Latest news with #WHL
Hindustan Times
2 hours ago
- Health
- Hindustan Times
Over 200 women in Maharashtra's Beed underwent hysterectomies between 2022-25: Centre
New Delhi, More than 200 women in Maharashtra's Beed district have undergone hysterectomy surgeries in the last three years, with the Centre attributing the procedures to medical necessity and affirming that they were carried out under strict state supervision. Over 200 women in Maharashtra's Beed underwent hysterectomies between 2022-25: Centre A hysterectomy is a surgical procedure to remove the uterus. Responding to a question in the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday, Minister of State for Women and Child Development Savitri Thakur acknowledged media and research reports suggesting that some women sugarcane workers, particularly in Beed, have undergone hysterectomies. The reports raised concerns that menstruation-related challenges during harvesting may be influencing such decisions. While clarifying that health is a state subject, Thakur said the Maharashtra government has assured the Centre that all hysterectomy procedures in the district are performed only after mandatory pre-approval by the district civil surgeon and the medical superintendent of the respective area. "Surgeries are allowed only after a detailed gynaecological examination and clinical justification, such as uterine fibroids or abnormal bleeding," the minister said in a written response. According to the government, a total of 211 hysterectomies were carried out in Beed from 2022 to March 2025. These included 49 surgeries in 2022, 89 in 2023, 55 in 2024, and 18 up to March 2025. In response to concerns over economic coercion and labour rights, the state government has implemented several initiatives, including biannual health check-ups for migrant sugarcane workers and awareness campaigns on reproductive health and the risks of unnecessary hysterectomies. "The government of Maharashtra has regularly conducted health rights awareness campaigns at village and PHC levels to educate women on reproductive health, risks of unnecessary hysterectomy surgeries, menstrual hygiene and family planning methods," the minister said, adding that screenings for anaemia, reproductive tract infections, and cervical cancer have been included in the outreach. Responding to another question, Thakur said women helplines are operational in 35 states and Union Territories and are also integrated with the Emergency Response Support System ERSS-112. "Government of West Bengal is not implementing Women Helpline. Through WHL, over 88.24 lakh women have been assisted across the country since the inception i.e. 01.04.2015 till 31.05.2025," Thakur said. In another response, she said as of date, 843 one-stop centres are operational in the country, including 55 in Maharashtra. "Since inception, i.e. 1st April, 2015 up to 30th June, 2025, over 11.94 lakh women have been assisted in the country including Maharashtra," she said. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
Calgary Herald
a day ago
- Sport
- Calgary Herald
Meet the new Calgary Hitmen coaches: Dustin Friesen named 13th bench boss
Article content Friesen brings a wealth of experience from an 11-year professional career as a player, including three seasons in the American Hockey League and eight seasons in Germany, with whom he served as captain of ERC Ingolstadt and won a DEL2 Championship. Article content Before turning pro, he spent five seasons with the University of New Brunswick Reds, captaining the program to two U SPORTS' titles. Article content And before that, he played for four seasons with the WHL's Swift Current Broncos. Article content 'He's played both forward and defence,' added Davidson of Friesen. 'That's an interesting appreciation for both positions.' Article content One assistant joining Friesen is a Hitmen legend. Article content Brad Moran is arguably the best player ever to play for the club, as the franchise leader in games played (357), goals (204), assists (246) and points (450) during his five-year career from 1995-2000. His iconic No. 20 is the only jersey number retired by the organization. Article content Article content Moran has since helped turn around the Alberta Junior Hockey League's Calgary Canucks, transitioning them quickly from a weak team in the Tier 2 junior loop into a powerhouse that culminated in May with a Centennial Cup title after capturing two straight AJHL championships. Moran spent seven years with the Canucks. Article content 'Brad is a real good fit with the whole group, because he's a guy that knows what the offence is all about,' Davidson said. 'He achieved big-time at the Western league and professionally offensively. Article content 'And I really watched him the last couple of years lead the Canucks here. Got to go out and watch games. I'm sure he's going to really help us with forwards, and I'm sure he'll be heavily involved with a power play, from what I gather.' Article content Helping to coach up the defence is Friesen's other assistant in Dakota Krebs, who gets a promotion from being the team's video coach last season. Article content Article content A former Hitmen defenceman, Krebs played for the club from 2018-20 following three seasons with the WHL's Tri-City Americans. He later spent four years with the University of Calgary Dinos, with whom he served as an assistant captain for two seasons and earned a bachelor of commerce degree. Article content 'I'm really excited about both Brad and Dakota,' Friesen said. 