Dukes eager to take Quinte Region rivalry to the big stage at CIBC Place

The Bay of Quinte’s two beloved Junior A teams will battle it out on a professional stage this month.

The American Hockey League’s Belleville Senators will play host to the Trenton Golden Hawks and Wellington Dukes at CIBC Place on Nov. 13 at 7 p.m. for the latest edition of the Battle of Quinte, called the ‘Hockey Weekend in Quinte OJHL Challenge.’

This event harkens back to the old days of games between the Dukes and the former Trenton Sting being held in Belleville for many years in the 2000s and early 2010s.

From a Wellington perspective, head coach Jacob Panetta said he and the team are excited for the opportunity.

“We’re super thankful to the Sens for hosting this event and helping us put it on,” he said. “I think it’s such a cool experience for our guys to get a little bit of a taste of the next level, especially for our graduating players that won’t be here with us next year.”

“The rivalry between Wellington and Trenton is something that Wellington fans and Trenton fans take pride in. To have it in a really nice facility and put on by the Belleville Sens like that, I think it’s awesome for the Quinte area all around.”

Panetta added it’s nice to show the Quinte region that all three teams can work together to create a great overall product for hockey fans and community residents.

“They do an awesome job in getting out in the community, trying to grow their roots as well in the community.”

Landon Marleau, the Dukes and OJHL’s leading goal scorer (as of Wednesday), is no stranger to the bright lights of a pro hockey arena, having watched his father Patrick during his NHL career.

He said he and the entire team will enjoy new scenery and an opportunity to take advantage of AHL facilities.

“You have a whole bunch of different people watching in a bigger venue, so it’s a lot of different eyes,” he explained, adding having B-Sens brass there to watch and check on players is an exciting chance to show what the team is made of.

“It’s a big platform to be playing on, so I’m very excited.”

Tickets are available on Ticketmaster for Dukes and Hawks fans as well as any Sens fans that want to support local junior hockey that Friday night.

The game kicks off Hockey Weekend in Quinte, a celebration of all the teams, players, coaches and personnel that make up the fabric of the region.