Winnipeg Jets look to the future, reflect on emotional end to season
As the dust begins to settle on one of the best seasons in Winnipeg Jets history, the focus now turns to the offseason and beyond.
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CTV News
23 minutes ago
- CTV News
Once Upon a Time in Edmonton: The Connor McDavid draft
Connor McDavid, left, chats with Craig MacTavish after being chosen first overall by the Edmonton Oilers in the NHL hockey draft, Friday, June 26, 2015, in Sunrise, Fla. (AP Photo/Alan Diaz) On the 10-year anniversary of his draft this edition of Once Upon a Time in Edmonton remembers the excitement around Connor McDavid and the hope he brought to Oilers fans. With a contract extension possibly days away, fans are once again holding their breath over McDavid and his place with the Edmonton Oilers. Lucky draw You could call it luck, fate or fluke. If you don't root for the Oilers you probably call it something else. Whether it was a perfect alignment of the stars or a cruel joke, April 18, 2015, was a day to remember. 'The first overall pick in the 2015 NHL draft belongs to the Edmonton Oilers.' It was a proclamation heard around the hockey world, and if you were in the vicinity of Edmonton you probably heard the entire city gasp at the exact same time. Edmonton Oilers fans celebrate McDavid lottery win April 2015, fans watching the draft lottery in an Edmonton bar. (CTV News Edmonton) The Oilers had just won what some were calling the 'Connor McDavid lottery.' 'This is everything to us' Something changed for fans that day. After years of hope turned into disappointment and in the midst of what has been dubbed 'the Decade of Darkness,' the possibility of Connor McDavid becoming an Edmonton Oiler was enough to refuel the dreams of beleaguered fans. 'We were over the moon, jumping up and down yelling, hollering,' said Gwen Lawrence, a season ticket holder in 2015. And even though Oilers management refused to confirm that McDavid would be their pick, the faithful were convinced. Fans immediately started ordering McDavid jerseys, months before the June draft. McDavid fans in Florida June 2015, a group of Oilers fans travelled to Florida for the NHL draft. (Evan Klippenstein/CTV News Edmonton) McDavid fans in Florida. June 2015, a group of Oilers fans travelled to Florida for the NHL draft. (Evan Klippenstein/CTV News Edmonton) A group of self-proclaimed 'hard core McDavid fans' even travelled to Florida for the draft. The friends, decked out in Oilers gear, were there to witness a historic event. 'This is everything to us…for me, the last eight years are all forgiven just for McDavid,' one said. 'I think he's got a good heart, I think he's got a great attitude, and the fact that he wants to play for Edmonton is huge,' said another. 'It could have been in Alaska and we would have made the trek, as soon as that gold ticket was drawn we jumped up and made our plans,' a third friend exclaimed. Meanwhile, back in Edmonton, someone had altered the Connors Road sign to read CONNOR MCDAVID. Connor McDavid sign June 2015, The Connors Road sign was altered to read CONNOR MCDAVID. (CTV News Edmonton) Then mayor Don Iveson couldn't contain his laughter when he was shown a picture. Still unofficially claimed by the Oilers organization, McDavid called the sign 'flattering' and said 'if it is Edmonton I appreciate it very much, the support and the welcome.' The calm before the draft The day before the NHL draft was to take place, the top prospects put on a skills clinic for some local hockey players in Florida. The lucky kids were excited to meet the soon-to-be NHL stars. Ian, sporting a number 10 on his jersey, said, 'It was really cool because I've always dreamed of meeting these players and now I have.' Blake Andreoni agreed: 'It was such a cool experience to be skating with the top prospects. It was a lot of fun.' After the clinic McDavid took questions from reporters. He talked about the importance of being a role model and the excitement of being at the draft. Cool and collected as always, when asked about pressure and nerves, the young McDavid assured reporters that he was getting enough rest. 'The beds are so comfy at the hotel, I think I'll be fine,' he said with a grin. He was almost nonchalant about what was about to happen. 'All you gotta do is go there, sit, wait until your name is called.' 