Argos re-sign 2024 outstanding special teams player Janarion Grant
TORONTO — The Toronto Argonauts have re-signed outstanding special teams player Janarion Grant, the CFL team announced Friday.
Grant led the league with 989 yards, a 14.8-yard average and three touchdowns on punt returns in 2024, his first season with the Argonauts.
He also finished fourth with 1,000 kick return yards, including a 103-yard touchdown return.
Grant was named a CFL all-star for the second time in 2024 and earned his third Grey Cup ring when Toronto defeated Winnipeg 41-24 in the championship game in November.
The 31-year-old from Trilby, Fla., spent four seasons in Winnipeg before joining the Argos and helped the Bombers win Grey Cup titles in 2019 and 2021.
He has 10 punt return touchdowns and two kick return touchdowns in 57 career regular season games with Winnipeg and Toronto.
"Last year Janarion put the special in special teams," Argos general manager Mike (Pinball) Clemons said in a release. "He's not just effective, but exhilarating, increasing the blood flow in your veins. He is sure to lift Argo fans out of their seats once again, bringing a phenomenal five return touchdowns into this season.
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Redblacks confirm coaching staff
OTTAWA -- The Redblacks have confirmed their 2025 coaching lineup, with some major changes to Bob Dyce's staff.
Along with bringing back Rick Campbell, the former head coach now serving as special-teams coordinator, the Redblacks are also adding William Fields as defensive coordinator. Fields comes from the Grey Cup champion Argonauts, where he was the co-defensive coordinator and secondary coach last season
Returning coaches include offensive co-ordinator Tommy Condell, who helped the Redblacks finish second in passing yards (5,455) in 2024.
Other members of Dyce's staff include assistant head coach and linebackers coach Deion Melvin, running backs coach Nate Taylor, offensive line coach Mike Gibson, defensive line coach Kai Ellis, defensive backs coach Myron Lewis and coaching assistant Isaiah Johns.
Dyce, who is entering his third season as Ottawa head coach, helped the Redblacks make the playoffs for the first time since 2018 last year.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 31, 2025.
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Hamilton Spectator
2 hours ago
- Hamilton Spectator
Less stress, more swagger: QB Nathan Rourke aiming to have fun with new-look Lions
VANCOUVER - Nathan Rourke is trying to add a little something to his game this season — the B.C. Lions quarterback wants to have more fun. 'That's a little bit of a goal for myself, trying to play a little bit more loose and not take things so seriously. So, trying to have a little bit more fun out there,' he said. 'And when you try to have fun, you probably end up doing that and actually having fun.' Last season didn't go the way Rourke or the Lions expected. The Canadian QB wasn't on B.C.'s roster to start the campaign as he worked to land a permanent job in the NFL. He re-signed with the Lions — where he had a standout campaign in 2022 — in mid-August, but struggled in his return. B.C. finished with a 9-9 regular-season record. Vancouver hosted the Grey Cup, but hopes of a home-team win were quashed when the Saskatchewan Roughriders downed the Lions in the West semifinal. B.C. will kick off a new campaign on Saturday when they host a revamped Edmonton Elks side. With a full training camp behind him and new head coach Buck Pierce at the helm, the 27-year-old Rourke believes this year could be different. 'I feel good. Body feels good. I'm excited about Buck's offence,' he said. 'It's been fun to practice these last couple of days and in training camp. Guys are excited about it. So hopefully that excitement just continues and turns into points.' Pierce, a former CFL quarterback and longtime assistant coach with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, was named B.C.'s head coach and offensive coordinator in December, replacing Rick Campbell. The entire league has long envied the offence Pierce crafted for the Blue Bombers, said Lions defensive back Garry Peters. 'They've been our rivals for so long, so I've admired him from afar. For him to finally be on my side, I can just pick his brain and learn as much as I can about the way they did things over there. Because obviously they're a championship program,' he said. 'For him to bring that over here and instil that in us, it gets me excited and gives me hope that we can do special things this year.' Pierce helped the Bombers to five straight Grey Cup appearances, including wins in 2019 and 2021. Having him in charge has injected a new sense of confidence into the Lions' players, said receiver Keon Hatcher. 'I feel like, especially in the offensive, the skill positions, we're very excited about what he's bringing to the table as an offensive coordinator, as a head coach, calling the plays and stuff like that,' he said. 