Sports

Germany's Marcel Noebels, left, challenges for the puck with Canada's Troy Stecher during the 2021 Ice Hockey World Championships group B match between Germany and Canada. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP, Sergei Grits)

PODCAST: Richmond’s Troy Stecher, former Canuck

MOJ on Sports: The defenseman now a Calgary Flame after recent trade with Arizona

Germany's Marcel Noebels, left, challenges for the puck with Canada's Troy Stecher during the 2021 Ice Hockey World Championships group B match between Germany and Canada. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP, Sergei Grits)
Vancouver Canucks’ Phillip Di Giuseppe (left) celebrates with teammate Brock Boeser after scoring a goal against the Philadelphia Flyers during third period NHL hockey action in Vancouver, B.C., Saturday, February 18, 2023. Di Giuseppe has agreed to a two-year, two-way contract extension with the Vancouver Canucks, the team announced Sunday. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Rich Lam

Canucks, Di Giuseppe agree on 2-year, 2-way contract extension

29-year-old winger has 2 goals and 2 assists in 13 games with Vancouver

Vancouver Canucks’ Phillip Di Giuseppe (left) celebrates with teammate Brock Boeser after scoring a goal against the Philadelphia Flyers during third period NHL hockey action in Vancouver, B.C., Saturday, February 18, 2023. Di Giuseppe has agreed to a two-year, two-way contract extension with the Vancouver Canucks, the team announced Sunday. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Rich Lam
FILE - Alabama quarterback Bryce Young (9) warms up on the sidelines during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Mississippi in Oxford, Miss., Saturday, Nov. 12, 2022. The Panthers have traded up to acquire the No. 1 overall pick in the draft from the Chicago Bears in exchange for Carolina's No. 9 and No. 61 overall picks in 2023, a first-round pick in 2024, a second-round pick in 2025 and star wide receiver D.J. Moore, two people familiar with the deal said Friday, March 10, 2023, The people spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the trade had not been announced. The move allows the Panthers to acquire a potential franchise quarterback, although it remains unclear which player the team prefers. (AP Photo/Thomas Graning, File)

Panthers acquire NFL’s first overall draft pick from the Bears

Sources say 2 first-round picks, 2 second-round picks and receiver DJ Moore headed to Chicago

FILE - Alabama quarterback Bryce Young (9) warms up on the sidelines during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Mississippi in Oxford, Miss., Saturday, Nov. 12, 2022. The Panthers have traded up to acquire the No. 1 overall pick in the draft from the Chicago Bears in exchange for Carolina's No. 9 and No. 61 overall picks in 2023, a first-round pick in 2024, a second-round pick in 2025 and star wide receiver D.J. Moore, two people familiar with the deal said Friday, March 10, 2023, The people spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the trade had not been announced. The move allows the Panthers to acquire a potential franchise quarterback, although it remains unclear which player the team prefers. (AP Photo/Thomas Graning, File)
Sit skier Kevin Monk, 24, rips down Whiskey Jack on March 5. (Nora O’Malley photo)

VIDEO: Vancouver Island sit skier chasing Paralympic dreams

Kevin Monk trains on Mt. Washington with the Vancouver Island Society for Adaptive Snowsports

Sit skier Kevin Monk, 24, rips down Whiskey Jack on March 5. (Nora O’Malley photo)
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WHL fines Moose Jaw Warriors, suspends GM and head coach for off-ice incident

4 players were suspended indefinitely by the league on Feb. 11 for unspecified off-ice conduct

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Oakland Athletics’ Conner Capel (21) watches a ground rule double hit by Los Angeles Dodgers’ Miguel Vargas bounce over the fence during the first inning of a spring training baseball game, Thursday, March 9, 2023, in Mesa, Ariz. (AP Photo/Matt York)