'From the Erie Otters, Connor McDavid' And then it was time. NHL teams, current and former hockey stars, media and, of course, the draft class of 2015 gathered on the evening of June 26. Seated between his mom and dad, the TV cameras caught a nervous McDavid whisper to them, 'I think I'm gonna puke.' 'The Edmonton Oilers select with their first pick, from the Erie Otters, Connor McDavid.' Draft party at Rexall Place June 2015, fans celebrate at Recall Place when Connor McDavid is drafted by the Oilers. (CTV News Edmonton) Amongst the cheers and streamers, the goal horn went off at a packed Rexall Place. It was real, Connor McDavid was an Edmonton Oiler. 'Being here was just unbelievable, it was amazing,' said one fan after the watch party. Minutes after he was drafted McDavid was all smiles when he spoke to the media. 'To be honest I think it was even better than I was expecting,' he said. Wearing the Oilers jersey he was presented on stage, already sporting his number 97, McDavid expressed how special the moment was. 'Now that it's finally happened and I'm an Edmonton Oiler, I couldn't be more proud.' The next day in Edmonton, stores began unpacking their McDavid merchandise. But that was just the beginning. Oilers fans outside Rexall place 2015, fans line up to watch Oilers prospects camp. (CTV News Edmonton) Rejuvenated with hope, Oilers nation flocked to pre-season camps and practices to get a look at their new star. There were lineups outside Rexall Place to get a first glance at the top prospect. Oilers fans inside Rexall Place 2015, fans watching Oilers prospects camp. (CTV News Edmonton) And when McDavid skated out onto the ice for the first time, the packed house let out a cheer. It was more of the same weeks later at the Oilers first practice. A rink filled to the brim with fans watching the young hero take his first strides with their beloved team. Oilers fans have loved him from the start and 10 years later are still enthralled by his jaw-dropping skills on the ice, but also by his kind heart off the ice. Photo of McDavid with fans. 2017, McDavid poses with fans at the Edmonton International Airport. Like when he posed for the famously awkward 'death grip' photo with the Valerianos at the Edmonton International Airport. Or the moments he spent with his biggest fan, Ben Stelter, helping him skate and shoot at Oilers practice or whispering to him at centre ice before puck drop. 'Ben meant so much to myself and my teammates,' McDavid said, remembering the brave boy after he died of cancer. Another decade? Now team captain, Connor McDavid's resume of accomplishments could fill a book. But he has yet to capture the biggest prize. Days after what he called an 'incredibly disappointing' end to the season McDavid was asked about his looming contract extension. He told reporters 'There's no rush' and that he'll 'take some time to regroup' before making any decisions. 'It's all about winning and we won't be satisfied until that's done,' so with the Stanley Cup still on everyone's mind, Oilers fans are left to wonder if their captain still sees Edmonton as the place he can win it. And his message to those fans? 'Keep being patient and keep believing … when that moment comes it will be worth the wait.'
CTV News
23 minutes ago
- CTV News
Manitoba high school students honoured as athletes of the year
Magnus Carlos and Payton Durand pictured at the MHSAA awards on June 25, 2025. (Scott Andersson/CTV News) The Manitoba High School Athletic Association (MHSAA) is celebrating its top athletes for their work both in their sport and in the classroom. On Wednesday, the association announced its athletes of the year at an event at the Manitoba Sports Hall of Fame. Magnus Carlos of Vincent Massey Collegiate and Payton Durand of Collège Jeanne-Sauvé were chosen as the overall high school male and female athletes of the year. Both students are multi-sport athletes, who showed leadership on and off the field. Durand said when she found out about her award it was both overwhelming and exciting. 'It's kind of like all the hard work's paid off and it feels really good,' she said. Other students honoured at the event were Ky Solomon of Hamiota Collegiate Institute, Colby Darragh of Warren Collegiate Institute, Shannon Bodnarus of Collège Stonewall Collegiate, Chael Rozdeba of Hamiota Collegiate Institute, Kai Gaudet of MacGregor Collegiate Institute, and Junior Martine of Neelin High School. The MHSAA has four competition categories – A, AA, AAA, AAAA – which are based on school populations. A male and female athlete of the year is selected in each category, along with the overall athletes of the year.