'Both are Calgary Hitmen alumni, which I think is a really important piece. They already have that pride instilled in them after both having really good careers with the Calgary Hitmen. So I think that's part of building the program and building the team. Article content 'So you have that investment from the coaching staff that's just contagious with the players, and then obviously that leads to a high-performance atmosphere. And what we're trying to develop here in Calgary.' Article content McFarland got offered a gig he couldn't refuse — that from the NHL's Edmonton Oilers, joining head coach Kris Knoblauch behind the bench as an assistant. He'll help coach the forwards and be responsible for the much-vaunted power play. Article content 'We knew Paul was interviewing for jobs,' Davidson said. 'So it wasn't like we were caught sort of asleep. We weren't caught asleep. We were making sure that we were looking at some potential people out there, and so we had a bit of a short list. But that short-list got even shorter because we did lose some candidates that took other jobs. Article content But that's the way it goes. Article content 'And from Day 1, we identified Dustin as a real quality candidate.' Article content McFarland's two assistants also left the Hitmen, as Ben Wilson stepped away from coaching to pursue personal opportunities and David Liffiton moved over to the AHL's Calgary Wranglers to become an assistant coach with them. Article content 'I think we're all about moving people on, whether it's players or staff,' Davidson said. 'So … yeah … it's positive. Article content 'But it also comes with having to figure out what we're going to do going forward, which I think we've now got figured out.' Article content 'I knew that Paul had some potential opportunities in the American League, and obviously, the Edmonton job came up,' added Friesen. 'They reached out to me … and I'm very excited and honoured to be in this position.'
Ottawa Citizen
a day ago
- Sport
- Ottawa Citizen
Meet the new Calgary Hitmen coaches: Dustin Friesen named 13th bench boss
Dustin Friesen admits his road to becoming a bench boss wasn't by way of a typical hockey route. Article content There were many stops and years playing the game — nine, in fact, over a whopping 20 seasons — compared to just a handful teaching the sport. And even at that, the Saskatchewan native has only been a head coach of high-school talent. Article content Article content But that didn't stop the Calgary Hitmen from making him the 13th head coach of the storied Western Hockey League franchise. Article content Article content 'Yeah … they had some interest in my experience, which I think is fairly unique experience, I would say,' said Friesen, who was named to the gig by the Hitmen last Friday a few weeks after Paul McFarland returned to the NHL after one season leading the WHL club. Article content Article content 'Both as a player, which is probably not the most traditional route for coaching, and the same thing as a coach, I've been in different leagues,' continued Friesen. 'And coaching in the Prairie Hockey Academy and working with young players and building a program has given me a bit of a unique background. But I think it's been valuable in my journey.' Article content Friesen joins the Hitmen on a multi-year deal after a standout season as associate coach of the Québec Major Junior Hockey League's Moncton Wildcats, with whom he helped lead the team to a championship and a Memorial Cup appearance. Article content 'I had a really good situation in Moncton,' said 42-year-old Friesen, a native of Waldheim, Sask. 'But, obviously, to be a head coach, that was my goal since I started coaching. Article content Article content 'And to be close to my family (wife Katherine and daughters Karen, 16, Nova, 11, and Evelyn 7 in Caronport, Sask.) in the Western league is obviously another priority.' Article content Article content Prior to his time in the Canadian Hockey League, Friesen served as head coach of the PHA's under-18 prep team of the Canadian Sport School Hockey League from 2021-24. Article content He also contributed to the WHL's Moose Jaw Warriors during the 2023–24 season, when the Warriors captured its first-ever league championship and competed at the Memorial Cup. Article content 'I just think when you look at where he's been, what he's done …' Davidson said. 'I mean … he's tracked through junior hockey, went to college and got a degree, and he went to Europe and played professionally there. He's been involved with two Memorial Cup teams. Article content 'I guess the only thing really hasn't been a head coach before, but I don't have any issues with that. I think he's going to come in here and just carry on with what he's been doing here, only he'll be the guy in charge, and I know all of us around him will give him all the support he needs.'
