Hockey

FILE - Chicago Blackhawks center Connor Bedard watches his teammates during the first period of an NHL preseason hockey game against the Detroit Red Wings, Oct. 3, 2023, in Chicago. Bedard, the 18-year-old top pick by the Blackhawks, makes his NHL debut on Tuesday, Oct. 10 when he faces Pittsburgh Penguins and star center Sidney Crosby, a top pick himself 17 years ago. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast, file)

B.C.’s Bedard meets aging but still awesome Sid the Kid as NHL opens season

Chicago/Pittsburgh match one of three games as the NHL begins its 1,312-game regular-season schedule

FILE - Chicago Blackhawks center Connor Bedard watches his teammates during the first period of an NHL preseason hockey game against the Detroit Red Wings, Oct. 3, 2023, in Chicago. Bedard, the 18-year-old top pick by the Blackhawks, makes his NHL debut on Tuesday, Oct. 10 when he faces Pittsburgh Penguins and star center Sidney Crosby, a top pick himself 17 years ago. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast, file)
A special jersey, designed to pay tribute to hockey referees, has been revealed for the Vancouver Giants players to wear during their Oct. 22 game. Then, the jerseys will be given to auction winners after the appreciation night. (Diana Hong, Vancouver Giants/Special to Langley Advance Times)

Vancouver Giants selling off special referee jerseys

Major junior hockey team holds game as a tribute to hundreds of Canadian game officials

A special jersey, designed to pay tribute to hockey referees, has been revealed for the Vancouver Giants players to wear during their Oct. 22 game. Then, the jerseys will be given to auction winners after the appreciation night. (Diana Hong, Vancouver Giants/Special to Langley Advance Times)
A Hockey Canada logo is seen on the door to the organizations head office in Calgary, Alta., Sunday, Nov. 6, 2022.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh

You Can Play supports Hockey Canada’s dressing room policy

Hockey Canada has implemented a new ‘minimum attire rule’

A Hockey Canada logo is seen on the door to the organizations head office in Calgary, Alta., Sunday, Nov. 6, 2022.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith, left, looks on as City of Calgary mayor Jyoti Gondek, announces the signing of agreements on the new NHL arena deal in Calgary, Alta., Thursday, Oct. 5, 2023.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh

City, province announce finalized deal for new $800M arena for Calgary Flames

A preliminary deal announced in April for a new $1.2-billion event centre and entertainment district

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith, left, looks on as City of Calgary mayor Jyoti Gondek, announces the signing of agreements on the new NHL arena deal in Calgary, Alta., Thursday, Oct. 5, 2023.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh
A Hockey Canada logo is seen on the door to a dressing room the organizations home rink in Calgary, Alta., Sunday, Nov. 6, 2022. Hockey Canada has implemented a new dressing room policy for the 2023-24 minor hockey season, including a “minimum attire rule,” with the goal of respecting privacy and making dressing environments more inclusive. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh

Experts puzzled by Hockey Canada’s ‘minimum attire’ rule in dressing rooms

Hockey Canada has implemented a new policy for the 2023-24 minor hockey season

A Hockey Canada logo is seen on the door to a dressing room the organizations home rink in Calgary, Alta., Sunday, Nov. 6, 2022. Hockey Canada has implemented a new dressing room policy for the 2023-24 minor hockey season, including a “minimum attire rule,” with the goal of respecting privacy and making dressing environments more inclusive. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh
Spencer Martin mans the crease prior to the puck drop of game three of the Abbotsford Canucks playoff series against the Calgary Wranglers earlier this year. Martin was picked up on waivers by the Columbus Blue Jackets on Friday (Sept. 29). (Ben Lypka/Abbotsford News)

Spencer Martin a former Canuck, claimed by Columbus Blue Jackets

Martin was waived by the Vancouver Canucks on Thursday

Spencer Martin mans the crease prior to the puck drop of game three of the Abbotsford Canucks playoff series against the Calgary Wranglers earlier this year. Martin was picked up on waivers by the Columbus Blue Jackets on Friday (Sept. 29). (Ben Lypka/Abbotsford News)
FILE - Team USA Taylor Heise (27) with teammates after the IIHF World Championship Women’s ice hockey match against Japan in Herning, Denmark, Thursday, Aug. 25, 2022. The newly launched Professional Women’s Hockey League is taking shape. Each of the six franchise’s head coaches are expected to be announced on Friday, Sept. 15. And Minnesota is looking ahead to the league’s inaugural draft on Monday, when the yet-to-be-named franchise is expected to select Taylor Heise with the No. 1 pick. (Bo Amstrup/Ritzau Scanpix via AP, File)

