Sports

Obrey Motowylo, of Hoadley, is the World Professional Chuckwagon Association Champion for the 2021 season. (Photo by Shellie Scott)

Central Alberta man is chuckwagon world champion

After 16 years as a professional chuckwagon racer, central Alberta’s Obrey Motowylo…

Tampa Bay Lightning and Toronto Maple Leafs players stand for the national anthem prior to NHL hockey action in Toronto on Tuesday, January 2, 2018. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Frank Gunn

Ontario increases sporting events capacity, ahead of baseball playoffs, NHL season

Ontario is opening the door wider for fans at sporting events, just…

Toronto Maple Leafs forward William Nylander catches his breath behind the net during their NHL training camp in Toronto on Thursday, September 23, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette

NHLers weigh in on league’s vaccine policy: ‘I’ve gotta be careful with this one’

NHL deputy commissioner said last week he estimates 98 per cent of players will be vaccinated

Canadian Olympic Committee Chief Executive Officer David Shoemaker in Toronto on Monday July 5, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Frank Gunn

Lululemon to outfit Canadian Olympic, Paralympic athletes through 2028 Games

Lululemon will provide Team Canada with clothing and accessories from 2022 until 2028

Canadian Olympic Committee Chief Executive Officer David Shoemaker in Toronto on Monday July 5, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Frank Gunn
Vancouver Canucks’ Elias Pettersson (40) slides into then-Minnesota Wild goaltender Alex Stalock (32) during third period NHL qualifying round game action in Edmonton, on Friday August 7, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jason Franson

Oilers goaltender Stalock likely to miss season due to possible heart condition

Keeper had contracted COVID prior to last season but had been cleared to play since

Vancouver Canucks’ Elias Pettersson (40) slides into then-Minnesota Wild goaltender Alex Stalock (32) during third period NHL qualifying round game action in Edmonton, on Friday August 7, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jason Franson
Simon Fraser University football team kicker Kristie Elliott, who recently became the first Canadian woman to play and score in a college football game, poses for a photograph before practice at the university in Burnaby, B.C., Tuesday, Sept. 21, 2021. It’s taken some adaptations, but Elliott has broken new ground for women in college sports. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

‘I’m just proud of myself’: SFU kicker Kristie Elliott makes college football history

Elliott’s love of the game is relatively recent

Simon Fraser University football team kicker Kristie Elliott, who recently became the first Canadian woman to play and score in a college football game, poses for a photograph before practice at the university in Burnaby, B.C., Tuesday, Sept. 21, 2021. It’s taken some adaptations, but Elliott has broken new ground for women in college sports. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Montreal Canadiens' Jonathan Drouin celebrates his goal against Vancouver Canucks goalie Braden Holtby during the third period of an NHL hockey game in Vancouver on January 23, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Anxiety and insomnia drove Canadiens star Jonathan Drouin to take break from hockey

Forward says he has since restored his mental health, and is skating with his teammates again

Montreal Canadiens' Jonathan Drouin celebrates his goal against Vancouver Canucks goalie Braden Holtby during the third period of an NHL hockey game in Vancouver on January 23, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Jim Hughson is retiring after 42 years of broadcasting. (Hockey Night in Canada)

Award-winning play-by-play announcer Jim Hughson retires, ending 42-year career

B.C native has served as the voice of the Vancouver Canucks and Hockey Night in Canada

Jim Hughson is retiring after 42 years of broadcasting. (Hockey Night in Canada)
Canada head coach John Herdman, left, and David Junior Hoilett walk off the field after the first half of a CONCACAF Nations League qualifying soccer match against French Guiana in Vancouver, on Sunday March 24, 2019. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Canadian men continue climb up world soccer rankings, reaching No. 51

It’s the highest position for the Canadian men in more than a decade

Canada head coach John Herdman, left, and David Junior Hoilett walk off the field after the first half of a CONCACAF Nations League qualifying soccer match against French Guiana in Vancouver, on Sunday March 24, 2019. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
The Red Deer Polytechnic cross country team had a strong showing in the first event of the 2021 Alberta Colleges Athletic Association season. (Photo courtesy of RDP Athletics)

RDP Kings cross country win gold at season-opening event

It was a memorable start to the Alberta Colleges Athletic Association cross…

  • Sep 20, 2021
The Red Deer Polytechnic cross country team had a strong showing in the first event of the 2021 Alberta Colleges Athletic Association season. (Photo courtesy of RDP Athletics)
Canada’s Josiah Morra, second right, runs with the ball during HSBC Canada Sevens quarterfinal rugby action against Britain, in Vancouver, on Sunday, September 19, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Canadian men fall to Britain in rugby sevens quarterfinal

