Sports

Construction continues on and around the rink for the New Year’s Day NHL hockey Winter Classic between the Seattle Kraken and the Vegas Golden Knights, Thursday, Dec. 21, 2023, in Seattle at T-Mobile Park, home of the Seattle Mariners. (Dean Rutz/The Seattle Times via AP)

Bringing the Winter Classic to Seattle came with an insurance policy

The game Monday will be the 39th outdoor game the NHL has conducted

Construction continues on and around the rink for the New Year’s Day NHL hockey Winter Classic between the Seattle Kraken and the Vegas Golden Knights, Thursday, Dec. 21, 2023, in Seattle at T-Mobile Park, home of the Seattle Mariners. (Dean Rutz/The Seattle Times via AP)
Sweden’s Zeb Forsfjall (21) pushes Canada’s Owen Beck (8) into the boards during third period preliminary round hockey action at the IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship in Gothenburg, Sweden on Friday, Dec. 29, 2023. There was no penalty called on the play. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Christinne Muschi

Canada blanked 2-0 by host Sweden in world juniors group play

Hugo Havelid makes 21 saves to earn shutout

Sweden’s Zeb Forsfjall (21) pushes Canada’s Owen Beck (8) into the boards during third period preliminary round hockey action at the IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship in Gothenburg, Sweden on Friday, Dec. 29, 2023. There was no penalty called on the play. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Christinne Muschi
Philadelphia Flyers’ Joel Farabee (86) scores on Vancouver Canucks goaltender Casey DeSmith (29) during the second period of an NHL hockey game in Vancouver, on Thursday, Dec. 28, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ethan Cairns

Second-period flurry lifts Flyers to 4-1 win over Vancouver Canucks

Vancouver hosts the Ottawa Senators on Jan. 2

Philadelphia Flyers’ Joel Farabee (86) scores on Vancouver Canucks goaltender Casey DeSmith (29) during the second period of an NHL hockey game in Vancouver, on Thursday, Dec. 28, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ethan Cairns
FILE - United States' Kendall Coyne Schofield skates with the puck against Canada during the first period of a Rivalry Series hockey game Nov. 17, 2022, in Kamloops, British Columbia. Coyne Schofield, a three-time Olympian and former U.S. captain, will suit up for Minnesota’s Professional Women's Hockey League opener at Boston on Jan. 3. The game will underline Coyne Schofield’s determination in returning to competitive play, after the birth of her son, now 6 months old. (Jesse Johnston/The Canadian Press via AP, File, File)

A new league for a new mom: Coyne Schofield gears up for PWHL launch

Maternity leave is included in a collective bargaining agreement

FILE - United States' Kendall Coyne Schofield skates with the puck against Canada during the first period of a Rivalry Series hockey game Nov. 17, 2022, in Kamloops, British Columbia. Coyne Schofield, a three-time Olympian and former U.S. captain, will suit up for Minnesota’s Professional Women's Hockey League opener at Boston on Jan. 3. The game will underline Coyne Schofield’s determination in returning to competitive play, after the birth of her son, now 6 months old. (Jesse Johnston/The Canadian Press via AP, File, File)
Canada’s Macklin Celebrini (17), tosses a glove past Fraser Minten (12) following the team photo at the IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship in Gothenburg, Sweden, Thursday, Dec. 28, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Christinne Muschi

Tight-knit Canada set for tough test against hosts Sweden at world juniors

Canada is looking secure a third straight gold medal at the under-20 tournament

Canada’s Macklin Celebrini (17), tosses a glove past Fraser Minten (12) following the team photo at the IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship in Gothenburg, Sweden, Thursday, Dec. 28, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Christinne Muschi
<div>Nikita Zadorov has been a Vancouver Canuck for nearly a month and says the adjustment has been smooth. Zadorov, right, checks San Jose Sharks’ William Eklund during the third period of an NHL hockey game in Vancouver, B.C., Saturday, Dec. 23, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck</div>

New system, teammates: Zadorov adjusting to life after a month as a Canuck

Consensus at the time of the trade was that the Canucks had underpaid for the 6’6”-blueliner

<div>Nikita Zadorov has been a Vancouver Canuck for nearly a month and says the adjustment has been smooth. Zadorov, right, checks San Jose Sharks’ William Eklund during the third period of an NHL hockey game in Vancouver, B.C., Saturday, Dec. 23, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck</div>
Canadian Soccer Business, which represents Canada Soccer’s corporate partnerships and broadcast rights among other assets, took its lumps this year. Mark Noonan, CEO of Canadian Soccer Business and commissioner of the Canadian Premier League, holds a CPL scarf in an undated handout photo. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-CPL, *MANDATORY CREDIT*

