Canada & World

Canada’s Christine Sinclair battles for the ball with Nigeria’s Christy Ucheibe during first half Group B soccer action at the FIFA Women’s World Cup in Melbourne, Australia, Friday, July 21, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Scott Barbour

Canada held to 0-0 draw by Nigeria in Women’s World Cup 2023 opener

Canadian veteran Sinclair stopped on penalty in 50th minute

Canada’s Christine Sinclair battles for the ball with Nigeria’s Christy Ucheibe during first half Group B soccer action at the FIFA Women’s World Cup in Melbourne, Australia, Friday, July 21, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Scott Barbour
Canada’s Ali Ahmed (20) runs up the field during the second half of a CONCACAF Gold Cup soccer match against Guatemala Saturday, July 1, 2023, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

In praise of Ali Ahmed: young Whitecap emerging on national soccer stage

Ahmed’s performances have warranted a promotion to the Canadian national men’s team

Canada’s Ali Ahmed (20) runs up the field during the second half of a CONCACAF Gold Cup soccer match against Guatemala Saturday, July 1, 2023, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Bill May, left, part of the United States team, competes in the team acrobatic of artistic swimming at the World Swimming Championships in Fukuoka, Japan, Saturday, July 15, 2023. Largely unnoticed by the general public, men have been participating in artistic swimming, formerly known as synchronized swimming, for decades. (AP Photo/Nick Didlick)

Men to compete in artistic swimming – formerly synchro – at Paris Olympics

Snicker if you wish. Guffaw for good measure. Bill May and other…

Bill May, left, part of the United States team, competes in the team acrobatic of artistic swimming at the World Swimming Championships in Fukuoka, Japan, Saturday, July 15, 2023. Largely unnoticed by the general public, men have been participating in artistic swimming, formerly known as synchronized swimming, for decades. (AP Photo/Nick Didlick)
<div>The North American Indigenous Games have officially opened, with the prime minister attending as thousands of Indigenous athletes from across the continent filled the downtown Halifax Forum Civic Centre. An athlete from Team Ontario carries a “Every Child Matters” flag on a lacrosse stick during the opening ceremony of the North American Indigenous Games 2023 in Halifax, Sunday, July 16, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darren Calabrese</div>

North American Indigenous Games open in Halifax as prime minister attends

Games mix Indigenous culture with sports, involve 750 First Nations from across the continent

<div>The North American Indigenous Games have officially opened, with the prime minister attending as thousands of Indigenous athletes from across the continent filled the downtown Halifax Forum Civic Centre. An athlete from Team Ontario carries a “Every Child Matters” flag on a lacrosse stick during the opening ceremony of the North American Indigenous Games 2023 in Halifax, Sunday, July 16, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darren Calabrese</div>
Canada’s Claire Gallagher (10) celebrates with teammates after scoring a try against Australia during second half rugby action at the Pacific Four Series in Ottawa on Friday, July 14, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick

Canadian women’s rugby eases to 45-7 win over Australia

Win capped an emotional week that saw players enjoy the rare opportunity of playing in front of friends, family

Canada’s Claire Gallagher (10) celebrates with teammates after scoring a try against Australia during second half rugby action at the Pacific Four Series in Ottawa on Friday, July 14, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick
American League’s Vladimir Guerrero Jr., of the Toronto Blue Jays, hits during the first round of the MLB All-Star baseball Home Run Derby in Seattle, Monday, July 10, 2023. (AP Photo/Ted Warren)

Toronto slugger Vladimir Guerrero Jr. bashes way to MLB Home Run Derby win

Blue Jays first baseman joins dad as first father-son duo to top competition

American League’s Vladimir Guerrero Jr., of the Toronto Blue Jays, hits during the first round of the MLB All-Star baseball Home Run Derby in Seattle, Monday, July 10, 2023. (AP Photo/Ted Warren)
Canada’s Christine Sinclair pleads for a penalty kick during the women’s soccer gold medal game against Sweden at the Tokyo Olympics in Yokohama, Japan on Friday, August 6, 2021. Canada Soccer is holding emergency talks with the women’s national team today in Florida in a bid to convince the players to return to the field. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld

Sinclair optimistic about labour progress ahead of World Cup kickoff

Canada’s roster set ahead of the 32-team tournament that opens July 20 in Australia and New Zealand.

