A big weekend for the Halifax Thunderbirds
Clarke Petterson of the Halifax Thunderbirds chats about making it to the semi-finals of the National Lacrosse League for the first time.
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Global News
01-08-2025
- Global News
Veteran snipers Church, Keenan sign 1-year extensions with Saskatchewan Rush
Contract negotiations around Saskatchewan Rush captain Ryan Keenan have been a bit unusual to say the least over the last couple of years, given the man making those decisions at the executive level is his father and team general manager Derek Keenan. This time around, however, it was a bit more streamlined of a process than the last negotiation in 2023. 'We have fun with it to be honest,' said Rush general manager Derek Keenan. 'I think last contract (Ryan) had an agent. He was like, 'Well, I'm going to get an agent.' So this time around I said, 'Why don't you save yourself the money because it's not going to help you, it is what it is.' He didn't have the agent this time around and we were able to come to terms fairly easily.' The Rush have locked up their two biggest free agents this National Lacrosse League off-season, re-signing both Ryan Keenan and the franchise's all-time leading goal scorer Robert Church to one-year contract extensions as announced on Thursday. Story continues below advertisement For the club's GM, it was his biggest item to check off his list this summer and he is excited to see two of his longest-serving players back at SaskTel Centre for the 2025-26 season. 'You just don't replace those guys either through free agency or the draft,' said Keenan. 'Certainly a great appreciation from me to them in terms of they didn't test free agency, that made it a little better for us. With not only their abilities but their leadership, I think is really important with our young group.' The duo of Keenan and Church are among four players who last won an NLL title with the Rush back in 2018 and helped lead the team back to the championship series this past spring, where they'd push the Buffalo Bandits to three games before settling as runner-ups. Get breaking National news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy It was a breakout season for Saskatchewan making their return to NLL playoffs for the first time in six years, while the duo led a group of young forwards including Brock Haley, Josh Zawada and Levi Anderson to a post-season run which electrified the province. 'Those two are part of our last (championship) and have grown as leaders over the years,' said Keenan. 'They certainly bring a calming influence to a fairly young group of guys who hadn't be there before and it was a learning process for the team. 'It took a couple of years, but I think we're certainly heading in the right direction and having those two on board for the upcoming season is real important for us.' Story continues below advertisement 2:04 Saskatchewan Rush reflect on breakout 2025 season, run to NLL finals Last season, Church moved into sole possession for goals scored as a member of the Saskatchewan Rush franchise and finished his year with 33 goals and 73 points in 14 regular season games, before adding 26 points in the post-season. As for Keenan, the Rush's captain, he contributed 26 goals and 73 points in 18 regular season games and posted 17 points in Saskatchewan's run to the NLL Finals. According to the elder Keenan, there was a push from the team perspective to sign the pair to a multi-year extension, but current negotiations between the NLL and the league's players association over a new collective bargaining agreement for the 2025-26 season has complicated things. 'I'm pretty happy to have them back for the one year,' said Keenan. 'We would have liked to do more of an extension to be honest, but there's a lot of uncertainty with the new collective (bargaining) agreement and how it's going to look. So one year (extensions) made sense for everybody.' Story continues below advertisement When asked if there is any worry about the start to the 2025-26 season being pushed back due to the ongoing negotiations, Keenan said it was likely 'too early' to speculate. Along with locking up his two veteran forwards, Keenan will also be returning to the Saskatchewan bench this winter as he's coming off signing a two-year contract extension to remain co-head coach and general manager with an option in the second year. 'I've been trying to retire now for about seven years,' said Keenan. 'I just still really enjoy it, the new group that we have are kind of re-energizing me. They're fun to be around, they're a great group to see every weekend because of how hard they work. When I talked it wasn't that hard of a decision, a few years ago it was but now I really enjoy it and I'm happy to be back.' One unrestricted free agent remains for Saskatchewan to sign in defenceman Adam Jay, before the NLL's free agency window opens on Aug. 15.
Toronto Sun
30-07-2025
- Toronto Sun
Buffalo Sabres home arena to remain KeyBank Center after reaching 10-year naming rights extension
Published Jul 30, 2025 • 1 minute read The rink at KeyBank Center is viewed before an NHL hockey game between the Boston Bruins and the Buffalo Sabres, Oct. 22, 2021, in Buffalo, N.Y. Photo by Joshua Bessex / AP The Buffalo Sabres' home arena will continue being called the KeyBank Center after the two sides announced a 10-year naming rights extension on Wednesday. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account The new deal will kick in next year and run through 2035-36. The Cleveland-based bank has a large regional presence in Buffalo, and took over the downtown arena's naming rights after acquiring First Niagara Bank in 2016. As part of the extension, the bank's name will be featured on the Sabres' helmets for away games starting this season. The arena is undergoing a series of long-needed renovations since first opening in 1996. Last year, the Sabres replaced the roof and installed a new video scoreboard over center ice. The next series of renovations are expected to address upgrading the seats and fan amenities. The Sabres' control the building, which is also home to the three-time defending National Lacrosse League champion Bandits, and have placed an emphasis on adding more events since Pete Guelli took over as the team's chief operating officer last year. In November, the arena will host one of Paul McCartney's 20 North American tour stops, as well as host a pre-Olympic U.S. vs. Canada women's hockey Rivalry Series game. The Sabres, meanwhile, have been struggling on the ice with the team in the midst of an NHL-record 14-season playoff drought. MLB Ontario Toronto & GTA Wrestling Toronto & GTA
Winnipeg Free Press
30-07-2025
- Winnipeg Free Press
Buffalo Sabres home arena to remain KeyBank Center after reaching 10-year naming rights extension
BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) — The Buffalo Sabres' home arena will continue being called the KeyBank Center after the two sides announced a 10-year naming rights extension on Wednesday. The new deal will kick in next year and run through 2035-36. The Cleveland-based bank has a large regional presence in Buffalo, and took over the downtown arena's naming rights after acquiring First Niagara Bank in 2016. As part of the extension, the bank's name will be featured on the Sabres' helmets for away games starting this season. The arena is undergoing a series of long-needed renovations since first opening in 1996. Last year, the Sabres replaced the roof and installed a new video scoreboard over center ice. The next series of renovations are expected to address upgrading the seats and fan amenities. The Sabres' control the building, which is also home to the three-time defending National Lacrosse League champion Bandits, and have placed an emphasis on adding more events since Pete Guelli took over as the team's chief operating officer last year. In November, the arena will host one of Paul McCartney's 20 North American tour stops, as well as host a pre-Olympic U.S. vs. Canada women's hockey Rivalry Series game. The Sabres, meanwhile, have been struggling on the ice with the team in the midst of an NHL-record 14-season playoff drought. Thursdays Keep up to date on sports with Mike McIntyre's weekly newsletter. ___ AP NHL:
