Sports

Andrew Hammond in net for Ottawa Senators in 2015. (File photo: Andre Ringuette)

B.C.’s ‘Hamburglar’ retires from hockey after 10-year pro career that almost never happened

As a teen, Surrey’s Andrew Hammond thought about quitting the game that eventually earned him folk-hero status in the NHL

Andrew Hammond in net for Ottawa Senators in 2015. (File photo: Andre Ringuette)
Fans kiss while waiting for the arrival of the Argentine soccer team that won the World Cup outside the AFA training grounds in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Tuesday, Dec. 20, 2022. (AP Photo/Matilde Campodonico)

Sea of people try to catch glimpse of Argentina soccer team

Thousands lined the highway, many waving Argentine flags as team headed to dowtown Buenos Aires

Fans kiss while waiting for the arrival of the Argentine soccer team that won the World Cup outside the AFA training grounds in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Tuesday, Dec. 20, 2022. (AP Photo/Matilde Campodonico)
Soccer fans descend on the capital’s downtown for a homecoming parade for the Argentine soccer team that won the World Cup tournament in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Tuesday, Dec. 20, 2022. (AP Photo/Gustavo Garello)

THE MOJ: That was a weekend to remind us of why we love sports

NFL piled up the big plays and big stories while the World Cup gave us a final for the ages

Soccer fans descend on the capital’s downtown for a homecoming parade for the Argentine soccer team that won the World Cup tournament in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Tuesday, Dec. 20, 2022. (AP Photo/Gustavo Garello)
St. Louis Blues’ Robert Thomas (18) stickhandles past Vancouver Canucks’ Quinn Hughes (43) during the first period of an NHL hockey game in Vancouver, on Monday, December 19, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Kyrou leads visiting St. Louis Blues to 5-1 triumph over Vancouver Canucks

Vancouver wraps up 3-game home stand Thursday against Seattle

St. Louis Blues’ Robert Thomas (18) stickhandles past Vancouver Canucks’ Quinn Hughes (43) during the first period of an NHL hockey game in Vancouver, on Monday, December 19, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Toronto Argonauts quarterback McLeod Bethel-Thompson hands the ball off to teammate Andrew Harris during first half CFL football action against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in Toronto Monday, July 4, 2022. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Mark Blinch)

PODCAST: Catching up with four-time Grey Cup champion Andrew Harris

MOJ on Sports: RB the only Canadian in CFL history to rush for more than 10,000 yards

Toronto Argonauts quarterback McLeod Bethel-Thompson hands the ball off to teammate Andrew Harris during first half CFL football action against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in Toronto Monday, July 4, 2022. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Mark Blinch)
A Team Canada logo is shown on a player during the warm-up prior to Rivalry Series hockey action against the United States in Kamloops, B.C., Thursday, Nov. 17, 2022. Hockey Canada says there were more than 900 documented or alleged incidents of on-ice discrimination -- verbal taunts, insults and intimidation -- across all levels and age groups during the 2021-22 season. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jesse Johnston

London police believe woman alleging sexual assault by Canadian junior team players

Investigator states in legal documents suspects knew or ought to have known woman had not consented

A Team Canada logo is shown on a player during the warm-up prior to Rivalry Series hockey action against the United States in Kamloops, B.C., Thursday, Nov. 17, 2022. Hockey Canada says there were more than 900 documented or alleged incidents of on-ice discrimination -- verbal taunts, insults and intimidation -- across all levels and age groups during the 2021-22 season. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jesse Johnston
Canada’s Maggie Mac Neil in action during World Swimming Championships in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, Dec. 21, 2021. On Dec. 18, 2022, she set a new world record at the FINA World Swimming Championships. (AP Photo/Kamran Jebreili)

Canadian swimmer Maggie Mac Neil sets world record at short course worlds

Mac Neil trimmed over a half-second off the previous record

Canada’s Maggie Mac Neil in action during World Swimming Championships in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, Dec. 21, 2021. On Dec. 18, 2022, she set a new world record at the FINA World Swimming Championships. (AP Photo/Kamran Jebreili)
Jordan Pierre-Gilles, of Canada, skates during the men's 5,000 metre relay at a World Cup short track speedskating event Sunday, Nov. 6, 2022, in Kearns, Utah. The national men's relay team won gold for the third straight competition to lead Canada to a three-medal performance Sunday at a short-track speedskating World Cup. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP/Rick Bowmer

Canadian men’s relay team wins gold at short-track speedskating World Cup

Latest gold marks third in a series of wins

Jordan Pierre-Gilles, of Canada, skates during the men's 5,000 metre relay at a World Cup short track speedskating event Sunday, Nov. 6, 2022, in Kearns, Utah. The national men's relay team won gold for the third straight competition to lead Canada to a three-medal performance Sunday at a short-track speedskating World Cup. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP/Rick Bowmer
Argentina’s Lionel Messi, right on the pitch, celebrates after scoring his side’s first goal on a penalty kick during the World Cup final soccer match between Argentina and France at the Lusail Stadium in Lusail, Qatar, Sunday, Dec. 18, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP/Hassan Ammar

Argentina fans delighted over thrilling World Cup win against France

Canadians packed bars early Sunday morning

Argentina’s Lionel Messi, right on the pitch, celebrates after scoring his side’s first goal on a penalty kick during the World Cup final soccer match between Argentina and France at the Lusail Stadium in Lusail, Qatar, Sunday, Dec. 18, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP/Hassan Ammar
A Hockey Canada logo is seen on the door to a meeting room at the organizations head office in Calgary, Alta., Sunday, Nov. 6, 2022. Hockey Canada’s provincial and territorial members will vote today on whether to approve a slate of nominees to fill the organization’s nine vacancies on its board of directors.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh

Hockey Canada members elect new board of directors, including chair Hugh Fraser

New board comprised of 5 women and 4 men

A Hockey Canada logo is seen on the door to a meeting room at the organizations head office in Calgary, Alta., Sunday, Nov. 6, 2022. Hockey Canada’s provincial and territorial members will vote today on whether to approve a slate of nominees to fill the organization’s nine vacancies on its board of directors.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh
Argentina’s Lionel Messi reacts after winning the World Cup final soccer match between Argentina and France at the Lusail Stadium in Lusail, Qatar, Sunday, Dec. 18, 2022. Argentina won 4-2 in a penalty shootout after the match ended tied 3-3. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)

Messi wins World Cup, Argentina beats France on penalties

Final score was 4-2

Argentina’s Lionel Messi reacts after winning the World Cup final soccer match between Argentina and France at the Lusail Stadium in Lusail, Qatar, Sunday, Dec. 18, 2022. Argentina won 4-2 in a penalty shootout after the match ended tied 3-3. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)
Vancouver Canucks’ Luke Schenn, back right, shoves Winnipeg Jets’ David Gustafsson, of Sweden, during the second period of an NHL hockey game in Vancouver, on Saturday, Dec. 17, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Connor extends streak, Winnipeg Jets hand Vancouver Canucks lopsided 5-1 loss

B.C. side continues 3-game homestand Monday against St. Louis Blues

Vancouver Canucks’ Luke Schenn, back right, shoves Winnipeg Jets’ David Gustafsson, of Sweden, during the second period of an NHL hockey game in Vancouver, on Saturday, Dec. 17, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Kelowna Rockets captain Colton Dach is playing for Team Canada at the 2023 World Junior Hockey Championships. (Hockey Canada/Twitter)

“I’m really thankful I get this chance”: Kelowna Rockets captain ready for World Juniors

Colton Dach is one of two Kelowna Rockets getting the chance to play in the tournament

Kelowna Rockets captain Colton Dach is playing for Team Canada at the 2023 World Junior Hockey Championships. (Hockey Canada/Twitter)
Vancouver Canucks’ Andrei Kuzmenko, left, of Russia, and Bo Horvat talk before a faceoff against the Florida Panthers during the third period of an NHL hockey game in Vancouver, on Thursday, December 1, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

THE MOJ: Canuck free agents, pricey pitchers and the value of irrelevance

‘What is Kuzmenko going to cost?’ in a Friday sports potpourri

Vancouver Canucks’ Andrei Kuzmenko, left, of Russia, and Bo Horvat talk before a faceoff against the Florida Panthers during the third period of an NHL hockey game in Vancouver, on Thursday, December 1, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Canada’s Kaitlyn Weaver and Andrew Poje perform their ice dance free dance during the ISU World Team Trophy Figure Skating competition Friday, April 12, 2019, in Fukuoka, southwestern Japan. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Toru Hanai

Any two athletes can compete together domestically in ice dance, pairs: Skate Canada

Previous definition was one woman and one man

Canada’s Kaitlyn Weaver and Andrew Poje perform their ice dance free dance during the ISU World Team Trophy Figure Skating competition Friday, April 12, 2019, in Fukuoka, southwestern Japan. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Toru Hanai
Erin Haluschak and Philip Wolf. (Black Press Media photo)

PODCAST: NFL’s ‘Mr. Irrelevant’ suddenly very relevant for San Francisco 49ers

NFL REPORT: Black Press insiders Haluschak, Wolf discuss NFL playoff race

Erin Haluschak and Philip Wolf. (Black Press Media photo)
Vancouver Canucks goalie Spencer Martin, left, and forward Conor Garland celebrate defeating the Calgary Flames in a shootout during NHL hockey action in Calgary, Wednesday, Dec. 14, 2022.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh

Kuzmenko, Martin lead Canucks to 4-3 shootout win over Calgary Flames

Vancouver opens a 3-game homestand against the Winnipeg Jets on Saturday

Vancouver Canucks goalie Spencer Martin, left, and forward Conor Garland celebrate defeating the Calgary Flames in a shootout during NHL hockey action in Calgary, Wednesday, Dec. 14, 2022.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh
Washington Capitals’ Alex Ovechkin holds his 798, 799, and 800th career goal pucks in the locker room after an NHL hockey game against the Chicago Blackhawks Tuesday, Dec. 13, 2022, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)

Ovechkin at 800 now chasing Howe for 2nd on NHL goals list

Ovechkin is just two goals behind Howe, 94 behind first-placed Gretzky

Washington Capitals’ Alex Ovechkin holds his 798, 799, and 800th career goal pucks in the locker room after an NHL hockey game against the Chicago Blackhawks Tuesday, Dec. 13, 2022, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
France’s Ibrahima Konate, left, challenges for the ball with Morocco’s Achraf Hakimi during the World Cup semifinal soccer match between France and Morocco at the Al Bayt Stadium in Al Khor, Qatar, Wednesday, Dec. 14, 2022. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco)

Griezmann gives his all, France advances to World Cup final

France will now try to deny Argentina star Lionel Messi a first World Cup title on Sunday

France’s Ibrahima Konate, left, challenges for the ball with Morocco’s Achraf Hakimi during the World Cup semifinal soccer match between France and Morocco at the Al Bayt Stadium in Al Khor, Qatar, Wednesday, Dec. 14, 2022. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco)
B.C. Lions head coach Rick Campbell watches from the sideline during the second half of a CFL football game against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in Vancouver on Saturday, October 15, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

B.C. Lions sign co-general managers Campbell, McEvoy to extensions

Rare co-management arrangement extend through 2024

B.C. Lions head coach Rick Campbell watches from the sideline during the second half of a CFL football game against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in Vancouver on Saturday, October 15, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck