Sports

<div>Canada’s new sports minister says she’s not ready to laud Hockey Canada on its efforts to change its culture and the culture of the sport. Minister of Sport and Physical Activity, Carla Qualtrough speaks to the media at Canada’s practice session at the Women’s World Cup in Melbourne, Australia, Sunday, July 30, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Victoria Adkins</div>

Hockey Canada still needs more culture change: sports minister

Carla Qualtrough says kids at risk and officials need to do better

<div>Canada’s new sports minister says she’s not ready to laud Hockey Canada on its efforts to change its culture and the culture of the sport. Minister of Sport and Physical Activity, Carla Qualtrough speaks to the media at Canada’s practice session at the Women’s World Cup in Melbourne, Australia, Sunday, July 30, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Victoria Adkins</div>
FILE - Spain’s Jennifer Hermoso reacts after missing a scoring chance during the Women’s World Cup Group C soccer match between Japan and Spain in Wellington, New Zealand, Monday, July 31, 2023. Spanish state prosecutors say soccer player Jenni Hermoso has accused Luis Rubiales of sexual assault for kissing her on the lips without her consent after the Women’s World Cup final. (AP Photo/John Cowpland, File)

World Cup soccer kiss could lead to Spanish sexual assault charge

Prosecutors want Luis Rubiales charged for kissing player Jenni Hermoso during awards ceremony

FILE - Spain’s Jennifer Hermoso reacts after missing a scoring chance during the Women’s World Cup Group C soccer match between Japan and Spain in Wellington, New Zealand, Monday, July 31, 2023. Spanish state prosecutors say soccer player Jenni Hermoso has accused Luis Rubiales of sexual assault for kissing her on the lips without her consent after the Women’s World Cup final. (AP Photo/John Cowpland, File)
Victoria Pros, with Lester Patrick, back row, second from the left, in the Patrick Arena in Oak Bay, circa 1913. (Craig Bowlsby Collection - Black Press file)

B.C.’s last Stanley Cup win among 5 defining moments in sports history

Hall highlights Island athletes Silken Laumann, Simon Whitfield, Steve Nash and Michelle Stilwell

Victoria Pros, with Lester Patrick, back row, second from the left, in the Patrick Arena in Oak Bay, circa 1913. (Craig Bowlsby Collection - Black Press file)
Alexanne Lepage on top of the podium after winning gold in the 100 metre breaststroke race at the 2023 World Junior Swimming Championships, held in Netanya, Israel. (Contributed)

Vernon swimmer roars to gold at World Juniors in Israel

Alexanne Lepage beat championship record holder Eneli Jefimova for gold in the 100 m breaststroke

Alexanne Lepage on top of the podium after winning gold in the 100 metre breaststroke race at the 2023 World Junior Swimming Championships, held in Netanya, Israel. (Contributed)
Alexanne Lepage on top of the podium after winning gold in the 100 metre breaststroke race at the 2023 World Junior Swimming Championships, held in Netanya, Israel. (Contributed)

Vernon swimmer roars to gold at World Juniors in Israel

Alexanne Lepage beat championship record holder Eneli Jefimova for gold in the 100 m breaststroke

Alexanne Lepage on top of the podium after winning gold in the 100 metre breaststroke race at the 2023 World Junior Swimming Championships, held in Netanya, Israel. (Contributed)
Decorated ice dance duo Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir are among the 2023 inductees into Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame. The Ice dance gold medallists hold up the Canadian flag during victory ceremonies at the Pyeongchang Winter Olympics Tuesday, February 20, 2018 in Gangneung, South Korea. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Paul Chiasson

Virtue and Moir ice dance their way into Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame

2023 class also includes Randy Ferbey’s curling team and wheelchair basketball player Danielle Peers

Decorated ice dance duo Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir are among the 2023 inductees into Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame. The Ice dance gold medallists hold up the Canadian flag during victory ceremonies at the Pyeongchang Winter Olympics Tuesday, February 20, 2018 in Gangneung, South Korea. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Paul Chiasson
Izabella Marshall, with her dad Jody, after winning on June 17 the junior dragsters Division Six competition at the Mission Speedway in the Fraser Valley. (Contributed)

