Pro sports

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)

New women’s professional hockey league ready to drop the puck

The first of the 72-game season will kick off on Monday

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)
Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen, left, and Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) shake hands following an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 10, 2023, in Kansas City, Mo. The Bills won 20-17 (AP Photo/Ed Zurga)

Analysis: Officiating again stole the spotlight even though the call against the Chiefs was correct

Travis Kelce and Kadarius Toney had combined to make the play of…

Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen, left, and Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) shake hands following an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 10, 2023, in Kansas City, Mo. The Bills won 20-17 (AP Photo/Ed Zurga)
Aston Martin driver Lance Stroll, left, of Canada, walks in the rain to a media interview ahead of the Formula One Las Vegas Grand Prix auto race, Wednesday, Nov. 15, 2023, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Nick Didlick)

At Formula One’s inaugural Las Vegas Grand Prix, music takes a front seat

At the inaugural Formula One Las Vegas Grand Prix, music and entertainment…

Aston Martin driver Lance Stroll, left, of Canada, walks in the rain to a media interview ahead of the Formula One Las Vegas Grand Prix auto race, Wednesday, Nov. 15, 2023, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Nick Didlick)
Stephanie Chan, of Vancouver, as shown in this handout image provided by the Canadian Paralympic Committee, won a five-set thriller in preliminary round action Friday to advance to the semifinals in women’s singles in table tennis action at the 2023 Parapan American Games in Santiago, Chile. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-Canadian Paralympic Committee

Canada picks up 4 medals at Parapan Am Games in Chile

Canada sits 7th in the medal standings, with its 1 gold and 4 overall medals

Stephanie Chan, of Vancouver, as shown in this handout image provided by the Canadian Paralympic Committee, won a five-set thriller in preliminary round action Friday to advance to the semifinals in women’s singles in table tennis action at the 2023 Parapan American Games in Santiago, Chile. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-Canadian Paralympic Committee
Canada’s Leylah Fernandez, right, lifts the trophy with members of her team after wining the final singles tennis match against Italy’s Jasmine Paolini, during the Billie Jean King Cup finals in La Cartuja stadium in Seville, southern Spain, Spain, Sunday, Nov. 12, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Manu Fernandez

Canada on top of team tennis mountain after Billie Jean King Cup win

Women’s team beat Italy over the weekend, adding to Canada’s tennis trophy case

Canada’s Leylah Fernandez, right, lifts the trophy with members of her team after wining the final singles tennis match against Italy’s Jasmine Paolini, during the Billie Jean King Cup finals in La Cartuja stadium in Seville, southern Spain, Spain, Sunday, Nov. 12, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Manu Fernandez
William Byron (24) leads Kyle Larson, Christopher Bell and Ryan Blaney as they take Turn 4 to start a NASCAR Cup Series Championship auto race at Phoenix Raceway, Sunday, Nov. 5, 2023, in Avondale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Darryl Webb)

Ryan Blaney earns 1st career NASCAR championship

He is the first Ohio-born driver to win the Cup title

William Byron (24) leads Kyle Larson, Christopher Bell and Ryan Blaney as they take Turn 4 to start a NASCAR Cup Series Championship auto race at Phoenix Raceway, Sunday, Nov. 5, 2023, in Avondale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Darryl Webb)
Gina Kingsbury is seen at the 2021 Canadian National Women’s Team Camp in Calgary, Alta., in a Jan. 27, 2021, handout photo. Kingsbury has returned to Hockey Canada to oversee the national women’s hockey team through the 2026 Olympic Games while also managing Toronto’s club in the new Professional Women’s Hockey League.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Hockey Canada, Matthew Murnaghan

Kingsbury returns to Canadian women’s hockey team, continues with PWHL Toronto

Kingsbury will oversee women’s team for 2026 Olympic Games

Gina Kingsbury is seen at the 2021 Canadian National Women’s Team Camp in Calgary, Alta., in a Jan. 27, 2021, handout photo. Kingsbury has returned to Hockey Canada to oversee the national women’s hockey team through the 2026 Olympic Games while also managing Toronto’s club in the new Professional Women’s Hockey League.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Hockey Canada, Matthew Murnaghan
Canada’s Maggie Mac Neil, of London, Ont. competes in the 100m butterfly final at the Pan American Games in Santiago, Chile on Sunday Oct. 22, 2023. MacNeil won the gold medal. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Frank Gunn