Canada’s Christine Sinclair pleads for a penalty kick during the women’s soccer gold medal game against Sweden at the Tokyo Olympics in Yokohama, Japan on Friday, August 6, 2021. Canada Soccer is holding emergency talks with the women’s national team today in Florida in a bid to convince the players to return to the field. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld
Montreal Alouettes quarterback Cody Fajardo, left, is sacked by B.C. Lions’ Mathieu Betts during the first half of a CFL football game, in Vancouver, B.C., Sunday, July 9, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

B.C. Lions pounce on Montreal miscues, roll to 35-19 CFL triumph

Host Leos bounce back neatly from first defeat of season

Montreal Alouettes quarterback Cody Fajardo, left, is sacked by B.C. Lions’ Mathieu Betts during the first half of a CFL football game, in Vancouver, B.C., Sunday, July 9, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Canada’s Milos Raonic serves to Austria’s Dennis Novak during the men’s singles match on day three of the Wimbledon tennis championships in London, Wednesday, July 5, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP/Alastair Grant

Canada’s Raonic wins Grand Slam return, beats Novak in Wimbledon opener

Hard-serving Canadian fired 28 aces in his first match at a major since 2021 Australian Open

Canada’s Milos Raonic serves to Austria’s Dennis Novak during the men’s singles match on day three of the Wimbledon tennis championships in London, Wednesday, July 5, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP/Alastair Grant
Toronto Argonauts defensive lineman Thomas Costigan (97) stops BC Lions quarterback Vernon Adams Jr. (3) during first half CFL action in Toronto on Monday, July 3, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Frank Gunn
Toronto Argonauts defensive lineman Thomas Costigan (97) stops BC Lions quarterback Vernon Adams Jr. (3) during first half CFL action in Toronto on Monday, July 3, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Frank Gunn
Chicago Blackhawks general manager Kyle Davidson poses with first round draft pick Connor Bedard during the first round of the NHL hockey draft, Wednesday, June 28, 2023, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)

No. 1 overall draft pick Bedard begins development camp with Blackhawks

The high-scoring forward made it clear that he isn’t looking too far ahead

Chicago Blackhawks general manager Kyle Davidson poses with first round draft pick Connor Bedard during the first round of the NHL hockey draft, Wednesday, June 28, 2023, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
FILE - Toronto Maple Leafs head coach Mike Babcock directs his team against the Colorado Avalanche in the third period of an NHL hockey game, Tuesday, Feb. 12, 2019, in Denver. Babcock is back in the NHL as coach of the Columbus Blue Jackets. The Blue Jackets announced Saturday, July 1, 2023, they’ve hired the Stanley Cup winner to take over behind the bench. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Mike Babcock returns to the NHL as the coach of the Columbus Blue Jackets

The 2008 Stanley Cup winner returns following the end of his lengthy contract with the Maple Leafs

FILE - Toronto Maple Leafs head coach Mike Babcock directs his team against the Colorado Avalanche in the third period of an NHL hockey game, Tuesday, Feb. 12, 2019, in Denver. Babcock is back in the NHL as coach of the Columbus Blue Jackets. The Blue Jackets announced Saturday, July 1, 2023, they’ve hired the Stanley Cup winner to take over behind the bench. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Toronto Maple Leafs newly-appointed general manager Brad Treliving does a television interview following a news conference in Toronto, on Thursday, June 1, 2023. Treliving remembers a time when NHL general managers were basically done with free agency shortly after the window opened. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chris Young

‘An interesting time’: Cap-squeezed NHL set to open free agency Saturday

Brad Treliving remembers a time when NHL general managers were basically done…

Toronto Maple Leafs newly-appointed general manager Brad Treliving does a television interview following a news conference in Toronto, on Thursday, June 1, 2023. Treliving remembers a time when NHL general managers were basically done with free agency shortly after the window opened. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chris Young
Ken Holland speaks at a press conference in Edmonton on Tuesday May 7, 2019. NHL teams got back to wheeling and dealing on the second day of the NHL draft. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jason Franson

‘Pretty boring’: Little trade action marks 2-day NHL draft

Flat cap conditions put handcuffs on player exchange that typically accompanies amateur selection

