Canada & World

Toronto Maple Leafs forward Jason Spezza speaks to the media after being eliminated in the first round of the NHL Stanley Cup playoffs during a press conference in Toronto on Tuesday, May 17, 2022. Spezza announced his retirement Sunday after a 19-season NHL career. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette

Veteran forward Jason Spezza announces retirement, will join Maple Leafs front office

Spezza played with the Senators and Dallas Stars before joing the Leafs in 2019

Toronto Maple Leafs forward Jason Spezza speaks to the media after being eliminated in the first round of the NHL Stanley Cup playoffs during a press conference in Toronto on Tuesday, May 17, 2022. Spezza announced his retirement Sunday after a 19-season NHL career. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette
Edmonton Oilers centre Connor McDavid, left, tries to get the puck past Calgary Flames goalie Jacob Markstrom during first period NHL second-round playoff hockey action in Calgary, Thursday, May 26, 2022.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh

McDavid nets OT winner as Oilers beat Flames 5-4 to reach Western Conference final

Edmonton finishes off series in five games

Edmonton Oilers centre Connor McDavid, left, tries to get the puck past Calgary Flames goalie Jacob Markstrom during first period NHL second-round playoff hockey action in Calgary, Thursday, May 26, 2022.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh
Photos of some of the victims stand among candles as members of Toronto’s Iranian community attend a vigil in Toronto on Wednesday, January 8, 2020, to mourn victims of Ukraine International Airlines Flight PS752 that crashed after takeoff near Tehran, Iran. Canada Soccer has cancelled a planned friendly with Iran in the face of growing criticism. At issue is whether Canada should be hosting Iran given the Canadians who died on Ukraine International Airlines Flight 752 when it was shot down on Jan. 8, 2020, minutes after taking off from Tehran, by an Iranian surface-to-air missile. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chris Young

Canada Soccer calls off planned friendly match with Iran in face of rising criticism

Soccer Canada gave no reason as it faced criticism tied to Iran’s shooting down of Flight 752 in 2020

Photos of some of the victims stand among candles as members of Toronto’s Iranian community attend a vigil in Toronto on Wednesday, January 8, 2020, to mourn victims of Ukraine International Airlines Flight PS752 that crashed after takeoff near Tehran, Iran. Canada Soccer has cancelled a planned friendly with Iran in the face of growing criticism. At issue is whether Canada should be hosting Iran given the Canadians who died on Ukraine International Airlines Flight 752 when it was shot down on Jan. 8, 2020, minutes after taking off from Tehran, by an Iranian surface-to-air missile. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chris Young
Calgary Flames forward Trevor Lewis, right, holds back Edmonton Oilers winger Zach Hyman during third period NHL second-round playoff hockey action in Edmonton, Tuesday, May 24, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh

Calgary Flames want to extend Battle of Alberta in NHL playoffs, avoid elimination

Edmonton Oilers lead series 3-1 with Game 5 Thursday

Calgary Flames forward Trevor Lewis, right, holds back Edmonton Oilers winger Zach Hyman during third period NHL second-round playoff hockey action in Edmonton, Tuesday, May 24, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh
Calgary Flames forward Johnny Gaudreau, right, is checked by Edmonton Oilers centre Connor McDavid during first period NHL second-round playoff hockey action in Edmonton, Tuesday, May 24, 2022.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh

Nugent-Hopkins, Kane score 2 apiece as Oilers outlast Flames, grab 3-1 playoff series lead

Edmonton’s 5-3 win in Game 4 leaves them one victory away from third round

Calgary Flames forward Johnny Gaudreau, right, is checked by Edmonton Oilers centre Connor McDavid during first period NHL second-round playoff hockey action in Edmonton, Tuesday, May 24, 2022.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh
Canada’s Brock Webster runs for his second try against Scotland during HSBC Canada Sevens rugby action, in Vancouver, on Sunday, April 17, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Canadian women finish sixth in Toulouse in HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series finale

The Canadian men tied for 15th after falling 27-7 to Wales

Canada’s Brock Webster runs for his second try against Scotland during HSBC Canada Sevens rugby action, in Vancouver, on Sunday, April 17, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
CFL football seen during the Hamilton Tiger-Cats opening day training camp at Ron Joyce Stadium in Hamilton, Ont., Thursday, May 19, 2022. CFL players have rejected the new collective bargaining agreement with the league. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nick Iwanyshyn