'I feel like he puts us in a great position to make plays. And I just can't say enough about how excited we are just to learn this offence and be able to go out there and put on a display during the season.' After nearly a month getting to know his team at training camp in Kamloops, B.C., Pierce believes what could set his team apart this season is their competitive spirit. 'Ever since training camp got here, they're pushing each other. I think when you look at the way they interact, the way they communicate, they're really doing a good job of talking to each other, putting themselves in positions to be successful,' the coach said. 'Everybody's talented at this level. And we have talented guys, just like everybody else. That's what I keep talking to them about — what are we willing to do that other teams aren't willing to do? If you want to be successful, you've got to put the work in. And I'm proud of this group because they're workers.' B.C. also made changes to its front office in December, elevating Ryan Rigmaiden from assistant general manager to general manager. He responded with a series of off-season moves, including dealing veteran QB Vernon Adams Jr. to the Calgary Stampeders, signing former Toronto Argonaut Dejon Allen to add size and toughness to the offensive line in free agency, and bringing running back James Butler back into the fold following two seasons with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. The current group is a good mix of young talent and veteran leaders, said Peters, who's heading into his 10th season with the Lions. 'Every year, everybody thinks their team is going to go to the Grey Cup. And it's no different this year for us,' he said. 'But just us going through the process and focusing more on the details, the details are the most important thing. So for me, seeing all the guys focusing more on the details, it just gets me excited for what's to come.' 2024 record: 9-9-0, third, West Division Did you know?: Rap icon and noted sports fan Snoop Dogg will perform before the Lions' season opener on Saturday. More than 50,000 fans are expected to take in the concert — and the game — at B.C. Place. Key additions: RB James Butler (Hamilton), OL Dejon Allen (Toronto), LB Micah Awe (Calgary), QB Jeremiah Masoli (Ottawa) Key losses: QB Vernon Adams Jr. (Calgary), WR Alexander Hollins (free agent), FB David Mackie (retired), RB William Stanback (Ottawa), LB Ryder Varga (Toronto) Players to watch: Rourke, Butler, DL Mathieu Betts, WR Justin McInnis This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 6, 2025. Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
New York Times
6 hours ago
- New York Times
Jets' Stanley Cup window, a Byfuglien replacement and Logan Stanley: Mailbag, part 1
Winnipeg's Stanley Cup-winning window is open. It has to be, given the Presidents' Trophy winners' heavy veteran investment. But how long will it last? And what has to go right to keep Winnipeg on the winning track? Our June mailbag focuses on the Jets' urgency — the best way to keep the Cup contention window open, Winnipeg's path to second-line centres and big, mobile defencemen, a thought on aging curves, Logan Stanley, Dustin Byfuglien, Elias Salomonsson and more. Advertisement How do the Jets go from 2024-25 second-round exit to a Stanley Cup? Note: Submitted questions have been edited for clarity and length. Based on your analysis, how would you assess the Jets' current window for Stanley Cup contention? What key factors or best-case scenarios would need to align for them to continue making a serious push? — Ryan F. Winnipeg is heavily invested in star players — Mark Scheifele, Connor Hellebuyck, Josh Morrissey — on the wrong side of 30 years old. If reading that sentence doesn't create a heightened sense of urgency, read the latest work on aging curves in the NHL. If Scheifele ages like the average NHL forward has aged from 2007-2025, he may have two seasons of No. 1 centre quality left in him before a dramatic decline. But Scheifele's a freak of nature! He'll stay great way longer than the average NHL forward! I mean, that could be true. Scheifele is freakishly dedicated to off-ice rehabilitation and plays a more cerebral game than one that depends on explosiveness. But I've heard those arguments before. They were made about Blake Wheeler, who affected five-on-five play like a middle-six winger from age 34 onward, after a decade as one of the best five-on-five players in the world. Scheifele just turned 32. Winnipeg needs to address its second-line centre issue now. Not at the trade deadline, not next summer, not in the form of Brayden Yager or Kieron Walton or their first-round draft pick. The Jets don't have time to waste, because their ability to contend depends on top-quality centres who win their minutes. Scheifele is doing that now — and so is Adam Lowry, who also just turned 32 — but Winnipeg needs its next wave to arrive while Scheifele and Lowry are still at the top of their game. One best-case scenario on this front: What if Gabriel Vilardi or Cole Perfetti are the answer, despite the Jets' concerns about their footspeed? Advertisement Another depends on Connor Hellebuyck delivering his regular-season results — or close to — in the Stanley Cup playoffs. Those are wishful, passive suggestions. Another option is striking for a second-line centre this summer, while I think a key to unlocking Hellebuyck is augmenting Winnipeg's cerebral top-four defence with a Byfuglien-esque bulldozer to open up his sight lines. How can the Jets address their recurring need for a second-line centre? Trading a first-round pick at every deadline significantly depletes their assets. — Travis R. What about trading a first-round pick at the draft? What are the odds the #NHLJets make their first round pick this year? @hustlerama asked @wpgmurat earlier this week@BenMossJeweller — Winnipeg Sports Talk (@SportsTalkWPG) June 2, 2025 Murat, you mentioned that Chevy seems to have admitted he overestimated Logan Stanley's ceiling based on some plays in the playoffs against Montreal. Does this signal the Jets may be ready to move on from him either via waivers, trade or make him a press box regular? — Andywpg You've characterized Kevin Cheveldayoff's comments correctly, Andy, but let's start by making sure everyone has the context. In January, I was one of a couple of reporters who had the chance to sit down with Cheveldayoff for about an hour at the Jets hotel in Denver. Logan Stanley was a huge talking point for fans at the time — he'd been booed by a smattering of fans at Canada Life Centre after a mistake helped end Connor Hellebuyck's shutout bid against Vancouver. Cheveldayoff was asked several questions about Stanley's status in the lineup. Cheveldayoff was adamant that he doesn't tell his coaches who to put in the lineup. He acknowledged no NHL player is perfect and pointed out Stanley played several games during the Jets' 15-1 start to the season. Advertisement I made the point that Cheveldayoff may not tell his coaches who to play in the lineup, but he does control who Winnipeg has available on the roster. I noted that the Jets protected Stanley in the 2021 expansion draft and lost Johnathan Kovacevic and Declan Chisholm to waivers at consecutive training camps. Cheveldayoff rooted his response in Winnipeg's decision-making heading into Seattle's expansion draft. 'Everyone seems to forget the role that he played (in the 2021 playoffs) in winning four straight against Edmonton. He was a regular shift player, he played all the games. We go into Montreal, he's the one that scores the two goals in Montreal. So he's on a pretty good trajectory as a developing player at that point in time,' Cheveldayoff said. He went on to talk about Stanley's injuries, suggesting that they may have stalled or at least changed Stanley's development path. I bristle at this, given how clear it was that Winnipeg kept Stanley miles from top-six competition, but that's beside the point. Cheveldayoff's estimation of Stanley's ceiling was higher coming off his 2021 playoffs than it is now. I don't share your conclusion, though. (And do I detect notes of hopefulness in your question?) Stanley played 63 games this season and was a fixture in Winnipeg's April roster until injuries derailed his playoffs. He's one of seven defencemen under contract for next season (eight when Dylan Samberg signs), and he's played 70 more games than his closest competition (Heinola) at the edge of the roster. If somebody gets traded or committed to the press box, I think it's Heinola, who went over a month between games multiple times, even after returning to full health. One of Stanley's roles on the Jets roster is to take a few fights each year off Adam Lowry's fight card, especially following Brenden Dillon's 2024 departure. Advertisement By the way, if you're looking for a surprise on defence, this one might count: Heinola is just 24 years old but is on track to become an unrestricted free agent next summer. The Jets need to play him in 27 or more games next season to retain his rights, lest he become a Group VI UFA. Heinola's trade value is negligible, given his lack of NHL games this far into his career, but the Jets may soon add Heinola to the list of players outlasted by their belief in Stanley's potential. You have mentioned that the Jets need a 'Byfuglien-esque' player a few times. Big Buff is a unicorn, but: Can you identify some players who fit this mold currently in the league who could be available (including asking price, no-trade clauses, and realism?) — Duane W. What a wild needle to try to thread. There isn't a modern-day Dustin Byfuglien available, but we can try to recreate him in the aggregate. So, a big, mobile, offensively talented, defensively imposing right-shot defenceman. We could also force Josh Morrissey or Dylan Samberg to play on their off-hand side, if