New Petes raring to go at renovated PMC
Rookie McTavish ‘can’t wait’ to make a belated home debut
Mason McTavish has made a splash in his first OHL season with six goals and nine points in nine games but he has yet to play at the Memorial Centre.
With renovations to the PMC floor and new boards and glass installed the Petes will finally hold their home opener Thursday against the Hamilton Bulldogs at 7:05 p.m.
The Petes returned from nine straight road games with a 6-3 record. They practised on the new PMC ice Tuesday before practising at the Evinrude Centre on Wednesday morning with The Wiggles children’s show taking over the PMC.
So while McTavish has already established himself as a key member of the Petes, he’s one of a number of players yet to experience a home game.
“It will be nice to finally play at home,” McTavish said. “The rink staff did a nice job and (the rink) looks really good. I can’t wait to get out there finally.”
The new players had only known the Evinrude Centre as home.
“We got into the dressing room two days ago and we didn’t even know where we were sitting,” McTavish said. “It’s way better being here.”
It will be the first home game for new assistant coach Pat O’Connor.
“It’s a very exciting time,” O’Connor said. “It’s been a build up over the last couple of months. We’ve been travelling everywhere including practice and gym sessions. We haven’t really had a home. Everyone is excited and I particularly can’t wait for Thursday.”
A lot of time was spent Tuesday getting familiar with the new boards and glass.
“People can judge when they come and see Thursday but it looks fantastic,” O’Connor said. “The first thing we all did like anyone who plays the game was to go straight into the boards and the glass to see how does the puck rim and how does it bounce.
“It was renowned for having some strange bounces. It is different. It’s not the same. Teams are going to have to work out how it works. That’s just the way it is, it’s our home rink. The boards are fast and that’s something everyone will work out pretty quick. We spent a lot of time doing dumps and rims and retrieving pucks off the wall to everybody gets used to it.”
Petes trainer Brian Miller said it’s nice for everybody to be back in comfortable surroundings.
“There is something to be said for routine,” Miller said.
“There is always an extra excitement about playing at home so to move out of the Evinrude and get settled in our dressing room, which is home, for the returning players and staff we’ve really been looking forward to it. You know what to expect here and there is a comfort level to it. The new players are excited to finally get in and know we’re not in a temporary location anymore.”
NOTES: Petes rookies Mason
McTavish and J.R. Avon as well as Peterborough’s Chase Stillman, of the Sudbury Wolves, were named Wednesday to Canadian rosters for the World U17 Hockey Challenge. Nov. 2-9 in Medicine Hat, Alta., and Swift Current, Sask. “It’s always an honour to be selected by Hockey Canada,” McTavish said. “It’s a great chance to meet new teammates and coaches. It’s always fun.” … Petes goalie
Hunter Jones and defenceman Declan Chisholm were named to Team OHL rosters for the CIBC Canada-Russia Series. Jones will participate in Game 3 of the series Nov. 7 in Kitchener. Chisholm will play in Game 4 on Nov. 11 in London. Ex-Pete Ryan Merkley will play in both games.