Latest news with #NHLers
Ottawa Citizen
4 days ago
- Sport
- Ottawa Citizen
Islanders ready for top-10 pick in QMJHL Entry Draft
For only the second time in seven years, the Charlottetown Islanders hold a top-10 pick in the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) Entry Draft. Article content The Islanders are scheduled to pick seventh overall in Quebec City on June 6. The 12-round draft takes place over two days, with Rounds 2 through 12 taking place on June 7. Article content Article content 'It's exciting with us finally having a first-round pick and not only that, but seventh overall,' said Islanders general manager and head coach Jim Hulton. 'The last time we picked this high was (defenceman Lukas) Cormier (fourth overall in 2018), so we are hoping to have similar success.' Article content Article content Cormier, a third-round pick of the Vegas Golden Knights in the 2020 NHL Entry Draft, recorded 242 points in 237 regular-season and playoff games with the Islanders over four seasons. Article content Article content The Islanders' only other first-round pick since 2018 was in 2023, when they selected defenceman Owen Conrad with the 20th overall pick acquired in a trade from Quebec. The reason for the Islanders' lack of first-round picks in recent years is due to trades made to set the team up for a run to the QMJHL final in 2022. Article content 'We are not going to restrict ourselves to certain positions,' said Hulton. 'I don't think it's any secret we would like to add some offence but I'm not sure it's fair to the young man that we select seventh to be the cure for all our offensive woes. Article content Article content 'We just need a good hockey player… We feel we can pick a guy who can step in and play right away, so that part's really exciting.' Article content Islanders head scout and director of player personnel Trevor Birt described this year's draft class as deep. Article content 'There's going to be, I would say, some future NHLers in the draft,' said Birt. 'There is some size to the draft, also.' Article content Article content Barring any trades, the Islanders will go into the draft with 12 picks, including two in the second round – 22nd overall from the 2022-23 Franky Lapenna trade to Gatineau and 38th overall as part of the Alexis Michaud trade to Baie-Comeau on Dec. 20, 2024.
Yahoo
26-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Three Potential Paths Forward For Former Maple Leafs President Brendan Shanahan
Brendan Shanahan's days with the Toronto Maple Leafs ended last week. Now, Shanahan has to plot out his next career move. But when you think about Shanahan's trajectory from NHL star to NHL executive to Maple Leafs president, it's clear his work ethic has never left him. So, what's next for Shanahan after Maple Leafs Sports Entertainment decided not to renew his contract? Let's examine three potential paths ahead for him. After Shanahan's Hockey Hall of Fame playing career ended in October 2009, he went to work on his off-ice career, joining the NHL about a month later as the league's vice-president of hockey and business development. A year-and-a-half later, he moved on to become the league's senior vice-president, working on supplemental discipline for NHLers and becoming the face of the player safety department. Less than three years after that, Shanahan took on the job of running the Leafs, which he did for the next 11 years. All of which is to say Shanahan could be looking at a prolonged vacation for the first time in his adult life. Maybe that's what's best for him to recharge his batteries and wait for the ideal work situation to present itself before he chooses to get back on the horse and ride in a new role. Shanahan doesn't need to shoehorn himself into any one situation, which is why nothing came of the New York Islanders' rumored interest in him. Ultimately, who wouldn't want to spend more time with their family? Shanahan now has that option for himself for the foreseeable future. Some have speculated that Shanahan will want to get back to work as quickly as possible, and who knows – taking on the job of a retooling team like the Nashville Predators or Buffalo Sabres might be a good fit for him. But we see Shanahan as waiting for a different team that could be seeking a new executive to oversee things. One team in particular could offer him the chance to reunite with an old friend and former teammate. We're talking, of course, about the Detroit Red Wings, which haven't made the Stanley Cup playoffs in nine seasons. If there's one thing Shanahan has shown he can do in Toronto, it's getting a team back into the post-season with a strong core. Under Shanahan, the Maple Leafs drafted and developed Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner and William Nylander, and they signed John Tavares in 2018. The team also had six seasons of at least 100 points, including in 2017-18, its first 100-point campaign since 2003-04. The Red Wings, meanwhile, haven't reached 100 points since 2014-15. If he did join the Red Wings, Shanahan would likely be working once again with current Wings GM Steve Yzerman. Hiring Shanahan to oversee things in the Motor City would work for Detroit's ownership, which benefited from Shanahan's expertise as a player. Perhaps there's a setup where Yzerman could be bumped higher in the Red Wings' management echelon – the way fellow legend Joe Sakic was elevated with the Colorado Avalanche – and Shanahan and Yzerman could wind up collaborating on key roster decisions for the Wings. The Red Wings aren't at the bare-bones stage of their development, so Shanahan may see Detroit as the team that will offer him the best option to step back into the fray and push a team into the post-season sooner rather than later. That may heighten the Red Wings' Atlantic Division rivalry with the Maple Leafs. Thus, the Wings make a lot of sense for Shanahan as his next management destination. Brendan Shanahan, The Leafs' President, Lacked Brendan Shanahan, The Player When Brendan Shanahan was hired as the Toronto Maple Leafs president in 2014, and for the first couple of years after that, there was more optimism around this organization than there had been in decades. And for good reason. Shanahan has had a terrific relationship with NHL commissioner Gary Bettman for decades now. Having the opportunity to work once again at the NHL's head office in New York City would also work for Shanahan as a longtime resident of Manhattan and someone who understands what it is to be part of the sports scene in the New York City area. To be sure, working for another team is probably what best suits Shanahan's competitive desire. But unless there's an ideal situation with a team that checks all the boxes for him, going back to the league as a higher-up right away wouldn't be seen as a step down for him. To the contrary – Shanahan's notable impact with the 'Shanahan Summit' demonstrated he can do something meaningful for the game he loves. If that means not running a team until such time as a perfect situation for him arises with a different franchise, Shanahan would be welcomed with open arms by Bettman & Co. If he wants to get back to work right away, the league has demonstrated it will find a role that he's happy with. And after one or two years working for the league once again, the hockey landscape could look much different for Shanahan – and it could offer him a perfect fit eventually. Get the latest news and trending stories by following The Hockey News on Google News and by subscribing to The Hockey News newsletter here. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Adam Fantilli & Kent Johnson Asked About Elvis Merzlikins
One of the interesting things about covering the IIHF World Championships as a journalist is the media presence from the different participating countries. As a nation that is crazy about hockey, Latvia always sends a significant number of journalists to cover the tournament and, like a lot of Latvians, were disappointed when Elvis Merzlikins announced that he wouldn't be representing his country this year. However, that didn't stop them from asking Kent Johnson and Adam Fantilli, Merzlikins' Columbus Blue Jackets teammates, about the popular goaltender. Two themes that came out in both of their answers were his personality and his generosity. 'He's a lot of fun to be around,' said 20-year-old Fantilli, who's been a teammates of Merzlikins for two years now. 'He's got a big personality and it's a pleasure to be around him in the locker room.' 'I have a good relationship with Elvis – he's a good dude and a good goalie too,' said 22-year-old Johnson, who has now been a teammate of Merzlikins for more than three seasons. 'He won us a lot of games this year. That was huge and I'm looking forward to the same thing next year.' 'He's been our starter for quite a few years now and he's stolen quite a few games for us,' said Fantilli. 'This year he was phenomenal in shootouts. I don't know exactly what his record was but it was pretty good. When you have him back there, you have a little bit of confidence and you can play a little bit harder offensively.' 'We have a lot of fun away from the rink, the whole team,' said Fantilli. 'The rookie party was a blast, a lot of team dinners are awesome. At the rink, I just love his personality and how much he celebrates shootout wins.' It was mentioned how Merzlikins sometimes buys dinners after the Latvian national team comes up with a big win, and Fantilli confirmed he also does that sometimes in Columbus. No Merzlikins, Silovs, Or Any NHLers For Latvia, But Daugavins Returns The Latvian national team will not have Elvis Merzļikins or Artūrs Šilovs in goal at this year's IIHF World Championship – the Columbus Blue Jackets goalie cited family reasons last month and the Vancouver Canucks prospect is still involved in the AHL playoffs. But the small nation of less than two million seems to have no trouble producing goalies and Latvia will give the net to 32-year-old Kristers Gudlevskis, the two-time top goalie of Germany's DEL. 'Sometimes he throws a team dinner up on the board and if we win,' he said. 'I know he did it this year in Toronto (pictured) and he's done it in past years too.' Both players were disappointed but understanding when they heard Merzlikins wouldn't be going to Stockholm. 'I was hoping when we'd play Latvia that he'd be in the net. It would be fun to score on him and make some jokes about it after,' Johnson laughed. 'But no, I hope he's enjoying his time off and he'll be ready for camp.' 'Just before I left Columbus, he told me he wasn't going to be playing,' said Fantilli. 'I knew Canada and Latvia were in the same group so it would've been fun to play against him, but I knew he'd just had a baby, so family comes first.' Predicting Latvia's 2026 Olympic roster When they beat France 5-2 on home ice on Sunday, the Latvians qualified for the men's ice hockey tournament at the Winter Olympics for the fifth time out of the last six possibilities. Only once, in 2014 in Sochi, did Latvia reach the quarterfinals.
