628208——640.5712431973rd OHA
1965–66 48241410——580.6042111711st OHA
1966–67 48152310——400.4171832198th OHA
1967–68 54133011——370.3431832438th OHA
1968–69 5427189——630.5832221933rd OHA
1969–70 54291312——700.6482401722nd OHA
1970–71 6241138——900.7262901741st OHA
1971–72 6334209——770.6112922273rd OHA
1972–73 6342138——920.7303302342nd OHA
1973–74 70352114——840.6002552303rd OHA
1974–75 70372013——870.6213112542nd OHA
1975–76 66183711——470.3562042846th Leyden
1976–77 6631287——690.5233073094th Leyden
1977–78 68371813——870.6403272732nd Leyden
1978–79 6846193——950.6993412451st Leyden
1979–80 6847201——950.6993162381st Leyden
1980–81 6829363——610.4492872905th Leyden
1981–82 6836293——750.5512912663rd Leyden
1982–83 7046222——940.6713672782nd Leyden
1983–84 7043234——900.6433803073rd Leyden
1984–85 6642204——880.6673542331st Leyden
1985–86 6645192——920.6972981901st Leyden
1986–87 6635247——770.5832672122nd Leyden
1987–88 6644175——930.7053252121st Leyden
1988–89 6642222——860.6523022351st Leyden
1989–90 6637236——800.6062942363rd Leyden
1990–91 6633267——730.5532722545th Leyden
1991–92 6641187——890.6743192561st Leyden
1992–93 6646155——970.7353522391st Leyden
1993–94 66154110——400.3032523507th Leyden
1994–95 6626346——580.4392552865th Eastern
1995–96 6635229——790.5982892352nd Eastern
1996–97 6639252——800.6062512383rd Eastern
1997–98 66203610——500.3792122735th Eastern
1998–99 6840262——820.6032662134th East
1999–2000 68342671—760.5512422194th East
2000–01 68302882—700.5002212133rd East
2001–02 68332276—790.5372422153rd East
2002–03 683222113—780.5512222152nd East
2003–04 68224033—500.3461912444th East
2004–05 68342194—810.5662382151st East
2005–06 684716—23990.7282691991st East
2006–07 682439—14530.3901982745th East
2007–08 682836—13600.4411992504th East
2008–09 682837—12590.4342102663rd East
2009–10 682935—13620.4562312773rd East
2010–11 682045—12430.3161952985th East
2011–12 682734—34610.4492192814th East
2012–13 682635—34590.4342022544th East
2013–14 683230—06700.5152332693rd East
2014–15 682636—15580.4262032685th East
2015–16 683328—25730.5372402593rd East
2016–17 684221—23890.6542392211st East
2017–18 682339—33520.3822222835th East
2018–19 683331—22700.5152342563rd East
2019–20 623721—22780.6292501982nd East
2020–21 000—0000.00000Season cancelled
2021–22 682933—51640.4712402815th East
2022–23 683529—22740.5442472072nd East
2023–24 682040—71480.3531832965th East

Playoffs

Uniforms and logos

From 1956 to 1974, the Petes wore the red, white & blue colours of the Montreal Canadiens. In 1974–75, the club changed to the maroon & white colours they wear today. In January 2000, a new '3rd' jersey was introduced, that used the maroon background, with white, black & gold trim.

For the 2005–06 season, the Petes unveiled a 50th anniversary jersey that has a black background with maroon & gold trim. During January in the 2006–07 season, the Petes wore throwback jerseys for the TPT Petes.

Arena

Interior of Peterborough Memorial Centre before renovation PMC interior.jpg
Interior of Peterborough Memorial Centre before renovation
Interior of Peterborough Memorial Centre, April 2023 PMC Interior - April 2023.jpg
Interior of Peterborough Memorial Centre, April 2023

The Peterborough Memorial Centre was constructed in 1956, and named in honour of the many war veterans who came from the region. It was built at the east of the fairground and horse track at the corner of Landsdowne and George streets.[ citation needed ]

The original design included a large stage at the south end of the arena, with an oversized portrait of Queen Elizabeth II above. The seats were all wooden and painted yellow, green and mauve. The Memorial Centre hosted the Memorial Cup tournament in 1996.[ citation needed ] The arena has a capacity of 4,329 for hockey, and an additional 1,000 for concerts. [3]

In 2003, the Memorial Centre was renovated adding 24 luxury box suites, improved concessions, a licensed restaurant, new seats, boards, scoreboard and the addition of air conditioning. The renovated arena hosted the 2004 OHL All-Star Classic.[ citation needed ]

Canadian Football Hall of Fame inductee John Badham briefly served as the public address announcer for Peterborough Petes home games. [4]

Broadcasting

The games can be heard on local radio station Extra 90.5 or watched on YourTV channel 700HD 10SD. Petes games can be watched on YourTV with Pete Dalliday (play by play), Scott Arnold (analyst) and Dan Malta (host).[ citation needed ]

See also

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References

  1. ↑ "Petes announce coaching change, name Verner Interim Head Coach". Ontario Hockey League. Retrieved January 6, 2018.
  2. ↑ "Peterborough Petes hire Rob Wilson as team's new head coach". Kawartha News . May 3, 2018.
  3. ↑ Peterborough Memorial Centre The OHL Arena & Travel Guide
  4. ↑ "Petes Family Saddened by Loss of John Badham". Peterborough Petes. December 8, 2016. Retrieved August 14, 2020.
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