Nico Porteous will not defend Olympic halfpipe title, will remain active in skiing
'I've loved representing New Zealand. Wearing the fern and competing for my country has been the most incredible experience and I'm so proud of what I've achieved," Porteous, 23, said in press release. "This wasn't an easy decision to make, but I'm excited to do something new, and I feel like the time is right for me to look for a new challenge and new opportunities.'
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Porteous plans to stay active in skiing through filming, product development and other competitions outside of the halfpipe, such as Natural Selection.
"I still love skiing, and I want to keep skiing to the best of my abilities and keep pushing the boundaries of what's possible in the sport," he said. "Ultimately, I'm ready for something new. What that looks like I'm not exactly sure, but over the past few seasons I've enjoyed filming and producing videos, as well as working on gear and product design."
In 2018, Porteous took halfpipe bronze in his Olympic debut, becoming at 16 the youngest skier to win an Olympic medal and the youngest New Zealand athlete to win a Winter or Summer Olympic medal.
In 2022, he landed back-to-back double cork 1620s on his first of three runs in the Olympic final. His 93-point score held up to take gold over Americans David Wise and Alex Ferreira, who had gone one-two in 2018.
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Earlier in the 2022 Games, Zoi Sadowski-Synnott became the first New Zealand athlete to win a Winter Olympic gold medal, taking the women's snowboard slopestyle event.
Porteous last competed at a September 2024 World Cup in New Zealand, placing 31st. He also won X Games Aspen titles in 2021 and 2022 and the World Championships in 2021, also in Aspen.
Another man from New Zealand won the world title in ski halfpipe this past March — 18-year-old Finley Melville Ives — ahead of Americans Nick Goepper and Ferreira.
FREESTYLE SKIING-CHN
David Wise, after two gold medals, gears up for one last Olympic halfpipe bid
Two-time Olympic gold medalist David Wise is competing in his last Olympic cycle before retirement.
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USA Today
9 hours ago
- USA Today
NHL free agency tracker: Nikolaj Ehlers signs with Carolina Hurricanes
The Carolina Hurricanes landed the biggest remaining name on the free agent list. Winger Nikolaj Ehlers, who was No. 3 on USA TODAY's June 30 free agent list, agreed to terms with the Hurricanes on a six-year deal averaging $8.5 million a year. He made his decision on the third day of free agency after many of his peers had chosen their 2025-26 teams. No. 1 free agent Mitch Marner went to the Vegas Golden Knights in a sign and trade on June 30, and several key players re-signed, including Florida's Aaron Ekblad and No. 2 Brad Marchand, plus Detroit's Patrick Kane. Vancouver's Brock Boeser and New Jersey's Jake Allen decided on the July 1 free agency opening day to stay. In addition to Ehlers, Mikael Granlund, Vladislav Gavrikov, Pius Suter, Brent Burns and others have changed teams. Here are the signings and trades that have taken place since free agency opened: NHL trade tracker: Hurricanes acquire K'Andre Miller, plus other moves July 3 signings Hurricanes agree to terms with Nikolaj Ehlers The Hurricanes had acquired a skilled offensive player the last two seasons via trade only to see Jake Guentzel and Mikko Rantanen go elsewhere. This signing means Ehlers is locked in until 2031. He's known for his speed and he takes a lot of shots, which fits in well with Carolina's system. He's never had a 30-goal season, but he's consistently in the mid to high 20s. He could hit 30 if he gets more than the 16-plus minutes he averaged with the Winnipeg Jets. Ehlers has been named to the Danish Olympic team, along with his new teammate, goalie Frederik Andersen. Sharks sign Dmitry Orlov He'll average $6.5 million in his two-year deal. Orlov is the third veteran defenseman that the Sharks have added this season after signing John Klingberg and reportedly claiming Nick Leddy off waivers. Orlov, 33, had 28 points and 101 hits with the Hurricanes in 2024-25. He won a Stanley Cup with the Capitals in 2018. The additions of Orlov and Leddy bring the Sharks up to the salary cap floor and they have room to make other moves if they want. July 2 signings Avalanche agree to terms with Brent Burns The 40-year-old defenseman gets one year. Sportsnet reports it's a $1 million deal and he could get another $3 million in bonuses. Burns has the longest active consecutive games streak in the