Canada & World

B.C. Lions’ Lucky Whitehead (7) pushes Saskatchewan Roughriders’ Nick Marshall away as he runs with the ball after making a reception during the first half of a CFL football game in Vancouver, on Friday, September 24, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Last-minute Fajardo TD gives Roughriders wild 31-24 victory over B.C. Lions

Leos see three-game CFL win streak come to an end

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
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
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)
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
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
B.C. Lions quarterback Michael Reilly (13) hands off to running back Chris Rainey (3) during first half CFL football action against the Montreal Alouettes in Montreal, Saturday, September 18, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graham Hughes

Reilly tosses 2 touchdowns, leads B.C. Lions past Montreal Alouettes 27-18

B.C. wins third straight CFL contest to up record to 4-2

B.C. Lions quarterback Michael Reilly (13) hands off to running back Chris Rainey (3) during first half CFL football action against the Montreal Alouettes in Montreal, Saturday, September 18, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graham Hughes
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
Canada’s Connor Braid (6) runs the ball against Fiji during World Rugby Sevens Series action in Vancouver, B.C., on Saturday, March 9, 2019. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ben Nelms

B.C. rugby stalwart Connor Braid retires in wake of Tokyo Olympics

Sevens star also had 26 caps for the Canadian 15s team

Canada’s Connor Braid (6) runs the ball against Fiji during World Rugby Sevens Series action in Vancouver, B.C., on Saturday, March 9, 2019. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ben Nelms
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
B.C. Lions quarterback Michael Reilly rushes for a first down during the first half of a CFL football game against the Ottawa Redblacks in Vancouver, on Saturday, September 11, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

B.C. Lions QB Mike Reilly throws 4 TDs in 45-13 blowout win over Redblacks

Leos (3-2) moved into a tie for second place in CFL’s West Division

B.C. Lions quarterback Michael Reilly rushes for a first down during the first half of a CFL football game against the Ottawa Redblacks in Vancouver, on Saturday, September 11, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
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)
A group of students from Uruguay pose for a souvenir picture on the Olympic Rings set outside the Olympic Stadium in Tokyo, Saturday, March 21, 2020. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)

IOC suspends North Korea from Beijing Olympics for Tokyo no-show

Individual athletes from North Korea who qualify to compete in Beijing could still be accepted

A group of students from Uruguay pose for a souvenir picture on the Olympic Rings set outside the Olympic Stadium in Tokyo, Saturday, March 21, 2020. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)
Former NHLer Theo Fleury stands in front of a child abuse monument as he begins “The Victor Walk” in Toronto on Tuesday, May 14, 2013. Brandon University has issued a statement publicly criticizing Fleury for spreading harmful conspiracy theories.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chris Young

Brandon University says Theo Fleury’s recent vaccine comments a ‘stain on his legacy’

Fleury tweeted that vaccine passports would be used by pedophiles to track children

Former NHLer Theo Fleury stands in front of a child abuse monument as he begins “The Victor Walk” in Toronto on Tuesday, May 14, 2013. Brandon University has issued a statement publicly criticizing Fleury for spreading harmful conspiracy theories.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chris Young