The best the host men can finish in Vancouver is fifth

Canada’s Josiah Morra, second right, runs with the ball during HSBC Canada Sevens quarterfinal rugby action against Britain, in Vancouver, on Sunday, September 19, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Team Saskatchewan skip Matt Dunstone directs his teammates as he plays Team Northern Ontario at the Brier in Calgary, Alta., on March 13, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh

Road to Canada’s Olympic curling trials crowded in Ottawa tournaments

The men’s and women’s champions in Saskatoon will wear the Maple Leaf in team curling in Beijing

Team Saskatchewan skip Matt Dunstone directs his teammates as he plays Team Northern Ontario at the Brier in Calgary, Alta., on March 13, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh
Canada’s Ciaran Breen, front, is tackled by Germany’s John Dawe during HSBC Canada Sevens rugby action, in Vancouver, B.C., Saturday, Sept. 18, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Canada 2nd in rugby sevens pool with 2-1 record, meets Great Britain in quarterfinal

Canada will face Great Britain in Sunday’s quarterfinal while the U.S. plays Kenya

Canada’s Ciaran Breen, front, is tackled by Germany’s John Dawe during HSBC Canada Sevens rugby action, in Vancouver, B.C., Saturday, Sept. 18, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
(Emily Jaycox/Ponoka News)

Wild West Chuckwagon Championship returns chuckwagon action to Ponoka

After falling silent for over a year due to the COVID-19 pandemic,…

  • Sep 16, 2021
(Emily Jaycox/Ponoka News)
The Lacombe Rams kicked off the 2021/2022 season with a 28-27 win over the Lloydminster Barons on Sept. 10. (Christi Albers-Manicke/LACOMBE EXPRESS)

Off to the right start

Off to the right start

  • Sep 15, 2021
The Lacombe Rams kicked off the 2021/2022 season with a 28-27 win over the Lloydminster Barons on Sept. 10. (Christi Albers-Manicke/LACOMBE EXPRESS)
Cincinnati Bengals fans cheer during the first half of an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings, Sunday, Sept. 12, 2021, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Jeff Dean)

Tailgating, face-painted fans back in force at U.S. NFL stadiums

Vaccination rates and mask rules vary across the country

Cincinnati Bengals fans cheer during the first half of an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings, Sunday, Sept. 12, 2021, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Jeff Dean)
Canada back Ben LaSage, left, tries to tackle U.S. center Bryce Campbell during the first half of a Rugby World Cup 2023 qualification pathway match Saturday, Sept. 11, 2021, in Glendale, Colo. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP, David Zalubowski

Canadian men face longer road to Rugby World Cup after loss to the U.S.

The team that qualifies as Americas 1 has some two years to prepare for France 2023

Canada back Ben LaSage, left, tries to tackle U.S. center Bryce Campbell during the first half of a Rugby World Cup 2023 qualification pathway match Saturday, Sept. 11, 2021, in Glendale, Colo. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP, David Zalubowski
Leylah Fernandez, of Canada, returns a shot to Emma Raducanu, of Britain, during the women’s singles final of the US Open tennis championships, Saturday, Sept. 11, 2021, in New York. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)

Canada’s Flushing Meadows darling Fernandez comes up short in US Open women’s final

A remarkable run to the US Open final ended in disappointment for Canada’s Leylah Fernandez

Leylah Fernandez, of Canada, returns a shot to Emma Raducanu, of Britain, during the women’s singles final of the US Open tennis championships, Saturday, Sept. 11, 2021, in New York. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
Canada’s Jake Thiel, left, jumps for the ball against Australia’s Nick Malouf during the Challenge Trophy final at the World Rugby Sevens Series action in Vancouver, B.C., March 10, 2019. Only seven of the men’s core teams are taking part in next week’s HSBC Canada Sevens in Vancouver with New Zealand. Fiji, Australia, Argentina, Japan, France and Samoa among those missing. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ben Nelms

Field for Canadian rugby sevens events diluted by pandemic-related issues

New Zealand. Fiji, Australia, Argentina, Japan, France and Samoa among countries missing

Canada’s Jake Thiel, left, jumps for the ball against Australia’s Nick Malouf during the Challenge Trophy final at the World Rugby Sevens Series action in Vancouver, B.C., March 10, 2019. Only seven of the men’s core teams are taking part in next week’s HSBC Canada Sevens in Vancouver with New Zealand. Fiji, Australia, Argentina, Japan, France and Samoa among those missing. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ben Nelms
Leylah Fernandez, of Canada, returns a shot to Aryna Sabalenka,of Belarus, during the semifinals of the US Open tennis championships, Thursday, Sept. 9, 2021, in New York. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

Teen dream: Longshot Canadian Fernandez meets longshot Raducanu in US Open final

Pair meet Saturday for the first major final between two teens since Williams/Hingis in 1999

Leylah Fernandez, of Canada, returns a shot to Aryna Sabalenka,of Belarus, during the semifinals of the US Open tennis championships, Thursday, Sept. 9, 2021, in New York. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)