Latest news with #CrossLake
Winnipeg Free Press
5 days ago
- Sport
- Winnipeg Free Press
Keeper hangs up skates on historic career
The pride of Cross Lake has officially retired from professional hockey. Defenceman Brady Keeper announced Tuesday he was hanging up his skates, explaining in a social media post on Instagram Wednesday his decision was made over a lingering injury. 'Back in the 2021-2022 season, I broke my tibia and fibula while in Vancouver. After a long year of rehab during that season and throughout the summer, I was able to come back and play in the 2022-23 season,' Keeper wrote, referencing the time he spent with the Canucks organization. 'But to be honest, my leg never felt the same. Even with continued rehab, the pain remained. The metal rod that was inserted into my knee to stabilize the bone and make it stronger has caused ongoing pain ever since. It's been a constant battle — not just physically, but mentally as well.' Adrian Wyld / THE CANADIAN PRESS FILES Cross Lake's Brady Keeper made his NHL debut with the Florida Panthers in March of 2019. Keeper added that he wished he could continue to play hockey, but his body was preventing him from being able to play professionally. In fact, Keeper had signed with the Glasgow Clan of the Elite Ice Hockey League based in the U.K. in June, marking what would have been his return to the game after the lower-body injury brought his NHL career with the Canucks to an end. In a statement Wednesday, Clan head coach and Oromocto, N.B.-native Corey Neilson said the news was disappointing, 'however, Brady needs to do what's best for his health, and that means allowing him to step away from the game.' Neilson added the club respects Keeper's decision 'and wish him nothing but the best.' The Glasgow club itself thanked Keeper for his professionalism and wished him 'a full and healthy recovery as he moves forward into the next chapter of his life.' Winnipeg Jets Game Days On Winnipeg Jets game days, hockey writers Mike McIntyre and Ken Wiebe send news, notes and quotes from the morning skate, as well as injury updates and lineup decisions. Arrives a few hours prior to puck drop. Keeper, having gone undrafted, made waves in 2019 when he signed with the Florida Panthers. With the deal, the defenceman became the first hockey player from Cross Lake to play in the NHL. MELISSA MARTIN / FREE PRESS FILES Brady Keeper received a hero's welcome from his hometown crowd in Cross Lake in April 2019 after his first season with the Florida Panthers, including a parade. He made his NHL debut on March 28, 2019, against the Ottawa Senators. In April of that year, Keeper received a hero's welcome from his hometown crowd in Cross Lake, complete with a parade after his first season playing with the Panthers. Keeper made his Stanley Cup playoffs debut in the qualifying round of the 2020 Edmonton bubble, playing Aug. 4 of that year. He last skated for the Panthers in the 2020-21 season before being picked up by the Vancouver Canucks as an unrestricted free agent, signing a two-year, US$1.525 million contract. It was in training camp with the Canucks that Keeper broke his tibia and fibula in his left leg. He spent the remainder of his time with the franchise's AHL affiliate Abbotsford Canucks. In 2023, Keeper signed a one-year, two-way contract with the Montreal Canadiens and was ultimately assigned to the Canadiens' AHL affiliate, the Laval Rocket.
CTV News
17-07-2025
- Health
- CTV News
How Manitobans can stay safe from wildfire smoke
Clouds of smoke rise from the Cross Lake community in northern Manitoba. (Raymond Robinson) With many communities under air quality warnings, it's important for Manitobans to stay safe and protect their lungs from wildfire smoke. According to the latest provincial data, there are 123 active wildfires across the province and 310 wildfires so far this year. This year's wildfire season is also on track to be Canada's second worst on record. 'The 2025 season is very aggressive,' said Juliette Mucha from the Manitoba Lung Association in an interview with CTV Morning Live on Thursday. 'But what we're caught off guard with is it started so early this year, so it's lasting a long time.' Mucha said her organization wants to educate Manitobans on how they can best enjoy their summer while also staying protected against the smoke, which has the ability to travel hundreds of kilometres. She emphasized smoke can affect everyone, not just those with health conditions, such as asthma, COPD and pulmonary fibrosis. 'We have one set of lungs, and we need to take care of them,' she said. To stay safe amid a high air quality health index, Mucha recommends that people stay indoors as much as possible, drink plenty of water, and wear an N95 mask when going outside. She also recommends closing windows and doors at home, putting your air conditioner on recirculation mode, and using an air purifier with a HEPA filter. 'I encourage everyone, we have a lot of Manitoba events happening; enjoy, but take precautions,' she said.
Yahoo
25-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Ex-Panther Signs With Scottish Club
Canadian defenseman Brady Keeper, 29, has signed a one-year contract with the Glasgow Clan, the Scottish-based EIHL club announced on Tuesday. 'Happy to be getting the opportunity to play and I can't wait to get the games going,' Keeper is quoted in the club's announcement. 'Super excited to see the rink packed and loud.' Advertisement A one-time NHLer, injuries have forced Keeper to miss two of the last four seasons completely, limiting him to just 59 competitive games in that time frame. 'Brady is a rugged defensive defenseman who skates well and is highly competitive,' said Glasgow coach Corey Neilson. 'He enjoys confrontation, blocking shots and winning. He's had some unlucky seasons of late with injuries and is excited to get back to playing at a high level.' Born in Cross Lake, Man., Keeper played junior hockey for the OCN Blizzard of the MJHL and played two years of college hockey for the University of Maine Black Bears. Undrafted, Keeper signed as a free agent with the Florida Panthers in the spring of 2019 and played one of his three NHL games right away. He spent the following two seasons in the Florida organization, playing in a playoff game in the 2020 Eastern Conference bubble in Toronto and another regular-season game in 2021. Anton Lundmark 'Shocked' By Panthers' Contract Offer Anton Lundmark 'Shocked' By Panthers' Contract Offer Two years ago, Anton Lundmark was playing in a semi-professional regional league in the third tier of Swedish hockey. This season, at age 23, he made his SHL debut with Timrå IK, where he scored five goals, had four assists and zero (!) penalty minutes in 53 regular-season and playoff games. Advertisement Keeper signed as a free agent with the Vancouver Canucks but broke two bones in his leg during the pre-season and missed the entire 2021-22 season. He spent the following two seasons with the AHL affiliates of the Canucks and Montreal Canadiens but did not play another NHL game. Last summer, Keeper signed with HK Poprad of the Slovak Extraliga but he did not appear in any games for the club. In November, the club reportedly stated, 'He has a valid contract in Europe with HK Poprad for this season, although he is currently not receiving a salary due to non-fulfillment of the contract. If family reasons finally allow him to come, he is welcome in the team.' Last season, Glasgow finished seventh in the 10-team EIHL. The club seems determined to improve its standing this season, having already signed Finnish goaltender Sami Aittokallio, a former Colorado Avalanche prospect. The team also has British national team players Robert Lachowicz and Cade Neilson. Photo © David Kirouac-Imagn Images: Brady Keeper playing for the Montreal Canadiens in the 2023 pre-season. Finnish Ex-Avalanche Goalie Signs In Scotland Finnish Ex-Avalanche Goalie Signs In Scotland Finnish goaltender Sami Aittokallio, 32, has signed a one-year contract with the Glasgow Clan, the Scottish-based EIHL club announced on Thursday.
CTV News
16-06-2025
- General
- CTV News
Evacuees begin return to Pimicikamak Cree Nation
Clouds of smoke rise from the Cross Lake community in northern Manitoba. (Raymond Robinson) Evacuees have begun their return to Pimicikamak Cree Nation. According to a Monday morning Facebook post from Chief David Monias, the evacuation order is lifted and Pimicikamak has begun the 'safe and gradual repatriation' of its residents. Monias said that the fire threatening the community is mostly contained, though some areas are still being closely monitored. He added essential services are being restored, community infrastructure is intact, and water systems have been tested and cleared. Returning evacuees will have access to food vouchers, cleaning supplies, basic medical services and transportation. 'We thank our evacuees for their patience and courage. We also thank our firefighters, emergency workers, and all those who helped,' Monias said. 'Healing begins now. This repatriation is not just about returning home – it's about recovery, unity and community care. Pimicikamak will rise again – together.' Monias said large families, women and children are being given flight priority back to the community. More information on travel and registration, including who to contact, can be found on the chief's Facebook page. Essential businesses returning to Flin Flon In a Facebook update, Flin Flon's Deputy Mayor Allison Dallas-Funk said essential workers and critical businesses have started to re-enter the community in order to clean, re-stock and ensure everything is in place. Guidelines are in place for those returning, including a curfew, restricted travel and a mandatory daily check-in with their assigned team leader. Dallas-Funk added discussions are underway to determine logistics of how to welcome back the entire community. 'We are trying to push forward,' Dallas-Funk said. 'We recognize the mental, physical and emotional toll this is taking on community members, and we are committed to getting the community home safely.' As of Sunday night, firefighters are still working to extinguish active hotspots and flames around the community. The active fire line near Flin Flon is 82 kilometres long, with the community receiving less rain over the weekend than originally forecasted.
CTV News
02-06-2025
- General
- CTV News
‘Heartbreaking': Pets left behind as Manitobans flee wildfires
Melanie Chudyk of Manitoba Animal Alliance shares how wildfire evacuations are affecting pets and how you can help. Many of Manitoba's wildfire evacuees were forced to leave their animals behind due to limited space on evacuation planes. Melanie Chudyk with the Manitoba Animal Alliance said the majority of pets remain in the evacuated communities and are being cared for by first responders. She added her organization has sent supplies to these communities, with the goal of rescuing the animals in need of care and providing support to pet owners. 'The community of Cross Lake, for example, is a community of about 9,000 people,' she said. 'Right now, there's a couple hundred first responders still in the community who are taking care of thousands of animals.' Chudyk described the situation as 'heartbreaking,' but said she understands that people were faced with extremely difficult decisions. 'I understand that if it comes down to life and death, that if this is an emergency situation, your first priority is getting your immediate family out,' she said. 'Unfortunately, sometimes animals will get left behind.' To help with the situation, the Manitoba Animal Alliance is collecting donations of crates, leashes, and collars. It's also sending hundreds of pounds of food to the evacuated communities. 'We need funds to purchase food. We need funds to send supplies up north,' she said. 'We need volunteers who are willing to pick up animals, meet animal owners with the pet, and who are able to emergency foster them.' Humane Society setting up temporary shelter On Monday, the Winnipeg Humane Society announced it's setting up a temporary shelter at the St. Norbert Community Centre to help wildfire evacuees who fled with their pets. At this shelter, the Humane Society will be able to help about 60 animals, providing them with housing, exercise, and vet care. Families will also have designated visiting hours. The organization expects the shelter will be ready to take in animals by Tuesday morning. · With files from CTV's Rachel Lagacé
