Sports

Vancouver Canucks’ Jake Virtanen skates during the first period of a preseason NHL hockey game on Monday, September 28, 2015. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Abbotsford’s Jake Virtanen set to be bought out by Vancouver Canucks

NHL club places player on unconditional waivers, has been on leave since May 1 since allegations

Michael Woods, of Canada, competes in the men’s cycling road race at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Saturday, July 24, 2021, in Oyama, Japan. (Tim de Waele/Pool Photo via AP)

Tokyo Olympics Roundup: Woods comes close to winning medal for Canada

Michael Woods, an outstanding climber, led over much of the challenging 234-kilometre road course

Calgary Hitmen defenceman and Nashville Predators prospect Luke Prokop became the first player under an NHL contract to come out as gay when he made the announcement on July 19. (Photo courtesy of Luke Prokop/ Twitter)

First openly gay, NHL-contracted player gained insight from B.C. agent

Nashville prospect Luke Prokop consulted Bayne Pettinger before coming out

This Jan. 6, 2019, file photo shows Arizona Coyotes defenceman Oliver Ekman-Larsson. (AP Photo/Ralph Freso, File)

Canucks send No. 9 pick to Coyotes, receive Ekman-Larsson, Garland in blockbuster deal

Trade also includes Vancouver forwards Jay Beagle, Loui Eriksson and Antoine Roussel

This Jan. 6, 2019, file photo shows Arizona Coyotes defenceman Oliver Ekman-Larsson. (AP Photo/Ralph Freso, File)
The Cloverdale Curling Club, which hosted wheelchair curling provincial championships in 2020, was among a number of Surrey, White Rock and Delta sports organizations to receive money from the province’s Local Sports Relief Fund. (Malin Jordan photo)

Surrey, White Rock sports organizations receive COVID-19 relief fund grants

Province provides funding for more than 200 groups across B.C.

The Cloverdale Curling Club, which hosted wheelchair curling provincial championships in 2020, was among a number of Surrey, White Rock and Delta sports organizations to receive money from the province’s Local Sports Relief Fund. (Malin Jordan photo)
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Abbotsford Canucks schedule released

Friday night will be hockey night in Abbotsford this season

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Athletes from Canada walk during the opening ceremony in the Olympic Stadium at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Friday, July 23, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip) Athletes from Canada walk during the opening ceremony in the Olympic Stadium at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Friday, July 23, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

Olympic Roundup: Small, enthusiastic contingent represents Canada at opening ceremony

The Canadians waved to their fellow athletes already gathered on the stadium floor, and the few people in the stands

Athletes from Canada walk during the opening ceremony in the Olympic Stadium at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Friday, July 23, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip) Athletes from Canada walk during the opening ceremony in the Olympic Stadium at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Friday, July 23, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Canada’s Owen Power in action during the Ice Hockey World Championship final match between Finland and Canada at the Arena in Riga, Latvia, on June 6, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP, Sergei Grits

NHL prepares for second straight virtual entry draft

Toronto Maple Leafs dealt their first-round selection to the Columbus Blue Jackets in April

Canada’s Owen Power in action during the Ice Hockey World Championship final match between Finland and Canada at the Arena in Riga, Latvia, on June 6, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP, Sergei Grits
Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady (12) is sacked by the Carolina Panthers during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 15, 2020, in Charlotte , N.C. (AP Photo/Brian Blanco)

NFL teams face potential forfeits for COVID-19 outbreaks

For purposes of playoff seeding, the forfeiting team would be assessed a loss and the other team a win

Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady (12) is sacked by the Carolina Panthers during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 15, 2020, in Charlotte , N.C. (AP Photo/Brian Blanco)
Cleveland Indians starting pitcher Cal Quantrill delivers in the first inning of the team's baseball game against the Tampa Bay Rays, Thursday, July 22, 2021, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak)

Cleveland’s baseball team goes from Indians to Guardians

Choice of Guardians will undoubtedly be criticized by many of the club’s die-hard

Cleveland Indians starting pitcher Cal Quantrill delivers in the first inning of the team's baseball game against the Tampa Bay Rays, Thursday, July 22, 2021, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak)
FILE - Edmonton Oilers’ Adam Larsson (6) is shown during an NHL hockey game against the Vancouver Canucks in Vancouver, British Columbia, in this Monday, May 3, 2021, file photo. Adam Larsson and Chris Driedger are going to the Seattle Kraken in the expansion draft. (AP Photo/Nick Didlick, File)

Seattle Kraken sets first roster, will open season at Vegas

‘I envisioned this a lot of different ways and this is unbelievable’

FILE - Edmonton Oilers’ Adam Larsson (6) is shown during an NHL hockey game against the Vancouver Canucks in Vancouver, British Columbia, in this Monday, May 3, 2021, file photo. Adam Larsson and Chris Driedger are going to the Seattle Kraken in the expansion draft. (AP Photo/Nick Didlick, File)
South Surrey’s Michael Rasmussen in action with Detroit Red Wings. (Photo: nhl.com)

