Sports

Ridge Meadows Minor Hockey Association general manager Jordan Emmerson (left) and Ridge Meadows Minor Lacrosse Association president Tyson Craiggs said that the cities of Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows are in desperate need of more arena space. (Brandon Tucker/The News)

Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows sports groups outgrow local arenas

Minor hockey and lacrosse associations forced to go to other cities for space

Ridge Meadows Minor Hockey Association general manager Jordan Emmerson (left) and Ridge Meadows Minor Lacrosse Association president Tyson Craiggs said that the cities of Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows are in desperate need of more arena space. (Brandon Tucker/The News)
Piper Gilles and Paul Poirier’s dream season continued on Sunday at the ISU Four Continents Figure Skating Championships in Shanghai, China. Gilles and Poirier perform during the senior ice dance free program at the Canadian figure skating championships in Calgary on Saturday, Jan. 13, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh

Piper and Gilles golden at Four Continents as Canada claims 2 ice dance medals

Sunday’s win landed the pair their first ever ISU Championships title

Piper Gilles and Paul Poirier’s dream season continued on Sunday at the ISU Four Continents Figure Skating Championships in Shanghai, China. Gilles and Poirier perform during the senior ice dance free program at the Canadian figure skating championships in Calgary on Saturday, Jan. 13, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh
<div>The New York Red Bulls have named former Canada captain Julian de Guzman as their new sporting director. Mexico's Rafael Marquez, left, passes the ball past de Guzman during first half FIFA World Cup qualifying soccer action in Vancouver, B.C., Friday March 25, 2016. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck</div>

Former Canada captain named New York Red Bulls sporting director

De Guzman’s 19-year pro career included stops in France, Germany, Spain and Greece

<div>The New York Red Bulls have named former Canada captain Julian de Guzman as their new sporting director. Mexico's Rafael Marquez, left, passes the ball past de Guzman during first half FIFA World Cup qualifying soccer action in Vancouver, B.C., Friday March 25, 2016. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck</div>
Five teams from Alberta are joining the BCHL. (BCHL photo)

Five Alberta-based teams officially join B.C. Hockey League

Effective immediately, ‘defected’ teams from out-of-province now members of BCHL

Five teams from Alberta are joining the BCHL. (BCHL photo)
Jasmine Jasudavicius, top, fights Priscila Cachoeira during UFC 297 in Toronto on Saturday, Jan. 20, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette

Canada’s Jasmine Jasudavicius dominates Zombie Girl in UFC 297 undercard win

Jasudavicus outstruck Brazil’s Priscila Cachoeira 326-26

Jasmine Jasudavicius, top, fights Priscila Cachoeira during UFC 297 in Toronto on Saturday, Jan. 20, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette
Former New Jersey Devils forward Scott Gomez, left, was among those to participate in the BCHL Alumni Game on Jan. 20, in Penticton. (Logan Lockhart/Western News)

Scott Gomez, Kyle Turris among stars in Penticton for BCHL Alumni Game

Beloved hockey veterans lace up the skates on city’s outdoor rink

Former New Jersey Devils forward Scott Gomez, left, was among those to participate in the BCHL Alumni Game on Jan. 20, in Penticton. (Logan Lockhart/Western News)
The Canadian men’s field hockey team is shown posing with the bronze medal Nov. 3, 2023, at the Pan American Games. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-Field Hockey Canada-Yan Huckendubler

Canadian men’s field hockey team puts jobs aside in bid to make Olympics

Players sacrificing full-time jobs for shot at Paris games

The Canadian men’s field hockey team is shown posing with the bronze medal Nov. 3, 2023, at the Pan American Games. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-Field Hockey Canada-Yan Huckendubler
Canada’s Abby Stonehouse, 24, celebrates with teammate Sienna D’Allessandro, 14, after scoring a first period goal against Finland goalie Kerttu Kuja-Halkkola during bronze medal game action at the 2024 IIHF Ice Hockey U18 Women’s World Championship on Sunday January 14, 2024 in Zug, Switzerland. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-International Ice Hockey Federation-Andre Ringuette

