Todd: As judgment day looms in Hockey Canada case, I'm thinking about right and wrong
No matter what verdict Justice Carroccia renders, that is the question that will linger for me. That — and why Hockey Canada should have thought that buying off the victim in such cases was the way to go.
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What were they thinking? Out West, the Stampeders are stampeding and the Roughriders are roughing people up.
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In the east, the Hamilton Tiger-Cats are a force again with quarterback Bo-Levi Mitchell passing former Alouettes QB Tracy Ham for 10th on the all-time passing yardage list — albeit far below Anthony Calvillo.
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The Alouettes? On the bright side, they're tied with the Ticats for first in the East. On the dark side, the decision to play dynamic quarterback Davis Alexander after he missed two games with a hamstring injury was doubtful at best — but the call to send him back out for a two-point convert after he reinjured the hamstring on a touchdown run was downright reckless.
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Whether Alexander aggravated the hamstring injury on the attempted convert (sure-handed Cole Spieker dropped a pass that was right in his hands) it was a terrible call. Now Alexander is on the six-game injured list, out for a third of the CFL season as the Alouettes prepare for the meat of the schedule, beginning with the Stampeders in Calgary Thursday.
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With the Toronto Argonauts and Ottawa Redblacks floundering, the Als remain pretty much a lock for the playoffs, but the road to the Grey Cup will not be an easy one. Their fate is now in the hands of that magnificent slab of statuary McLeod Bethel-Thompson, the 37-year-old who throws a beautiful ball and moves about as well as I do.
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The Als still have the vastly more mobile Caleb Evans waiting in the wings, but for now it's Bethel-Thompson. The Calgary sack squad has to be absolutely champing at the bit.
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A tip of the old Expos cap: To Terry Francona, whose injury-wrecked career with the Expos transformed into one of the great managerial careers in baseball history. Francona became one of only 13 managers to win 2,000 games last week while managing the Cleveland Guardians — and I personally will never forgive the Boston Red Sox for firing the man who finally broke the Curse of the Bambino.
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Heroes: Terry Francona, Cole Spieker, Geoffrey Cantin-Arku, Wesley Sutton, Lwal Uguak, Shawn Lemon, Aaron Judge, Iga Swiatek, Jannik Sinner, Carlos Alcaraz, Cal Raleigh, Summer McIntosh &&&& last but not least, 15-year-old Aphrodite Deng.
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Winnipeg Free Press
2 hours ago
- