Moncton Wildcats ready to face ‘great opponents' at Memorial Cup
Gardiner MacDougall, head coach of the Moncton Wildcats, is pictured at the Avenir Centre. (Source: Derek Haggett/CTV News Atlantic)
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National Post
21 minutes ago
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Sportsnet's Buck Martinez on Blue Jays' Bowden Francis: He can't make another start
Just because you haven't heard Buck Martinez on the air covering Blue Jays games over the past couple of weeks doesn't mean that the venerable voice of the team doesn't have some thoughts. Article content In fact, he has a few. Article content First things first: Martinez, who is taking some extended scheduled time off from his regular analyst's role on the Sportsnet broadcasts, will return for a home stand against the New York Yankees at Rogers Centre starting on June 30. Article content In the interim, studio analysts Joe Siddall and Caleb Joseph will take turns filling the air alongside play-by-play voice Dan Shulman. Article content 'I'm taking some scheduled time off,' Martinez told the Toronto Sun on Monday. 'But I'll be back for that homestand (against the Yankees). And then I'll have a good chunk of July off for my 50th anniversary. My schedule is to do 100 games.' Article content And with that, the 76-year-old Martinez shifts the conversation to his favourite topic — the Jays — who were scheduled to begin a three-game series in St. Louis on Monday night, part of their current nine-game, 10-day trip. Article content Article content The long-time Jays broadcaster certainly is clear in what he thinks about the Toronto rotation minus Max Scherzer and the alarming struggles of Bowden Francis. Article content '(The Jays) are playing pretty good, but they can't start Bowden Francis another start,' Martinez said. 'It's the one thing that's causing them so many issues. The fourth and fifth spots (in the rotation) have been the issues all season long. Article content 'Unfortunately (Max) Scherzer can't pitch right now. It's just the way it is. Article content 'I'd be surprised if they start (Francis) again. He's just too inconsistent. It just highlights how difficult it is to be a long-term starter in the major leagues. It's the toughest position in baseball, to be a consistent starter. Article content 'Now hitters have made adjustments and he has to establish that he can throw on both sides of the plate.' Article content Martinez believes that if the struggles of Francis, combined with the bullpen days for the fifth spot in the rotation continue, the rest of the bullpen will wear down. Article content 'It's already cost them Yimi Garcia (who is on the injured list with a shoulder issue) and it's going to cost them someone else,' Martinez said. Article content The former catcher has been impressed with the Jays recent surge at the plate, which largely has been the reason they've gone on a 9-1 run and sit in a three-way tie for the top AL wild-card spot prior to Monday's action. Article content 'Everything has come together offensively,' Martinez said. 'They've cut down their strikeouts. They're more patient. And they're realizing one or two guys aren't going to carry the team. They're getting contributions from everywhere in the order.'
CTV News
32 minutes ago
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Argos players, coaches and staff receive their '24 Grey Cup rings
DaVaris Daniels of the Argos gives CP24 Breakfast a first look at the team's Grey Cup championship ring. TORONTO — Toronto Argonauts personnel will have two ways to commemorate the franchise's 2024 Grey Cup championship. Players, coaches and team staff received their custom-made championship rings Sunday. The Argos captured a CFL-record 19th title in November with a 41-24 win over the Winnipeg Blue Bombers at B.C. Place Stadium. A unique element of the item, crafted by Baron Championship Rings, is the detachment feature of its top, allowing the wearer to transform the piece into a pendant by attaching it to a chain. Upon detachment, the top reveals an engraving of the quote 'an underdog is a hungry dog ready to eat,' referencing receiver DaVaris Daniels' speech from the '24 championship rally. Opposite of the engraving, the interior features a detailed tribute to the stadium where the Argos earned their victory. 'Last season, the team rose to a new level of dedication, perseverance and teamwork in their pursuit of adding another Grey Cup to the Argonauts' rich championship history,' said Argos GM Michael (Pinball) Clemons. 'A championship ring is a permanent reminder of a special season and a special achievement, and it will bring the team together again this season as we look forward to building on that success.' The ring itself features several unique elements, including the face showcasing the Grey Cup trophy in addition to the Argos' logo being encrusted with diamonds. The left shoulder includes detailing of Toronto landmarks, including the CN Tower, City Hall and BMO Field, the club's home stadium. The right shoulder is personalized for each of the players with their name and number sitting atop of a jersey motif and boat oars that symbolize the franchise's origins as the Argonaut Rowing Club. At the bridge of the ring is the player's signature, along with the final score and date of the game. The outside bottom shank captures another one of the team's mottoes 'Start 2 Finish.' On the upper side, the design includes numeral detailing of '111,' in reference to the 111th Grey Cup game. On the bottom is the number '24' for the year, with a sapphire bejewelled wave set above it. Nineteen radiant stones wrap around the ring, symbolizing every title in Argos' history. 'Creating the 2024 Grey Cup champions ring was an incredible opportunity to celebrate the team's legacy and the pride of their fans,' said Baron president Drina Baron-Zinyk and CEO Peter Kanis in a joint statement. 'Every detail of the 2024 ring was designed to embody the grit, determination, and unforgettable moments that define this team's journey.' The Argos will distribute replicas of the '24 ring to the first 10,000 fans attending their home opener versus the Calgary Stampeders on Saturday afternoon. This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 9, 2025.
CTV News
33 minutes ago
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Ottawa Charge set to lose 2 more players in PWHL expansion draft
PWHL fans are getting ready to say goodbye to some of their favourite players as the league adds squads in Seattle and Vancouver. Two more players from the Ottawa Charge will be changing jerseys tonight in the Professional Women's Hockey League (PWHL) expansion draft. The league has expanded to add teams in Vancouver and Seattle for the 2025-26 season, and four players from each of the original six teams will be split among the two new clubs ahead of the 2025 draft. Each of the original six teams is able to protect four players from being chosen during the expansion process. Ottawa has already seen two players selected by Vancouver and Seattle as part of the process. Goalie Emerance Maschmeyer was chosen by Vancouver and defender Danielle Serdachny was selected by Seattle during the exclusive signing window last week that allowed the expansion teams to select up to five players each. This means two more players from Ottawa are set to be chosen in Monday's expansion draft. According to the PWHL, the following players are available: Ashton Bell (D), Brianne Jenner (F), Jocelyne Larocque (D), Stephanie Markowski (D), Mannon McMahon (F), Anna Meixner (F), Kateřina Mrázová (F), Aneta Tejralová (D), Madeline Wethington (D) Jenner, notably, is the current captain of the Ottawa Charge. Forwards Emily Clark and Gabbie Hughes, goalie Gwyneth Philips, and defender Ronja Savolainen have been protected from the draft. TSN's Kenzie Lalonde tells CTV Morning Live the expansion teams will be looking to round out their rosters with critical pieces. 'It'll be a tough sight for fans as they'll watch the draft unfold tonight and see some of their favourites join these brand new teams, but it's exciting for these new squads in Vancouver and Seattle to really build these teams from scratch,' Lalonde said. 'Whether you're Seattle or Vancouver, it's all about need. What do you need? Do you want to get a top defender? Do you want to get a skilled forward?' The 2025 PWHL expansion draft begins at 8:30 p.m. on the PWHL's website and its YouTube channel.
