Sports in Canadian culture

[Djeffery]

Originally Posted by elly63

Reading about the Canadian Open in another thread, I harkened back to my younger years and recalled that the Open always seemed to be at the wrong time of the year (never during the nice summer days) or so it seemed. It always seemed to be raining and a nobody would win it.

So I see an interesting story title of legendary caddie injured at the Open. I come to find out it was raining and a first time tour winner won it. As for the caddie he was an old guy who fell and was replaced by a fat guy out of the stands. I guess fans can become caddies.

Good thing the guy wasn't black.

[Airboy]

It is not being mentioned on MSM but Derek Gee from Ottawa is sitting 9th in the GC of the Tour De France

[Airboy]

Quebec Rider Clara Emond won stage 4 of the Giro d'Italia Womens race the other day.

And Dereck Gee is still in 9th Place in the TdF

[elly63]

Just ran across this from 1978. This was a big event in my youth.

Some of the guys he beat (aside from the Australians) were among the world's best and Olympic Gold Medalists: David Wilkie and Duncan Goodhew.

His shot at Olympic glory fell through with the 1980 boycott (he did get a silver medal in the relay in 1976).

The shot at 6:19 was iconic and seen everywhere on Canadian TV.

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[SteelTown]

Hamilton is getting an AHL team

OVG's FirstOntario Centre renovation includes 10 novel floor suites

https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Ar...ontario-centre-renovation-oak-view-group

Oak View Group’s renovation of FirstOntario Centre in Hamilton, Ontario, will include 10 floor suites, a unique premium offering combining bunker suite privacy with direct visual access to the seating bowl and the event taking place. OVG is paying for the $280M renovation of the city-owned building and will operate it when it reopens in late 2025. The floor suites -- 10 in a row on one side of the building, each with capacity for 12 to 16 people -- are part of 21 suites in the 18,000-capacity arena.

“It’s the right size from a suite perspective in the market,” OVG Canada President Tom Pistore said. The goal, with architects Brisbane Brook Beynon (BBB), was to “not to overbuild suites,” Pistore said. “And when you do build them, make them really interesting and exciting.”

EllisDon is building the renovation, which broke ground in May. FirstOntario Centre’s design and existence is heavily focused on live music and entertainment, but Pistore said the venue will have at least one, maybe two, minor league pro sports tenants. OVG is in conversations with the American Hockey League about a new team in Hamilton, with an announcement expected early next year, Pistore said. For hockey games, the arena will feature seating on the glass, with a walkway for ingress/egress behind those seats, and the new floor suites behind the walkway, creating essentially floor seats that are slightly elevated.

[elly63]

WTF? What kind of Big Brother doublespeak is that?

Tyler Myles is the only other from Skate Canada to have been suspended, with the coach currently ruled to have permanent ineligibility for "Boundary Transgressions, Interference with or Manipulation of Process, Physical Maltreatment, Sexual Maltreatment."

[elly63]

Originally Posted by elly63

This podcast is a good listen.

As an aside, a hundred years ago, I had done a small favour for Bill Vigars and in return he told me he would get me a walk on part on Night Heat the TV show for which he was doing publicity. I never did take him up on it. Good guy.

The amazing story of Terry Fox you haven’t heard: Full Comment podcast
A new book by Bill Vigars shares never-before-told stories of Fox's life
Postmedia News August 28, 2023

‘I’ll make sure you live forever': Bill Vigars, the publicist responsible for promoting Terry Fox’s Marathon of Hope passes away

[megadude]

If Canada was not going to win the gold at the WJC this year then I'm glad they got embarrassed the way they did. I very loosely follow the CHL. And I casually followed the news of the invites and selection camp. Lots of head scratching by pundits as to why they not only didn't select some big offensive names but didn't even invite them. Like guys leading their conference in scoring and a bunch of guys that were drafted in the first round in the NHL. Basically, they got cute and said we're looking for a balance of skill and grit and whatever. I mean, you do need some balance, but everyone said they went overboard with what they did and it sure looked that way after all was said and done.

I hate the old boys club that is hockey and other major sports where it's the same pool of stubborn old guys that think they're the smartest guys in the room. How about you stop over thinking things and remember that it's a game?