CFL players report to work after rejecting tentative agreement

Source: CFL has tabled a new offer to the players that reportedly included ratification bonus

CFL football seen during the Hamilton Tiger-Cats opening day training camp at Ron Joyce Stadium in Hamilton, Ont., Thursday, May 19, 2022. CFL players have rejected the new collective bargaining agreement with the league. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nick Iwanyshyn
Former Canadian Football League wide receiver Josh Boden arrives at British Columbia Provincial Court for sentencing on two sexual assault convictions in Vancouver, B.C., on July 26, 2012. Boden is scheduled to be sentenced today for the murder of a woman in 2009. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

UPDATED: Former CFL wide receiver’s sentencing rescheduled in B.C. for 2009 murder

Joshua Boden played for the B.C. Lions in 2007 but was released by the team in 2008

Former Canadian Football League wide receiver Josh Boden arrives at British Columbia Provincial Court for sentencing on two sexual assault convictions in Vancouver, B.C., on July 26, 2012. Boden is scheduled to be sentenced today for the murder of a woman in 2009. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Edmonton Oilers winger Evander Kane skates amongst hats thrown onto the ice after his hat-trick during second period NHL second round playoff hockey action against the Calgary Flames in Edmonton, Sunday, May 22, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh

Kane nets hat trick as Oilers thump Flames 4-1 to take 2-1 playoff series lead

Connor McDavid has three assists for Edmonton in key win

Edmonton Oilers winger Evander Kane skates amongst hats thrown onto the ice after his hat-trick during second period NHL second round playoff hockey action against the Calgary Flames in Edmonton, Sunday, May 22, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh
Edmonton Oilers goalie Mike Smith, left, lets in a goal as Calgary Flames forward Elias Lindholm looks on during first period NHL second round playoff hockey action in Calgary, Alta., Friday, May 20, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh

Flames looking for ‘foundation’ after Game 2 loss: ‘We’re playing into their hands’

Calgary could be in big trouble against its high-flying provincial rival

Edmonton Oilers goalie Mike Smith, left, lets in a goal as Calgary Flames forward Elias Lindholm looks on during first period NHL second round playoff hockey action in Calgary, Alta., Friday, May 20, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh
Chloe Primerano was drafted into the Western Hockey League by the Vancouver Giants on Thursday, May 19, 2022. (Jamison Derksen/Vancouver Giants)<strong> </strong>

Vancouver Giants select first-ever female skater in WHL prospects draft

Burnaby Winter Club player Chloe Primerano tabbed in Round 13

Chloe Primerano was drafted into the Western Hockey League by the Vancouver Giants on Thursday, May 19, 2022. (Jamison Derksen/Vancouver Giants)<strong> </strong>
Calgary Flames forward Brett Ritchie, centre, celebrates his goal with teammates centre Trevor Lewis (22) and left wing Milan Lucic (17) during first period NHL second round playoff hockey action against the Calgary Flames in Calgary, Wednesday, May 18, 2022.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh

Flames torch Oilers 9-6 in wild start to Battle of Alberta series

Tkachuk scores 3 for Calgary; Game 2 goes Friday night

Calgary Flames forward Brett Ritchie, centre, celebrates his goal with teammates centre Trevor Lewis (22) and left wing Milan Lucic (17) during first period NHL second round playoff hockey action against the Calgary Flames in Calgary, Wednesday, May 18, 2022.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh
Members of Canada’s national soccer team celebrate after clinching a berth in CONCACAF World Cup Qualifier soccer action against Jamaica in Toronto on Sunday March 27, 2022 THE CANADIAN PRESS/Frank Gunn

PM says inviting Iran to Vancouver soccer friendly is not “a very good idea”

Some call match slap in the face to Canadians who died on Ukraine International Airlines Flight 752

Members of Canada’s national soccer team celebrate after clinching a berth in CONCACAF World Cup Qualifier soccer action against Jamaica in Toronto on Sunday March 27, 2022 THE CANADIAN PRESS/Frank Gunn
Toronto Maple Leafs right wing Mitchell Marner (16) looks towards the scoreboard after a penalty call goes against the Maple Leafs during first period NHL first-round playoff series action against the Tampa Bay Lightning in Toronto on Tuesday, May 10, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette

Leaf star Mitch Marner’s SUV stolen in armed carjacking in Toronto

Black Range Rover was taken outside a movie theatre

Toronto Maple Leafs right wing Mitchell Marner (16) looks towards the scoreboard after a penalty call goes against the Maple Leafs during first period NHL first-round playoff series action against the Tampa Bay Lightning in Toronto on Tuesday, May 10, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette
Calgary Mayor Jyoti Gondek, Coun. Dan McLean, Coun. Peter Demong and Coun. Evan Spencer (left to right) pose at Calgary City Hall on Monday, May 16, 2022. Gondek announced a friendly wager between the Calgary and Edmonton city councils for the upcoming Battle of Alberta NHL series between the Calgary Flames and the Edmonton Oilers. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Colette Derworiz

Calgary and Edmonton city councils make friendly wager on NHL playoffs

Top Canadian soccer players also wade in on Battle of Alberta

Calgary Mayor Jyoti Gondek, Coun. Dan McLean, Coun. Peter Demong and Coun. Evan Spencer (left to right) pose at Calgary City Hall on Monday, May 16, 2022. Gondek announced a friendly wager between the Calgary and Edmonton city councils for the upcoming Battle of Alberta NHL series between the Calgary Flames and the Edmonton Oilers. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Colette Derworiz
Calgary Flames forward Matthew Tkachuk, right, celebrates his goal with teammates during second period NHL playoff hockey action against the Dallas Stars in Calgary, Alta., Sunday, May 15, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh

Flames eliminate Stars in 7 games to set up NHL’s Battle of Alberta

Gaudreau scores OT winner in 3-2 Calgary victory

Calgary Flames forward Matthew Tkachuk, right, celebrates his goal with teammates during second period NHL playoff hockey action against the Dallas Stars in Calgary, Alta., Sunday, May 15, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh
Tampa Bay Lightning forward Nicholas Paul (20) celebrates his second goal of the game against the Toronto Maple Leafs during second period, first round, game seven NHL Stanley Cup playoff hockey action in Toronto on Saturday, May 14, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette

Lightning down Leafs in Game 7 as Toronto endures more playoff heartbreak

‘It stings, it hurts, it’s disappointing’: Leafs captain

Tampa Bay Lightning forward Nicholas Paul (20) celebrates his second goal of the game against the Toronto Maple Leafs during second period, first round, game seven NHL Stanley Cup playoff hockey action in Toronto on Saturday, May 14, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette
Vancouver Canucks head coach Bruce Boudreau smiles as he attends a news conference in Vancouver, on Dec. 6, 2021. Boudreau will return as the Canucks head coach next season after helping to turn the struggling NHL club around as a mid-season replacement. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward

There it is Vancouver: Boudreau will be back to coach Canucks

Boudreau coached his 1,000th regular-season game in January

Vancouver Canucks head coach Bruce Boudreau smiles as he attends a news conference in Vancouver, on Dec. 6, 2021. Boudreau will return as the Canucks head coach next season after helping to turn the struggling NHL club around as a mid-season replacement. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward
Canada’s assistant coach Kori Cheverie’s ascension coupled with the growing number of women entering pro hockey management and developmental roles has rapidly sped the timetable on when — not if — there will be a woman working behind an NHL bench. (Photo by Dave Holland/Hockey Canada Images)

NHL closing in on seeing its first female coach

The league’s female hockey-related ranks have increased to nearly 30, 5 team presidents are women

Canada’s assistant coach Kori Cheverie’s ascension coupled with the growing number of women entering pro hockey management and developmental roles has rapidly sped the timetable on when — not if — there will be a woman working behind an NHL bench. (Photo by Dave Holland/Hockey Canada Images)
Edmonton Oilers centre Connor McDavid, left, and Los Angeles Kings defenceman Mikey Anderson battle during the first period in Game 6 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series Thursday, May 12, 2022, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Pair of Canadian clubs see NHL playoff matchups extended to Game 7

Edmonton-L.A. and Toronto-Tampa Bay series go the distance

Edmonton Oilers centre Connor McDavid, left, and Los Angeles Kings defenceman Mikey Anderson battle during the first period in Game 6 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series Thursday, May 12, 2022, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)