THE MOJ: Good reasons to be stuck on Cactus League baseball

Arizona spring baseball offers a chance to soak up the sport in its purest form

Oakland Athletics’ Conner Capel (21) watches a ground rule double hit by Los Angeles Dodgers’ Miguel Vargas bounce over the fence during the first inning of a spring training baseball game, Thursday, March 9, 2023, in Mesa, Ariz. (AP Photo/Matt York)
Canadian National Soccer Team players Sophie Schmidt, left Janine Beckie, Christine Sinclair, and Quinn, right, prepare to appear before the Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage in Ottawa, studying safe sport in Canada, on Thursday, March 9, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang

Captain Christine Sinclair slams Canada Soccer at parliamentary hearing

Nation’s soccer icon blasts ‘culture of secrecy and obstruction’

Canadian National Soccer Team players Sophie Schmidt, left Janine Beckie, Christine Sinclair, and Quinn, right, prepare to appear before the Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage in Ottawa, studying safe sport in Canada, on Thursday, March 9, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang
The Saddledome is seen from a hillside park in Calgary on Friday, Sept. 15, 2017. A group of Albertans says they have started to explore whether communities across the province could host the 2030 Commonwealth Games. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh

Albertans exploring 2030 Commonwealth Games bid in communities across the province

Commonwealth Sport Canada is endorsing Alberta as the preferred candidate to make a bid

The Saddledome is seen from a hillside park in Calgary on Friday, Sept. 15, 2017. A group of Albertans says they have started to explore whether communities across the province could host the 2030 Commonwealth Games. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh
Team Canada and team Spain run onto the field during the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series stop at Starlight Stadium Saturday, April 30, 2022. (Justin Samanski-Langille/News Staff)

Rugby Canada bidding to host Olympic qualifiers in Langford

Qualifier for sevens competition in Paris 2024 would take place in August

Team Canada and team Spain run onto the field during the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series stop at Starlight Stadium Saturday, April 30, 2022. (Justin Samanski-Langille/News Staff)
In this photo provided by Zuffa LLC , Travis Aragon slaps Jon Kennedy at a Power Slap event in Rio De Janiero, Brazil, Nov. 30, 2022. Power Slap fights are typically three to five rounds. The fighters take turns hitting each other in the face with an open hand, and those on the receiving end stand with their hands behind their backs. (Mike Roach/Sciaffo LLC via AP)

Slap fighting: The next big thing, or unsporting stupidity?

UFC President Dana White is selling slap fighting as the next big thing in combat sports

In this photo provided by Zuffa LLC , Travis Aragon slaps Jon Kennedy at a Power Slap event in Rio De Janiero, Brazil, Nov. 30, 2022. Power Slap fights are typically three to five rounds. The fighters take turns hitting each other in the face with an open hand, and those on the receiving end stand with their hands behind their backs. (Mike Roach/Sciaffo LLC via AP)
VIU Mariners player Jane Lytvynenko receives a serve during practice Thursday, March 2, at the Vancouver Island University gymnasium. (Greg Sakaki/News Bulletin)

VIU hosting volleyball national championships this week in Nanaimo

VIU Mariners, four-time reigning national champs, defending their title

VIU Mariners player Jane Lytvynenko receives a serve during practice Thursday, March 2, at the Vancouver Island University gymnasium. (Greg Sakaki/News Bulletin)
Vancouver Canucks’ JT Miller. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito

THE MOJ: For Canucks to dig themselves out of this mess, sacrifices have to be made

Big, long-term contracts need to be offloaded, even if you have to pay to do it

Vancouver Canucks’ JT Miller. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito
Driver CJ Mennen and Dick Midgley at Daytona International Speedway for the ARCA race in 2002. (Courtesy of Michael MacKenzie)

Langford track legend Dick Midgley inducted into Canadian Motorsport Hall of Fame

Western Speedway mainstay built cars that raced all over the world

Driver CJ Mennen and Dick Midgley at Daytona International Speedway for the ARCA race in 2002. (Courtesy of Michael MacKenzie)
VIU Mariners player Harriette Mackenzie looks to put up a shot versus the Capilano Blues in the PacWest final Saturday, March 4, at the Pacific Institute for Sport Education in Victoria. (Athena Pimental/PacWest photo)

VIU Mariners women win provincial basketball championship

M’s defeat Capilano Blues in final, advance to nationals

VIU Mariners player Harriette Mackenzie looks to put up a shot versus the Capilano Blues in the PacWest final Saturday, March 4, at the Pacific Institute for Sport Education in Victoria. (Athena Pimental/PacWest photo)
Fans dressed as Yeti cheer on Canada as they play Brazil during HSBC Canada Sevens women’s rugby action, in Vancouver, B.C., Saturday, March 4, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Canadian women finish satisfying sixth at Canada Sevens, men tie for 15th

Women finished in sixth-place, their highest showing of the season

Fans dressed as Yeti cheer on Canada as they play Brazil during HSBC Canada Sevens women’s rugby action, in Vancouver, B.C., Saturday, March 4, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
B.C. Lions quarterback Travis Lulay (14) is pressured by Hamilton Tiger-Cats linebacker Simoni Lawrence (21) during first half CFL Football division semifinal game action in Hamilton, Ont. on Sunday, November 11, 2018. (CANADIAN PRESS/Peter Power)

PODCAST: Travis Lulay was one of the CFL’s top quarterbacks

MOJ on Sports: The former BC Lion won a Grey Cup and League’s most outstanding player

B.C. Lions quarterback Travis Lulay (14) is pressured by Hamilton Tiger-Cats linebacker Simoni Lawrence (21) during first half CFL Football division semifinal game action in Hamilton, Ont. on Sunday, November 11, 2018. (CANADIAN PRESS/Peter Power)
Canada’s Fancy Bermudez, left, scores her second try past Ireland’s Beibhinn Parsons during HSBC Canada Sevens women’s rugby action, in Vancouver, B.C., Sunday, March 5, 2023. Bermudez scored a pair of tries as the Canadian women defeated Ireland 24-12 Sunday to put themselves in position for there best result this season at the HSBC Canada Sevens Tournament. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Canadian women topple Ireland at Canada Sevens, men close tournament with loss

Women can place 5th if they beat Fiji. Men ended in 15th.

Canada’s Fancy Bermudez, left, scores her second try past Ireland’s Beibhinn Parsons during HSBC Canada Sevens women’s rugby action, in Vancouver, B.C., Sunday, March 5, 2023. Bermudez scored a pair of tries as the Canadian women defeated Ireland 24-12 Sunday to put themselves in position for there best result this season at the HSBC Canada Sevens Tournament. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Galen Rupp, of the United States, and Cam Levins of Canada (right) compete during the men’s marathon at the World Athletics Championships in Eugene, Ore., Sunday, July 17, 2022. Levins broke both the national and North American records at the Tokyo Marathon on Saturday. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Patrick Smith/Pool Photo via AP

B.C.’s Cam Levins breaks national, North American records at Tokyo Marathon

Levins shaved 2 seconds off previously held North American record

Galen Rupp, of the United States, and Cam Levins of Canada (right) compete during the men’s marathon at the World Athletics Championships in Eugene, Ore., Sunday, July 17, 2022. Levins broke both the national and North American records at the Tokyo Marathon on Saturday. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Patrick Smith/Pool Photo via AP
Canada’s Josiah Morra, right, fights off Chile’s Dante Marchese to score a try during HSBC Canada Sevens rugby action, in Vancouver, on Saturday, March 4, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Canadian teams out of rugby sevens medal hunt

Both teams still hoping to secure spots in the 2024 Paris Olympics

Canada’s Josiah Morra, right, fights off Chile’s Dante Marchese to score a try during HSBC Canada Sevens rugby action, in Vancouver, on Saturday, March 4, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Team Canada skip Brad Gushue yells instructions to the sweepers during Canada’s first draw against British Columbia at the 2023 Tim Hortons Brier at Budweiser Gardens in London, Ont. on Friday, March 3, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/ Geoff Robins

Defending champion Gushue wins opening game at the Tim Hortons Brier

Brad Gushue, from St. John’s, N.L., delivered when it mattered most

Team Canada skip Brad Gushue yells instructions to the sweepers during Canada’s first draw against British Columbia at the 2023 Tim Hortons Brier at Budweiser Gardens in London, Ont. on Friday, March 3, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/ Geoff Robins