The same thing happened for the 2006 Olympics where they were playing on the big ice and they left off some serious talent that would have been suitable for the international surface. Big ups to Gretz for admitting he was wrong with the selections afterwards.

Now, having said all this, I haven't heard anyone talk about what the US did with their selections. I wonder if they did take their best talent and that's what won them the tournament.

[elly63]

I have seen the future

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[elly63]

Ironically, I had forgotten the last post in this thread was about figure skating. This is off topic as I couldn't find anywhere to post it.

There is a possibility the Washington air accident could be a repeat of the tragic Sabena flight 548 air crash of 1961 that crashed on approach to Brussels airport decimating the US figure skating team. They were en route to the World Championships in Prague which were subsequently cancelled.

Very early rumours/reports say that several skaters were at a development camp.

"These athletes, coaches, and family members were returning home from the National Development Camp held in conjunction with the U.S. Figure Skating Championships in Wichita, Kansas," the organization said.

Another source has said

Russian ice skating coaches and former world champions Yevgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov were on board the American Airlines plane that crashed into the Potomac River in Washington on Wednesday night, Russian state media reported.

Shishkova and Naumov, who were married to each other, won the world championships in pairs figure skating in 1994 and had reportedly lived in the United States since at least 1998, where they trained young ice skaters.

Their son Maxim, who competed for the United States in singles, was also feared to have been on board the plane, Russia's TASS and RIA news agencies reported. He had been competing at the U.S. figure skating championships in Wichita, Kansas from Jan. 20-26, according to the event's website.

The couple were reported to have been returning from the competition and travelling with a group of young skaters. Russia's Mash news outlet published a list of 13 skaters, many of them the children of Russian emigres to the United States, who it said were believed to have been on the plane.

Inna Volyanskaya, a former skater who competed for the Soviet Union, was also reported to have been on board, TASS said. She was a coach at the Washington figure skating club, according to its website.

[elly63]

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[elly63]

NY Giants continue their tradition of inviting Canadian college players to camp

Sources: New York Giants invite Canadians Erik Andersen, John Ojo to NFL rookie mini-camp
Justin Dunk 3downnation.com April 27, 2025

The New York Giants have invited Canadian offensive lineman Erik Andersen and Canadian defensive lineman John Ojo to rookie mini-camp, per sources.

Andersen played 38 games over his collegiate career at Western University, earning two first-team All-Canadian selections. In 2024, he was the OUA’s nominee for the J. P. Metras Trophy, which is given annually to the top lineman in U Sports football.

The native of London, Ont. attended the University at Buffalo pro day, where he ran an unofficial 5.30-second forty-yard dash and performed 17 reps of 225 pounds on the bench press. He also attended the CFL Combine, where he measured in at six-foot-six and 314 pounds.

Ojo made 17 tackles for loss and 14.5 sacks over 24 collegiate regular-season games at the Université de Montréal, earning back-to-back first-team All-Canadian selections.

The 24-year-old was a standout at the CFL Combine in Regina, where he ran a 4.59-second forty-yard dash at six-foot-two and 246 pounds. He also did 25 reps of 225 pounds on the bench press and leaped a 35-inch vertical jump.

According to John Hodge’s most recent CFL mock draft for 3DownNation, both players projected as second-round picks.

[elly63]

Originally Posted by elly63

NY Giants continue their tradition of inviting Canadian college players to camp

As do another Canadian college friendly NFL team

Sources: Canadian LB Devin Veresuk accepts invite to Indianapolis Colts rookie mini-camp
Justin Dunk 3downnation.com April 27, 2025

Canadian linebacker Devin Veresuk has accepted an invitation to Indianapolis Colts rookie mini-camp, per sources.

The Windsor, Ont. native put himself on the NFL’s radar with a sensational performance at the University at Buffalo’s pro day, where he ran a 4.47-second forty-yard dash. He also recorded a 4.47-second short shuttle, 7.19-second three-cone drill, and repped 225 pounds on the bench press 27 times.

Veresuk would have ranked first at the 2025 NFL Combine among linebackers on the bench press, second in the 40, fourth in the broad jump, fifth in the three-cone drill, sixth in the short shuttle, and tied for sixth in the vertical. The mechanical engineering major has an elite athletic profile.

Five NFL teams met with him individually after his performance at the Murchie Family Fieldhouse on the University at Buffalo campus.

The six-foot-two, 232-pound defender played 22 collegiate games at the University of Windsor, recording 160 total tackles, 14 tackles for loss, nine sacks, five pass knockdowns, two forced fumbles, and one interception returned for a touchdown. In 2024, he was named an OUA all-star.

Veresuk went unselected in the recent 2025 NFL Draft. According to John Hodge’s latest CFL mock draft for 3DownNation, he is projected to be a second-round pick on Tuesday, April 29.

[elly63]

Landmark signing: Green Bay Packers sign Wilfrid Laurier QB Taylor Elgersma to NFL contract
Justin Dunk 3downnation.com May 12, 2025

The Green Bay Packers have signed Canadian quarterback Taylor Elgersma, per sources.

Elgersma becomes the fourth Canadian university QB to sign with an NFL team. Jamie Bone signed with the Dallas Cowboys in 1980, Dan Feraday signed with the Cincinnati Bengals in 1982 and Steve Samways inked a deal with the same team in 1987.

The 23-year-old was in Green Bay from Thursday, May 1 through Saturday, May 3 for rookie mini-camp with the team. He then returned to Wisconsin for follow-up interviews on Saturday, May 10 through Sunday, May 11 and officially put pen to paper on Monday, May 12.

The Packers brought him in for a top 30 visit in April, sent a scout to his pro day in March and passing game coordinator Jason Vrable saw him live at the Senior Bowl. In fact, Vrable was the offensive coordinator for the National team and installed elements from Green Bay’s offence for Elgersma to run in practice and the game.

The London, Ont. native made an impression on Packers’ head coach Matt LaFleur. He was raved about Elgersma’s “live arm” plus his traits, approach to learning the NFL game and attitude towards improving. The 45-year-old bench boss noted significant strides he’s made since the Senior Bowl in February.

“Very grateful that Taylor signed an NFL contract with the Packers,” his agents Craig Schaeffer and Fred Weinrauch said. “He was fortunate that he had more than a handful of choices of teams who wanted to him, but he loved his 30 visit in Green Bay and the culture of development under Coach LaFleur, Coach Mannion, and Coach Vrable. He’s excited to get to work and win a job!”

Elgersma completed 73.5 percent of his passes for 4,011 yards with 34 touchdowns against 10 interceptions while carrying the football 40 times for 223 yards and six scores in his senior year with Wilfrid Laurier University last season. He produced an 11-1 win-loss record and led Laurier to a Vanier Cup appearance. Those efforts earned him the Hec Crighton Trophy as the top player in U Sports football, Canada’s equivalent to the Heisman Trophy (really Justin?).

Over four years with the Golden Hawks, Elgersma completed 72 percent of his passes for 10,230 yards, 76 touchdowns versus 28 interceptions in 39 games. He rushed 122 times for 572 yards, averaging 4.7 per carry, and 18 touchdowns. In the past two seasons, the London, ON native was named the Ontario University Athletics Conference’s Most Valuable Player, earning first-team All-Canadian honours in 2024 and a second-team selection in 2023.

The six-foot-five, 227-pound QB native joins franchise man Jordan Love, backup Malik Willis and third-stringer Sean Clifford as quarterbacks currently on Green Bay’s roster.

[elly63]

The guy can't stop making news

Canadian QB Taylor Elgersma wins home-run derby, scores final run at Green Bay Packers’ charity softball game hosted by Jordan Love
3Down Staff May 24, 2025

Taylor Elgersma only signed with the Green Bay Packers two weeks ago but he’s already leading their offence to victory — at least on the diamond.

The rookie Canadian quarterback was the star of the show at the team’s annual charity softball game on Friday, which was held in support of the Hands of Love Foundation. Elgersma hit six dingers in the home-run derby to snatch the crown away from backup QB Malik Willis and franchise pivot Jordan Love, who was also the event’s host. He then added an RBI double with the bases loaded and a solo homer late to help the offence secure a 6-4 win over the defence in the showcase game

[elly63]

How Taylor Elgersma could make the Packers

Canadian QB Taylor Elgersma is eligible for Green Bay’s international exemption

One interesting roster mechanic to track for the Green Bay Packers this offseason is what the team will ultimately do with Canadian quarterback Taylor Elgersma. A former U Sports athlete, Elgersma is eligible to be the team’s exempt/international player, which each NFL squad is granted one spot for each season. Essentially, teams are allowed to carry a 90-man offseason roster plus one roster exemption until cutdowns, and then they are allowed to have a 16-man practice squad with one international roster exemption during the season.

At the moment, the Packers’ exemption is kicker Alex Hale, who played at Oklahoma State after growing up in Australia. International exemption players are allowed to have played college football in the States, so long as they only spent two or fewer seasons in America at the prep level. For example, former second-round edge rusher David Ojabo, who played at the University of Michigan, was recently designated as the Baltimore Ravens ’ international exemption player, despite having played 13 games for the Ravens in the 2024 regular season. Ojabo was born in Nigeria and lived in Scotland before moving to America at 17 years old.

So if the Packers ever want to move on from Hale, who won’t be pushing Brandon McManus at the place kicker position anytime soon following McManus’ three-year contract extension, then a release of Hale will not need to come with a corresponding signing of an international player. Instead, Green Bay can choose to place their international exemption on Elgersma, allowing them to sign an American to their 90-man roster this summer.

This should also ring alarm bells for those in Sean Clifford’s camp. With Malik Willis the likely backup to Jordan Love, Clifford, a 2023 draft pick, is going to have to perform well in training camp to even earn a practice squad position. As mentioned previously, Elgersma would essentially be a free roll on the practice squad if he receives the international exemption, because he wouldn’t count against the traditional 16-man practice squad — unlike Clifford. So, unless Elgersma is far behind Clifford in camp, the value that he could bring from a roster mechanic standpoint could very well be the edge in the decision to keep either him or Clifford on the practice squad in 2025.

[elly63]

All five players acquitted in Hockey Canada sexual assault trial
Justice Maria Carroccia said she didn't believe the complainant in the case against the players and that the Crown hadn't proven its case.
Jane Sims Calgary Sun July 24, 2025

...

Hart’s lawyer, Megan Savard, said the verdicts were “no surprise” to the defence team, suggesting that the public narrative was “one-sided and untested” and that the trial shouldn’t have even taken place.

“To anyone who is surprised or angered by today’s outcome, it is the direct result of the media’s ongoing failure to publicize the weaknesses in the prosecution’s case,” she said.

Foote’s lawyer, Julianna Greenspan, said her client “never lost faith that justice would be done, despite the clamor of external pressures and agendas outside the courthouse doors. Criminal investigations and the trial process must always be free from these influences.”

In a prepared emailed statement, Formenton’s lawyers, Daniel Brown and Hilary Dudding, said their client watched his hockey career come “to a screeching halt” and he has since lived “under a dark cloud.” They said the London police got it right in the first investigation, but political and media pressure brought it back.

[megadude]

Victoria Mboko winning the Canadian Open might be one of the top 10 Canadian sporting stories of all time. Came out of absolutely nowhere and took out four grand slam champs, including one of her idols in the final. All on home soil in a stadium she had been to many times before growing up.

That's twice since 2019 on the women's side with Bianca doing it before. Had Nick Taylor win the Canadian Open in golf two years ago.

We went how long in golf and tennis without a home grown winner and now we might just have to grow accustomed to it.

Plus the women's soccer team has been bringing home medals. Men's team is the real deal. The basketball team got a medal at the WC and one of members of that team just won MVP and a ring. Three years ago the men's tennis team won the Davis Cup.

Canada on a roll right now.

Oh, and Summer McIntosh just kicked some ass at the swimming WC.

[elly63]

Speaking of golf, not sure why but I've been on a Moe Norman kick lately.

There was supposed to be a movie made about his life "The Place I Belong: The Moe Norman Story" but it seems delayed or cancelled. It was to be helmed by Bruce Beresford: Tender Mercies, Driving Miss Daisy

ESPN
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The Fifth Estate
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[niwell]

How is the last post here not about Vicky Mboko? Went from unranked to winning the national bank open in Montreal yesterday. It was a great match - she outplayed Osaka after the first set handily. Technically born in the US but been in the GTA since she was 2 months old. Great stuff.

Edit: I somehow missed megadudes post above in between all the videos. Concur with all of it.