Sports

Minnesota State’s Akito Hirose (2) and St. Cloud State’s Kevin Fitzgerald (28) watch the puck during the third period of an NCAA men’s Frozen Four hockey semifinal in Pittsburgh, Thursday, April 8, 2021. The Vancouver Canucks have signed free-agent defenceman Hirose to a two-year, entry-level contract, the team announced Wednesday. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Keith Srakocic

Canucks sign college standout Akito Hirose to entry-level contract

College free agent defenceman inks a one-year deal

Wyatt Danyleyko signs a Western Hockey League Scholarship and Development Agreement with the Victoria Royals. (Courtesy Victoria Royals)

Sooke teen scores deal with Victoria Royals

15-year-old Wyatt Danyleyko inks WHL scholarship, development agreement

Kelowna native and Humboldt Broncos goaltender Jared Picklyk has been suspended for the rest of the SJHL season. (@hockeyaddicts/Twitter)

Kelowna goalie suspended for rest of SJHL season after refusing breath screening

Hours earlier, Jared Picklyk helped the Humboldt Broncos advance to the SJHL semifinals

Zac Jones of the New York Rangers skates with a stick decorated for “Pride Night” in warm-ups prior to the game against the Washington Capitals, in New York City, Monday, May 3, 2021.NHL players refusing to participate in Pride nights around the league shows hockey still isn’t safe for a number of LGBTQ people, says one of the first male professional players to publicly come out as gay. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Bruce Bennett, POOL

More work needed to make hockey safe for LGBTQ people: former pro player

NHL Pride nights to promote inclusivity have seen players refusing to take part.

Zac Jones of the New York Rangers skates with a stick decorated for “Pride Night” in warm-ups prior to the game against the Washington Capitals, in New York City, Monday, May 3, 2021.NHL players refusing to participate in Pride nights around the league shows hockey still isn’t safe for a number of LGBTQ people, says one of the first male professional players to publicly come out as gay. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Bruce Bennett, POOL
Vancouver Canucks head coach Rick Tocchet, front left, and general manager Patrik Allvin listen during a news conference after the NHL hockey team announced Tocchet’s hiring, in Vancouver, on Sunday, January 22, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

THE MOJ: Of course, the worst has (predictably) happened, the Canucks are good again

Is management going to buy into this late-season resurgence, or is major surgery still on the way?

Vancouver Canucks head coach Rick Tocchet, front left, and general manager Patrik Allvin listen during a news conference after the NHL hockey team announced Tocchet’s hiring, in Vancouver, on Sunday, January 22, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Kimberly Chen, 16, and Isla Rendle, 15, are two of the four athletes from the Greater Victoria Velodrome Association heading to the Canadian Track Cycling Championships in Quebec next weekend. (Justin Samanski-Langille/News Staff)

Four West Shore track cyclists heading to nationals

The Greater Victoria Velodrome Association continues its record of producing top talent

Kimberly Chen, 16, and Isla Rendle, 15, are two of the four athletes from the Greater Victoria Velodrome Association heading to the Canadian Track Cycling Championships in Quebec next weekend. (Justin Samanski-Langille/News Staff)
Roman Waitr, left, Dan Goddard, Kevin Berard and Dave Badovinac model the Port Alberni Cubs uniforms for the 2023 season. The Cubs will host the Canadian National Old Timers Baseball Federation championships in August 2023. (PHOTO COURTESY DWAYNE STERN)

Port Alberni primed to welcome Canada for the Old Timers Baseball Nationals

Vancouver Island city will host two ages groups of old timers’ baseball championships Aug. 4–7

Roman Waitr, left, Dan Goddard, Kevin Berard and Dave Badovinac model the Port Alberni Cubs uniforms for the 2023 season. The Cubs will host the Canadian National Old Timers Baseball Federation championships in August 2023. (PHOTO COURTESY DWAYNE STERN)
The Port Alberni Black Sheep are the 2023 Times Colonist Cup champions. (PHOTO COURTESY TANYA SHANNON)

Port Alberni Black Sheep claim TC Cup as Vancouver Island rugby champions

Rugby team headed into the playoffs second in the province after edging Nanaimo in cup nailbiter

The Port Alberni Black Sheep are the 2023 Times Colonist Cup champions. (PHOTO COURTESY TANYA SHANNON)
With a 4-0 victory over the weekend, the Cowichan 49ers are now winners of two consecutive and five Tony Grover Cups overall. (Courtesy of the Cowichan 49ers)

Cowichan 49ers claim Tony Grover Cup, repeat as Island Masters soccer champs

The 49ers will be at home for the first round of the provincial championship on April 16 at noon

With a 4-0 victory over the weekend, the Cowichan 49ers are now winners of two consecutive and five Tony Grover Cups overall. (Courtesy of the Cowichan 49ers)
After winning fans at the World Cup, the Canadian men take the first steps toward the 2026 tournament as they return to CONCACAF Nations League play in their first outing since Qatar.  Canada coach John Herdman looks on during second half group F World Cup soccer action against Morocco at the Al Thumama Stadium in Doha, Qatar on Thursday, December 1, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette

Herdman laments labour dispute between national teams and Canada Soccer

Both men’s and women’s teams have resorted to job action over their dissatisfaction

After winning fans at the World Cup, the Canadian men take the first steps toward the 2026 tournament as they return to CONCACAF Nations League play in their first outing since Qatar.  Canada coach John Herdman looks on during second half group F World Cup soccer action against Morocco at the Al Thumama Stadium in Doha, Qatar on Thursday, December 1, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette
Audrey Bestwick, left, and Yashita Kaku both came home with a medal haul, including gold for Bestwick and bronze for Kaku in individual competition as well as a silver in team kumite. (Courtesy Kraig Devlin)

South Island karate kids score high medal count in BC Games

Greater Victoria athletes contribute to team podium finishes

Audrey Bestwick, left, and Yashita Kaku both came home with a medal haul, including gold for Bestwick and bronze for Kaku in individual competition as well as a silver in team kumite. (Courtesy Kraig Devlin)
Seattle Mariners’s Julio Rodriguez reacts after stealing second base during the 13th inning in Game 3 of an American League Division Series baseball game against the Houston Astros, Saturday, Oct. 15, 2022, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)

THE MOJ: The hunter about to become the hunted for the Seattle Mariners

After breaking a long post-season drought, what’s next for B.C.’s other favourite baseball team?

Seattle Mariners’s Julio Rodriguez reacts after stealing second base during the 13th inning in Game 3 of an American League Division Series baseball game against the Houston Astros, Saturday, Oct. 15, 2022, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
B.C. Lions head coach Rick Campbell watches from the sideline during the second half of a CFL football game against the Edmonton Elks in Vancouver, on Thursday August 19, 2021. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck)

PODCAST: Rick Campbell, coach of the B.C. Lions

MOJ on Sports: A member of 3 Grey Cup winning teams

B.C. Lions head coach Rick Campbell watches from the sideline during the second half of a CFL football game against the Edmonton Elks in Vancouver, on Thursday August 19, 2021. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck)
Bronze medalists, Canadian Kerri Einarson, Val Sweeting, Shannon Birchard, Briane Harris and Krysten Karwacki show their medals after the LGT World Women’s Curling Championship at Goransson Arena in Sandviken, Sweden, Sunday, March 26, 2023. Canada defeated Sweden 8-5. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-TT, Jonas Ekstromer

Canada downs Sweden to capture 2nd straight world women’s curling bronze medal

Switzerland took gold, and Norway got silver

Bronze medalists, Canadian Kerri Einarson, Val Sweeting, Shannon Birchard, Briane Harris and Krysten Karwacki show their medals after the LGT World Women’s Curling Championship at Goransson Arena in Sandviken, Sweden, Sunday, March 26, 2023. Canada defeated Sweden 8-5. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-TT, Jonas Ekstromer
Canada’s Sophie de Goede lines up for a penalty kick in Langford, B.C., July 24, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito

Canadian women thump South Africa 66-7 in their first outing since Rugby World Cup

Team ranked 4th overall

Canada’s Sophie de Goede lines up for a penalty kick in Langford, B.C., July 24, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito
Canadian national men’s soccer team forward Alphonso Davies, centre, stands with his teammates during a training session for a CONCACAF Nations League match against Curacao, in Vancouver, on Tuesday, June 7, 2022. Canada, taking the field for the first time since the World Cup in Qatar, faces No. 86 Curacao in CONCACAF Nations League play Saturday night. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Canadian men dispatch Curaçao 2-0 in first outing since World Cup in Qatar

Team set to play Honduras next on Tuesday in Toronto

Canadian national men’s soccer team forward Alphonso Davies, centre, stands with his teammates during a training session for a CONCACAF Nations League match against Curacao, in Vancouver, on Tuesday, June 7, 2022. Canada, taking the field for the first time since the World Cup in Qatar, faces No. 86 Curacao in CONCACAF Nations League play Saturday night. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Vancouver Coastal karate athlete Haumi Tarighatbin (red) faces off against Cancouver Island Central Coast athlete Hudson Ball Saturday, March 25, 2023, during the Greater Vernon B.C. Winter Games at Kalamalka Secondary School. (Brendan Shykora - Morning Star)

PHOTOS: Athletes dazzle on Day 2 of B.C. Winter Games in Greater Vernon

Competition in the Games continued Saturday; run through to 12 p.m. Sunday, March 26

Vancouver Coastal karate athlete Haumi Tarighatbin (red) faces off against Cancouver Island Central Coast athlete Hudson Ball Saturday, March 25, 2023, during the Greater Vernon B.C. Winter Games at Kalamalka Secondary School. (Brendan Shykora - Morning Star)
Maple Ridge Mayor Dan Ruimy posed with Fin, the Vancouver Canucks mascot, for a Kraft Hockeyville promotional video at Planet Ice. (Brandon Tucker/The News)

PHOTOS: Vancouver Canucks mascot helps make killer contest video for B.C. arena

Voting for the Kraft Hockeyville contest starts on March 31

Maple Ridge Mayor Dan Ruimy posed with Fin, the Vancouver Canucks mascot, for a Kraft Hockeyville promotional video at Planet Ice. (Brandon Tucker/The News)
Campbell River native Olivia Knowles, pictured here, signed with the Minnesota Whitecaps last spring. Her team advanced to the Isobel Cup finals this weekend. Photo courtesy Kayla Franz/Minnesota Whitecaps

Pro hockey defender Olivia Knowles remembers humble Vancouver Island beginnings

Campbell Riverite turned Minnesota Whitecap all-time games played leader at University of Minnesota

Campbell River native Olivia Knowles, pictured here, signed with the Minnesota Whitecaps last spring. Her team advanced to the Isobel Cup finals this weekend. Photo courtesy Kayla Franz/Minnesota Whitecaps
Greater Victoria Velodrome Association president Matt Powell said the club is aiming to increase awareness in the cycling community of what it has to offer, and is hosting an open house at their track in Colwood April 9. (Justin Samanski-Langille/News Staff)

‘A great place to learn’: West Shore velodrome hosting spring open house

Greater Victoria Velodrome Association invites community to come learn about and try track cycling

Greater Victoria Velodrome Association president Matt Powell said the club is aiming to increase awareness in the cycling community of what it has to offer, and is hosting an open house at their track in Colwood April 9. (Justin Samanski-Langille/News Staff)
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