Vancouver Sun
39 minutes ago
- Vancouver Sun
NHL Draft: The best (but mostly the worst) draft moves by the Canucks
First, the good news. The Vancouver Canucks have hit home runs with first-round selections at the NHL Draft in the last 20 years. They landed a generational talent in record-setting captain and Norris Trophy-winner Quinn Hughes in 2018. They saw where today's game is trending and chose the gifted Elias Pettersson in 2017 and he became a Calder Trophy winner and 100-point centre. Right-winger Brock Boeser was a 2015 pick and he finished second in Calder Trophy voting and struck for a career-high 40 goals in 2023-24. Bo Horvat became the 2013 pick and the dependable two-way centre became captain. Goalie Cory Schneider was the 2013 selection and shared the Jennings Trophy with Roberto Luongo. Start your day with a roundup of B.C.-focused news and opinion. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Sunrise will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. And Ryan Kesler was the 2003 selection who played hard and hurt and turned a 41-goal 2010-11 season into a Selke Trophy and Stanley Cup-playoffs dominance. Now, the bad news. They have also swung and missed. A lot. The Canucks have historically struggled the past two decades to draft and develop players who amass 200 NHL games, which is the measuring stick of selection success. According to NHL prospect scout Shane Malloy, statistics show how the Canucks have struggled to get a consistent leg up on the process. 'They still haven't fixed their drafting and developing,' Malloy argued Wednesday. 'Since 2006, they're one of the worst. From 2016 to 2020, the Canucks are going to get four (NHL) players and they might get six. In a 15-year period, it could be as bad as 15 players.' Malloy has authored The Art Of Scouting, appears on Hockey Prospects Radio via the Sirius-XM NHL Network and is working toward a PhD in interdisciplinary studies. Here are his research results: 2006 – 2015 drafting and development efficiency Vancouver Canucks: 10 yrs – 62 draft picks – 11 NHL players = 17.74% success rate. NHL historical average : 10 yrs – 70 draft picks – 19 NHL players = 28.19% success. Los Angeles Kings: 10 yrs – 78 draft picks – 29 NHL players = 37.17% success. 20 1 6 – 20 20 drafting and development efficiency Canucks: 5 yrs – 34 draft picks – 4 NHL players = 11.76% success. NHL historical average : 5 yrs – 35 draft picks – 9 NHL players = 28.19% success. Los Angeles Kings: 5 yrs – 36 draft picks – 10 NHL players = 27.77% success. Malloy's reasoning for analyzing 20 06 t o 201 5 is to give organizations five years to develop prospects. Since players from different leagues evolve differently , the road to a pro career is daunting and development is needed. Secondly, players that should be building blocks will be in the 23-to- 32 age range. Each organization is unique in how it manages assets, as management often trades draft choices for immediate help. P layers may be late -bloomers and eventually meet the criteria set in the analysis down the road. So, if that's the case, then who's to blame for what has transpired here? Is it an individual, the collective or how scouts are hired and deployed? Former Canucks general manager Mike Gillis knew drafting and developing weren't good enough when he took command in April 2008, but the organization was reluctant to make scouting changes. 'It's the personnel,' said Malloy. 'Not being mean against any people, I look at hockey from a business perspective. The players are just the result. If they don't play well, it's a reflection of the decisions you make with amateur scouting, your pro staff and development.' That said, here's a look at the good and bad: Joined elite franchise company with those who authored 100-point campaigns — Pavel Bure (110, 107); Henrik (112) and Daniel Sedin (104); Markus Naslund (110); and Alex Mogilny (107). F irst member of rich 2017 draft class to hit 300-point mark in 306 games. Dominant two-way centre played hard and hurt. A 41-goal season in 2010-11 — including factoring in 11 of 14 goals in a second-round playoff demolition of the Nashville Predators — contributed to Selke Trophy with 98.3 per cent of the vote total. In 2023-24, career highs for goals (17), assists (75) and points (92) to set single-season standard for franchise blueliners. P lays hurt. Plays sick. Plays crazy minutes. Tempers tough assessments with a silver lining to present the balance. Consummate captain. Compiled career-high 11 goals and 49 points in 2011-12 to cement offensive potential. Added physical presence in 2012 playoffs and led franchise blueliners in games (925), goals (99), assists (310) and points (409), before his marks were passed by Hughes. Wasn't in draft guide. Just 18 high-school goals and eight in USHL and 27 goals in four seasons at the University of Minnesota. Never played a game in the NHL. Was shipped to San Jose in August 2009, along with Daniel Rahimi, for Christian Ehrhoff and Brad Lukowich. Whether back and knee procedures, or overwhelmed being picked one spot ahead of Matthew Tkachuk, never looked comfortable. His 23 NHL games amounted to just two goals, three points. Often looked lost. Dealt to Florida for Juho Lammikko and Noah Juulsen. After 28-goal and 90-point season with Swift Current (WHL), the centre struggled. Often injured and played four games for the Canucks. Knee injury in third season almost ended career. Career with three NHL teams amounted to 26 games and no points. Small size and third-liner who suffered shoulder injury and ankle fracture before 2013-14 season. Wasn't moving ahead of Henrik Sedin or Kesler. Scored just six goals in 56 games over two seasons. Played in Minnesota, Columbus and Europe last six seasons. bkuzma@
