Sports

The Victoria Curling Club hosts U18 provincials Dec. 27 to 31. (Google Maps file photo)

Youth provincial playdowns rock Victoria Curling Club after Christmas

U18 boys, girls, mixed rinks fight for national berth Dec. 27 to 31

The Victoria Curling Club hosts U18 provincials Dec. 27 to 31. (Google Maps file photo)
A new mural of soccer player Lionel Messi is unveiled in downtown Buenos Aires, Argentina, Monday, Dec. 18, 2023, one year after his national Argentine team won the World Cup tournament. (AP Photo/Gustavo Garello)

Whitecaps set host Messi and Inter Miami as MLS unveils schedule

Argentinian soccer star an anniversary present to the fans as franchise turns 50

A new mural of soccer player Lionel Messi is unveiled in downtown Buenos Aires, Argentina, Monday, Dec. 18, 2023, one year after his national Argentine team won the World Cup tournament. (AP Photo/Gustavo Garello)
Practice is a valuable tool for Rick Tocchet and the Canucks. Photo courtesy Vancouver Canucks

THE MOJ: Practice makes perfect a Tocchet foundational principle

Vancouver Canucks coach has shaped his practice regimen from an impressive group of mentors

Practice is a valuable tool for Rick Tocchet and the Canucks. Photo courtesy Vancouver Canucks
Nashville Predators right wing Michael McCarron (47) is restrained by referees has he is given a penalty unsportsmanlike behaviour during the first period of an NHL hockey game against the Vancouver Canucks, Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2023, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)

Surging Canucks pounce on Nashville Predators in 5-2 road win

Vancouver is 19-0-0 when leading after two periods this season

Nashville Predators right wing Michael McCarron (47) is restrained by referees has he is given a penalty unsportsmanlike behaviour during the first period of an NHL hockey game against the Vancouver Canucks, Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2023, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
Oceanside Generals Miles Carson fires a shot that was blocked by Campbell River Storm goalie Nick Peters, in a game last season. (Michael Briones photo)

Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League among leagues evaluated for tier upgrade in new year

Campbell River Storm would be one of the teams going to Junior A Tier 1

Oceanside Generals Miles Carson fires a shot that was blocked by Campbell River Storm goalie Nick Peters, in a game last season. (Michael Briones photo)
Vancouver Whitecaps fans cheer as the team walks onto the field before Game 2 of a first-round MLS playoff soccer match against Los Angeles FC, in Vancouver, on Sunday, November 5, 2023. The Whitecaps are shifting their first-round CONCACAF Champions Cup game on Feb. 7 to Starlight Stadium in Langford, B.C., because of a scheduling conflict at B.C. Place, the club’s home stadium. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Langford to host Vancouver Whitecaps Champions Cup game in February

Game with Mexican club moved from B.C. Place to Starlight Stadium due to scheduling conflict

Vancouver Whitecaps fans cheer as the team walks onto the field before Game 2 of a first-round MLS playoff soccer match against Los Angeles FC, in Vancouver, on Sunday, November 5, 2023. The Whitecaps are shifting their first-round CONCACAF Champions Cup game on Feb. 7 to Starlight Stadium in Langford, B.C., because of a scheduling conflict at B.C. Place, the club’s home stadium. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Vancouver Canucks goalie Thatcher Demko looks on during a stoppage in play during the second period of an NHL hockey game against the Tampa Bay Lightning in Vancouver, on Tuesday, Dec. 12, 2023. Colorado Avalanche centre Nathan MacKinnon, Demko and New York Islanders defenceman Noah Dobson have been named the NHL’s three stars of the week. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Demko the latest Canuck to land on the NHL’s three stars of the week

Demko turned aside 89 of the 93 shots he faced, going 3-0-0

Vancouver Canucks goalie Thatcher Demko looks on during a stoppage in play during the second period of an NHL hockey game against the Tampa Bay Lightning in Vancouver, on Tuesday, Dec. 12, 2023. Colorado Avalanche centre Nathan MacKinnon, Demko and New York Islanders defenceman Noah Dobson have been named the NHL’s three stars of the week. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Vancouver Canucks right wing Ilya Mikheyev, centre, celebrates with teammates after scoring during the second period of an NHL hockey game against the Chicago Blackhawks in Chicago, Sunday, Dec. 17, 2023. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)

Boeser scores 23rd goal as Canucks top depleted Blackhawks 4-3

Vancouver visits the Nashville Predators on Tuesday night

Vancouver Canucks right wing Ilya Mikheyev, centre, celebrates with teammates after scoring during the second period of an NHL hockey game against the Chicago Blackhawks in Chicago, Sunday, Dec. 17, 2023. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
Minnesota Wild defenceman Jake Middleton (5) and Vancouver Canucks right wing Conor Garland (8) compete for the puck during the first period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, Dec. 16, 2023, in St Paul, Minn. (AP Photo/Matt Krohn)

Zuccarello scores in shootout to give Wild 2-1 win over Canucks

Vancouver continues road swing Sunday against Chicago

Minnesota Wild defenceman Jake Middleton (5) and Vancouver Canucks right wing Conor Garland (8) compete for the puck during the first period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, Dec. 16, 2023, in St Paul, Minn. (AP Photo/Matt Krohn)
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. Cavalry FC is shifting its first-round CONCACAF Champions Cup game in February at Starlight Stadium in Langford, B.C., to escape the Alberta cold.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nick Iwanyshyn