Newly founded women’s pro hockey league looks ahead to draft

The yet-to-be-named six franchises announced their head coaches

FILE - Team USA Taylor Heise (27) with teammates after the IIHF World Championship Women’s ice hockey match against Japan in Herning, Denmark, Thursday, Aug. 25, 2022. The newly launched Professional Women’s Hockey League is taking shape. Each of the six franchise’s head coaches are expected to be announced on Friday, Sept. 15. And Minnesota is looking ahead to the league’s inaugural draft on Monday, when the yet-to-be-named franchise is expected to select Taylor Heise with the No. 1 pick. (Bo Amstrup/Ritzau Scanpix via AP, File)
The Vancouver Canucks’ top prospects opened the 2023 Young Stars Classic with a 7-1 victory against the Calgary Flames on Friday, Sept. 15, at the South Okanagan Events Centre in Penticton. (Photo- Jennifer Small)

PHOTOS: Vancouver Canucks’ top prospects shine in Penticton

The annual Young Stars Classic runs through Monday, Sept. 18

The Vancouver Canucks’ top prospects opened the 2023 Young Stars Classic with a 7-1 victory against the Calgary Flames on Friday, Sept. 15, at the South Okanagan Events Centre in Penticton. (Photo- Jennifer Small)
Micah Zandee-Hart, who played her minor hockey on the Saanich Peninsula before winning gold at the 2022 Bejing Winter Olympics in women’s hockey playing for Team Canada, addresses the crowd during a 2022 Peninsula Panthers game. (Christian J. Stewart Photography file photo)

Vancouver Island hockey product signs pro contract with New York PWHL team

Micah Zandee-Hart of Saanichton dubbed a ‘cornerstone player’

Micah Zandee-Hart, who played her minor hockey on the Saanich Peninsula before winning gold at the 2022 Bejing Winter Olympics in women’s hockey playing for Team Canada, addresses the crowd during a 2022 Peninsula Panthers game. (Christian J. Stewart Photography file photo)
<div>Canada’s new sports minister says she’s not ready to laud Hockey Canada on its efforts to change its culture and the culture of the sport. Minister of Sport and Physical Activity, Carla Qualtrough speaks to the media at Canada’s practice session at the Women’s World Cup in Melbourne, Australia, Sunday, July 30, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Victoria Adkins</div>

Hockey Canada still needs more culture change: sports minister

Carla Qualtrough says kids at risk and officials need to do better

<div>Canada’s new sports minister says she’s not ready to laud Hockey Canada on its efforts to change its culture and the culture of the sport. Minister of Sport and Physical Activity, Carla Qualtrough speaks to the media at Canada’s practice session at the Women’s World Cup in Melbourne, Australia, Sunday, July 30, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Victoria Adkins</div>
Gina Kingsbury is the general manager of the Professional Women’s Hockey League’s team in Toronto. Kingsbury, left, and Colleen Sostorics celebrate with the flag after winning the gold medal ice hockey game against the United States at the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver, B.C., Thursday, Feb. 25, 2010. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld

New Professional Women’s Hockey League unveils its original 6 GMs

League features teams in Minnesota, Boston, New York, Toronto, Montreal and Ottawa

Gina Kingsbury is the general manager of the Professional Women’s Hockey League’s team in Toronto. Kingsbury, left, and Colleen Sostorics celebrate with the flag after winning the gold medal ice hockey game against the United States at the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver, B.C., Thursday, Feb. 25, 2010. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld
Connor Bedard says he’s not Connor McDavid and wants to carve his own path as a player. Bedard, Chicago Blackhawks first round draft pick, makes his way to the stage during the first round of the NHL hockey draft, in Nashville, Tenn., Wednesday, June 28, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-George Walker IV

Bedard talks McDavid and the challenge of becoming hockey’s next great

Most highly-touted B.C. prospect ever prepares for his first NHL training camp

Connor Bedard says he’s not Connor McDavid and wants to carve his own path as a player. Bedard, Chicago Blackhawks first round draft pick, makes his way to the stage during the first round of the NHL hockey draft, in Nashville, Tenn., Wednesday, June 28, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-George Walker IV
FILE - Toronto Maple Leafs center Auston Matthews (34) reacts after scoring against the Tampa Bay Lightning during the third period in Game 4 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series on April 24, 2023, in Tampa, Fla. The Maple Leafs signed star center Matthews to a four-year deal, $53 million contract extension on Wednesday, Aug. 23, 2023. (AP Photo/Chris O’Meara, File)

