Sports

Calgary Flames forward Brett Ritchie, centre, celebrates his goal with teammates centre Trevor Lewis (22) and left wing Milan Lucic (17) during first period NHL second round playoff hockey action against the Calgary Flames in Calgary, Wednesday, May 18, 2022.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh

Flames torch Oilers 9-6 in wild start to Battle of Alberta series

Tkachuk scores 3 for Calgary; Game 2 goes Friday night

The Victoria Royals took forwards Rui Han and Zach Spagnuolo in the U.S. priority draft. (Courtesy of Victoria Royals)

Victoria Royals take forwards from California, Texas in U.S. draft

Royals will have the third-overall pick in Thursday’s main draft

Nick Dickinson-Wilde, Sensei at Sooke Shukokai Karate in Sooke, earned two bronze medals in competition and served as a judge at the Karate BC Provincial Championships.

Karate in Sooke alive and kicking

Sooke Shukokai karate looking for members new and old

Prospect development for the Vancouver Canucks has been a hot topic recently. Research by The News has shown that the organization’s draft picks over the last six years produced fewer NHL and AHL games than all other teams in the Pacific Division. (Black Press/Canadian Press file photos)

‘Rushed’: Are the Vancouver Canucks not properly developing draft picks?

Analyzing what the NHL Draft has produced for the Canucks at the AHL and NHL level

Prospect development for the Vancouver Canucks has been a hot topic recently. Research by The News has shown that the organization’s draft picks over the last six years produced fewer NHL and AHL games than all other teams in the Pacific Division. (Black Press/Canadian Press file photos)
Penticton Vees player Josh Nadeau carries the puck in the attacking zone as Nanaimo Clippers player Brett Merner defends on the play during Game 3 of the BCHL finals on Tuesday, May 17, at Nanaimo’s Frank Crane Arena. (Greg Sakaki/Black Press Media)

Nanaimo loses to Penticton in overtime, facing elimination in BCHL finals

Vees edges Clippers 3-2 in Game 3 on Tuesday, Game 4 tonight in Nanaimo

Penticton Vees player Josh Nadeau carries the puck in the attacking zone as Nanaimo Clippers player Brett Merner defends on the play during Game 3 of the BCHL finals on Tuesday, May 17, at Nanaimo’s Frank Crane Arena. (Greg Sakaki/Black Press Media)
The Oak Bay High senior girls soccer team celebrates the city title. The team won the Ryan Cup May 12 with a 4-0 victory over Claremont secondary. (Courtesy Richard Fast)

Oak Bay High girls claim soccer city championship

Team battles for spot at provincials during Island championships in Nanaimo

  • May 17, 2022
The Oak Bay High senior girls soccer team celebrates the city title. The team won the Ryan Cup May 12 with a 4-0 victory over Claremont secondary. (Courtesy Richard Fast)
Members of Canada’s national soccer team celebrate after clinching a berth in CONCACAF World Cup Qualifier soccer action against Jamaica in Toronto on Sunday March 27, 2022 THE CANADIAN PRESS/Frank Gunn

PM says inviting Iran to Vancouver soccer friendly is not “a very good idea”

Some call match slap in the face to Canadians who died on Ukraine International Airlines Flight 752

Members of Canada’s national soccer team celebrate after clinching a berth in CONCACAF World Cup Qualifier soccer action against Jamaica in Toronto on Sunday March 27, 2022 THE CANADIAN PRESS/Frank Gunn
Toronto Maple Leafs right wing Mitchell Marner (16) looks towards the scoreboard after a penalty call goes against the Maple Leafs during first period NHL first-round playoff series action against the Tampa Bay Lightning in Toronto on Tuesday, May 10, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette

Leaf star Mitch Marner’s SUV stolen in armed carjacking in Toronto

Black Range Rover was taken outside a movie theatre

Toronto Maple Leafs right wing Mitchell Marner (16) looks towards the scoreboard after a penalty call goes against the Maple Leafs during first period NHL first-round playoff series action against the Tampa Bay Lightning in Toronto on Tuesday, May 10, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette
Calgary Mayor Jyoti Gondek, Coun. Dan McLean, Coun. Peter Demong and Coun. Evan Spencer (left to right) pose at Calgary City Hall on Monday, May 16, 2022. Gondek announced a friendly wager between the Calgary and Edmonton city councils for the upcoming Battle of Alberta NHL series between the Calgary Flames and the Edmonton Oilers. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Colette Derworiz

Calgary and Edmonton city councils make friendly wager on NHL playoffs

Top Canadian soccer players also wade in on Battle of Alberta

Calgary Mayor Jyoti Gondek, Coun. Dan McLean, Coun. Peter Demong and Coun. Evan Spencer (left to right) pose at Calgary City Hall on Monday, May 16, 2022. Gondek announced a friendly wager between the Calgary and Edmonton city councils for the upcoming Battle of Alberta NHL series between the Calgary Flames and the Edmonton Oilers. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Colette Derworiz
Calgary Flames forward Matthew Tkachuk, right, celebrates his goal with teammates during second period NHL playoff hockey action against the Dallas Stars in Calgary, Alta., Sunday, May 15, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh

Flames eliminate Stars in 7 games to set up NHL’s Battle of Alberta

Gaudreau scores OT winner in 3-2 Calgary victory

Calgary Flames forward Matthew Tkachuk, right, celebrates his goal with teammates during second period NHL playoff hockey action against the Dallas Stars in Calgary, Alta., Sunday, May 15, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh
Calgary Stampeders head coach Dave Dickenson talks to players during opening day of the CFL team’s training camp in Calgary, Sunday, May 15, 2022.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh

CFL teams start cancelling training camp workouts after contract talks break off

Union directs players from 7 of 9 teams to participate in work stoppage

Calgary Stampeders head coach Dave Dickenson talks to players during opening day of the CFL team’s training camp in Calgary, Sunday, May 15, 2022.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh
And they’re off! Grade 2 students start running during a cross-country race held at the West Shore Park and Recreation’s Juan de Fuca Lower Park in Colwood on May 12. (Bailey Moreton/News Staff)

Cross-country’s back for SD62 elementary students

Hundreds of students ran at the Juan de Fuca Lower Park in Colwood

And they’re off! Grade 2 students start running during a cross-country race held at the West Shore Park and Recreation’s Juan de Fuca Lower Park in Colwood on May 12. (Bailey Moreton/News Staff)
Tampa Bay Lightning forward Nicholas Paul (20) celebrates his second goal of the game against the Toronto Maple Leafs during second period, first round, game seven NHL Stanley Cup playoff hockey action in Toronto on Saturday, May 14, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette

Lightning down Leafs in Game 7 as Toronto endures more playoff heartbreak

‘It stings, it hurts, it’s disappointing’: Leafs captain

Tampa Bay Lightning forward Nicholas Paul (20) celebrates his second goal of the game against the Toronto Maple Leafs during second period, first round, game seven NHL Stanley Cup playoff hockey action in Toronto on Saturday, May 14, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette
Kart drivers round a turn at the Vancouver Island Motorsport Circuit during races hosted by the Vancouver Island Karting Association on May 8. (Kevin Rothbauer/Citizen)

Provincial series revs up near Duncan as part of karting’s Vancouver Island revival

Motorsport circuit in Cowichan is ideal for kart racing

Kart drivers round a turn at the Vancouver Island Motorsport Circuit during races hosted by the Vancouver Island Karting Association on May 8. (Kevin Rothbauer/Citizen)
Parksville para-swimmer Nicholas Bennett will compete at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in England. (Swimming Canada Facebook photo)

Vancouver Island swimmer to compete at 2022 Commonwealth Games in England

Ravensong Breakers product Nikolas Bennett is one of eight para-swimmers on Canadian team

Parksville para-swimmer Nicholas Bennett will compete at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in England. (Swimming Canada Facebook photo)
Mount Douglas Rams offensive lineman Sebastian Sibbald hopes to showcase his skills at a couple of upcoming football events, including the CFC Prospects Game in Ottawa on May 27. (Black Press Media file photo)

Greater Victoria, Island football players take their game to the next level

National showcase games coming up for Vancouver Island high school standouts

Mount Douglas Rams offensive lineman Sebastian Sibbald hopes to showcase his skills at a couple of upcoming football events, including the CFC Prospects Game in Ottawa on May 27. (Black Press Media file photo)
Brandon Colantonio is hoping to turn professional after the event in Esquimalt on May 28. (Bailey Moreton/News Staff)

Boxing making Island comeback in Esquimalt

May 28 event will be the first time most athletes have fought in two years

Brandon Colantonio is hoping to turn professional after the event in Esquimalt on May 28. (Bailey Moreton/News Staff)
Vancouver Canucks head coach Bruce Boudreau smiles as he attends a news conference in Vancouver, on Dec. 6, 2021. Boudreau will return as the Canucks head coach next season after helping to turn the struggling NHL club around as a mid-season replacement. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward

There it is Vancouver: Boudreau will be back to coach Canucks

Boudreau coached his 1,000th regular-season game in January

Vancouver Canucks head coach Bruce Boudreau smiles as he attends a news conference in Vancouver, on Dec. 6, 2021. Boudreau will return as the Canucks head coach next season after helping to turn the struggling NHL club around as a mid-season replacement. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward
Canada’s assistant coach Kori Cheverie’s ascension coupled with the growing number of women entering pro hockey management and developmental roles has rapidly sped the timetable on when — not if — there will be a woman working behind an NHL bench. (Photo by Dave Holland/Hockey Canada Images)

NHL closing in on seeing its first female coach

The league’s female hockey-related ranks have increased to nearly 30, 5 team presidents are women

Canada’s assistant coach Kori Cheverie’s ascension coupled with the growing number of women entering pro hockey management and developmental roles has rapidly sped the timetable on when — not if — there will be a woman working behind an NHL bench. (Photo by Dave Holland/Hockey Canada Images)
Edmonton Oilers centre Connor McDavid, left, and Los Angeles Kings defenceman Mikey Anderson battle during the first period in Game 6 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series Thursday, May 12, 2022, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Pair of Canadian clubs see NHL playoff matchups extended to Game 7

Edmonton-L.A. and Toronto-Tampa Bay series go the distance

Edmonton Oilers centre Connor McDavid, left, and Los Angeles Kings defenceman Mikey Anderson battle during the first period in Game 6 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series Thursday, May 12, 2022, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)