Sports

Team Canada 1972 player Serge Savard speaks to reporters as former teammates Ken Dryden,left to right, Pat Stapleton, Yvan Cournoyer, Peter Mahovolich, Guy Lapointe and Phil Esposito look on at a news conference, in Montreal on Tuesday, Feb. 9, 2016. Members of the 1972 Team Canada will tour the country in September to talk about the historic 1972 hockey series against the Soviet Union. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ryan Remiorz

Royal Canadian Mint releases coin celebrating 50th anniversary of 1972 Summit Series

The Royal Canadian Mint is commemorating the anniversary of the 1972 Summit…

Toronto Raptors guard Fred VanVleet (23) drives the ball down court during second half NBA basketball action against the Boston Celtics, in Toronto, Monday, March 28, 2022. Fred VanVleet vows he'll be smarter with his body and more conscientious of his playing time this season.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Frank Gunn

Raptors coach Nick Nurse says limiting VanVleet’s minutes is great — in theory

Fred VanVleet vows he’ll be smarter with his body and more conscientious…

Nickeil Alexander-Walker (4) and teammates applaud the crowd after their FIBA international men's World Cup basketball qualifying game victory over Dominican Republic, in Hamilton, Ont., Friday, July 1, 2022. Edmonton is set to host Canada's next two FIBA World Cup qualifying home games in November. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Cole Burston

Canadian men to play upcoming FIBA World Cup qualifying home games in Edmonton

Edmonton is set to host Canada’s next two FIBA World Cup qualifying…

Natasha Wodak of Canada celebrates winning the gold medal in the women’s 10000m final during the athletics at the Pan American Games in Lima, Peru, Tuesday, Aug. 6, 2019. The 40-year-old from North Vancouver, B.C., who grew to love training for the marathon, shattered the Canadian record in that distance in Berlin on Sunday. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Martin Mejia

Vancouver’s Natasha Wodak smashes Canadian marathon record in Berlin

40-year-old finished in two hours 23 minutes 12 seconds

Natasha Wodak of Canada celebrates winning the gold medal in the women’s 10000m final during the athletics at the Pan American Games in Lima, Peru, Tuesday, Aug. 6, 2019. The 40-year-old from North Vancouver, B.C., who grew to love training for the marathon, shattered the Canadian record in that distance in Berlin on Sunday. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Martin Mejia
Players walk on a digital pitch wearing kits designed by Kelly Cannell in an undated handout screenshot from the video game FIFA 23. EA Sports turned to Musqueam visual artists, carvers, designers, and weavers to showcase Musqueam cultural elements in the new FIFA 23 video game, which is primarily made in EA Vancouver. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-Electronic Arts,

Musqueam history, heritage and culture showcased in new FIFA 23 video game

Work of about 10 of the First Nations band’s artists featured

Players walk on a digital pitch wearing kits designed by Kelly Cannell in an undated handout screenshot from the video game FIFA 23. EA Sports turned to Musqueam visual artists, carvers, designers, and weavers to showcase Musqueam cultural elements in the new FIFA 23 video game, which is primarily made in EA Vancouver. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-Electronic Arts,
In this Novermeber 2019 file photo, Canada’s Aaliyah Edwards (15) goes up for the shot against the Dominican Republic during second half action of FIBA Women’s Olympic Pre Qualifying Tournaments Americas 2019, in Edmonton. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jason Franson)

Carleton scores 19 points, Canada beats Japan to remain undefeated at FIBA World Cup

Canadians next play Australia on Monday, then Mali on Tuesday

In this Novermeber 2019 file photo, Canada’s Aaliyah Edwards (15) goes up for the shot against the Dominican Republic during second half action of FIBA Women’s Olympic Pre Qualifying Tournaments Americas 2019, in Edmonton. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jason Franson)
Canada's Tyson Beukeboom (centre) in action during the 2022 Pacific Four Women's Rugby Series rugby match between NZ Black Ferns and Canada at Trusts Stadium in Auckland, New Zealand on Sunday, June 12, 2022. Beukeboom celebrated her 50th cap with a try off the bench as Canada defeated Fiji 24-7 Friday in its final test match ahead of next month’s Women’s Rugby World Cup. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-Rugby Canada-Dave Lintott **MANDATORY CREDIT**

Canadian women down Fiji 24-7 in final test before Rugby World Cup in New Zealand

Tyson Beukeboom celebrated her 50th cap with a try off the bench…

Canada's Tyson Beukeboom (centre) in action during the 2022 Pacific Four Women's Rugby Series rugby match between NZ Black Ferns and Canada at Trusts Stadium in Auckland, New Zealand on Sunday, June 12, 2022. Beukeboom celebrated her 50th cap with a try off the bench as Canada defeated Fiji 24-7 Friday in its final test match ahead of next month’s Women’s Rugby World Cup. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-Rugby Canada-Dave Lintott **MANDATORY CREDIT**
Toronto Blue Jays shortstop Bo Bichette watches his double off Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Marcus Stroman in first inning interleague baseball action in Toronto on August 30, 2022. With two weeks left in the regular season, the Blue Jays lead the American League wild-card standings and have a faint chance of catching the New York Yankees in the East Division race. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jon Blacker