Canadian swimmer Maggie Mac Neil adds Pan Am gold to her medal collection

23-year-old from London, Ont. swam the 100-metre butterfly on Sunday

Canada’s Maggie Mac Neil, of London, Ont. competes in the 100m butterfly final at the Pan American Games in Santiago, Chile on Sunday Oct. 22, 2023. MacNeil won the gold medal. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Frank Gunn
The Vancouver Whitecaps tied 1-1 with Los Angeles FC Saturday night. (Instagram/@Whitecaps)

LAFC’s Bouanga scores 20th goal in 1-1 draw with Whitecaps

Ali Ahmed scored for Vancouver

The Vancouver Whitecaps tied 1-1 with Los Angeles FC Saturday night. (Instagram/@Whitecaps)
Leylah Fernandez of Canada during the first round of the U.S. Open tennis tournament, Tuesday. Aug. 29, 2023, in New York. (AP Photo/Vera Nieuwenhuis)

Canada’s Fernandez wins Hong Kong Open; Dabrowski wins doubles title in Zhengzhou

Leylah Fernandez rallied from a set down to defeat Katerina Siniakova 3-6,…

Leylah Fernandez of Canada during the first round of the U.S. Open tennis tournament, Tuesday. Aug. 29, 2023, in New York. (AP Photo/Vera Nieuwenhuis)
Women’s full marathon winner Ethiopia’s Buze Diriba poses for photos at the finish line for the TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon in Toronto on Sunday, Oct. 15, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jessica Lee

Pomerleau wins women’s Canadian marathon title, Broatch captures men’s crown

Pomerleau finished 10th overall amongst global competitors, Broatch finished 6th

Women’s full marathon winner Ethiopia’s Buze Diriba poses for photos at the finish line for the TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon in Toronto on Sunday, Oct. 15, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jessica Lee
As qualifying for the 2016 Rio Olympics approached, Molly Carlson found herself in a dark place. She was struggling through a binge eating disorder, had body dysmorphia, and was constantly comparing her body to the other athletes on Canada’s diving team. Carlson is seen in an undated handout photo. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-Coaching Association of Canada

Canadian diver encourages youth to speak up ahead of World Mental Health Day

Molly Carlson says she had to focus on her well-being before she could turn back to her Olympic dream

As qualifying for the 2016 Rio Olympics approached, Molly Carlson found herself in a dark place. She was struggling through a binge eating disorder, had body dysmorphia, and was constantly comparing her body to the other athletes on Canada’s diving team. Carlson is seen in an undated handout photo. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-Coaching Association of Canada
Canada’s men’s volleyball team has punched its ticket to the 2024 Paris Olympics.Canada’s Stephen Timothy Maar, left, hits the ball during their game against Italy at the Men’s Volleyball Nations League leg in Manila, Philippines on Thursday July 6, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP/Aaron Favila

Canadian men’s volleyball team punches ticket to 2024 Paris Olympics

Team’s win against Mexico Sunday guaranteed them the spot

Canada’s men’s volleyball team has punched its ticket to the 2024 Paris Olympics.Canada’s Stephen Timothy Maar, left, hits the ball during their game against Italy at the Men’s Volleyball Nations League leg in Manila, Philippines on Thursday July 6, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP/Aaron Favila
Al Hilal’s Neymar shoots the ball during warm up for the AFC Champions League soccer match between Iran’s Nassaji and Saudi Arabia’s Al Hilal at the Azadi Stadium in Tehran, Iran, Tuesday, Oct. 3, 2023. (AP Photo)

Saudi Arabia formally informs FIFA of wish to host 2034 World Cup

Other countries have until Oct. 31 to express formal interest

Al Hilal’s Neymar shoots the ball during warm up for the AFC Champions League soccer match between Iran’s Nassaji and Saudi Arabia’s Al Hilal at the Azadi Stadium in Tehran, Iran, Tuesday, Oct. 3, 2023. (AP Photo)
<div>Canada suffered its first defeat in an Olympic women’s qualification volleyball tournament, falling in five sets to the Dominican Republic on Sunday. Canada’s Kiera Van Ryk spikes the ball in her team’s bronze medal victory over Cuba in the the 2023 NORCECA Senior Women’s Volleyball Continental Championship, in Quebec City in a Sunday, Sept. 3, 2023, handout photo. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-Norceca, Mathieu Belanger, *MANDATORY CREDIT*</div>