Ken Holland speaks at a press conference in Edmonton on Tuesday May 7, 2019. NHL teams got back to wheeling and dealing on the second day of the NHL draft. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jason Franson
New York Yankees’ Domingo Germán celebrates after pitching a perfect game against the Oakland Athletics during a baseball game in Oakland, Calif., Wednesday, June 28, 2023. The Yankees won 11-0. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)

Yankees pitcher Domingo Germán throws 1st perfect game since 2012

Accomplishment marks the 24th time it’s happened in MLB history

New York Yankees’ Domingo Germán celebrates after pitching a perfect game against the Oakland Athletics during a baseball game in Oakland, Calif., Wednesday, June 28, 2023. The Yankees won 11-0. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
Chicago Blackhawks general manager Kyle Davidson poses with first round draft pick Connor Bedard during the first round of the NHL hockey draft, Wednesday, June 28, 2023, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
Chicago Blackhawks general manager Kyle Davidson poses with first round draft pick Connor Bedard during the first round of the NHL hockey draft, Wednesday, June 28, 2023, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
NHL draft prospect Connor Bedard skates across the ice during a youth hockey clinic with other draft prospects and members of the NHL Player Inclusion Coalition, Tuesday, June 27, 2023, in Nashville, Tenn. Bedard is expected to be selected with the No. 1 pick by the Chicago Blackhawks in the first round of the NHL draft on Wednesday. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-George Walker IV

NHL draft moment almost here for phenom Connor Bedard

Bedard expected to go first, who follows and where will they go at NHL draft?

NHL draft prospect Connor Bedard skates across the ice during a youth hockey clinic with other draft prospects and members of the NHL Player Inclusion Coalition, Tuesday, June 27, 2023, in Nashville, Tenn. Bedard is expected to be selected with the No. 1 pick by the Chicago Blackhawks in the first round of the NHL draft on Wednesday. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-George Walker IV
An Ottawa Senators player warms-up with rainbow-coloured hockey tape prior to taking on the Vancouver Canucks in NHL hockey action in Ottawa on Wednesday, April 28, 2021.The Toronto Maple Leafs won’t wear themed warmup jerseys for the team’s annual Pride night celebration Tuesday. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick

McDavid no fan of NHL decision on themed jerseys after Pride refusals

‘We strongly feel hockey is for everybody, and that includes the Pride nights’

An Ottawa Senators player warms-up with rainbow-coloured hockey tape prior to taking on the Vancouver Canucks in NHL hockey action in Ottawa on Wednesday, April 28, 2021.The Toronto Maple Leafs won’t wear themed warmup jerseys for the team’s annual Pride night celebration Tuesday. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick
Edmonton Oilers hockey player Connor McDavid poses with the Ted Lindsey Award, the Maurice ‘Rocket’ Richard Trophy, the Art Ross Trophy and the Hart Memorial Trophy at the NHL Awards, Monday, June 26, 2023, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)

Connor McDavid wins third NHL MVP, 1 vote short of unanimous selection

Oilers superstar previously won Hart Trophy in 2017 and 2021

Edmonton Oilers hockey player Connor McDavid poses with the Ted Lindsey Award, the Maurice ‘Rocket’ Richard Trophy, the Art Ross Trophy and the Hart Memorial Trophy at the NHL Awards, Monday, June 26, 2023, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
Regina Pats centre Connor Bedard poses for photographs with the trophies he received at the Canadian Hockey League awards ceremony, in Kamloops, B.C., on Saturday, June 3, 2023. Bedard, the presumed No. 1 pick of this year’s NHL draft won the CHL Top Prospect, Top Scorer, and David Branch Player of the Year awards. It’s the first time since the Top Scorer award was introduced in 1994 that a player has won all three in a single season. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

NHL draft journey nearly complete for B.C.’s Connor Bedard

Touted as the NHL’s next big star, prospect ‘always all-in to practise or play’

Regina Pats centre Connor Bedard poses for photographs with the trophies he received at the Canadian Hockey League awards ceremony, in Kamloops, B.C., on Saturday, June 3, 2023. Bedard, the presumed No. 1 pick of this year’s NHL draft won the CHL Top Prospect, Top Scorer, and David Branch Player of the Year awards. It’s the first time since the Top Scorer award was introduced in 1994 that a player has won all three in a single season. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck