Petes Receive 2022-23 Ontario Hockey League Community Involvement Award
The Ontario Hockey League (OHL) announced today that the Peterborough Petes have received the Community Involvement award for the 2022-23 season. The award was presented to the Petes at the OHL’s annual Summer Business Meetings hosted in Peterborough from June 21-23.
“Winning the OHL’s Community Involvement Award is a huge honour for our club,” commented Petes Executive Director of Business Operations Burton Lee. “Community is at the heart of everything that the Petes do, which was evident as seemingly every resident of Peterborough and the Kawarthas played a part in our 2023 OHL Championship run. There are 19 other deserving clubs who also have a huge, positive impact in their communities, making this award even more special for our staff who have worked so hard all season long.”
The league recognized Peterborough for their various community initiatives throughout the 2022-23 season, highlighted by the more than $270,000 raised by the Petes 50/50 draws in support of the Peterborough Minor Hockey Council. An additional $270,000 was raised through various fundraising initiatives, including the 2023 Pink in the Rink Campaign, which brought in over $60,000 in support of the PRHC Foundation.
The Petes also created a free ball hockey program held at elementary schools across the region, bringing barrier-free access to the game to over 2,000 young students. The program launched in February and has featured school visits with Petes players demonstrating how to play the game.
“Being able to provide the barrier free Petes ball hockey program to students in Peterborough and the surrounding area has been amazing,” noted Petes Coordinator of Marketing and Community Engagement, Morgan Blaind. “Having the opportunity to see the happiness and excitement on the kids’ faces and having them interact with our players was unforgettable.”
Throughout the season, Peterborough organized a number of initiatives centered around equity, diversity and inclusion in hopes of making hockey more accessible and inclusive for all. This was highlighted by the inaugural PWHPA OHL Showcase in February that resulted in a crowd of 3,480 at the Peterborough Memorial Centre to take in the best of the best in professional women’s hockey.
The Petes community involvement continued during their championship run, with watch parties at Quaker Foods City Square for games in the Championship Series and subsequent Memorial Cup. The community watch parties were organized and executed by the Peterborough Downtown Business Improvement Area.
The Petes would also like to congratulate the Guelph Storm on winning the OHL Franchise Development Award which was also presented at the Summer Business Meetings.
Official 2023 OHL Champion hats and shirts are on sale now through the Petes store. Fans can purchase them by clicking here.