Surrey’s Rasmussen signs 3-year deal with Detroit Red Wings

Contract extension worth $1.46 million annually, on average, according to PuckPedia website

South Surrey’s Michael Rasmussen in action with Detroit Red Wings. (Photo: nhl.com)
Canada Cup chair Greg Timm (far left) and a handful of Canadian softball fans cheer on Canada in their game against the United States Wednesday, during a watch party at Softball City. (Contributed photo)

Groenewegen strikes out four, gets Canada’s lone hit in 1-0 loss at Tokyo Olympics

Canadian softball squad drops to 1-1 after 1-0 loss to United States

Canada Cup chair Greg Timm (far left) and a handful of Canadian softball fans cheer on Canada in their game against the United States Wednesday, during a watch party at Softball City. (Contributed photo)
Novak Djokovic, of Serbia, left, practices at the Ariake Tennis Center ahead of the 2020 Summer Olympics, Wednesday, July 21, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon) Japan’s Naomi Osaka celebrates after defeating Romania’s Patricia Maria Tig during their first round match of the French open tennis tournament at the Roland Garros stadium Sunday, May 30, 2021 in Paris. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP/Christophe Ena

Osaka makes her return against Zheng at Tokyo Olympics

Naomi Osaka holds a 2-1 career edge over Zheng Saisai

Novak Djokovic, of Serbia, left, practices at the Ariake Tennis Center ahead of the 2020 Summer Olympics, Wednesday, July 21, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon) Japan’s Naomi Osaka celebrates after defeating Romania’s Patricia Maria Tig during their first round match of the French open tennis tournament at the Roland Garros stadium Sunday, May 30, 2021 in Paris. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP/Christophe Ena
The Olympic rings are seen at Yokohama Baseball Stadium as the venue is prepared for softball competition at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Thursday, July 22, 2021, in Yokohama, Japan. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

Olympic scandals march on long after torch goes out

Brief look at some of the most notable news to hit the Olympic world since it last convened for the Summer Games

The Olympic rings are seen at Yokohama Baseball Stadium as the venue is prepared for softball competition at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Thursday, July 22, 2021, in Yokohama, Japan. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
FILE - In this Tuesday, July 20, 2021, file photo, a woman wearing a protective mask walks in front of a Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympics display at the Tokyo Metropolitan government in Tokyo. The Tokyo Olympics have already broken new ground because of the 12-month delay caused by the coronavirus pandemic, pushing it into an odd-numbered year for the first time. But with no fans permitted in Japan, foreign or local, it has the undesirable distinction of being the first Games to be held with no spectators. (AP Photo/Kiichiro Sato, File)

Let the fashion policing begin on opening day of Tokyo Games

Olympic gear makes for lively social media fodder, starting with the hours-long Parade of Nations

FILE - In this Tuesday, July 20, 2021, file photo, a woman wearing a protective mask walks in front of a Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympics display at the Tokyo Metropolitan government in Tokyo. The Tokyo Olympics have already broken new ground because of the 12-month delay caused by the coronavirus pandemic, pushing it into an odd-numbered year for the first time. But with no fans permitted in Japan, foreign or local, it has the undesirable distinction of being the first Games to be held with no spectators. (AP Photo/Kiichiro Sato, File)
The Abbotsford Canucks home opener is set for Oct. 22 against the Henderson Silver Knights. (Canucks Twitter photo)

Abbotsford Canucks announce home opener date

New American Hockey League team makes debut at Abbotsford Centre on Oct. 22

The Abbotsford Canucks home opener is set for Oct. 22 against the Henderson Silver Knights. (Canucks Twitter photo)
Canada’s Sara Groenewegen pitches during the softball game between Mexico and Canada at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Wednesday, July 21, 2021, in Fukushima , Japan. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

South Surrey pitcher leads Canada to win on first day of Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympics

Former White Rock Renegade Sara Groenewegen doesn’t allow a hit in 4-0 win over Mexico

Canada’s Sara Groenewegen pitches during the softball game between Mexico and Canada at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Wednesday, July 21, 2021, in Fukushima , Japan. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
President of the Japan Community Health Care Organization Shigeru Omi attends a joint news conference with Japan’s Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga on Japan’s response to the coronavirus outbreak at Suga’s official residence in Tokyo. (Issei Kato/AP)

Tokyo virus cases hit 6-month high 2 days before Games open

‘What we have worried about is now actually happening,’ says Japan Medical Association President Toshio Nakagawa

President of the Japan Community Health Care Organization Shigeru Omi attends a joint news conference with Japan’s Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga on Japan’s response to the coronavirus outbreak at Suga’s official residence in Tokyo. (Issei Kato/AP)
Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) reacts during the second half of Game 6 of basketball’s NBA Finals against the Phoenix Suns in Milwaukee, Tuesday, July 20, 2021. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)

Milwaukee’s 50-year wait ends with NBA title behind 50 from Giannis

Bucks beat Phoenix Suns 105-98 in Game 6 of league finals

Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) reacts during the second half of Game 6 of basketball’s NBA Finals against the Phoenix Suns in Milwaukee, Tuesday, July 20, 2021. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)