Sports

B.C. Lions linebacker Solomon Elimimian speaks to reporters after an end of season meeting at the CFL football team’s practice facility, in Surrey, B.C., on Tuesday November 13, 2018. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

THE MOJ: Saluting the wisdom — and the resolve — of Solomon Elimimian

Hall of Fame induction is the crowning achievement of an examplary B.C. Lions career

B.C. Lions linebacker Solomon Elimimian speaks to reporters after an end of season meeting at the CFL football team’s practice facility, in Surrey, B.C., on Tuesday November 13, 2018. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
The Northern Lights is the first women’s professional paintball team in Canada. From top left clockwise: Hannah Urquhart, Kate Evingston, Erin Scott, Kenna Lozinski, Tessa Osterhage, Amanda Renardy, Ainslie Young, Heather Brown. (Credit: 4TL Media)

B.C. players dominate Canada’s first women’s pro paintball team

Fraser Valley women dead set on helping to grow the sport they love

The Northern Lights is the first women’s professional paintball team in Canada. From top left clockwise: Hannah Urquhart, Kate Evingston, Erin Scott, Kenna Lozinski, Tessa Osterhage, Amanda Renardy, Ainslie Young, Heather Brown. (Credit: 4TL Media)
Vancouver Whitecaps FC’s Brian White (middle) fires a shot between the defence of Real Espana’s Junior Garcia (right) and Getsel Montes for a goal during second half CONCACAF Champions League soccer action in Vancouver, B.C., Wednesday, March 8, 2023. The Whitecaps advanced to the quarterfinals in CONCACAF Champions League play Wednesday after completing a 7-3 aggregate win over Honduran side Real CD Espana.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Rich Lam

Whitecaps through to CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinals

Next step for Vancouver is reigning Major League Soccer champions Los Angeles FC

Vancouver Whitecaps FC’s Brian White (middle) fires a shot between the defence of Real Espana’s Junior Garcia (right) and Getsel Montes for a goal during second half CONCACAF Champions League soccer action in Vancouver, B.C., Wednesday, March 8, 2023. The Whitecaps advanced to the quarterfinals in CONCACAF Champions League play Wednesday after completing a 7-3 aggregate win over Honduran side Real CD Espana.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Rich Lam
Vancouver Canucks’ Brock Boeser tosses a stick into the crowd after being named the first star of the game after Vancouver defeated the Dallas Stars during an NHL hockey game in Vancouver, on Tuesday, March 14, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

THE MOJ: Canuck negativity, NFL hype and more in the busy world of B.C. sports

It’s a great time of year to be a sports fan

Vancouver Canucks’ Brock Boeser tosses a stick into the crowd after being named the first star of the game after Vancouver defeated the Dallas Stars during an NHL hockey game in Vancouver, on Tuesday, March 14, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Real Espana’s Gerson Chavez (right) grabs a hold of Vancouver Whitecaps FC’s JC Ngando during second half CONCACAF Champions League soccer action in Vancouver, B.C., Wednesday, March 8, 2023. Despite tough travel and punishing weather, the Vancouver Whitecaps know they have the upper hand as they prepare for CONCACAF Champions League play this week.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Rich Lam

Vancouver Whitecaps control destiny heading into Honduras

Team takes 5-0 cushion into second half of 2-game CONCACAF Champions League series

Real Espana’s Gerson Chavez (right) grabs a hold of Vancouver Whitecaps FC’s JC Ngando during second half CONCACAF Champions League soccer action in Vancouver, B.C., Wednesday, March 8, 2023. Despite tough travel and punishing weather, the Vancouver Whitecaps know they have the upper hand as they prepare for CONCACAF Champions League play this week.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Rich Lam
Tyler O’Neill previously played for Team Canada at the 2017 World Baseball Classic. (Jeffrey Sze - Baseball Canada/Special to The News)

B.C. baseball star leads Team Canada to World Baseball Classic record

The 18-8 win for Team Canada is the highest-scoring game in WBC history

Tyler O’Neill previously played for Team Canada at the 2017 World Baseball Classic. (Jeffrey Sze - Baseball Canada/Special to The News)
Larissa Franklin won a bronze medal in women’s softball at the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo as part of Team Canada. (Larissa Franklin/Special to The News)

Softball Canada 2023 Women’s National Team features overwhelming number of B.C. athletes

11 of the 22 athletes named to the roster hail from B.C.

Larissa Franklin won a bronze medal in women’s softball at the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo as part of Team Canada. (Larissa Franklin/Special to The News)
CFL commissioner Randy Ambrosie delivers his state of the league media address at the Hamilton Convention Centre, in Hamilton, Ontario on Friday, December 10, 2021. The 2025 Grey Cup game will be played at Winnipeg’s IG Field. The CFL made the official announcement Tuesday. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nick Iwanyshyn

City of Winnipeg to stage 2025 Grey Cup game, festivities

City last hosted the fall classic in 2015

CFL commissioner Randy Ambrosie delivers his state of the league media address at the Hamilton Convention Centre, in Hamilton, Ontario on Friday, December 10, 2021. The 2025 Grey Cup game will be played at Winnipeg’s IG Field. The CFL made the official announcement Tuesday. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nick Iwanyshyn
FIFA president Gianni Infantino poses on the green carpet before the ceremony of the Best FIFA Football Awards in Paris, France, Monday, Feb. 27, 2023. (AP Photo/Michel Euler)

FIFA expands 2026 World Cup again to create 104-game program

Schedule will last nearly six weeks in June-July across, Canada, U.S. and Mexico

FIFA president Gianni Infantino poses on the green carpet before the ceremony of the Best FIFA Football Awards in Paris, France, Monday, Feb. 27, 2023. (AP Photo/Michel Euler)
Northeastern Huskies forward Aidan McDonough (25) during an NCAA hockey game against the Merrimack Warriors on Saturday, Dec. 12, 2020, in Boston, Massachusetts. The Vancouver Canucks have signed McDonough to a two-year entry-level contract. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP/Adam Glanzman

Canucks sign forward Aidan McDonough to two-year entry-level contract

Former 7th-round draft pick inks deal after completing his college career

Northeastern Huskies forward Aidan McDonough (25) during an NCAA hockey game against the Merrimack Warriors on Saturday, Dec. 12, 2020, in Boston, Massachusetts. The Vancouver Canucks have signed McDonough to a two-year entry-level contract. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP/Adam Glanzman
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)
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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
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)
Lakes District Secondary School athletes took to Sun Peaks Mountain for the 2023 alpine sport provincials. (Randy Hamp photo)

Burns Lake alpine athletes hit the slopes, Jack

LDSS sent skiers and snowboarders to alpine provs

Lakes District Secondary School athletes took to Sun Peaks Mountain for the 2023 alpine sport provincials. (Randy Hamp photo)
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
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