Cavalry FC to shift Champions Cup game to Vancouver Island to escape cold

The Calgary-based team hosts Orlando City SC in opening round of the 27-team CONCACAF competition

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. Cavalry FC is shifting its first-round CONCACAF Champions Cup game in February at Starlight Stadium in Langford, B.C., to escape the Alberta cold.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nick Iwanyshyn
Bruce Boudreau responds to questions during a news conference after an NHL hockey game against the Edmonton Oilers, in Vancouver, on Saturday, January 21, 2023. Boudreau will make his international coaching debut as Canada’s bench boss for the upcoming Spengler Cup. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Boudreau named head coach for Canada’s Spengler Cup squad

The Spengler Cup will run from Dec. 26-31 in Davos, Switzerland

Bruce Boudreau responds to questions during a news conference after an NHL hockey game against the Edmonton Oilers, in Vancouver, on Saturday, January 21, 2023. Boudreau will make his international coaching debut as Canada’s bench boss for the upcoming Spengler Cup. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
The Vancouver Canucks acquired defenseman Nick Cicek and a 2024 sixth-round draft pick from the San Jose Sharks on Friday for forward Jack Studnicka. (Photo courtesy of Vancouver Canucks)

Canucks acquire Cicek and 2024 6th-round pick from Sharks for Studnicka

The 23-year-old Cicek has a goal and two assists in 18 this season for the San Jose Barracuda

The Vancouver Canucks acquired defenseman Nick Cicek and a 2024 sixth-round draft pick from the San Jose Sharks on Friday for forward Jack Studnicka. (Photo courtesy of Vancouver Canucks)
An 11-year-old boy has died after getting hit by a hockey puck during a junior hockey league practice event near Montreal on Tuesday. Rubber marks from pucks dot the glass at a hockey practice in Vancouver on Thursday, June 2, 2011. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Boy dies after taking puck to the neck in Quebec minor hockey practice

Police say 11-yer-old was wearing all the required protective equipment

An 11-year-old boy has died after getting hit by a hockey puck during a junior hockey league practice event near Montreal on Tuesday. Rubber marks from pucks dot the glass at a hockey practice in Vancouver on Thursday, June 2, 2011. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Vancouver Canucks’ Brock Boeser (6) scores on Florida Panthers goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky (72) as Panthers’ Niko Mikkola (77) defends during the second period of an NHL game in Vancouver on Thursday, Dec. 14, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ethan Cairns

Canucks blank Florida Panthers 4-0 on night honouring Roberto Luongo

Dakota Joshua scores 2 goals, Demko posts shutout to lead way for Vancouver

Vancouver Canucks’ Brock Boeser (6) scores on Florida Panthers goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky (72) as Panthers’ Niko Mikkola (77) defends during the second period of an NHL game in Vancouver on Thursday, Dec. 14, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ethan Cairns
Former Vancouver Canucks goalie Roberto Luongo waves as he walks onto the ice to be honoured with other Hockey Hall of Fame inductees, Daniel and Henrik Sedin, before an NHL hockey game in Vancouver, on Thursday, December 1, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Luongo reflective as he prepares to enter Canuck ring of honour

Hall of Fame goalie remembers his time in Vancouver as the most important part of his career

Former Vancouver Canucks goalie Roberto Luongo waves as he walks onto the ice to be honoured with other Hockey Hall of Fame inductees, Daniel and Henrik Sedin, before an NHL hockey game in Vancouver, on Thursday, December 1, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Jon Cooper is now in his 12th year as head coach of the Tampa Bay Lightning. Tampa Bay Lightning photo

THE MOJ: Fire still burns for B.C.’s Cooper, the dean of NHL coaches

2-time Stanley Cup champion from Prince George has been a champion at every level

Jon Cooper is now in his 12th year as head coach of the Tampa Bay Lightning. Tampa Bay Lightning photo
Allora Enge is 11 years old and from Colwood. (Tanara Oliveira/News Staff)

Colwood gymnast has her eyes on the prize at BC Winter Games

West Shore athlete gets ready for huge sports event

  • Dec 14, 2023
Allora Enge is 11 years old and from Colwood. (Tanara Oliveira/News Staff)
Canada forward Macklin Celebrini celebrate his goal against U Sports during first period Canadian World Juniors selection camp hockey action in Oakville, Ont., on Wednesday, December 13, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette

B.C. top prospect Celebrini headlines Canada’s World junior hockey roster

Minten, Wood, and Molendyk other B.C. players on the roster

Canada forward Macklin Celebrini celebrate his goal against U Sports during first period Canadian World Juniors selection camp hockey action in Oakville, Ont., on Wednesday, December 13, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette
Comox Valley Curling Club manager Keith Parry has worked for the past six years to expand the club and improve its value. Photo by Ali Roddam

Sweeping changes: how this Island curling club is attracting a younger crowd

‘It’s a wonderful, fun game. Intellectually challenging, good physical workout, it’s social’

Comox Valley Curling Club manager Keith Parry has worked for the past six years to expand the club and improve its value. Photo by Ali Roddam
The Salmon Arm 55+ BC Games announces its lineup of sports and activities being held in the 2024 event, which includes slo-pitch like last year’s Games hosted by Abbotsford. (55+ BC Games photo)

Let the Games begin: lineup revealed for Salmon Arm 2024 55+ BC Games

Diverse activities announced for the anticipated 3,000 participants

The Salmon Arm 55+ BC Games announces its lineup of sports and activities being held in the 2024 event, which includes slo-pitch like last year’s Games hosted by Abbotsford. (55+ BC Games photo)