Canadian women take loss at Olympic volleyball qualifier to Dominican Republic

Top 2 teams at end of qualifier will automatically go to Olympics

<div>Canada suffered its first defeat in an Olympic women’s qualification volleyball tournament, falling in five sets to the Dominican Republic on Sunday. Canada’s Kiera Van Ryk spikes the ball in her team’s bronze medal victory over Cuba in the the 2023 NORCECA Senior Women’s Volleyball Continental Championship, in Quebec City in a Sunday, Sept. 3, 2023, handout photo. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-Norceca, Mathieu Belanger, *MANDATORY CREDIT*</div>
<div>Canada’s Marco Arop set a national record and personal best in a second-place finish in the men’s 800 metres at the Diamond League final on Sunday. Arop celebrates winning the gold medal ahead in the Men’s 800-meters final during the World Athletics Championships in Budapest, Hungary, Saturday, Aug. 26, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Martin Meissner</div>

Canada’s Arop sets national record in 2nd-place finish in Diamond League final

24-year-old ran 800 metres in one minute and 42.85 seconds

<div>Canada’s Marco Arop set a national record and personal best in a second-place finish in the men’s 800 metres at the Diamond League final on Sunday. Arop celebrates winning the gold medal ahead in the Men’s 800-meters final during the World Athletics Championships in Budapest, Hungary, Saturday, Aug. 26, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Martin Meissner</div>
Ferrari driver Carlos Sainz of Spain steers his car during the Singapore Formula One Grand Prix at the Marina Bay circuit, Singapore,Sunday, Sept. 17, 2023. (AP Photo/Vincent Thian)

Sainz wins Singapore Grand Prix as Verstappen and Red Bull’s streaks end

Canadian Lance Stroll didn’t take part after an earlier crash

Ferrari driver Carlos Sainz of Spain steers his car during the Singapore Formula One Grand Prix at the Marina Bay circuit, Singapore,Sunday, Sept. 17, 2023. (AP Photo/Vincent Thian)
Steve Deakin (right) earned three gold medals and one silver medal at the 2023 Pickleball Canada National Championship. (Ann Schubert – Pickleball Canada/Special to The News)

PHOTOS: B.C. player strikes gold at pickleball nationals

Steve Deakin earned 3 gold medals and 1 silver at Pickleball Canada National Championship

Steve Deakin (right) earned three gold medals and one silver medal at the 2023 Pickleball Canada National Championship. (Ann Schubert – Pickleball Canada/Special to The News)
FILE - Sonny Seiler looks on from the sideline during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Georgia Tech, Nov. 28, 2015, in Atlanta. Seiler, an attorney who owned the University of Georgia's famed line of “Uga” bulldog mascots and served as lead defense counsel in a notorious case that was chronicled in “Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil,” died Monday, Aug. 28, 2023, in his hometown of Savannah, Ga. He was 90. (AP Photo/Brett Davis, File)

Sonny Seiler of Georgia football mascots and “Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil” dies at 90

Frank “Sonny” Seiler, an attorney who owned the University of Georgia’s famed…

FILE - Sonny Seiler looks on from the sideline during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Georgia Tech, Nov. 28, 2015, in Atlanta. Seiler, an attorney who owned the University of Georgia's famed line of “Uga” bulldog mascots and served as lead defense counsel in a notorious case that was chronicled in “Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil,” died Monday, Aug. 28, 2023, in his hometown of Savannah, Ga. He was 90. (AP Photo/Brett Davis, File)
Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant shoots a free throw during an NBA basketball game against the Golden State Warriors on April 12, 2013, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill, File)

Los Angeles Lakers to unveil Kobe Bryant statue outside their arena on Feb. 8

The Los Angeles Lakers will unveil a statue of Kobe Bryant outside…

Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant shoots a free throw during an NBA basketball game against the Golden State Warriors on April 12, 2013, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill, File)