Canadian Soccer Business has no need to apologize, continues to grow game: Noonan

Players complained the CSB deal with the governing body of Canadian soccer is holding the game back

Canadian Soccer Business, which represents Canada Soccer’s corporate partnerships and broadcast rights among other assets, took its lumps this year. Mark Noonan, CEO of Canadian Soccer Business and commissioner of the Canadian Premier League, holds a CPL scarf in an undated handout photo. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-CPL, *MANDATORY CREDIT*
Summer McIntosh smiles after winning the women’s 200-metre individual medley at the Canadian swimming trials in Toronto on Thursday, March 30, 2023. Swimming sensation McIntosh is The Canadian Press female athlete of the year for 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Frank Gunn

Swimming sensation Summer McIntosh voted CP female athlete of the year

She defended her world titles in Japan to become a double world champion in back-to-back years

Summer McIntosh smiles after winning the women’s 200-metre individual medley at the Canadian swimming trials in Toronto on Thursday, March 30, 2023. Swimming sensation McIntosh is The Canadian Press female athlete of the year for 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Frank Gunn
Canada’s Macklin Celebrini (17) scores on Latvia goaltender Linards Feldbergs (29) during second period preliminary round hockey action at the IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship in Gothenburg, Sweden, Wednesday, Dec. 27, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Christinne Muschi

Celebrini’s 5-point effort lifts Canada past Latvia 10-0 at world juniors

Canadians next tangle with Sweden on Friday

Canada’s Macklin Celebrini (17) scores on Latvia goaltender Linards Feldbergs (29) during second period preliminary round hockey action at the IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship in Gothenburg, Sweden, Wednesday, Dec. 27, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Christinne Muschi
Nick Taylor reacts after winning the Canadian Open championship on the fourth playoff hole against Tommy Fleetwood in Toronto on Sunday, June 11, 2023. Taylor’s putter flip after winning the RBC Canadian Open was the exclamation point on arguably the best year in Canadian golf history. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette

Canadian golf reached new heights in 2023, with more wins than ever

Nick Taylor’s RBC Canadian Open win was the 1st time a Canadian had won the title in 69 years

Nick Taylor reacts after winning the Canadian Open championship on the fourth playoff hole against Tommy Fleetwood in Toronto on Sunday, June 11, 2023. Taylor’s putter flip after winning the RBC Canadian Open was the exclamation point on arguably the best year in Canadian golf history. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette
Forge FC midfielder Noah Jensen (left) fights for a ball with Cavalry FC defender Daan Klomp (4) during Canadian Premier League finals soccer action in Hamilton on Saturday, Oct. 28, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nick Iwanyshyn

Commissioner says CPL headed in the right direction, with more teams coming

Vancouver FC debuted this season, finishing seventh overall with a 8-15-5 record

Forge FC midfielder Noah Jensen (left) fights for a ball with Cavalry FC defender Daan Klomp (4) during Canadian Premier League finals soccer action in Hamilton on Saturday, Oct. 28, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nick Iwanyshyn
For the second year in a row, Team Canada is celebrating its goals at the world junior ice hockey championship with a song from Newfoundland. Canada’s Owen Allard (21) celebrates his goal against Finland during second period hockey action at the IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship in Gothenburg, Sweden on Tuesday, Dec. 26, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Christinne Muschi

A Newfoundland song celebrates Team Canada goals at world juniors for 2nd year

‘Ordinary Day’ by Great Big Sea blasted 5 times from the arena speakers in Gothenburg, Sweden

For the second year in a row, Team Canada is celebrating its goals at the world junior ice hockey championship with a song from Newfoundland. Canada’s Owen Allard (21) celebrates his goal against Finland during second period hockey action at the IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship in Gothenburg, Sweden on Tuesday, Dec. 26, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Christinne Muschi
Canada’s goaltender Mathis Rousseau (30) makes a save against Finland’s Jere Lassila (28) during third period hockey action at the IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship in Gothenburg, Sweden on Tuesday, Dec 26, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Christinne Muschi

