Petes 60th Season - "Jeff Twohey Bleeds Maroon and White"

Photo Credited - Petes Website

When you think of Jeff Twohey, the first thought in your head is the Peterborough Petes. He never laced up the skates for the maroon and white but many people would look at him as a Petes legend. During his tender with the Petes, he help them capture four OHL Championships for the city of Peterborough. Twohey spent over 30 years in the Peterborough Petes organization and held many different positions. In 1980, the Petes hired Twohey to be a part time OHL scout for the franchise well he was at Laurentian University in Sudbury. After he graduated, he contacted the Petes and they offered him the trainer position. Dick Todd offered Twohey the job. At the time the team were without a marketing department, so Twohey took it upon himself to market the Petes.

He kept these duties for many years until he was promoted to Assistant General Manager and Assistant Coach in 1989. In the first season in his new positions, the Petes were able to win the OHL Championship. The Petes won the J. Ross Robertson Cup again in the 1992-1993 season. Many fans would remember this season as the year Chris Pronger led the Petes to the finals. Twohey remembers this and when asked who he believes is the greatest Pete to ever wear the jersey. He replied with " Chris Pronger. His drive and commitment every day, first ballot hall of famer."

Jeff Twohey's role in the organization changed in the 1993 season and was promoted to General Manager. As G.M of the Petes, Twohey had great success over his 17 year career. In 1996 he put together a team that was able to win the OHL Championship. That 1996 season is Twohey's most memorable season during his duration as General Manager. "The 1996 season, when we hosted the Memorial Cup and were league champions. The core was drafted, developed and grew together as Petes. I stay in touch with the majority of that team to this day."

During his time with the Petes he had numerous players graduate to the National Hockey League. Many of which were leaders in the locker room but he says the best leaders to wear a Petes jersey were Dallas Eakins and Geordie Kinnear. He referred to them as "the best natural leaders I had ever seen."

The greatest moment in Jeff Twohey's Petes career was winning the "2006 OHL championship on home ice, beating London 4 straight and a completely sold out memorial centre."

Over 17 seasons with the Petes, Twohey had his fair share of trades. Many fans would have their own options on the best and worst moves made by Jeff. To him, the best trade he ever made was on November 9, 2005. "The Steve Downie trade was the best as it solidified an OHL championship." The trade included defenseman Peter Aston, the Petes 2nd and 5th round in the 2006 OHL Draft and their 2nd round selection in 2007 Draft. The Petes only acquired Steve Downie from the Spitfires in the trade. Many people weren't impressed with the move when Twohey acquired Downie, but in the end it paid off. Twohey wouldn't state which trade he felt was the worst he made but "I'm sure fans will have their own opinions." he replied.

Jeff Twohey will always remember March 31, 2010 as it was the day the team fired him. He served for almost 30 years in the Petes organization and was shocked he was fired by the team he gave everything too. He was told of his dismissal by two board members after receiving a email well scouting the U.S Top 40 camp. To this day, Twohey still feels hurt about the whole situation. "I'm not sure I've ever recovered totally, other than family, nothing was more important to me!" Twohey stated in a interview.

After being let go from the Petes, Twohey had numerous opportunities to return to the OHL with other teams. He decided to step away from the OHL for a few seasons and work as an amateur scout for the Phoenix Coyotes. In 2012, Twohey was given the opportunity to rejoined the OHL and decided to become the G.M for the Oshawa Generals. In 2014, he stepped down as G.M of the Generals and accepted a role as a Assistant Director of Amateur Scouting for the Arizona Coyotes in the NHL. Twoheys new position is to "assist the director of amateur scouting, Tim Bernhardt in all areas of scouting and preparing for the amateur draft."

Now a days, Twohey still lives in Peterborough and has the opportunity to scout the home games of the Peterborough Petes.

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