Maple Leafs make Auston Matthews the NHL’s highest-paid player

Star centre will make an average of $13.25 million on a 4-year, $53 million extension

FILE - Toronto Maple Leafs center Auston Matthews (34) reacts after scoring against the Tampa Bay Lightning during the third period in Game 4 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series on April 24, 2023, in Tampa, Fla. The Maple Leafs signed star center Matthews to a four-year deal, $53 million contract extension on Wednesday, Aug. 23, 2023. (AP Photo/Chris O’Meara, File)
A Hockey Canada logo is shown on the jersey of a player with Canada’s National Junior Team during a training camp practice in Calgary, Alta., Tuesday, Aug. 2, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh

Canada beats Czechia 3-2 in overtime for 24th Hlinka Gretzky Cup gold medal

It’s Canada’s 24th title at the men’s summer under-18 hockey tournament

A Hockey Canada logo is shown on the jersey of a player with Canada’s National Junior Team during a training camp practice in Calgary, Alta., Tuesday, Aug. 2, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh
FILE - Boston Bruins NHL hockey forward Patrice Bergeron displays his Stanley Cup Championship ring to members of the media outside the Boston Harbor Hotel, in Boston, Tuesday, Oct. 4, 2011, following the unveiling of the rings during ceremonies for the hockey team. Bruins forward Patrice Bergeron has retired. The five-time Selke Trophy winner announced Tuesday, July 25, 2023, that he will not return for a 20th season with the only team he has ever played for. The Bruins captain said he is leaving with no regrets. (AP Photo/Steven Senne, File)

Bruin captain Patrice Bergeron announces retirement after 19 seasons

Boston Bruins forward led the team to 3 Stanley Cup finals, winning it once

FILE - Boston Bruins NHL hockey forward Patrice Bergeron displays his Stanley Cup Championship ring to members of the media outside the Boston Harbor Hotel, in Boston, Tuesday, Oct. 4, 2011, following the unveiling of the rings during ceremonies for the hockey team. Bruins forward Patrice Bergeron has retired. The five-time Selke Trophy winner announced Tuesday, July 25, 2023, that he will not return for a 20th season with the only team he has ever played for. The Bruins captain said he is leaving with no regrets. (AP Photo/Steven Senne, File)
Markus Schouten died in May 2022 from bone cancer. His dad, Mike Schouten, said Markus would be proud to know his friends are playing roller hockey in his memory to raise money and awareness for Canuck Place Children’s Hospice.

Chilliwack teen inspires roller hockey tourney raising money for Canuck Place

Markus Schouten died from bone cancer in 2022, and his friends play hockey in his memory

Markus Schouten died in May 2022 from bone cancer. His dad, Mike Schouten, said Markus would be proud to know his friends are playing roller hockey in his memory to raise money and awareness for Canuck Place Children’s Hospice.
Former Cowichan Valley Capitals forward Mike Hammond has died following a car crash in Shawnigan Lake on Wednesday, July 19. (Citizen file)

BCHLer turned British hockey star dead after car crash on Vancouver Island

‘The Capitals are devastated to hear of the passing of former Capital Mike Hammond’

Former Cowichan Valley Capitals forward Mike Hammond has died following a car crash in Shawnigan Lake on Wednesday, July 19. (Citizen file)
Former West Kelowna Warrior and Nanaimo Clipper Skyler Cameron (left) is financial help after both his parents died within weeks of each other earlier this year. (Skyler Cameron/Facebook)

West Kelowna, Nanaimo BCHL alumni needs help after death of parents

The parents of former Warrior, Clipper Skyler Cameron died within weeks of each other

Former West Kelowna Warrior and Nanaimo Clipper Skyler Cameron (left) is financial help after both his parents died within weeks of each other earlier this year. (Skyler Cameron/Facebook)
The Abbotsford Canucks 2023-24 roster became a little more clear with moves made this month.

Abbotsford Canucks make several offseason moves

Abbotsford and Vancouver Canucks loading up for 2023-24 seasons

The Abbotsford Canucks 2023-24 roster became a little more clear with moves made this month.
Seattle Kraken defenseman Carson Soucy (28) looks on against the Dallas Stars during the third period of Game 4 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup second-round playoff series Tuesday, May 9, 2023, in Seattle. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Lindsey Wasson

Canucks bolster blueline with Carson Soucy signing from Kraken

He signed a three-year, US$9.75M deal

Seattle Kraken defenseman Carson Soucy (28) looks on against the Dallas Stars during the third period of Game 4 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup second-round playoff series Tuesday, May 9, 2023, in Seattle. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Lindsey Wasson