Canada & World

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
Edmonton running back Dahrran Diedrick tosses the ball during a practice Friday, Nov. 25, 2005 in Vancouver. Former CFL and NFL running back Dahrran Diedrick has died, the Montreal Alouettes announced Saturday. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chuck Stoody

Former CFL, NFL running back Dahrran Diedrick dead at age of 44

Diedrick was diagnosed with hepatosplenic gamma-delta T-cell lymphoma in 2014

Edmonton running back Dahrran Diedrick tosses the ball during a practice Friday, Nov. 25, 2005 in Vancouver. Former CFL and NFL running back Dahrran Diedrick has died, the Montreal Alouettes announced Saturday. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chuck Stoody
Canada’s Gabriel Diallo returns the ball during the group B Davis Cup match against Serbia’s Laslo Djere in Valencia, eastern Spain, Saturday, Sept. 17, 2022. The 21-year-old has made big strides as he continues his first full season as a pro. Diallo will look to take another step next week in the Wimbledon qualifiers. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Alberto Saiz

Canada’s Gabriel Diallo rising up the rankings, ready for Wimbledon qualifiers

The 21-year-old has made big strides as he continues his first full season as a pro

Canada’s Gabriel Diallo returns the ball during the group B Davis Cup match against Serbia’s Laslo Djere in Valencia, eastern Spain, Saturday, Sept. 17, 2022. The 21-year-old has made big strides as he continues his first full season as a pro. Diallo will look to take another step next week in the Wimbledon qualifiers. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Alberto Saiz
FILE - Florida Panthers goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky (72) and defenseman Radko Gudas (7) warm up while wearing a Pride Night hockey jersey before playing the Toronto Maple Leafs on March 23, 2023, in Sunrise, Fla. Bobrovsky, who is Russian, did take part in warmups the night the Staal brothers declined and in the aftermath of several countrymen deciding not to wear Pride jerseys. (AP Photo/Michael Laughlin, File)

NHL drops theme-night jerseys after Pride refusals cause distractions

Bettman: ‘(It’s) more of a distraction from really the essence of what the purpose of these nights are’

FILE - Florida Panthers goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky (72) and defenseman Radko Gudas (7) warm up while wearing a Pride Night hockey jersey before playing the Toronto Maple Leafs on March 23, 2023, in Sunrise, Fla. Bobrovsky, who is Russian, did take part in warmups the night the Staal brothers declined and in the aftermath of several countrymen deciding not to wear Pride jerseys. (AP Photo/Michael Laughlin, File)
B.C. Lions quarterback Vernon Adams (3) gets set to throw against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers during first half CFL action in Winnipeg Thursday, June 22, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/John Woods
B.C. Lions quarterback Vernon Adams (3) gets set to throw against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers during first half CFL action in Winnipeg Thursday, June 22, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/John Woods
Gradey Dick poses for a photo with NBA Commissioner Adam Silver after being selected 13th overall by the Toronto Raptors during the NBA basketball draft, Thursday, June 22, 2023, in New York. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)

Toronto Raptors select Gradey Dick with 13th overall pick in NBA draft

San Antonio Spurs choose Victor Wembanyama with No. 1 pick

Gradey Dick poses for a photo with NBA Commissioner Adam Silver after being selected 13th overall by the Toronto Raptors during the NBA basketball draft, Thursday, June 22, 2023, in New York. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)
Former New York Rangers goaltender Henrik Lundqvist, center, watches as his number is retired before an NHL hockey game between the New York Rangers and the Minnesota Wild, in New York, Friday, Jan. 28, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-John Munson

Henrik Lundqvist, Caroline Ouellette among Hockey Hall of Fame class of 2023

Tom Barrasso, Mike Vernon, Pierre Turgeon, Pierre Lacroix and Ken Hitchcock also selected

Former New York Rangers goaltender Henrik Lundqvist, center, watches as his number is retired before an NHL hockey game between the New York Rangers and the Minnesota Wild, in New York, Friday, Jan. 28, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-John Munson
Folarin Balogun of the United States, centre left, and Stephen Eustaquio, of Canada, centre right, battle for the ball during the first half of a CONCACAF Nations League final match Sunday, June 18, 2023, in Las Vegas. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-John Locher

Herdman challenges Canada Soccer ‘to get real’ about preparing men’s national team

After watching his team fall 2-0 to the U.S. in Sunday’s CONCACAF…

Folarin Balogun of the United States, centre left, and Stephen Eustaquio, of Canada, centre right, battle for the ball during the first half of a CONCACAF Nations League final match Sunday, June 18, 2023, in Las Vegas. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-John Locher
B.C. Lions linebacker Ben Hladik (46) tackles Edmonton Elks wide receiver Vincent Forbes-Mombleau (82) during the first half of a CFL football game, in Vancouver, on Saturday, June 17, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ethan Cairns

B.C. Lions blitz Edmonton Elks 22-0, Rhymes records game’s only TD

Unbeaten Leos travel to Winnipeg on Thursday to meet Bombers

B.C. Lions linebacker Ben Hladik (46) tackles Edmonton Elks wide receiver Vincent Forbes-Mombleau (82) during the first half of a CFL football game, in Vancouver, on Saturday, June 17, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ethan Cairns
Race fans walk through pit lane during the open house at the Canadian Grand Prix Thursday, June 15, 2023, in Montreal. Residents and tourists, alike, are excited for the return of the Canadian Grand Prix, the unofficial kickoff to the city’s summer festival season. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ryan Remiorz

Residents and tourists alike excited for the return of the Montreal Grand Prix

The Canadian Grand Prix, the unofficial kickoff to Montreal’s summer festival season

Race fans walk through pit lane during the open house at the Canadian Grand Prix Thursday, June 15, 2023, in Montreal. Residents and tourists, alike, are excited for the return of the Canadian Grand Prix, the unofficial kickoff to the city’s summer festival season. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ryan Remiorz
Vancouver Canucks’ Oliver Ekman-Larsson (23) celebrates with teammate Elias Pettersson (40) after scoring a goal during first period NHL hockey action against the New York Islanders, in Elmont, N.Y., Thursday, Feb. 9, 2023. The Vancouver Canucks have bought out Oliver Ekman-Larsson, making the defenceman an unrestricted free agent. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Frank Franklin II

Vancouver Canucks buy out defenceman Oliver Ekman-Larsson’s contract

Team will pay Swedish defenceman $19.33 million over the next eight years not to play

Vancouver Canucks’ Oliver Ekman-Larsson (23) celebrates with teammate Elias Pettersson (40) after scoring a goal during first period NHL hockey action against the New York Islanders, in Elmont, N.Y., Thursday, Feb. 9, 2023. The Vancouver Canucks have bought out Oliver Ekman-Larsson, making the defenceman an unrestricted free agent. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Frank Franklin II