Canadian under-18 women’s hockey team takes bronze with 8-1 win over Finland

The United States won gold later in the day with a 5-1 victory over Czechia

Canada’s Abby Stonehouse, 24, celebrates with teammate Sienna D’Allessandro, 14, after scoring a first period goal against Finland goalie Kerttu Kuja-Halkkola during bronze medal game action at the 2024 IIHF Ice Hockey U18 Women’s World Championship on Sunday January 14, 2024 in Zug, Switzerland. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-International Ice Hockey Federation-Andre Ringuette
Teenager surfer Erin Brooks is shown June 7, 2023, at the ISA World Surfing Games in this handout image, where she won silver in the women’s shortboard event. The Texas-born 16-year-old, whose father Jeff has dual Canadian-U.S. citizenship, has been granted Canadian citizenship in the hope of representing Canada at the Paris Olympics. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-Surf Canada-Dom Domic

Teenage surfing star granted Canadian citizenship, now eyeing Olympics

16-year-old will have one opportunity in February to qualify and compete for Canada

Teenager surfer Erin Brooks is shown June 7, 2023, at the ISA World Surfing Games in this handout image, where she won silver in the women’s shortboard event. The Texas-born 16-year-old, whose father Jeff has dual Canadian-U.S. citizenship, has been granted Canadian citizenship in the hope of representing Canada at the Paris Olympics. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-Surf Canada-Dom Domic
Kaiya Ruiter, of Alberta, skates during the senior women free program at the Canadian figure skating championships in Calgary, Saturday, Jan. 13, 2024.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh

Alberta’s Ruiter, B.C.’s Chiu win their first Canadian figure skating titles

’..that just felt like magic to me,’ said 17-year-old Ruiter

Kaiya Ruiter, of Alberta, skates during the senior women free program at the Canadian figure skating championships in Calgary, Saturday, Jan. 13, 2024.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh
Jonathan Lyons, a 65-year-old rider from Bowen Island, B.C., is shown in action at the Canadian Track Championships in Milton, Ont., in a Saturday, Jan. 6, 2024, handout photo. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-Canadian Cyclist, Robert Jones

At 65, B.C.’s Jonathan Lyons not slowing down at Canadian Track Championships

‘I’m not a young man any more but I feel strong, I feel healthy and alert.’

Jonathan Lyons, a 65-year-old rider from Bowen Island, B.C., is shown in action at the Canadian Track Championships in Milton, Ont., in a Saturday, Jan. 6, 2024, handout photo. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-Canadian Cyclist, Robert Jones
Winning a Grey Cup at home for the B.C. Lions - as was the case in 2011 - is one of the things on Moj’s Wish List. Paul McCallum hoists the Grey Cup as a member of the BC Lions in 2011. (File photo)

THE MOJ: Grey Cup win for BC Lions on top of Moj’s 2024 Wish List

The Canucks winning a round or two in the playoff would also be great

Winning a Grey Cup at home for the B.C. Lions - as was the case in 2011 - is one of the things on Moj’s Wish List. Paul McCallum hoists the Grey Cup as a member of the BC Lions in 2011. (File photo)
Air Canada logos are seen on the tails of planes at the airport in Montreal on Monday, June 26, 2023. Air Canada says it has reached a sponsorship deal with the soon-to-launch Professional Women’s Hockey League. The airline says it will be an inaugural premier partner and the official airline for the first six teams in the league that will have its first game on Jan. 1, 2024.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld

Air Canada signs sponsorship deal with Professional Women’s Hockey League

The six-team league is set to hold its first game on Jan. 1, 2024

Air Canada logos are seen on the tails of planes at the airport in Montreal on Monday, June 26, 2023. Air Canada says it has reached a sponsorship deal with the soon-to-launch Professional Women’s Hockey League. The airline says it will be an inaugural premier partner and the official airline for the first six teams in the league that will have its first game on Jan. 1, 2024.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld
<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>
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)
Canada’s Minister of Sport Carla Qualtrough speaks to the media at Canada’s practice session ahead of the team’s Group B match against Australia for the Women’s World Cup in Melbourne, Australia, Sunday, July 30, 2023. Qualtrough has announced a national commission to address safe-sport issues, but stopped short of calling a national inquiry. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP/Victoria Adkins)

Federal sports minister Carla Qualtrough announces safe sport commission

Athletes told parliament in 2022 and 2023 about physical, mental and sexual abuse they experienced

Canada’s Minister of Sport Carla Qualtrough speaks to the media at Canada’s practice session ahead of the team’s Group B match against Australia for the Women’s World Cup in Melbourne, Australia, Sunday, July 30, 2023. Qualtrough has announced a national commission to address safe-sport issues, but stopped short of calling a national inquiry. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP/Victoria Adkins)
FIOLE - Spain players celebrates after winning the Women’s World Cup soccer final against England at Stadium Australia in Sydney, Australia, Sunday, Aug. 20, 2023. The U.S. Soccer Federation and Mexico Football Federation submitted a joint bid to host the 2027 Women’s World Cup, competing against an expected proposal from Brazil and a joint Germany-Netherlands-Belgium plan. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino, File)

U.S. and Mexico submit joint bid to host 2027 Women’s World Cup

They are competing against a proposal from Brazil and a joint Germany-Netherlands-Belgium plan

FIOLE - Spain players celebrates after winning the Women’s World Cup soccer final against England at Stadium Australia in Sydney, Australia, Sunday, Aug. 20, 2023. The U.S. Soccer Federation and Mexico Football Federation submitted a joint bid to host the 2027 Women’s World Cup, competing against an expected proposal from Brazil and a joint Germany-Netherlands-Belgium plan. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino, File)
Fernie resident Ross Frazier has taken up the sport of ski biking. He can be seen on the hills in his neon orange jump suit (Photo by Vince Mo)

Are B.C. ski slopes ready for the sport of snow biking?

Fernie man talks about the joys of this relatively new way to enjoy your local mountain

Fernie resident Ross Frazier has taken up the sport of ski biking. He can be seen on the hills in his neon orange jump suit (Photo by Vince Mo)
Canada’s Lucas Rumball, left, tackles U.S. wing Christian Dyer during the first half of a Rugby World Cup 2023 qualification pathway match Saturday, Sept. 11, 2021, in Glendale, Colo. Rumball scored three tries Saturday as Canada defeated Brazil 40-15 to finish third at the four-team La Vila International Rugby Cup. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP/David Zalubowski

Canadian men rally from early deficit to beat Brazil, move up to world rankings

The game was the last of the year for the Canadian men

Canada’s Lucas Rumball, left, tackles U.S. wing Christian Dyer during the first half of a Rugby World Cup 2023 qualification pathway match Saturday, Sept. 11, 2021, in Glendale, Colo. Rumball scored three tries Saturday as Canada defeated Brazil 40-15 to finish third at the four-team La Vila International Rugby Cup. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP/David Zalubowski
Aldergrove’s Sharlene Brunjes, seen here at the Canadian national powerlifting championships in 2020, shattered two Canadian record to win her class at the 2023 World Masters Classic Powerlifting Championships on Oct. 8. (Langley Advance Times files)

VIDEO: B.C. grandma breaks 2 records, takes gold in Mongolian powerlifting meet

‘You’re never too old,” champion declares

Aldergrove’s Sharlene Brunjes, seen here at the Canadian national powerlifting championships in 2020, shattered two Canadian record to win her class at the 2023 World Masters Classic Powerlifting Championships on Oct. 8. (Langley Advance Times files)