you've found a way to pry Victor Hedman from Tampa Bay. (I wish you'd let me use Miro Heiskanen as a solution here — he's a left-shot D but excels on both sides.) Vladislav Gavrikov is a left-shot pending UFA who plays with the right combination of snarl and smarts to keep a clean defensive zone while playing heavy minutes against top competition. His impact is exactly what you want from a top-four defenceman: Gavrikov makes it painful to get to the front of the net and hard to win pucks on the boards — all while moving the puck well enough to play in the modern NHL. A scroll through our latest trade board yields names like Rasmus Andersson, K'Andre Miller and Connor Murphy. Murphy is a big right-hander who has one year left on his $4.4 million contract in Chicago. He has more defensive quality to him than poor counting stats in Chicago imply, with strong underlying numbers protecting the middle of the ice and plenty of hits and blocks. However, he has a 10-team no-trade clause and might not feel like a substantial enough upgrade on Neal Pionk or Dylan DeMelo in the top four, despite playing a more rugged style. Rasmus Andersson's recent defensive numbers are porous, but he's produced a lot of points from the Flames' right side. He has a six-team no-trade clause on his $4.55 million contract, which ends next summer. (My ideal Flames acquisition for Winnipeg would be MacKenzie Weegar, who is a right-shot defenceman who plays both sides well, protects the middle of the ice, and has all of the talented truculence I've been campaigning for … but he has a full no-trade clause and Calgary is heavily invested in him.) Advertisement K'Andre Miller is a big, mobile, Minnesotan who needs a new RFA contract this summer and is eligible for UFA status in 2027. The 25-year-old is a productive, elite skater whose career arc seems worthy of long-term investment, although he's not the right-shot defenceman you seek. He doesn't have no-trade protection, which helps, but his proximity to UFA status comes with some risk. The more words I write on the topic, the more ready I am to see what Elias Salomonsson looks like in a third-pairing role this season, with occasional bumps up to Josh Morrissey's side as performance merits. It seems more likely that the Jets want Salomonsson to keep developing in the AHL, given the number of defencemen they have under contract and Salomonsson's two remaining ELC years. If you believe that there is a time crunch on Winnipeg's window to win, you'd want to take that chance. Salomonsson may be 'only' 21 years old, but the Jets were just beaten in the playoffs by a team with a 21-year-old (Lian Bichsel) on its third pair. (Top photo of Mark Scheifele, Adam Lowry and Josh Morrissey: Nick Wosika / Imagn Images)
Yahoo
15 hours ago
- Yahoo
Panthers Head Coach Paul Maurice Leaves Heartfelt Message for Jets Fans
Prior to the start of the Stanley Cup Final, longtime Winnipeg Jets head coach and current bench boss of the Florida Panthers, Paul Maurice opened up on his thoughts for his former club. After making the bold statement to which he indicated his hopes that the Jets would win the 2025 Stanley Cup, Maurice doubled down on his claim, suggesting that the team is close to the top. Photo by Walter Tychnowicz/USA Today "Yeah, getting rid of your last coach was the right thing to do, won the Presidents' Trophy,' Maurice laughed when asked what he thought Winnipeg needed to do to get to the Stanley Cup. Advertisement 'I cheer for three teams, basically,' he added. 'I cheer for the Vancouver Canucks because of Jim Rutherford. I cheer for the Winnipeg Jets, because, well, because of Winnipeg. And I was cheering for the Dallas Stars for Pete DeBoer.' Earlier, the NHL released footage from an interview between lifelong friends Maurice and DeBoer in advance of the third round, to which the video indicated their love for one another. But Maurice also continued in his answer to the question about the Jets, indicating his deeper connection to the people and the city of Winnipeg. 'If you're good at it, you put everything into this and you're not cheering for the other team, you're cheering for your own team. But if you're going to lose, I'd want to lose to one of those three groups. That's kind of the idea. Now, my cheering for the team hasn't really done them much good, it seems. But they're just the right story in Winnipeg for the National Hockey League and what's right about the game. Advertisement "We saw it in the connection with what Mark Scheifele did to play in that game, the connection to his brothers, but that's not just a one-off, that starts at the top of that organization. And it fits very well with the fanbase there. They won the presidents' trophy. I think the Florida Panthers did that a couple years before they got to the Final, so I think they're right there.' Maurice's Panthers trail the Edmonton Oilers 1-0 in the best-of-seven Stanley Cup Final. Game 2 is set to be played on Friday.