NHL at 925 games. He last missed a game in 2013-14. His offensive numbers have dropped the past two seasons (he had 29 points in 2024-25), but he has a booming shot and averaged nearly 21 minutes a game in the regular season and nearly 23 in the postseason. He's still looking for his first Stanley Cup title. The Avalanche could give him a chance. Red Wings sign Mason Appleton The Wings gave Appleton two years at $2.9 million average, a hefty price for a forward who topped out at 14 goals in one season in 2023-24 while a member of the high-octane Jets. Appleton had 10 goals in 71 games last season with the Jets. He has 57 goals and 138 points in 400 career NHL games. Appleton played at Michigan State from 2015-17. - Helene St. James, Detroit Free Press Devils re-sign Cody Glass The center will average $2.5 million in the two-year deal. The restricted free agent was acquired at the trade deadline from the Penguins. Jets sign Gustav Nyquist Nyquist landed a one-year, $3.25 million contract. He had 28 points in 79 games between the Minnesota Wild and Nashville Predators last season but had a 75-point season in 2023-24. The Jets are losing Ehlers in free agency. Islanders sign Maxim Shabanov, Emil Heineman The Islanders signed Kontinental Hockey League free agent forward Shabanov, 24, to a one-year entry-level deal. He averaged more than a point a game last season with Chelyabinsk and had 25 goals the season before. The Islanders also signed Heineman, acquired in the Noah Dobson trade, to a two-year contract. Blues sign Pius Suter The forward will average $4.125 million over two years. Suter set career highs with 25 goals and 46 points in 2024-25 with the Canucks while tying his career best of 21 assists. The Blues earlier placed defenseman Nick Leddy on waivers. Penguins sign Anthony Mantha The Penguins have signed forwards Anthony Mantha ($2.5 million) and Rafael Harvey-Pinard ($775,000) to one-year contracts. Mantha was limited to 13 games in 2024-25 because of ACL surgery. Oilers sign Curtis Lazar Lazar gets a one-year, $775,000 deal for a likely bottom six role. The NHL veteran played his junior hockey in Edmonton and has 47 goals and 78 assists in 572 career games. Connor Bedard, Blackhawks talking extension Bedard, the No. 1 overall pick of the 2023 draft, and the Blackhawks are talking about an extension. He's eligible for one because he's entering the final year of his contract. 'I probably don't want to get too far into it, but we are talking,' Blackhawks general manager Kyle Davidson said, according to 'So, I think that's an indicator of an openness to discuss. He made his thoughts very clear at the end of the season and subsequently in other interviews, that he's committed to Chicago and wants to be here long-term and we obviously want him here long-term, so there's mutual agreement there.' Bedard won rookie of the year in 2023-24 and has 45 goals and 123 points through 150 games over two seasons. July 1 signings Oilers sign Andrew Mangiapane He'll average $3.6 million in the two-year deal. The Oilers needed scoring depth after trading Viktor Arvidsson. Mangiapane did score 35 goals in 2021-22, though mostly he's in the 14 to 18 range, including 14 this past season with the Capitals. The Oilers got to see Mangiapane a lot when he played for the Flames from 2017-24. Hurricanes sign K'Andre Miller after trade with Rangers The Hurricanes signed defenseman K'Andre Miller to an eight-year deal with a $7.5 million cap hit after acquiring him in a trade with the Rangers. Carolina gives up defenseman Scott Morrow, a conditional first-round pick and Carolina's 2026 second-rounder in the trade. The Rangers dealt Miller, 25, to free up the space to sign top free agent defenseman Vladislav Gavrikov. Miller gives the Hurricanes a young defenseman for their roster with Dmitry Orlov and Brent Burns hitting free agency. "Right now, I do not anticipate either of them being back with us," general manager Eric Tulsky said. "Obviously that could change with one phone call." The Hurricanes also signed free agent defenseman Mike Reilly to a one-year, $1.1 million deal. He played for the Islanders last season. Rangers re-sign Will Cuylle New York locked up its top restricted free-agent priority to a two-year, $7.8 million deal on July 1, as first reported by Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman. It will carry an average annual value of $3.9 million. Cuylle's coming off a sophomore NHL season in which he scored 20 goals while breaking the franchise's single-season record with 301 hits. - Vince Z. Mercogliano, Sharks sign John Klingberg The veteran defenseman gets a one-year, $4 