Stampeders complete CFL preseason undefeated with 31-4 victory over Elks
The Calgary Stampeders took on the Edmonton Elks in pre-season action Saturday at McMahon Stadium. Calgary won 31-4. (Photo: X@Calstampeders)
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CTV News
34 minutes ago
- CTV News
Maritime Messi's family supports soccer dreams as Team Canada lands on the East Coast
Playing on Nova Scotian soil was nothing new for Jacob Shaffelburg, but representing his country while doing so was a first. 'It was cool. I mean, I've kind of had a bit of it when I played here a long time ago,' explained Shaffelburg of the fans cheering his name when he stepped on the grass at the Wanderers Grounds Tuesday. 'So it kind of brought back some memories, but, coming back with the national team, this is a much different feeling and a lot of pride.' As part of an initiative started by head coach Jesse Marsch, the men's national team is heading to communities across Canada to spark some interaction prior to the 2026 World Cup being co-hosted in the country for the first time. Approximately 2,500 fans took in open practice Tuesday evening, as the men's team came to Halifax for the first time in their history. 'We've talked a lot about like creating a movement, you know, and I've also been calling this the people's team,' said Marsch. 'And I think if we want it to really feel like that, that we have to come to all the communities that we have to make the players really approachable. And I think, especially these kids, they have to be familiar with their heroes and they want to see them up close.' 'So all of these efforts, I think, have led to us, to having a really good experience overall with being in different communities and here in Halifax,' he added. For Shaffelburg, playing at home in front of family and friends meant the world and, for his family, it was nothing short of remarkable. 'Unbelievable,' said Marvin Messom, Shaffelburg's maternal grandfather. 'Just from Port Williams. Just unbelievable.' Messom had tears in his eyes as the young soccer star approached him, beaming with pride and awe at the number of jerseys and cheers for his grandson. 'The only thing he got from me was the hair,' Messom joked, to which Shaffelburg added, 'And the emotional side.' The Maritime Messi got about 80 tickets for friends and family to come to the event and the section was full, including his wife Robyne and nine-month-old daughter Daisy. 'It's amazing to see the support for sure,' smiled Robyne as Daisy beamed in her arms. 'It's kind of funny when he told me when we first met that he played soccer, I was like, 'OK, I played volleyball in high school, why are you telling me this?'' she laughed, adding, 'I didn't understand the kind of magnitude of what he meant by that now, like seeing everyone and their support for him.' For Shaffelburg, having both his and his wife's family in attendance was something special as they are both from the province. While the sounds didn't bother young Daisy, as she's used to the noise back in Nashville where her dad plays from MLS Nashville FC, Robyne said they need to get used to the atmosphere. 'There's fireworks and there's loud music all the time, so I think she's kind of like, used to it at this point,' Robyne said. 'So I try to take her. I'm like, 'You know what? We've got a long career soccer ahead of us, so we're going to the games. Even if, you know, they're past bedtime'.' That career in soccer is only growing as the World Cup approaches and, for the Shaffelburgs, so is their family. 'Are you excited for World Cup?' Robyne asked Daisy. 'I'll have another one as well by then. I'm five months pregnant with a little boy. I know I'm going to have my hands full at those games… maybe she'll go hang out with Nani.' As for the experience in Nova Scotia, the energy was palpable at the Wanderers Grounds as fans of all ages showed up to meet their heroes. Jacob Shaffelburg 2 Jacob Shaffelburg signing autographs at the Wanderers Grounds in Halifax on Tuesday, June 3, 2025. (Brianne Foley/CTV Atlantic) 'I probably signed about 400 Shaffelburg jerseys and, you know, we obviously knew how popular Jacob is in this region. They should be very proud of them,' said Marsch. 'We're really pleased with his overall performances and development, and we're excited to keep pushing him and keep preparing them for the World Cup next summer.' For Shaffelburg, the moment was amazing, but his journey continues as he strives to represent the province to the best of his ability in red and white. 'Just working hard I guess,' he said of his success so far. 'Making the most of my opportunities and just being humble and remembering where I'm from and trying to make Port Williams and Nova Scotia proud.' For grandpa, he's already done that. 'Extremely proud. Don't push me,' Messom said with tears in his eyes. Team Canada heads back to Toronto to host the inaugural Canadian Sheild Tournament on Saturday at BMO Field. For more Nova Scotia news, visit our dedicated provincial page
CTV News
an hour ago
- CTV News
PWHL Vancouver signs former Frost defenders Thompson, Jaques as club's first players
Minnesota Frost goaltender Nicole Hensley (29) Sophie Jacques (16) clear the puck, as Claire Thompson (42) falls while defending against Ottawa Charge's Shiann Darkangelo (27) during first period PWHL playoff hockey action in the Walter Cup Final, in Ottawa, on Tuesday, May 20, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang Vancouver's new Professional Women's Hockey League team has signed its first player, nabbing defender Claire Thompson from the Minnesota Frost. The two-time Walter Cup champions left the 27-year-old defender exposed and Vancouver inked her to a one-year contract when the exclusive signing window opened to expansion teams on Wednesday. Vancouver later announced the signing of Thompson's Frost teammate and fellow blueliner Sophie Jaques to a three-year contract. 'I'm incredibly excited to join PWHL Vancouver and be a part of this new chapter of women's ice hockey,' Thompson said in a release. 'The opportunity to help build something special from the ground up is truly meaningful. I can't wait to connect with the fans and represent this city.' Thompson, who hails from Toronto, had four goals and 14 assists in 30 games for Minnesota last season. She added another six helpers in eight playoff appearances. Jaques had seven goals and 15 assists in 25 games, tying Renata Fast of the Toronto Sceptres for top spot in scoring by a defender. The 24-year-old Jaques, who's also from Toronto, contributed two goals and five assists in the post-season as the Frost captured the league championship for a second straight year. Thompson and Jaques are both finalists for the PWHL's defender of the year honour. 'I'm incredibly honoured to sign with PWHL Vancouver and to help lay the foundation for something truly special in this city,' Jaques said in a release. 'Being part of this historic moment means so much, and I can't wait to get started and represent Vancouver with pride in this vibrant and hockey-loving community.' Thompson and Jaques both have ample international experience. Thompson helped Canada to gold at the 2021 world championships and the 2022 Beijing Olympics, while Jaques was also on the world championship team that took silver earlier this year. The move to Vancouver will reunite Thompson with general manager Cara Gardner Morey, who was her coach at Princeton. 'Claire is one of the best defenders in the world and a phenomenal leader who will help create a culture of excellence in Vancouver,' Gardner Morey said in a release. 'Having had the privilege of coaching Claire at Princeton, I know how exceptional she is as a player and as a person and couldn't be prouder to build our foundation with her contributions both on and off the ice.' Seattle, the league's other expansion franchise, announced late Wednesday it had signed a one-year deal with former Boston Fleet captain Hilary Knight, making her the team's first player. The 35-year-old American superstar is coming off a 2024-25 season where she registered 15 goals and 14 assists, tied for the league-lead in scoring. She's also up for the Billie Jean King award as the PWHL's most-valuable player. Knight has a long history on the international stage, including winning gold for the United States at the 2025 women's world championships in April. 'Signing Hilary Knight was an absolute no-brainer — she's the heartbeat of any team she joins,' Seattle general manager Meghan Turner said in a release. 'Her proven leadership and drive, the way she elevates everyone around her, those are qualities you can't teach. Hilary's not just a game-changer on the ice, she's the kind of person who defines a culture, and we're incredibly proud to have her as the first-ever player to join PWHL Seattle.' Vancouver and Seattle can continue to sign unprotected players until the exclusive window for expansion clubs closes on Sunday. Both teams will then bolster their rosters with talent during Monday's expansion draft. A leaguewide draft will be held on June 24. This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 4, 2025.
National Post
an hour ago
- National Post
SIMMONS: Argos remain the Toronto team everyone should want to equal
When the Maple Leafs were winning four Stanley Cups in the 1960s — the glory days — the Argos were winning absolutely nothing. Article content The CFL was a nine-team league and the NHL had six teams the time. Article content Article content The Leafs were the standard for Toronto sport while the Argos once went 31 years between titles. Article content But, over time, all that has changed, as has just about everything with the Argos. Article content They are the defending Grey Cup champions. The win last November was the second for head coach Ryan Dinwiddie in just four years on the job. It was the fifth Grey Cup win for the Argos since 2004. Article content That's five wins in the past 20 seasons. Article content This has been the hottest team in Toronto for a lot of our lives, no matter how old you are, the team we want the Leafs and Raptors and Blue Jays to mirror — but somehow that's just not possible. Article content The newest Argos season begins Friday night in Montreal and, if there is any consternation over the season opener, it's not heard in many places. Article content The star quarterback, the controversial figure that is Chad Kelly, isn't healthy enough to start Week 1. The star running back of a year ago, Ka'Deem Carey, the thousand-yard rusher, was let go at the end of camp in a surprising transaction. Two stars from the defensive line, Ralph Holley and Robbie Smith, have gone elsewhere for more money, Holley to try and land a job in Cleveland, Smith went to Edmonton and all but doubled his Toronto salary. Article content And yet coach Dinwiddie likes the roster he has to begin the season, figures these Argos are good enough to make the playoffs, could be back in the Grey Cup again, isn't ruling anything out. And why should he? Article content Article content Dinwiddie isn't easy to define. He doesn't have the head football coaching kind of presence that a Don Matthews had. He doesn't have the folksy way about him that a Marv Levy had in Buffalo. There isn't anything about him that particularly stands out except his resume. Article content That alone should make him a legend for all time in Toronto. Leo Cahill never won anything and talked a great game and remains legendary with those old enough to have been around when he mattered as Argos coach. Matthews won two Grey Cups in two seasons in one of his stints coaching the Argos and had Doug Flutie as his quarterback in those years. He'll always be remembered for that. Article content Dinwiddie has two Grey Cups — probably should have three — and he won while starting at quarterback with Macleod Bethel-Thompson in one game and career backup Nick Arbuckle in the other.
