All aboard!: Superfan encourages others to join the Oilers' bandwagon
Edmonton Oilers superfan Scott Purdie is encouraging everyone to hop on board his team's Stanley Cup bandwagon. (CTV Atlantic/Ryan MacDonald)
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Globe and Mail
28 minutes ago
- Globe and Mail
Bombers look for another trip to the Grey Cup, this time as hosts
Dalton Schoen doesn't care who throws him the ball, he just wants to make a meaningful catch. The Blue Bombers' talented receiver will get that chance when he returns from a season-ending injury to face the B.C. Lions in Winnipeg's CFL season-opener Thursday. 'It feels great,' Schoen said after Wednesday's walk-through practice. 'It's kind of hard to describe, you get so used to the process of it that when it's taken away you go, 'Wow, that goes quick.'' Schoen suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament in the third game last season, nixing a chance to put up a trio of consecutive 1,000-yard campaigns. His return to action will be key for a revamped Blue Bombers receiving corps. Schoen and 10-year CFL veteran Nic Demski will lead a group that's lost some veteran pass catchers such as Kenny Lawler and Drew Wolitarsky. Thursday's test will also include hauling in passes from quarterback Chris Streveler as starting quarterback Zach Collaros was suspended for one game after failing to respond to an off-season drug-testing request. 'We've got some familiar faces, but we've definitely got some new faces,' said Demski, who's in his seventh year with his hometown team. 'We've got some guys stepping up into different roles, so everybody's just got to make the most of their opportunities and come together and play great.' Lawler and Wolitarsky both left for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, while Ontaria Wilson signed with the NFL New York Jets after catching 71 passes for 1,026 yards in his rookie three-down season. Winnipeg's starting five against the Lions (1-0) will feature Demski and Schoen with sophomores Keric Wheatfall and Kevens Clercius and rookie Jerreth Sterns. Dillon Mitchell was a big off-season signing after the third-year receiver was released by the Edmonton Elks, but he's on the one-game injured list. 'We have pretty good chemistry in the room,' Schoen said of his fellow receivers. 'I think we communicate pretty well with each other and so I think it's going to be fun to get out there with those guys.' Winnipeg's defence also has some new looks as the club aims to make it to a sixth straight Grey Cup and end a three-game losing streak in the championship game. Manitoba's capital city is hosting this year's Grey Cup on Nov. 16. 'It's a huge motivation,' Bombers defensive end Willie Jefferson said. 'To have the biggest game of the season to be in your home, it's an honour.' Jefferson will have a different rush end on the line after James Vaughters was signed following four seasons during two stints with the Calgary Stampeders. 'We got a chance to build our camaraderie, build that chemistry, a little bit of togetherness,' Jefferson said of the defence in training camp. 'Running new plays, new defences, new personalities and things like that. Now we've got the chance to put that work that we built during camp and put that out here with live bullets.' The defence will be going up against Lions quarterback Nathan Rourke, who claimed the league's top offensive honour for Week 1 after throwing for 324 yards and three touchdowns in a 31-14 victory over Edmonton. While running back Brady Oliveira should be Winnipeg's workhorse again, the team signed tailback Peyton Logan. He's expected to return kicks, but is on the one-game injured list. Rookie defensive back Trey Vaval will get the chance to shine in that role against the Lions. Winnipeg fans will see another familiar face on the field Thursday, but on a different sideline. Former Bombers offensive co-ordinator Buck Pierce left to become the Lions' head coach. 'Probably a little of both,' Pierce said with a smile when asked if he expects to be heckled or congratulated by Winnipeg fans. 'But that's expected. The passion of the fan base here and the excitement for a new season, I'm sure I'll hear both sides of that.'
Edmonton Journal
35 minutes ago
- Edmonton Journal
'Love it': Master tactician Kris Knoblauch pulls "fast one," this time on hockey media
Article content In other words this was a full practice but without the newsmedia around. As TSN's Ryan Rishaug reported: 'Media told it would be scratches only, and no time was given for the skate. Clearly feeling they need to give their guys a break from a Stanley cup spotlight that is getting hot. Have covered well over a dozen finals and never had this happen before. And Montreal hoockey writer Renaud Lavoie in response to Rishaug: 'That's because it's not supposed to happen…' And Mark Spector of Sportsnet: :Oilers pull a fast one on the Stanley Cup media contingent, claiming an off day for the players. Then they skated. Subterfuge.' And the Athletic's Daniel Nugent-Bowman: 'This was declared a day off, so there was no reason for most reporters to go to the rink. (The coach did his avail on Zoom, which is another issue entirely.) Fans don't care about media gripes, but this isn't a great look for a league that should be craving any coverage it gets.' Vegas hockey podcaster Chris Gawlik said: 'Love it.' My take 1. Nugent-Bownman is right that fans don't care about media gripes. Not in the least, at least so long as there's a huge amount of commentary on their favourite team and interviews with their favourite players. The fact is that there's no shortage of such reporting and commentary right now at this moment. 2. I don't expect any reporters to like what Knoblauch did. If I was a reporter covering the event, I'd not like it either. At the same time, the Oilers have a game to win. As an Oilers fan, I put that ahead of any other consideration here.
CBC
2 hours ago
- CBC
Curling icon Colleen Jones to enter N.S. Sport Hall of Fame
The Nova Scotia Sport Hall of Fame announced its 2025 inductee class today. Among the athletes, teams and builders to be inducted is CBC veteran Colleen Jones. Tom Murphy spoke to Jones about the latest honour of her storied career.