The art of drag racing, with 12-year-old Vernon phenom

Izabella Marshall has already sped to accolades on the junior dragster circuit

Izabella Marshall, with her dad Jody, after winning on June 17 the junior dragsters Division Six competition at the Mission Speedway in the Fraser Valley. (Contributed)
Edmonton Elks defensive lineman Jake Ceresna, left, looks on as Calgary Stampeders quarterback Jake Maier throws the ball during second half CFL football action in Calgary, Alta., Monday, Sept. 4, 2023. The CFL Players’ Association says Occupational Health and Safety in Alberta is investigating the CFL’s decision to play the Edmonton Elks-Calgary Stampeders game Monday despite smoky conditions in Calgary. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh

CFL players file complaint over smoky air during Calgary game

Policy states on-field activities should cease when air-quality rating exceeds 7

Edmonton Elks defensive lineman Jake Ceresna, left, looks on as Calgary Stampeders quarterback Jake Maier throws the ball during second half CFL football action in Calgary, Alta., Monday, Sept. 4, 2023. The CFL Players’ Association says Occupational Health and Safety in Alberta is investigating the CFL’s decision to play the Edmonton Elks-Calgary Stampeders game Monday despite smoky conditions in Calgary. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh
NHL players Tyson Barrie and Tyler Ennis were all smiles as they played ball hockey with local kids in Ty-Histanis on Aug. 17. (Andrew Bailey photo)

NHL players promote potential multiplex in Tofino-Ucluelet region

Tyson Barrie, Mike Smith, Tyler Ennis and more join West Coast Multiplex Society push in Ty-Histanis

NHL players Tyson Barrie and Tyler Ennis were all smiles as they played ball hockey with local kids in Ty-Histanis on Aug. 17. (Andrew Bailey photo)
Lions running back Smoke Mizzell celebrates his seven-yard touchdown run with teammates Keon Hatcher (left) and Jevon Cottoy (right). The touchdown sealed the Lions 34-25 win against the Alouettes in Montreal on Friday. Photo by Steven Chang

THE MOJ: Victory over Als the right win at the right time for B.C.

Effort flushes concerns Lions headed for a tailspin, puts them in good shape for stretch drive

Lions running back Smoke Mizzell celebrates his seven-yard touchdown run with teammates Keon Hatcher (left) and Jevon Cottoy (right). The touchdown sealed the Lions 34-25 win against the Alouettes in Montreal on Friday. Photo by Steven Chang
B.C. Lions quarterback Vernon Adams Jr. (3) is pursued by Montreal Alouettes’ Mustafa Johnson (94) during first half CFL football action in Montreal, Saturday, September 2, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graham Hughes

Adams, Hollins lead B.C. Lions to 34-25 CFL win over Montreal

QB tosses 3 touchdowns as Leos snap 2-game losing streak

B.C. Lions quarterback Vernon Adams Jr. (3) is pursued by Montreal Alouettes’ Mustafa Johnson (94) during first half CFL football action in Montreal, Saturday, September 2, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graham Hughes
Decoy geese sit by a water jump as Cordelia Mansfield of Vancouver rides Rose in the cross-country competition during the Island 22 Horse Trials and B.C. Championships in Chilliwack on Saturday, Sept. 2, 2023. (Jenna Hauck/ Chilliwack Progress)

PHOTOS: Riders from across B.C. compete in Chilliwack equestrian event

Island 22 Horse Trials and B.C. Championships featured dressage, cross-country jumping, show jumping

Decoy geese sit by a water jump as Cordelia Mansfield of Vancouver rides Rose in the cross-country competition during the Island 22 Horse Trials and B.C. Championships in Chilliwack on Saturday, Sept. 2, 2023. (Jenna Hauck/ Chilliwack Progress)
Team Canada’s Ellashani George and her team in the open V6 24km race at the IVF World Distance Outrigger Championships in Samoa earlier this month. (Xavier Keutch Photography)

Young Vancouver Island paddler shines in Samoa at outrigger worlds

From NAIG to the world championships, Cowichan’s Ellashani George has had quite the summer

Team Canada’s Ellashani George and her team in the open V6 24km race at the IVF World Distance Outrigger Championships in Samoa earlier this month. (Xavier Keutch Photography)
Gina Kingsbury is the general manager of the Professional Women’s Hockey League’s team in Toronto. Kingsbury, left, and Colleen Sostorics celebrate with the flag after winning the gold medal ice hockey game against the United States at the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver, B.C., Thursday, Feb. 25, 2010. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld

New Professional Women’s Hockey League unveils its original 6 GMs

League features teams in Minnesota, Boston, New York, Toronto, Montreal and Ottawa

Gina Kingsbury is the general manager of the Professional Women’s Hockey League’s team in Toronto. Kingsbury, left, and Colleen Sostorics celebrate with the flag after winning the gold medal ice hockey game against the United States at the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver, B.C., Thursday, Feb. 25, 2010. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld
Quite possibly the first female position player ever to suit up for a game with in the VIJHL, defender Aurora Kahlert, of Maple Ridge, skated with the Kerry Park Islanders for games on Aug. 26 against the Comox Valley Glacier Kings and Aug. 27 against the Saanich Predators. (Todd Blumel photo)

Aurora Kahlert 1st female position player to skate in VIJHL game

Aurora Kahlert makes hockey history with Kerry Park Islanders

Quite possibly the first female position player ever to suit up for a game with in the VIJHL, defender Aurora Kahlert, of Maple Ridge, skated with the Kerry Park Islanders for games on Aug. 26 against the Comox Valley Glacier Kings and Aug. 27 against the Saanich Predators. (Todd Blumel photo)
Former Lions James Butler scores one of his two touchdowns in helping the Hamilton Tiger-Cats beat the B.C. Lions 30-13 Aug. 26 at BC Place Stadium. Photo Steven Chang, B.C. Lions

THE MOJ: Important the Lions get back on track after Ti-Cat clunker

Weekend match against the Als as must-win as a mid-season game can be

Former Lions James Butler scores one of his two touchdowns in helping the Hamilton Tiger-Cats beat the B.C. Lions 30-13 Aug. 26 at BC Place Stadium. Photo Steven Chang, B.C. Lions
Ben Taylor-Vallance (left) with his dad Jeff Vallance, pose shortly after completing the 54-km Black Spur Ultra Race. Ben, 13, is the youngest-ever finisher of this race. Photo submitted.

Kimberley’s Ben Taylor-Vallance, 13, youngest ever Black Spur Ultra 54-km finisher

Black Spur Ultra race held annually in Kimberley

Ben Taylor-Vallance (left) with his dad Jeff Vallance, pose shortly after completing the 54-km Black Spur Ultra Race. Ben, 13, is the youngest-ever finisher of this race. Photo submitted.
Fishing has been ‘off the charts’ in the Alberni Inlet and Barkley Sound, says Alberni Valley Tyee Club’s Carolyn Jasken. (FACEBOOK PHOTO)

Fish are biting in Alberni Inlet leading up to annual salmon derby

Fishers from all over vying for $10,000 top prize during Labour Day weekend event

Fishing has been ‘off the charts’ in the Alberni Inlet and Barkley Sound, says Alberni Valley Tyee Club’s Carolyn Jasken. (FACEBOOK PHOTO)
Duncan’s Kaliyah St. Amand has helped Langford’s U19 girls softball team to a national title. (Submitted photo)

Vancouver Island pitcher throws perfect game in U19 softball nationals

Duncan’s Kaliyah St. Amand among Langford Lightning’s pitching powerhouses

Duncan’s Kaliyah St. Amand has helped Langford’s U19 girls softball team to a national title. (Submitted photo)
Connor Bedard says he’s not Connor McDavid and wants to carve his own path as a player. Bedard, Chicago Blackhawks first round draft pick, makes his way to the stage during the first round of the NHL hockey draft, in Nashville, Tenn., Wednesday, June 28, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-George Walker IV

Bedard talks McDavid and the challenge of becoming hockey’s next great

Most highly-touted B.C. prospect ever prepares for his first NHL training camp

Connor Bedard says he’s not Connor McDavid and wants to carve his own path as a player. Bedard, Chicago Blackhawks first round draft pick, makes his way to the stage during the first round of the NHL hockey draft, in Nashville, Tenn., Wednesday, June 28, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-George Walker IV