A wild-card spot a virtual lock for Blue Jays, home field a good possibility

With two weeks left in the regular season, the Toronto Blue Jays…

Toronto Blue Jays shortstop Bo Bichette watches his double off Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Marcus Stroman in first inning interleague baseball action in Toronto on August 30, 2022. With two weeks left in the regular season, the Blue Jays lead the American League wild-card standings and have a faint chance of catching the New York Yankees in the East Division race. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jon Blacker
FILE - Nashville Predators defenseman Mattias Ekholm (14), of Sweden, and San Jose Sharks center Tomas Hertl (48), of the Czech Republic, battle in the first period of an NHL hockey game Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2019, in Nashville, Tenn. The forthcoming NHL regular season’s games between the Nashville Predators and San Jose Sharks in Prague face an obstacle. The Czech Foreign Ministry has been opposing the participation of the Russian players from those teams in the Oct. 7 and 8 games at Prague’s O2 Arena due to Russia’s war against Ukraine. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey, File)

Czech government: NHL Russian players unwanted in Prague

NHL teams playing in the Czech capital next month have been told…

FILE - Nashville Predators defenseman Mattias Ekholm (14), of Sweden, and San Jose Sharks center Tomas Hertl (48), of the Czech Republic, battle in the first period of an NHL hockey game Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2019, in Nashville, Tenn. The forthcoming NHL regular season’s games between the Nashville Predators and San Jose Sharks in Prague face an obstacle. The Czech Foreign Ministry has been opposing the participation of the Russian players from those teams in the Oct. 7 and 8 games at Prague’s O2 Arena due to Russia’s war against Ukraine. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey, File)
Witnesses Scott Smith, Hockey Canada President and Chief Operating Officer, middle right, and Hockey Canada Chief Financial Officer Brian Cairo, middle left, join fellow witnesses as they appear at the standing committee on Canadian Heritage in Ottawa on Wednesday, July 27, 2022. The House of Commons heritage committee has ordered another round of hearings into the Hockey Canada's handling of sexual assault claims, with past and present top executives and board chairs summoned to testify. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick

Former Hockey Canada CEO Nicholson among those summoned to testify before committee

The House of Commons heritage committee has ordered another round of hearings…

Witnesses Scott Smith, Hockey Canada President and Chief Operating Officer, middle right, and Hockey Canada Chief Financial Officer Brian Cairo, middle left, join fellow witnesses as they appear at the standing committee on Canadian Heritage in Ottawa on Wednesday, July 27, 2022. The House of Commons heritage committee has ordered another round of hearings into the Hockey Canada's handling of sexual assault claims, with past and present top executives and board chairs summoned to testify. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick
FILE -- A view of hotels and other buildings at the West Bay area in Doha, Qatar, Thursday, Dec. 9, 2021. Many hotels in Qatar are already fully booked for the soccer World Cup which will be held in November and December 2022. Qatar’s ambassador to Germany was personally urged to abolish his country’s death penalty for homosexuality at a congress hosted by the German soccer federation on human rights in the World Cup host country. (AP Photo/Darko Bandic, file)

World Cup captains want to wear rainbow armbands in Qatar

FIFA came under pressure Wednesday from several European soccer federations who want…

FILE -- A view of hotels and other buildings at the West Bay area in Doha, Qatar, Thursday, Dec. 9, 2021. Many hotels in Qatar are already fully booked for the soccer World Cup which will be held in November and December 2022. Qatar’s ambassador to Germany was personally urged to abolish his country’s death penalty for homosexuality at a congress hosted by the German soccer federation on human rights in the World Cup host country. (AP Photo/Darko Bandic, file)
Nick Deagle delivers a rock at the 2021 Everest Canadian Curling Club Championship at the Ottawa Hunt Club in a Monday, Nov. 29, 2021 handout photo. Deagle will play Brad Gushue in first-round play Thursday at the single-knockout competition in Fredericton. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-Curling Canada/Jack Gustafson **MANDATORY CREDIT**

Sweep 16: Curling Canada’s PointsBet Invitational ready for debut in Fredericton

Nick Deagle’s curling calendar usually includes weekly games in a recreational league…

Nick Deagle delivers a rock at the 2021 Everest Canadian Curling Club Championship at the Ottawa Hunt Club in a Monday, Nov. 29, 2021 handout photo. Deagle will play Brad Gushue in first-round play Thursday at the single-knockout competition in Fredericton. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-Curling Canada/Jack Gustafson **MANDATORY CREDIT**
FILE - New York Islanders defenseman Zdeno Chara (33) is shown during a break in the second period of an NHL hockey game against San Jose Sharks in San Jose, Calif., Thursday, Feb. 24, 2022. Chara has announced his retirement Tuesday, Sept. 20, 2022,after playing 21 NHL seasons and captaining the Boston Bruins to the Stanley Cup in 2011. The 6-foot-9 defenseman from Slovakia is calling it a career at age 45. (AP Photo/Josie Lepe, File)

Longtime NHL defenseman Zdeno Chara, 45, retires as Bruin

Zdeno Chara announced his retirement Tuesday after playing 21 seasons in the…

FILE - New York Islanders defenseman Zdeno Chara (33) is shown during a break in the second period of an NHL hockey game against San Jose Sharks in San Jose, Calif., Thursday, Feb. 24, 2022. Chara has announced his retirement Tuesday, Sept. 20, 2022,after playing 21 NHL seasons and captaining the Boston Bruins to the Stanley Cup in 2011. The 6-foot-9 defenseman from Slovakia is calling it a career at age 45. (AP Photo/Josie Lepe, File)
Former Vancouver Canucks player Jake Virtanen leaves B.C. Supreme Court during a lunch break after closing arguments in his sexual assault trial, in Vancouver, B.C., Monday, July 25, 2022. The Edmonton Oilers have signed Virtanen to a professional tryout agreement two months after the former Vancouver forward was found not guilty of sexual assault. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Oilers sign Virtanen to tryout agreement two months after not guilty verdict

Jake Virtanen repeated himself throughout Monday’s media availability at Rogers Place. That…

Former Vancouver Canucks player Jake Virtanen leaves B.C. Supreme Court during a lunch break after closing arguments in his sexual assault trial, in Vancouver, B.C., Monday, July 25, 2022. The Edmonton Oilers have signed Virtanen to a professional tryout agreement two months after the former Vancouver forward was found not guilty of sexual assault. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
New York Jets cornerback Brandin Echols (26) celebrates after his team defeated the Cleveland Browns in an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 18, 2022, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/David Richard)

Week 2 provides a Comeback Sunday NFL hasn’t seen in years

Call it a Comeback Sunday the NFL hasn’t seen in years. The…

New York Jets cornerback Brandin Echols (26) celebrates after his team defeated the Cleveland Browns in an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 18, 2022, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/David Richard)
Gillian (The Savage) Robertson celebrates her win over Sarah Frota during UFC 240, in Edmonton on Saturday, July 27, 2019. Canadian flyweight Gillian (The Savage) Robertson survived a first-round beating to submit Kazakhstan’s Mariya (Demonslayer) Agapova on a UFC Fight Night card Saturday. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jason Franson

Canada’s Gillian (The Savage) Robertson rallies for second-round UFC submission

“I knew she was going to come in there trying to kill me. But I knew that it’d be mine in the end.”

Gillian (The Savage) Robertson celebrates her win over Sarah Frota during UFC 240, in Edmonton on Saturday, July 27, 2019. Canadian flyweight Gillian (The Savage) Robertson survived a first-round beating to submit Kazakhstan’s Mariya (Demonslayer) Agapova on a UFC Fight Night card Saturday. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jason Franson
Lessons learned — good and bad — can be taken from the World Cup experience, in a July 19, 2020 story. (Photo by THE ASSOCIATED PRESS)

NHL, players remain committed to hosting Feb. 2024 World Cup

The NHL and players remain committed to hosting a World Cup of…

Lessons learned — good and bad — can be taken from the World Cup experience, in a July 19, 2020 story. (Photo by THE ASSOCIATED PRESS)
The Kevin Hopper Memorial Ranch Rodeo was held on Sept. 10 and 11. (Photo submitted)

Memorial Ranch Rodeo has another successful year

What better way to celebrate the life and legacy of an avid…

The Kevin Hopper Memorial Ranch Rodeo was held on Sept. 10 and 11. (Photo submitted)
Figure skater Kaetlyn Osmond poses for a photo at the Entertainment One office in Toronto, Tuesday, July, 10, 2018. Four years after retiring from competition, the world figure skating champion says she’s just now starting to find her feet as a former athlete. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Marta Iwanek

Many high-level athletes struggle with ‘unravelling of identity’ in retirement

Kaetlyn Osmond has been like a boat adrift at sea. Four years…

Figure skater Kaetlyn Osmond poses for a photo at the Entertainment One office in Toronto, Tuesday, July, 10, 2018. Four years after retiring from competition, the world figure skating champion says she’s just now starting to find her feet as a former athlete. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Marta Iwanek
Tampa Bay Rays third baseman Isaac Paredes (17) congratulates teammate Yandy Diaz (21) after scoring on a three run home-run by Diaz during second inning MLB baseball action against the Toronto Blue Jays, in Toronto, Thursday, Sept. 15, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Frank Gunn

Yandy Diaz’s three-run homer sparks Rays in lopsided 11-0 win over Blue Jays

Yandy Diaz had a three-run homer in the second inning and the…

Tampa Bay Rays third baseman Isaac Paredes (17) congratulates teammate Yandy Diaz (21) after scoring on a three run home-run by Diaz during second inning MLB baseball action against the Toronto Blue Jays, in Toronto, Thursday, Sept. 15, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Frank Gunn