Latest news with #NewfoundlandRegiment
CBC
02-06-2025
- Business
- CBC
Newfoundland Regiment names first head coach and general manager
It's been just over five months since the Newfoundland Regiment unveiled its name and logo to a room full of screaming hockey fans eagerly awaiting the return of elite-level hockey in St. John's. On Monday, the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League's (QMJHL) newest franchise slotted in another big piece of the puzzle, by naming its first head coach and general manager during a news conference at the JAG hotel in the city's downtown. Gordie Dwyer will command the squad from behind the bench and in the front office. Dwyer spent the last three seasons in those roles with the Acadie–Bathurst Titan, meaning the ownership group, SPS Entertainment, didn't have to look far to find its first leader since buying the New Brunswick-based franchise last year. "Once our ownership group got to know the people in Bathurst, it became pretty obvious to us the direction we should go," team president Glenn Stanford told reporters on Monday. Beyond the QMJHL — also known as the Q — Dwyer has coaching and playing experience spanning the globe. As a player he spent time making a name as a gritty winger in major junior before making the leap to pro. In the late 90s and into the early 2000s Dwyer split time between the American Hockey League and National Hockey League with the Tampa Bay Lightning, New York Rangers and Montreal Canadiens clubs. As a head coach he found jobs throughout the Q, with a stint in the professional Kontinental Hockey League in Russia. Dwyer also served as a coach with Canada's U18 club on the international level. But the new bench boss has little time to soak in the moment. The Regiment is looking ahead to the QMJHL selection draft on Thursday. It has some draft capital in tow with three early first-round picks, and there are local players who could be among the top picks. "It's our responsibility to know the players and know the draft. There's a lot of work that goes into it, not just looking at a player once or twice," Dwyer said. "Ultimately we can't control the draft and where players happen [to go], but we've definitely got our eye on a few top prospects for sure." Looking ahead With the draft just days away, Stanford is busy getting things ready for opening night this fall. They'll release the regular season schedule in full on Wednesday, giving fans their first real look at the calendar for 2025-26. Stanford said there's still a few jobs on the table to hire for — an athletic therapist and assistant coaches — but those processes are underway. And what good is a logo without a jersey? Stanford said they'll unveil the sweaters on Thursday as well. Over 2,000 season tickets have been sold so far. Stanford said he expects more will sell once other packages become available. "I really do believe this week once the schedule comes out, once you see the results of the draft, hopefully, we'll have some more excitement around here next week," he said. The dressing room at the Mary Brown's Centre will undergo some changes to fit the criteria of a major junior hockey club. Stanford said the franchise will tie in some Royal Newfoundland Regiment themes in that makeover.
Hindustan Times
25-05-2025
- General
- Hindustan Times
What is Memorial Day all about? History and significance explained
Memorial Day is a special day in Canada's Newfoundland and Labrador. It is also called Commemoration Day, people observe it every year on 1 July. The day remembers a big loss during World War I. On 1 July 1916, the Newfoundland Regiment fought at Beaumont-Hamel in France. Out of about 800 soldiers, less than 70 came back the next day. Many people across the province lost someone in that battle. The first memorial service was held on 1 July 1917. It became a regular event by 1919. In 1920, a law called the Commemoration Day Act made it official. At first, the day was marked on the first Sunday in July to honour soldiers who fought in the war, as per timeanddate. Also Read: Memorial Day 2025: Date, significance, history and traditions of the US federal holiday After Newfoundland joined Canada in 1949, Memorial Day and Canada Day were both marked on 1 July. In 1990, the province changed the rule. Memorial Day moved to the Sunday closest to 1 July. But many people now prefer to observe it on 1 July, like before. Every year, people hold public ceremonies, one of the main events takes place at the War Memorial in St. John's. Other towns also hold ceremonies. To respect both days, the morning of 1 July is for Memorial Day, and the afternoon is for Canada Day celebrations. Memorial Day is different from Remembrance Day, which is held every year on 11 November.
Ottawa Citizen
12-05-2025
- Sport
- Ottawa Citizen
Could the Regiment's first QMJHL draft pick be a Newfoundlander?
With under a month remaining until the Newfoundland Regiment makes its first-ever selections in the Quebec Maritime Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) Draft, a recent scouting report suggests that some homegrown talent may be available to the club when they step to the podium to make their inaugural picks. Article content Article content The QMJHL Central Scouting recently published its final prospect rankings ahead of the 2025 QMJHL Entry Draft, identifying 21 talented draft hopefuls from Newfoundland and Labrador, including two skaters who have a chance at being selected in the first round. Article content Article content St. John's native Benjamin Veitch is the province's top-ranked skater heading into the draft, ranking seventh out of 381 eligible prospects from across Quebec and Atlantic Canada. The 15-year-old left-handed forward displayed tremendous scoring touch during the 2024-25 season, scoring 21 goals in 29 regular-season games and adding 10 goals in 10 playoff games with the York Simcoe Express U16 AAA squad in Aurora, Ontario. Article content Article content Just a short drive away across the Greater Toronto Area is where you will find the province's top-ranked defensive prospect, 15-year-old Quinn Norman from Conception Bay South. The well-rounded rearguard is the third-ranked defenseman among all Atlantic Canadian skaters and collected three points in four games at the OHL Cup as a member of the Vaughan Kings. Article content Article content Back at the QMJHL Draft Lottery in late April, it was determined that the Newfoundland Regiment would have three first-round selections at the upcoming QMJHL Draft, taking place in Quebec City on June 6 and 7. Article content Given the club's draft selections are the fifth, sixth and eighth overall picks, it's not impossible to fathom that one or both players may be available when the team makes its selections. Article content Whether or not the team chooses to bring one or both of these players back home via the draft would be the decision of the yet-to-be-confirmed general manager and/or head coach.