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Former Canadian World Junior Player Testifies About What Was Said In Hotel Room On Night Of Alleged Sexual Assault
Warning: coverage of the Hockey Canada trial includes graphic details of alleged sexual assault that may be disturbing to readers. A former Canadian world junior team member testifying in the Hockey Canada sexual assault trial said a woman asked the men in a London, Ont., hotel room for sex when an alleged assault occurred. Tyler Steenbergen is a former member of Canada's 2018 World Junior Championship squad. Five of his teammates – Michael McLeod, Carter Hart, Alex Formenton, Dillon Dube and Cal Foote – have each pleaded not guilty to a charge of sexual assault, with McLeod pleading not guilty to an additional charge of sexual assault as party to the offense. The charges the former NHLers face are in relation to a 2018 incident in which a woman, referred to in court documents as E.M., alleges the men sexually assaulted her following a Hockey Canada gala. Steenbergen has not been accused of any wrongdoing. Once the Crown's re-examination of the complainant wrapped up in the mid-afternoon on Wednesday, Steenbergen appeared virtually to begin his Crown testimony for the jury. After asking Steenbergen about his time at Jack's Bar – where E.M. initially met McLeod and other players – the night of the alleged assault, assistant Crown attorney Heather Donkers shifted to the events that occurred in Room 209 of the Delta Armouries Hotel in London. Steenbergen said he initially went to the room because he received a text that there was 'food in McLeod's room.' He also testified that once he's in the room, he heard someone say, 'Guys, there's a naked girl in the bathroom.' Just before this, Steenbergen said he remembers seeing other players in the room, including Jake Bean and Dube, who entered together. Other players included Sam Steel, Hart, Maxime Comtois, Drake Batherson, McLeod, Brett Howden and Formenton. Bean, Steel, Comtois, Batherson and Howden are not accused of any wrongdoing. Steenbergen testified that a woman exited the bathroom unclothed, made her way to a bed sheet on the floor of the room, began masturbating and saying, 'Can one of you guys come over and f--- me?' Steenbergen testified that after this question, Hart made his way over to the woman and received oral sex from her. Donkers then asked what the atmosphere was like in the room during that moment. 'I feel like when she asked the guys to come over to have sex with her, I feel like everyone was in shock that she had said that,' Steenbergen said. He also said he remembered that after the woman had finished giving oral sex to Hart, she told the guys they were 'being p-----s' and then proceeded to give oral sex to McLeod. Hockey Canada Sexual Assault Trial: Defense Lawyer Questions E.M. On Cal Foote's Alleged 'Party Trick' Warning: coverage of the Hockey Canada trial includes graphic details of alleged sexual assault that may be disturbing to readers. Before Steenbergen began his testimony, the jury saw the Crown's re-examination of the complainant. A major focus was put on re-examining her responses to when Foote allegedly did the splits over top of her, grazing her face with his genitals. Crown attorney Meaghan Cunningham asked E.M. to explain further part of her statement to police from June 22, 2018, in which she said, 'It was just funny to them, like, 'Do this,' like, the one just did the splits on my face, just to put it in my face, kinda.' E.M. clarified that the 'it' she was referring to was, 'his penis, in my face.' This line of questioning ended nearly nine days of the complainant's testimony before the jury. This included her Crown testimony, parts of seven days of the defense's cross-examination and Wednesday's Crown re-examination. The trial is expected to resume Thursday morning with the continuation of Steenbergen's Crown testimony.