million deal. He had played for the Oilers last season, suiting up for 19 playoff games and four in the final. The Sharks also signed forwards Philip Kurashev (one year, $1.2 million) and Adam Gaudette (two years, $2 million average) and traded for goalie Alex Nedeljkovic. Devils sign Evgenii Dadonov He'll get a one-year, $1 million deal that could grow with bonuses. He's coming off a 20-goal season in Dallas, but his ice time shrank in the playoffs. Stars sign Radek Faksa His three-year deal will average $2 million. Faksa played his entire career in Dallas, except for 2024-25, when the depth forward played for the Blues. He won 57% of his faceoffs this past season and he kills penalties. The Stars also are bringing back forward Colin Blackwell on a two-year deal with a $775,000 cap hit. Mammoth sign Vitek Vanecek The goalie signs a one-year, $1.5 million contract. He split time between San Jose and Florida last season, getting to lift the Stanley Cup. Utah backup goalie Connor Ingram is out indefinitely after entering the NHL/NHLPA Players Assistance Program. Ducks sign Mikael Granlund He gets a three-year deal, with a reported $7 million cap hit. Granlund played on an all-Finland in Dallas after arriving in a trade, but the Stars didn't have the cap room to keep him. The Ducks continue to be aggressive in trying to get back to the playoffs after earlier trading for Chris Kreider. Wild sign Nico Sturm He'll average $2 million in the two-year deal. Sturm is strong on faceoffs and kills penalties. He spilt time the past between the Sharks and Panthers, winning a Stanley Cup with Florida. He started his career in Minnesota. Islanders sign Jonathan Drouin He gets a two-year contract with a reported $4 million average. He averaged 0.76 points per game in two seasons in Colorado but missed nearly half of the 2024-25 season. Devils sign Connor Brown He'll average $3 million in the four-year deal. Brown has reached the Stanley Cup Final the past two seasons with the Oilers. He can move up and down the lineup and teams appreciate that versatility. Mammoth sign Brandon Tanev He'll average $2.5 million in the three-year contract. The forward is fast, kills penalties and has the league's best team head shots. New Brandon Tanev headshot just dropped 📸 Red Wings sign James van Riemsdyk The forward gets a one-year, $1 million contract. His 16 goals this past season were his most since 2021-22. Kings sign two defensemen, goaltender Defenseman Cody Ceci (four years, $4.5 million average) and Brian Dumoulin (three years, $4 million average) will fill the roster spots of Vladislav Gavrikov (signed by Rangers) and Jordan Spence (traded to Senators). Goalie Anton Forsberg gets two years at a $2.25 million cap hit. Kings goalie David Rittich signed a free agent deal with the Islanders. Kings sign Corey Perry, Joel Armia Perry, 40, had 10 playoff goals during the Oilers' run to the Stanley Cup Final. He has been to the final five times in the last six seasons, losing all five (he won in 2007). But for a Kings team that has lost four years to the Oilers. they'll gladly accept a player who regularly gets past the first round and more. Armia is a penalty killing forward with 17 career short-handed goals. Perry gets a one-year, $2 million contract and can earn other $2 million in bonuses. Armia averages $2.5 million his two-year deal. Mammoth sign Nate Schmidt The defenseman will average $3.5 million in the three-year deal. Schmidt had been bought out in Winnipeg last summer and joined coach Paul Maurice in Florida, where he played a key role in the Stanley Cup run. The Mammoth were in need of a defenseman after trading Michael Kesselring to the Sabres. The Mammoth also signed defenseman Scott Perunovich and forward Kailer Yamamoto to one-year, two-way deals. Blackhawks acquire Sam Lafferty from Sabres The forward is returning after previously playing in Chicago for parts of two seasons. He struggled in Buffalo with seven points in 60 games. The Sabres get a 2026 sixth-round pick in return. Kraken sign Ryan Lindgren The defenseman will average $4.5 million over four years. He kills penalties and is known for putting his body on the line, but that takes its toll. The team later signed goalie Matt Murray to a one-year, $1 million contract. Flyers sign Christian Dvorak He'll get $5.4 million in the one-year deal. He kills penalties and wins faceoffs. The Flyers ranked 20th in penalty killing and were just below 50% in faceoff winning percentage. Sharks give William Eklund contract extension The three-year deal, starting in 2026-27, will average $5.6 million. He finished second on the Sharks this past season with 58 points. His brother, Victor, was just drafted by the Islanders. Bruins sign Tanner Jeannot He'll average $3.4 million in the five-year contract, per reports. Jeannot is a rugged forward with 211 hits in each of the past two seasons. He scored 24 goals in his second season but hasn't had more than seven goals since. Rangers sign Vladislav Gavrikov He'll average $7 million over seven years, according to multiple reports. He was the top defensive defenseman in the free agent pool and can slot in next to Adam Fox. The Rangers needed shoring up defensively and Gavrikov (140 blocked shots) will fill that role. He also had 30 points, second best in his career. Does this mean K'Andre Miller gets moved out? Flyers sign goalie Dan Vladar He'll average $3.35 million in the two-year deal. Goaltending was an issue with the Flyers last season, and Vladar will make sure that Samuel Ersson has a steadier backup. Capitals extend Martin Fehervary He'll average $6 million in the seven-year extension that kicks in during the 2026-27 season. He had career highs with 20 assists and 25 points this past season. Avalanche re-sign Parker Kelly He'll get four years at a reported $1.7 million average. Canucks re-sign Brock Boeser He's staying with a seven-year deal worth $7.25 million a year. That's key for the Canucks after he scored 40 goals two seasons ago. His agent, Ben Hankinson, posted that the deal was reached "in the final minutes, really, did you expect him to sign anywhere else?" Free agency officially open It's noon and teams can officially pursue players on other teams. Bruins-Oilers trade The Bruins acquire forward Viktor Arvidsson from the Oilers for a 2027 fifth-round draft pick, Arvidsson had signed a two-year deal with Edmonton last season and did not work out. He was in and out of the lineup in the playoffs. But he did score 26 goals two seasons ago and could fill a middle-six role in Boston. Edmonton saves $4 million in cap space. Canadiens-Blues trade The Canadiens acquire forward Zack Bolduc for defenseman Logan Mailloux. Bolduc adds secondary scoring after scoring 19 goals and 36 points in his first full season. Mailloux, who was taken in the first round of the 2021 draft despite asking not to be drafted, has played eight NHL games. The Canadiens recently acquired Noah Dobson, who fills the role of offensive defenseman. Jake Allen staying with Devils He'll average $1.8 million over five years and will remain in a tandem with Jacob Markstrom. That will disappoint teams that may have been looking for a goalie. He was the top netminder out there. Islanders re-sign Tony DeAngelo The defenseman gets a one-year deal worth a reported $1.75 million. His offensive role will grow with the Islanders trading Noah Dobson to the Canadiens. Hurricanes' Logan Stankoven gets extension He'll average $6 million in the eight-year deal. Stankoven, 22, was the key return when the Hurricanes traded Mikko Rantanen to the Stars. He scored five game-winning goals last season. The contract kicks in during the 2026-27 season. Panthers sign Daniil Tarasov The goalie, recently acquired from the Blue Jackets, will get one year at $1.05 million, according to reports. Canucks sign Thatcher Demko, Conor Garland to extensions Demko will average $8.5 million in his three-year contract and Garland will average $6 million in his six-year contract. Both deals will take effect in 2026-27. Demko has dealt with injuries but was a Vezina Trophy runner-up in 2023-24. Garland is a two-time 50-point scorer. Panthers re-sign Tomas Nosek He'll get one year at $775,000. Nosek joined the lineup with the Panthers down 2-0 to the Maple Leafs in the second round. The new-look fourth line helped lead the Panthers' comeback and the team rallied around Nosek after his overtime delay of game penalty proved costly in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final. The Panthers have all 12 forwards from their clinching game under contract. Maple Leafs announce Matthew Knies deal He'll get six years at a reported $7.75 million per year. Knies, a restricted agent, played on the top line with Auston Matthews and just-departed Mitch Marner. He had a career-best 29 goals, 29 assists and 58 points. Golden Knights make Mitch Marner deal official The Golden Knights officially announced the Mitch Marner deal on July 1. He was acquired from the Maple Leafs for center Nicolas Roy and will get an eight-year, $96 million contract. The $12 million average makes him Vegas' top-paid player ahead of Jack Eichel ($10 million). Marner will wear No. 93, his junior hockey number with the Ontario Hockey League's London Knights.
Hamilton Spectator
12 hours ago
- Hamilton Spectator
Calgary Flames prospect Cullen Potter brings mom's hockey heritage with him
CALGARY - Some say he has his mother's hands. Jenny Schmidgall-Potter was among the first women to combine motherhood and elite hockey when she twice gave birth to children and returned to the U.S. women's team. The four-time Olympian and a competitor at 10 world championships had daughter Madison in 2001 and son Cullen in 2007. Cullen Potter was a first-round pick, 32nd overall, in this year's NHL draft by the Calgary Flames. 'Cullen has unbelievable hands,' said his mom. 'People always say, 'Jenny, you had great hands' … it's just something you work on.' Schmidgall-Potter and the U.S. claimed the first Olympic gold medal awarded in women's hockey in Nagano, Japan, in 1998. She also won four world titles with the Americans. She ranks fifth all-time in points at the worlds for the U.S. with 61 in 50 games. Schmidgall-Potter retired from the national team in 2013 when Cullen was six and inducted into the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame in 2020. There is a photo of a three-year-old Cullen on the ice with Jenny at the 2010 Olympic Games in Vancouver. He held his mom's silver medal in his small hands. Cullen has hazy memories of his mom's playing days. 'Just a little bit … some of them are definitely a little fuzzy,' he said this week at the Flames' development camp in Calgary. 'I remember going out on the ice and kissing the medal. I've seen that picture a lot. So I remember some things, not everything. I was pretty young. 'Some people that have watched her play say I mimic her a little bit.' Cullen was walking at five months and skating as a one-year-old, but Jenny and husband Rob didn't put him in organized hockey until he was 11. Cullen also played lacrosse and swam. He learned hockey playing on outdoor rinks in Minnesota with his parents, who run a business training players. 'Cullen always had a knack for coming up with the puck,' Jenny said. 'Rob and I, our love for hockey is definitely an influence on him and he saw the passion we have for the sport.' His sister Madison also played hockey and competed in swimming for Notre Dame. 'I did just about every sport you could think of,' Cullen said. 'From the second I touched the ice, I think that's just something I knew I loved and haven't looked back since. 'My mom playing in the Olympics and my dad playing college, they just know a lot about the game. They've helped me through the hard times and the good times.' The five-foot-10, 172-pound centre produced 13 goals and nine assists in 35 games as an 18-year-old freshman at Arizona State this past season. He added nine goals and 13 assists in 35 games for the U.S. development team in 2023-24 before joining the Sun Devils. 'I'm super proud of him,' Jenny said. 'He's matured a ton over the last year, going to college, playing with older guys and being around older players. 'I know what it takes to commit yourself on a daily basis and forgoing summer vacations or things that you miss out on because you're wanting to accomplish your goals. 'He's always been a worker and has some genetics, of course, but you know a lot of it's just through the hard work that he's done with my husband and with us as parents to get to where he is now. 'I can say I love hockey, I've had so many great moments in winning a gold medal and world championships, but I still think the best thing in my life are children.' The 46-year-old still keeps an eye on a U.S.-Canada rivalry in women's hockey she helped fuel for many years. 'The rivalry is still strong and true. Go U.S.A.,' she said, before adding: 'Cullen's in Canada, so I guess maybe I'm going to have to support them just a little bit.' This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 3, 2025.
Yahoo
14 hours ago
- Yahoo
Riley Gaines Breaks Silence After Simone Biles' Exit From X
The drama between Simone Biles and Riley Gaines has not ended despite the artistic gymnast tucking her tail between her legs. The online feud between the women began over the inclusion of a transgender girl in a high school's softball team. Biles supported the child's participation while slamming Gaines for opposing it, sparking a barrage of heated words and insults. Simone Biles eventually apologized for taking Riley Gaines' opposition personally but recently ditched X amid the backlash. The former competitive swimmer believed the gymnast left because of their feud, but her comments divided fans between them. Gaines reposted a media account's coverage of Biles' exit from the X platform alongside her thoughts on the situation. She argued that the highly decorated athlete was forced to leave after seeing the error of her ways, summarizing the fallout in a scathing review. The conservative political activist began by claiming Biles was "rightfully ridiculed" for having "an incredibly unpopular and morally indefensible take" on the inclusion of transgender women in women's sports. She noted the Olympic gold medalist repented by dropping "a groveling public apology after unrelenting backlash." However, Biles finally decided she could not take the heat and deleted her account "to pretend it never happened." Gaines' attacks continued with the comment, "Sad to see such a phenom go down like this." Gaines' reaction to Biles' exit from X garnered numerous comments from fans who were divided between the women. Some slammed the artistic gymnast while others criticized the former swimmer as petty for prolonging the feud despite accepting Biles' apology. "You really are a piece of work, Riley. Even after she apologized, you just keep on prodding for your cheap likes and penny ad clicks. You failed in sport, and you're failing in this. Simone is everything you are not," an X user slammed Gaines. Another echoed similar sentiments, labeling Gaines "pathetic" for her continued attacks on Biles. Meanwhile, the conservative commentator's supporters celebrated the gymnast's exit from X, with someone partly writing: "Two successful women right here! One decided to use her platform to spew bullsh-t, and the other uses her platform to speak on behalf of women." As stated, the online feud between Biles and Gaines started after the former swimmer slammed Minnesota's Champlin Park softball team for including a transgender pitcher during their state title win. The Blast covered the story, reporting that Gaines implied the high school team knew their actions were wrong. She sarcastically claimed the team had turned off the comments on their post because their star player was a transgender girl. However, Biles found her comment offensive and went on a heated rant, dropping shocking labels like "sore loser," "bully," "sick," and more. Biles also body-shamed Gaines with the tweet: "Bully someone your own size, which would ironically be a male." Naturally, the media personality did not take the comments lying down and called Biles out for body shaming and being a hypocrite instead of an ally to other women. While shutting down Biles' comments, Gaines criticized the gymnast for failing to see how her words did not support the protection of women in women's sports. She brought up Biles' dark past with former USA Gymnastics doctor Larry Nassar, who was accused of sexual abuse. Gaines shared a video of Biles testifying against Nassar and a screenshot of her comment about the inclusion of a transgender girl in women's sports. The media personality implied Biles was a hypocrite for fighting to remove one man from women's sport, yet she did not see the harm of transgender women. "You know how many gold medals you'd have if your 'inclusive' dream came true? Zero," Gaines added. She stressed that Biles and other gymnasts had been failed by a system that protected "an abusive man at the expense of the girls' safety," noting the same system was failing female athletes with the inclusion of transgender women in sports. The online drama between Gaines and Biles saw more people on the former swimmer's side, an outcome that forced Biles to apologize. The Blast covered her remorse, reporting the Olympian did not take back her support for the inclusion of transgender women in women's sports. Biles formally apologized for reacting the way she did to Gaines' comment, noting she should not have gotten personal in their argument. However, she remained steadfast in her beliefs, stressing that she was not "advocating for policies that compromise fairness in women's sports." Instead, Biles noted she did not support the public scrutiny of children who should not be criticized for a "flawed system." Gaines accepted Biles' apology but wasted no time shutting down her inclusion plea. The media personality declared that boys should not be playing in girls' sports, stressing that "the idea of 'competitive equity' is nonsensical." Will Riley Gaines finally put her differences with Simone Biles to rest now that she has exited X?
