Michael Jay, fox, declared as the official mascot of the 2026 Arctic Winter Games
The fox is based on a character from the TV series Northern Tales. A spokesperson said he represents the playfulness, courage and heart of the Arctic Winter Games. The mascot will be touring the Yukon leading up to the March 2026 games in Whitehorse.
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37 minutes ago
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The world's biggest Call of Duty tournament is happening in Ontario, and it's 'a huge deal'
For the first time ever, the Call of Duty League World Championship is being held outside the United States, and it's happening in Kitchener, Ont. Eight teams will battle it out in a first-person shooter game that throws players into military-style combat for a $2-million U.S. prize pool Thursday to Sunday. The event is being hosted at The Kitchener Memorial Auditorium, otherwise known as The Aud — a venue more used to holding OHL games than high-stakes gaming. But organizers say the move up north is no accident. "We're going to transform it and show the world that The Aud is unstoppable," said Neil Duffy, chief commercial officer for OverActive Media, the Toronto-based group behind the tournament's host team, Toronto Ultra. The Call of Duty Championship has previously been held in cities like Los Angeles, Dallas and Las Vegas — so why now Kitchener? Allister Scorgie, director of sport hosting for Explore Waterloo Region, said planning for it "was a long road." "We've been working with a dedicated focus on making Waterloo region an esports destination for about four or five years," he said. Scorgie said it came down to a combination of preparation and affordability. "Venue readiness was a big part of it," he said. "Even though we haven't hosted a big event like this before, [The Aud's team] was prepared and seasoned to know what to expect." Duffy said Scorgie and his team were key to Kitchener securing the tournament. "This event wouldn't be able to take place without the Explore Waterloo Region folks," Duffy said. "We're building something very ambitious here by making an event of this size and scale, and they've been with us lockstep," Duffy added. He said that OverActive could have chosen to host the event in Toronto, but when Kitchener came up as an option, he said, "listen, it's 60 minutes from Pearson airport. The hotels are much more affordable. There's great food and beverage options, and there's a venue that's as good as any in the country." Scorgie says the economic impact of the tournament is expected to land between $12 and $14 million in new visitor spending, with fans and production staff traveling from across North America and beyond. "That can break down into things like the amount of money that's spent on booking hotel rooms at restaurants, bars, pubs, transportation like car rentals, even the money that someone spends at a gas station locally," he said. "It also includes what the event spends to set up the venue and bring the production to life." While other major sports events like the Grey Cup may be out of reach for mid-sized cities like Kitchener, Scorgie believes esports offers a unique opportunity for the region to punch above its weight. "Everyone's got arenas and soccer fields and diamonds, it's not easy to find a way to differentiate yourself and stand out," he said. "We saw esports as a way to do that." This weekend, sitting in the middle of the venue where Kitchener Rangers players might take a faceoff, is a massive screen-covered stage. On both sides is a row of desks lined with monitors and computers for teams to take their places. The setup is similar to any other esports event. But for the Toronto Ultra players, this is more than just any other tournament. "I'm really excited," said Joseph Romero, a.k.a. JoeDeceives. "Last year I played against Optic [Texas] at their own champions when they ran it, and you could really feel the crowd." He said he's been itching to go in front of Toronto's fans. "I've seen how crazy they are and how great our fans are." Romero, who has been playing Call of Duty since he was five years old, says the location feels fitting. "It's very significant," he said. "It's our biggest event and you can just see how much the Canadian fans really love it." His teammate Jamie Craven, a.k.a. Insight, said having the event in Canada could make a real difference in team morale and public awareness. Toronto Ultra placed third in Dallas last year and second in Las Vegas the year before. This year, they're aiming to take the top spot. "Last year Optic Gaming hosted in Texas and it definitely made a massive difference in terms of how they were playing," Craven said. "To have the first-ever world championship in Canada… it's definitely a huge deal. Hopefully it can push us over the line." Romero agreed, adding that the crowd is a boost, but the real pressure comes from within. "I don't really feel like I get pressure from fans because I already put it on myself," he said. "Because I want to win." Overactive Media believes events like this are more than entertainment — they're a glimpse at the future of fandom. "If you're between the ages of 10 and 30, your primary mode of consumption is probably YouTube, Twitch or other online streaming mediums," said Duffy. "Competitive gaming and esports is one of the most popular genres." He draws a comparison between esports and traditional sports, pointing out the aging audience of baseball versus the energy of younger fans at recent tournaments. "Where the eyeballs go, the money follows," he said. "We're going to create the next generation of fans and superstars through events like this." With teams flying in from across North America and fans traveling from around the globe, organizers are hoping this weekend sets a new bar for Canadian esports. "We chatted with the folks at Explore Waterloo Region and said, 'Would this be comparable to an experience in Dallas or Los Angeles or Tokyo or London?'" Duffy said. "And we landed on that it would be."
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Raptors Free Agent Breaks Silence on Potentially Leaving Team
Raptors Free Agent Breaks Silence on Potentially Leaving Team originally appeared on Athlon Sports. After missing the playoffs once again last season, the Toronto Raptors will likely have a busy offseason in front of them as they look to get things back on track. Toronto owns the No. 9 pick in this year's draft, which kicks off on Wednesday. Whether they keep the pick or include it in a trade remains to be seen, but it seems like all options may be open for the team. Advertisement As the Raptors aim to bolster their roster, they will also have to consider the futures of some of their current players. This includes big man Chris Boucher, who is set to hit unrestricted free agency this offseason. Toronto Raptors forward Chris Boucher (25).© David Richard-Imagn Images Boucher has spent the last seven seasons of his career in Toronto. Additionally, he is the only player remaining from the 2018-19 championship team. However, the 32-year-old recently provided an update on what his playing future could hold ahead of his free agency and made it clear he could return to Toronto or play "somewhere where they want to win" (h/t Michael Scotto of HoopsHype). "Obviously, I want to play with a team that's going for winning... When I look at the playoffs, I don't see myself not being in it. I'd say there are a lot of things I can do to help a team. I feel like with Toronto, I've always been lucky to be with this team trying to win. This year, it was a little bit different, and it felt a little different," Boucher said in an interview with Scotto. "Now it's about how I can get better and be wherever it is, whether it's here in Toronto or somewhere where they want to win. If that's the case, then that's where I should be." Advertisement Last season, Boucher appeared in 50 games for the Raptors. In those games, he averaged 10 points and 4.5 rebounds while shooting 49.2% from the field and 36.3% from beyond the arc. Boucher provides a veteran presence in Toronto and offers solid depth. However, it seems that he may have already played his final game with the team, and it could be worth monitoring his status in free agency this summer. Related: Raptors Champion Receives Major Update on NBA Future Related: Raptors Named in Trade Report After Giannis Antetokounmpo News This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 23, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Raptors-Celtics Trade Report Surfaces Before NBA Draft
Raptors-Celtics Trade Report Surfaces Before NBA Draft originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The first round of the 2025 NBA Draft will take place on Wednesday night. While all eyes will be on the Dallas Mavericks, who most expect will draft top prospect Cooper Flagg with the first overall pick, there are quite a few other teams worth monitoring, including the Toronto Raptors. Advertisement Toronto has the No. 9 pick in the draft. However, it remains to be seen what they will do with it as recent reports suggest they could trade the pick. More specifically, the latest reports suggest that the Raptors could trade the pick to the Boston Celtics in exchange for one of their top stars. Toronto Raptors Vice-Chairman and Team President Masai E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images The Celtics have already made two big trades this offseason, sending Jrue Holiday to the Portland Trail Blazers and Kristaps Porzingis to the Atlanta Hawks. These moves were done to get under the second apron, which they have accomplished. However, more moves could be on the horizon for Boston. According to Brett Siegel of Clutch Points, the Raptors made a trade offer involving the No. 9 pick to the Celtics for guard Derrick White. Advertisement "JUST IN: In addition to teams calling about Jaylen Brown, Derrick White has also been targeted by teams with Top-10 picks. The Toronto Raptors recently made an offer involving the 9th pick for White, league sources told @ClutchPoints," Siegel wrote on X. White has spent parts of the last four seasons with the Celtics and played a crucial role in their championship victory in 2024. The 31-year-old has developed a reputation as one of the best defensive guards in the NBA, and he is a player who could provide a big boost to any team looking to compete. As it stands, it is unclear how willing the Celtics are to trade White, but it seems that there is a market for him. This will be an important storyline to follow on Draft Day as a potential trade would shake up the landscape of the Eastern Conference. Advertisement Related: Raptors Named in Trade Report After Giannis Antetokounmpo News Related: Raptors Free Agent Breaks Silence on Potentially Leaving Team This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 25, 2025, where it first appeared.