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Trio Of Kraken Prospects Invited To Team Canada's World Junior Summer Showcase Roster
Three Seattle Kraken prospects, Berkly Catton, Jake O'Brien and Ollie Josephson, have been invited to Team Canada's World Junior Summer Showcase roster. Both Catton and O'Brien were expected to participate, but with several injuries and players unable to attend, Josephson became the recipient of an excellent opportunity. The 19-year-old center was drafted by the Kraken in the fourth round, 105th overall, in the 2024 NHL Draft. Josephson scored 14 goals and 35 points in 48 games with the Red Deer Rebels in the WHL, but his value comes on the defensive side of the puck. The 6-foot, 187-pound center is a true two-way forward who could provide Team Canada with a stable fourth-line presence if he can work his way onto the roster. Catton featured on Team Canada's World Junior roster last year, recording one assist in five games. Although his point total was low, Catton was one of the few forwards who was able to generate high-danger chances. If Catton doesn't make the Kraken roster and returns to the WHL, he'll play a major role for Canada. O'Brien could play a critical role with Canada if selected to their roster at next year's event. He's listed at 6-foot-2 and blends his offensive and defensive game better than most prospects. He could slide in anywhere in the middle six and be a factor on both sides of the puck. The players will be split into two teams – Red and White – for practices and an intrasquad game on July 29, before taking on Finland on July 30, Sweden on Aug. 1, and the United States on Aug. 2. Pair Of Kraken Prospects Named To Finland's U-20 Roster; Czechia's Blueline Headlined By Kraken Prospect Ahead of next week's World Junior Summer Showcase in Minnesota, a series of games involving four U-20 teams will take place in Vierumäki, Finland, on Sunday and Monday. Two teams from Finland – essentially an A-team and a B-team – will host the Czech and Swiss national junior teams once each. Newly Drafted Kraken Defenseman Named To Team USA's World Junior Summer Showcase Roster Seattle Kraken defensive prospect Blake Fiddler has been named to Team USA's 2025 World Junior Summer Showcase roster.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Canucks prospect Braeden Cootes making his case at Canadian world junior camp
Vancouver Canucks 2025 first-round draft pick Braeden Cootes is among the 20 forwards and 36 players overall slated to represent Hockey Canada in the World Junior Showcase, which runs today through Saturday in Minneapolis. Cootes, 18, is a right-shot centre with the WHL's Seattle Thunderbirds, and Vancouver picked him at No. 15 a month ago in Los Angeles. Cootes signed his three-year, entry-level deal with the Canucks July 9, and he's expected to return this season to the Thunderbirds. He had 26 goals and 63 points in 60 regular season games with a young, rebuilding Seattle team last season. He was Seattle's captain as well. There were 44 players invited to the camp this week, but eight forwards are listed as 'unable to attend' by Hockey Canada. The includes Kelowna Rockets centre Tij Iginla and Brandon Wheat Kings centre Roger McQueen, who both missed much of last season with injuries. Canada's invited list features seven players from last year's world junior squad who were eligible to return. Cootes is among 22 players invited who previously won gold at the Under-18 worlds. There are eight 18-year-old forwards invited, including Cootes. The remaining 20 are 19 years old. Longtime London Knights coach Dale Hunter is bench boss for this Canadian representative. The tournament is in Minneapolis and St. Paul and gets going Boxing Day. Cootes has been lauded for his leadership and character. Canucks general manager Patrik Allvin said on draft day: 'They have a lot of great history of NHL players coming out of that program and Braeden being a captain, a leader of that team, that excited my staff.' Canucks defence prospect Sawyer Mynio, who was a Cootes teammate with Seattle before being traded to the Calgary Hitmen last year, played for Canada at last year's world juniors in Ottawa. Canada lost 4-3 to Czechia in the quarterfinals. Mynio and Cootes shared the 'C' before Mynio went to Calgary. The players this week will spit into two teams for practices and an intrasquad game on Tuesday before facing Finland on Wednesday, Sweden on Friday and the U.S. on Saturday. Every game will be livestreamed at but a subscription is required. SEwen@ Vancouver Canucks' door remains open to Jack Roslovic: Report Canucks: No adieu Aatu Raty, feisty Finn should become roster regular next season
