Sports

Ten Cowichan 49ers have been named to the all-star roster. (Hillary Fisher photo)

Cowichan dominates Island masters soccer all-star roster

All-star team to play Fraser Valley Jan. 7

Ten Cowichan 49ers have been named to the all-star roster. (Hillary Fisher photo)
Langford Mayor Scott Goodmanson speaks outside Langford City Hall on Jan. 6. (Bailey Moreton/News Staff)

Victoria area pushing to attract the BC Lions for a regular-season home game

Similar one-off games have been held in Halifax last year, CFL team ‘intrigued’

Langford Mayor Scott Goodmanson speaks outside Langford City Hall on Jan. 6. (Bailey Moreton/News Staff)
FILE - Gov. Jim Justice, center, speaks to Merl Wooten, owner of Wooten Machine Co., left, and Dr. Matthew Rohrbach while visiting community members on May 9, 2022, in Huntington, W.Va. . (Ryan Fischer/The Herald-Dispatch via AP, File)

West Virginia can keep transgender sports ban, judge says

‘This is not only about simple biology, but fairness for women’s sports’

FILE - Gov. Jim Justice, center, speaks to Merl Wooten, owner of Wooten Machine Co., left, and Dr. Matthew Rohrbach while visiting community members on May 9, 2022, in Huntington, W.Va. . (Ryan Fischer/The Herald-Dispatch via AP, File)
Buffalo Bills players and staff pray for Buffalo Bills’ Damar Hamlin during the first half of an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Monday, Jan. 2, 2023, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Joshua A. Bickel)

Football fans grapple with violent side of a beloved sport

‘People sometimes look at players like they’re in a video game’

Buffalo Bills players and staff pray for Buffalo Bills’ Damar Hamlin during the first half of an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Monday, Jan. 2, 2023, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Joshua A. Bickel)
An artist’s portrait of Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin is displayed outside UC Medical Center, where Hamlin remains hospitalized, Thursday, Jan. 5, 2023, in Cincinnati. Hamlin has shown what physicians treating him are calling “remarkable improvement over the last 24 hours,” the team announced on Thursday, three days after the player went into cardiac arrest and had to be resuscitated on the field. (AP Photo/Joshua A. Bickel)

THE MOJ: Hamlin collapse another hard reminder athletes are as human as any of us

Forget about football, all anyone wishes is that the young man will go on to lead a full life

An artist’s portrait of Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin is displayed outside UC Medical Center, where Hamlin remains hospitalized, Thursday, Jan. 5, 2023, in Cincinnati. Hamlin has shown what physicians treating him are calling “remarkable improvement over the last 24 hours,” the team announced on Thursday, three days after the player went into cardiac arrest and had to be resuscitated on the field. (AP Photo/Joshua A. Bickel)
Nelson head coach Adam DiBella addresses Leafs players during a training camp skate. DiBella resigned after he was suspended for the remainder of the KIJHL season. Photo: Tyler Harper

UPDATED: Kootenay head coach resigns after season suspension for line brawl in Nelson

The KIJHL says it is the harshest suspension handed out in the last decade

Nelson head coach Adam DiBella addresses Leafs players during a training camp skate. DiBella resigned after he was suspended for the remainder of the KIJHL season. Photo: Tyler Harper
Kelowna Rockets captain Colton Dach gets help from a teammate as they lift the trophy after winning the 2023 World Junior Hockey Championships for Canada on Thursday night, Jan. 5 (@reganrant/Twitter)

Two Kelowna Rockets coming home with gold and silver from World Juniors

Colton Dach, who was injured, won gold with Canada while Gabriel Szturc won silver with Czechia

Kelowna Rockets captain Colton Dach gets help from a teammate as they lift the trophy after winning the 2023 World Junior Hockey Championships for Canada on Thursday night, Jan. 5 (@reganrant/Twitter)
Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin skates with the puck during the second period of the team’s NHL hockey game against the Buffalo Sabres, Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2023, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

Crosby, Ovechkin among 1st round of NHL All-Star selections

Fans will choose the final 12 players who make it

Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin skates with the puck during the second period of the team’s NHL hockey game against the Buffalo Sabres, Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2023, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
FILE - Buffalo Bills Damar Hamlin with his helmet off before playing the Los Angeles Rams during an NFL football game, Sept. 8, 2021, in Inglewood, Calif. The scenes of Hamlin’s on-field collapse after suffering cardiac arrest on Monday, Jan. 2, 2023, has forced some fans to yet again confront a truth they have always known but hated to think about: Football can go from exciting and joyous to dark and tragic in a flash. Now, as the Bills defensive back remains in critical condition in a Cincinnati hospital, fans are reflecting on their relationship with the sport they love. (AP Photo/John McCoy, File)

Agent: Bills safety Damar Hamlin is breathing on his own, able to talk

Player went into cardiac arrest and was resuscitated on the field 4 days ago

FILE - Buffalo Bills Damar Hamlin with his helmet off before playing the Los Angeles Rams during an NFL football game, Sept. 8, 2021, in Inglewood, Calif. The scenes of Hamlin’s on-field collapse after suffering cardiac arrest on Monday, Jan. 2, 2023, has forced some fans to yet again confront a truth they have always known but hated to think about: Football can go from exciting and joyous to dark and tragic in a flash. Now, as the Bills defensive back remains in critical condition in a Cincinnati hospital, fans are reflecting on their relationship with the sport they love. (AP Photo/John McCoy, File)
Vancouver Canucks’ Ethan Bear, left, and Colorado Avalanche’s Nathan MacKinnon vie for the puck during the second period of an NHL hockey game in Vancouver, on Thursday, January 5, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Canucks snap 3-game losing skid with 4-2 win over Colorado Avalanche

Andrei Kuzmenko nets a pair for Vancouver

Vancouver Canucks’ Ethan Bear, left, and Colorado Avalanche’s Nathan MacKinnon vie for the puck during the second period of an NHL hockey game in Vancouver, on Thursday, January 5, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Canada’s Shane Wright, top left, celebrates his goal with teammates during second period IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship gold medal action against Czechia in Halifax on Thursday, January 5, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darren Calabrese

Guenther’s golden goal lifts Canada past Czechia 3-2 in OT for 20th world junior title

B.C.’s Connor Bedard named tournament MVP

Canada’s Shane Wright, top left, celebrates his goal with teammates during second period IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship gold medal action against Czechia in Halifax on Thursday, January 5, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darren Calabrese
Shawnigan Lake student Morgan Jackson has been named to the Canadian hockey team for the 2023 IIHF U18 Women’s World Championship this month in Sweden. (Arden Gill photo)

Shawnigan Lake School hockey player named to Canada’s U18 team

A Shawnigan Lake School hockey player will be wearing Canadian colours this…

  • Jan 5, 2023
Shawnigan Lake student Morgan Jackson has been named to the Canadian hockey team for the 2023 IIHF U18 Women’s World Championship this month in Sweden. (Arden Gill photo)
Luc Tardif, IIHF President, answers questions from reporters during a press conference at the IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship in Halifax on Thursday, January 5, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darren Calabrese

IIHF president hopeful about Hockey Canada’s future with new board despite ‘damage’

Luc Tardif said he believes new members can address issues of sexual harassment in hockey

Luc Tardif, IIHF President, answers questions from reporters during a press conference at the IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship in Halifax on Thursday, January 5, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darren Calabrese
Canada’s Connor Bedard, centre, reacts with teammates after scoring the game-winning goal in overtime of IIHF World Junior Championship quarterfinal action against Slovakia in Halifax, Monday, Jan. 2, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darren Calabrese

As Canada prepares to face off for gold, hockey fans call world juniors a success

Canada and Czechia set for Thursday’s final as Halifax event gets thumbs up despite recent scandals

Canada’s Connor Bedard, centre, reacts with teammates after scoring the game-winning goal in overtime of IIHF World Junior Championship quarterfinal action against Slovakia in Halifax, Monday, Jan. 2, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darren Calabrese
Elite curler Carley Hardie will be participating in the U21 provincial playdowns at the Glen Harper Curling Centre at the end of the month. (Courtesy of the Duncan Curling Club)

Duncan Curling Club to host U21 Provincial playdowns

Public welcome to watch the action at the Sherman Road curling facility

Elite curler Carley Hardie will be participating in the U21 provincial playdowns at the Glen Harper Curling Centre at the end of the month. (Courtesy of the Duncan Curling Club)
FILE - Buffalo Bills defensive back Damar Hamlin (3) leaves the field after an NFL football game against the New England Patriots, Thursday, Dec. 1, 2022, in Foxborough, Mass. Hamlin was in critical condition early Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2023, after the Bills say his heart stopped following a tackle during the Monday Night Football game, which was indefinitely postponed. (AP Photo/Greg M. Cooper, File)

UPDATE: Doctors: Damar Hamlin communicating, showing improvement

Fallen Bill communicating, asks ‘Did we win?’ as doctors say neurological function intact

FILE - Buffalo Bills defensive back Damar Hamlin (3) leaves the field after an NFL football game against the New England Patriots, Thursday, Dec. 1, 2022, in Foxborough, Mass. Hamlin was in critical condition early Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2023, after the Bills say his heart stopped following a tackle during the Monday Night Football game, which was indefinitely postponed. (AP Photo/Greg M. Cooper, File)
Canada’s Logan Stankoven, left, celebrates his goal with teammate Connor Bedard, right, as USA’s Jimmy Snuggerud, second from left, and Jack Peart look on during second period IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship semifinal action in Halifax on Wednesday, January 4, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darren Calabrese

Canada roars back to beat U.S. 6-2 and advance to gold-medal game at world juniors

Czechia beats Sweden 2-1 in OT to also qualify for Thursday’s final

Canada’s Logan Stankoven, left, celebrates his goal with teammate Connor Bedard, right, as USA’s Jimmy Snuggerud, second from left, and Jack Peart look on during second period IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship semifinal action in Halifax on Wednesday, January 4, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darren Calabrese
Initiated by Grade 10 student Carson Usher (left), the CSSHL U17 Winter Classic will be played in support of Hockey Fights Cancer and the Canadian Cancer Society and American Cancer Society. (Arden Gill photo)

Shawnigan Lake student-athlete spearheads fundraising hockey game

Game will be played in support of Hockey Fights Cancer

Initiated by Grade 10 student Carson Usher (left), the CSSHL U17 Winter Classic will be played in support of Hockey Fights Cancer and the Canadian Cancer Society and American Cancer Society. (Arden Gill photo)
Buffalo Bills fans and community members gather for a candlelight vigil for Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin on Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2023, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Joshua Bessex)

NFL rallies to support fallen Bill Hamlin as his condition improves

‘I’ve got him. The world’s got him’: recovery from cardiac arrest moving in a positive direction

Buffalo Bills fans and community members gather for a candlelight vigil for Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin on Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2023, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Joshua Bessex)
Jiri Kulich of Czechia, left, celebrates his game-winning goal in front of Fabian Wagner of Sweden during overtime of IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship semifinal action in Halifax on Wednesday, January 4, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darren Calabrese

Kulich scores in overtime as Czechia beats Sweden, advances to world junior final

Upstart squad will play Canada or US for the gold medal

Jiri Kulich of Czechia, left, celebrates his game-winning goal in front of Fabian Wagner of Sweden during overtime of IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship semifinal action in Halifax on Wednesday, January 4, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darren Calabrese