Canada downs Finland 5-2 to open world junior hockey championships

Nate Danielson produces goal and an assist for winners

Canada’s goaltender Mathis Rousseau (30) makes a save against Finland’s Jere Lassila (28) during third period hockey action at the IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship in Gothenburg, Sweden on Tuesday, Dec 26, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Christinne Muschi
<div>Curling Canada’s new chief executive officer will have a long to-do list when they take on the job next year. Players sweep a rock at the Tim Hortons Brier in Lethbridge, Alta. on March 6, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh</div>

Attendance concerns, performance woes among many issues on curling scene

Canadian results at international events continue to slip

<div>Curling Canada’s new chief executive officer will have a long to-do list when they take on the job next year. Players sweep a rock at the Tim Hortons Brier in Lethbridge, Alta. on March 6, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh</div>
Vancouver Canucks’ Andrei Kuzmenko (96) celebrates his first goal as San Jose Sharks’ Fabian Zetterlund (20) looks on during the first period of an NHL hockey game in Vancouver, on Saturday, Dec. 23, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Canucks atop NHL standings after 7-4 win over San Jose Sharks

Kuzmenko nets 2 goals as Vancouver heads into holiday break with victory

Vancouver Canucks’ Andrei Kuzmenko (96) celebrates his first goal as San Jose Sharks’ Fabian Zetterlund (20) looks on during the first period of an NHL hockey game in Vancouver, on Saturday, Dec. 23, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
A rare sight - Canucks coaches using the dry board to explain a drill during practice. Black Press Media photo

THE MOJ: The art of making practice perfect a constant juggling act

Canucks coach Rick Tocchet maps out an up-tempo plan and veers from it based on sense of team needs

A rare sight - Canucks coaches using the dry board to explain a drill during practice. Black Press Media photo
Dallas Stars centre Radek Faksa (12) knocks Vancouver Canucks right wing Conor Garland, to the ice as they compete for a loose puck in the second period of an NHL hockey game in Dallas, Thursday, Dec. 21, 2023. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

Duchene scores with 9.2 seconds left in OT, Stars edge Canucks 4-3

Vancouver gave up lead late in third period

Dallas Stars centre Radek Faksa (12) knocks Vancouver Canucks right wing Conor Garland, to the ice as they compete for a loose puck in the second period of an NHL hockey game in Dallas, Thursday, Dec. 21, 2023. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
Vegas Golden Knights Mark Stone (61), left, and Florida Panthers Radko Gudas (7) shake hands after Vegas won the Stanley Cup in Game 5 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Finals Tuesday, June 13, 2023, in Las Vegas. The governing body for amateur hockey in Newfoundland and Labrador has banned end-of-game handshakes. A post today on Hockey NL’s website says there have been “issues” with the handshakes “that have led to suspensions for players and coaches.” THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP/Abbie Parr

Newfoundland cancels post-game hockey handshakes

Amateur hockey association implementing change after the holiday season due to ‘issues’

Vegas Golden Knights Mark Stone (61), left, and Florida Panthers Radko Gudas (7) shake hands after Vegas won the Stanley Cup in Game 5 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Finals Tuesday, June 13, 2023, in Las Vegas. The governing body for amateur hockey in Newfoundland and Labrador has banned end-of-game handshakes. A post today on Hockey NL’s website says there have been “issues” with the handshakes “that have led to suspensions for players and coaches.” THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP/Abbie Parr
(Submitted photo)

Island hockey player to represent Australia at U20 World Championships

Forward Riley Langille will play for Australia in the U20 World Championship

(Submitted photo)
Canada forward Macklin Celebrini celebrate his goal against the U Sports all-stars during first period Canadian World Juniors selection camp hockey action in Oakville, Ont., on Wednesday, Dec. 13, 2023. Celebrini was contemplating his next hockey stop. The teenage star poised to join the U.S. college hockey ranks for the 2023-24 season had plenty of NCAA schools pining for his services back in June 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette

B.C.’s Celebrini won’t cheat game he skates into world hockey spotlight

All eyes on top prospect for upcoming NHL draft as World Junior tourney gets set to start

Canada forward Macklin Celebrini celebrate his goal against the U Sports all-stars during first period Canadian World Juniors selection camp hockey action in Oakville, Ont., on Wednesday, Dec. 13, 2023. Celebrini was contemplating his next hockey stop. The teenage star poised to join the U.S. college hockey ranks for the 2023-24 season had plenty of NCAA schools pining for his services back in June 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette