Transgender former CFL player says attending B.C. Lions ceremony as authentic self was 'euphoric': When the B.C. Lions said they were going to honour their 2000 Grey Cup championship this fall during a halftime ceremony at B.C. Place, Maven Maurer was excited but anxious. Maurer had been a member of the plucky underdog team, the first to ever win the CFL championship after finishing the regular season with a sub-.500 record. The days leading up to the Sept. 13 ceremony were a roller-coaster. Maurer hesitated to buy a plane ticket until the day before the ceremony, unsure if attending the event as a transgender woman was a good idea.

posted by tommybiden to culture at 02:40 PM - 3 comments

A Line Brawl Right In The Middle Of The Teddy Bear Toss: The Ottawa 67s and Barrie Colts added a little spice to the annual Teddy Bear Toss. As bears rained down onto the ice, the 2 teams started a line brawl.

posted by tommybiden to hockey at 06:40 PM - 1 comment

Rogers to become majority owner of MLSE after buying Bell's stake for $4.7B: Rogers Communications has bought Bell out of its stake in Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment, the company that owns the Toronto Maple Leafs, Argonauts, TFC, Raptors, and Marlies, for $4.7 billion. Bell Canada Enterprises (BCE Inc.), which owns 37.5 per cent of MLSE, said in a media release Wednesday that the deal is expected to close in mid-2025.

posted by tommybiden to general at 09:29 PM - 0 comments

For five decades, Bob Cole was Canada's hockey soundtrack: What made him famous? It was his voice, sure, but also his cadence. Every Canadian of a certain age is assuredly friends with someone who was once supremely confident in their Bob Cole impression, either in the goal call (a high, pinched “scores!”) or in pacing, which … can go … a little something … like this. At his best, Cole worked in both science and art. His catchphrases were repeated in street hockey games across the country. (In 2015, with the help of a long-time producer at CBC, Cole launched an app filled with his own recitations.) “How about that?” “Hold onto your hats” “Oh, baby.” There were more, but none so famous as that last one.

posted by tommybiden to culture at 07:52 PM - 2 comments

Hockey Canada scandal, explained: Five members of 2018 World Juniors team facing charges of sexual assault: The names in an investigation into an alleged sexual assault involving members of the 2018 Canada World Juniors hockey team could be revealed at some point in the near future. The Globe and Mail reported on Jan. 24 that five players from the 2018 team have been told to surrender to face charges of sexual assault. The names of the players have not been revealed yet, and they have not been formally charged.

posted by tommybiden to hockey at 01:08 PM - 1 comment

Man arrested in death of former Penguins forward Adam Johnson: South Yorkshire Police on Tuesday said they arrested a man on suspicion of manslaughter, and he remained in police custody. The man was not named. Johnson, who spent three years with the Penguins organization, was sliced by a skate in the neck Oct. 28 while playing a game in Sheffield, England, for Nottingham of the Elite Ice Hockey League.

posted by tommybiden to hockey at 12:53 PM - 3 comments

Mike Babcock resigns as Columbus Blue Jackets coach after NHLPA investigation: Inquiries about the accusations were conducted by the NHL and NHL Players’ Association after former NHL player and TNT studio host Paul Bissonnette said Tuesday on the “Spittin’ Chiclets” podcast that Babcock was demanding access to players’ phones so he could scroll through photos. The Blue Jackets pushed back and attempted to explain what happened by adding context with statements from Babcock and captain Boone Jenner, whose meeting with the coach was referenced by Bissonnette.

posted by tommybiden to hockey at 05:16 PM - 2 comments

We have a trade to announce: • Pittsburgh acquires defenseman Erik Karlsson, forward Rem Pitlick, forward Dillon Hamaliuk & San Jose’s 2026 third-round draft pick. • San Jose acquires Pittsburgh’s 2024 first-round draft pick (top-10 protected), forward Mikael Granlund, defenseman Jan Rutta & forward Mike Hoffman. • Montreal acquires Pittsburgh’s 2025 second-round draft pick, defenseman Jeff Petry, goaltender Casey DeSmith & forward Nathan Legare.

posted by tommybiden to hockey at 12:09 PM - 2 comments

CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS OWNER ROCKY WIRTZ PASSES AWAY AT 70: W. Rockwell 'Rocky' Wirtz, owner and chairman of the Chicago Blackhawks, has died at 70 years old, the team confirmed on Tuesday.

posted by tommybiden to hockey at 10:05 PM - 2 comments

Elly De La Cruz: Not since 1919

posted by tommybiden to baseball at 08:53 AM - 4 comments

Michael Andlauer reaches deal in principle to buy Ottawa Senators: League sources said Tuesday that Toronto billionaire Michael Andlauer’s bid, which is believed to be worth $950 million U.S., has been moved to the front of the line by New York-based banker Galatioto Sports Partners (GSP) and the estate of late owner Eugene Melnyk. The deal was confirmed by the club Tuesday morning. Andlauer has reached an agreement in principle to purchase the Senators. That means his offer has been elevated to the next stage of due diligence and work will now ramp up with the National Hockey League to try to close the deal.

posted by tommybiden to hockey at 08:29 PM - 1 comment

Harvard women’s hockey team facing allegations of hazing that included ‘naked skates’: For the 2nd time in 3 months, the Harvard women’s hockey team & head coach Katey Stone are facing allegations of hazing & abusive behavior. The latest report, from The Athletic, alleges that the program conducted annual “Naked Skates” & pressured underclassmen to mimic sex acts & drink alcohol at “Freshmen Fun Night,” among other instances that players within the program considered to be hazing. At “Freshmen Fun Night,” first-year players were pressured to “put condoms on bananas, fake orgasms & act out skills that referenced their sexual orientation” in some instances, according to the report from Katie Strang & Hailey Salvian

posted by tommybiden to hockey at 05:09 PM - 1 comment

Maple Leafs legend Borje Salming dies at age 71: It was Harry Neale who once said every Swede in the NHL should send Borje Salming a piece of their pay cheque. Brendan Shanahan, who arranged a tribute night for Salming earlier this month, recognized the defenceman as “a pioneer of the game and an icon with an unbreakable spirit and unquestioned toughness.

posted by tommybiden to hockey at 11:33 PM - 0 comments

Police open investigations into 2003 and 2018 Canadian world junior teams: Another Canadian world junior team is under a cloud of suspicion. Hockey Canada released a statement Friday regarding an alleged group sexual assault involving members of the 2002-03 national junior team. “We believe the alleged incident from 2003 should be investigated by the authorities, and we urge the police to open an investigation into this disturbing situation,” Hockey Canada said. “Hockey Canada will co-operate with and support the authorities in every way we can, and we once again urge anyone who may have relevant information about this alleged incident to contact Halifax police immediately.”

posted by tommybiden to hockey at 03:17 PM - 1 comment

The untold story of the most dangerous player in college football history: Before Jerry Sandusky, there was Todd Hodne. Before the serial sexual predator who ended Paterno's career, there was the serial sexual predator who left his career untouched. WARNING: Extremely disturbing content.

posted by tommybiden to football at 07:47 PM - 3 comments

Blackhawks’ Stan Bowman resigns in overhaul over sexual assault cover-up: Stan Bowman’s 12-year reign as the Blackhawks’ general manager and hockey operations president is over. Bowman and right-hand man Al MacIsaac, formerly the two most powerful people in the 'Hawks’ hockey operations, were forced out Tuesday. Their departures headline an organizational overhaul enacted after releasing the results of an investigation into the handling of allegations that former video coach Bradley Aldrich sexually assaulted two players shortly before the 2010 Stanley Cup championship.

posted by tommybiden to hockey at 04:04 PM - 6 comments

Logan Mailloux a polarizing pick by Canadiens in first round of draft: The Canadiens selected the 6-foot-3, 212-pound London Knights defenceman with their first-round pick (31st overall) at the NHL Draft Friday night. The 18-year-old from Belle River, Ont., had renounced himself from the draft this week after paying a fine for an offence of a sexual nature in Sweden last year, which had several NHL teams vowing not to select him this weekend. “Being drafted into the NHL is an honour and a privilege that no one takes lightly,” Mailloux said in a statement released on social media before the draft. “The NHL draft should be one of the most exciting landmark moments in a player’s career, and given the circumstances, I don’t feel I have demonstrated strong enough maturity or character to earn that privilege in the 2021 draft. I know it will take time for society to build back the trust I have lost, and that is why I think it is best that I renounce myself from the 2021 NHL Draft and ask that no one select me this upcoming weekend.” Bergevin picked him anyways.

posted by tommybiden to hockey at 10:30 AM - 11 comments

Wild thangs: Double-A team draws 13 walks in an inning: “It just got out of control, literally,” longtime Barons radio announcer Curt Bloom said. “And it was contagious.” “It was 87 pitches with 24 strikes. Most of them weren’t even close, really,” he added.

posted by tommybiden to baseball at 01:35 PM - 3 comments

Minnesota Duluth knocks University of North Dakota out in the longest game in NCAA tournament history : Bulldog forward Luke Mylymok scores at 2:13 of the fifth overtime to send the Bulldogs to a fourth-straight Frozen Four.

posted by tommybiden to hockey at 07:59 AM - 0 comments

Pittsburgh hires Ron Hextall to be their new G.M. Brian Burke as President of Hockey Operations: Less than 2 weeks after Jim Rutherford surprisingly resigned, the Penguins dramatically reshaped their front office with a pair of hires. Ron Hextall, a fiery former goalie and a member of the Philadelphia Flyers Hall of Fame, fills the vacant G.M. spot. Brian Burke was hired in a newly created position as president of hockey operations.

posted by tommybiden to hockey at 11:18 AM - 6 comments

Columbus Blue Jackets ship Dubois & 3rd round pick to Winnipeg Jets for Laine, Roslovic: Blue Jackets trade the disgruntled center to the Winnipeg Jets and a 3rd round pick for 2 skilled forwards – Patrik Laine and Jack Roslovic, an unsigned restricted free agent from Columbus who is currently training with the Ohio AAA Blue Jackets while unsigned. Dubois, 22, requested a trade upon signing a two-year contract extension the week prior to the start of training camp Jan. 4 at Nationwide Arena. The team’s former No. 1 center didn’t publicly offer a reason, but it’s believed to be multi-faceted – tied to both prolonged contract negotiations and a feuding relationship with coach John Tortorella.

posted by tommybiden to hockey at 12:48 PM - 2 comments