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Hockey Canada Sexual Assault Trial: E.M. Told Friend She Felt 'Dirty And Used' As Defense Shows More Texts
Warning: coverage of the Hockey Canada trial includes details of alleged sexual assault that may be disturbing to readers. On Monday, a defense lawyer in the Hockey Canada trial read excerpts from a text conversation between the complainant and her best friend, sent after the complainant alleges she was sexually assaulted by five members of the 2018 Canadian world junior team in a London, Ont. hotel room following a Hockey Canada gala in June 2018. The players in question – former NHLers Michael McLeod, Carter Hart, Alex Formenton, Dillon Dube and Cal Foote – all pleaded not guilty to charges of sexual assault, with McLeod pleading not guilty to an additional charge of sexual assault as party to the offense. During a cross-examination of the complainant, referred to in court documents as E.M. due to a publication ban on her identity, Dube's lawyer, Lisa Carnelos, read portions of a text conversation from June 2018 between the complainant and her best friend. The texts span from June 19 – the morning after the alleged sexual assault – to June 22, 2018. This friend is different from the co-worker who was at the bar with E.M. – their text conversation was examined last week. The complainant's friend initially messaged her to check in after she had received a call from E.M. just before 5:00 a.m. on June 19. In the call, the complainant cried while discussing the night's events as she left the Delta Armouries Hotel. E.M. eventually responded to her friend's text but didn't mention the alleged incident, just replying that she was fine and had been 'a little overdramatic.' Carnelos continued to read excerpts to the jury and E.M., who continues to testify from another room in the London, Ont., courthouse via video feed. The complainant eventually opened up to her friend more, saying that she felt 'dirty and used' following the events in the hotel room. As more of the conversation was read, Carnelos asked the complainant why she didn't initially tell her friend about the alleged sexual assault aspect of the night, suggesting that if she had felt she'd been 'sexually violated or assaulted that night,' she would have informed her best friend right away. E.M. said she doesn't 'like to burden people with my own problems.' She also said she was trying to pretend it didn't happen Carnelos continued to press E.M. that she would tell something like that to someone she considers a best friend. 'She was (her best friend), but I'd never had to tell her about something like this before,' E.M. said. 'I didn't want to say those words (sexual assault) because then it would be true.' Another portion of the texts showed E.M. and her friend discussing McLeod specifically. 'He seemed really chill at the bar. You couldn't have known he was going to be such an a--hole, so you can't blame yourself,' the friend texted E.M. on June 19. E.M. also messaged her friend, expressing her guilt over cheating on her boyfriend at the time, which was discussed earlier on in the cross-examination process. As the text chain shifted to June 22, 2018, Carnelos read that E.M. mentioned to her friend that the men involved were hockey players. 'The group of guys are all high-up hockey players,' E.M. texted to her friend. 'Go figure. LMAO.' Defense Shows Texts Between E.M. And Colleague From June 2018 At Hockey Canada Trial Warning: coverage of the Hockey Canada trial includes details of alleged sexual assault that may be disturbing to readers. Earlier in Monday's proceedings, Formenton's lawyer, Daniel Brown, continued his cross-examination from where it left off on Friday. Early in his Monday questioning, he pressed E.M. on her weight at the time of the alleged assault, pointing out that she previously said in court that she was 120 pounds in June 2018 but that her medical records from the time show she was 138 pounds. Brown suggested she changed this to further prove to the jury how much smaller she was than the men. E.M. denied this suggestion and said she rarely weighed herself. Brown's primary focus, however, was on alleged events in the hotel room, suggesting the complainant had been 'egging on' the players to perform sexual acts on her. 'Do you remember saying, 'Are you going to f--- me or play golf?' ' Brown asked E.M. The complainant said she had no recollection of saying that phrase, nor did it sound like something she would say. Brown shifted to the complainant's alleged sexual encounter with Formenton in the bathroom, suggesting it was she who led him to the bathroom. E.M. denied this, saying he followed her as she was going to the bathroom herself. The lawyer finished his cross-examination by suggesting E.M. initially reported the incident to the police in the hopes that any pictures or videos of her from the night of the alleged sexual assault would be deleted from the men's phones. E.M. denied this suggestion. The defense's cross-examination is expected to continue on Tuesday as Cal Foote's lawyer, Julianna Greenspan, will begin her questioning of the complainant.
