‘Snowmobilers’ continue to make mark everywhere
Peterborough’s teams, athletes have had a special place in history over the years
In 1975 the City of Peterborough ran an advertisement campaign of “I’d Rather be in Peterborough.”
They distributed florescent orange elliptical-shaped stickers with the slogan. Residents proudly displayed them on car bumpers, luggage; anywhere they may give exposure to the city.
Some made their way to Long Island and one morning a number were plastered on the car of the Long Island Tomahawks coach of the professional National Lacrosse League, Torontoraised Morley Kells. He immediately blamed four of the “snowmobilers,” a term he used to describe lacrosse players from Peterborough. Jim (J.J.) Johnston, Len Powers, Jan Magee and Tim Barrie claimed innocence but no one believed them.
Pride in one’s hometown is not unique but Peterborough seems to rise above most.
Peterborough doesn’t have a high-profile television personality like Kingston’s Don Cherry flogging its hometown athletes but there is definitely a sense of pride when a player is identified as coming from Peterborough.
Over the years, Peterborough’s teams and athletes have had a special place in history. It was not because we won an inordinate number of championships, though the lacrosse Lakers have a pretty impressive run on-going; it wasn’t that we sent a large number of players to professional ranks, though the Petes lead all junior teams in that number; it was more the way we played the game.
Styles of play were identified with the city. Roger Neilson, when he came to coach the Petes in 1967, developed a style of play that was soon identified with him and the city and not always in an endearing way. Petes teams played the game “tight to the vest.” Often the Petes would jump in front by a goal or two and go into a defensive shell grinding the game to a halt. Now called the “trap” then it was the “Peterborough” game.
In the 1950s Bob Allan, Bob Curtis among a few others, intro- duced speed to a slow, methodical, physical lacrosse of the day. Soon that running, ball-movement game was identified with the city.
When Bob Allan began coaching Peterborough senior lacrosse teams he introduced some modified basketball systems and moves to the game. The pickand-roll, popular in basketball became the “Peterborough pick” when used by any team in lacrosse.
In the 1990s the NHL had an inordinate number with Peterborough connections, including players, team management and league officials. Others jealously referred to them as “The Peterborough Mafia,” intimating they received and doled out favours.
Our unique team colours and logos also identify the city’s teams. The Petes logo is recog- nized everywhere in the hockey world and the stylized Lift Lock logo on our lacrosse sweaters is known nationally.
What is it about Peterborough that is so unique?
Geographically, Peterborough is more isolated than most Ontario communities. That ride up Hwy. 115 is intimidating for teams coming to compete. We nurture those fears and myths that surround our teams. Our successful coaches take advantage of those perceptions to maximize the skills of players we have.
Peterborough teams receive strong sponsor support and their fans are loyal and supportive. Our deteriorating and inadequate playing facilities seem to work to our advantage. Opponents hate playing here!
Though, the largest and nosiest lacrosse crowds in Canada fill the Memorial Centre and are the envy of other lacrosse communities.
Our ambassador athletes, such as John Grant Jr., Corey Perry, Steve Larmer, Bobby Roode, Brad Sinopoli, Dallas Eakins, Mike Fisher and Bob Gainey, to name a few, are understated and exude class.
Finally, Morley Kells would never “Rather be in Peterborough” but it was obvious he wanted as many “snowmobilers” as possible on his teams.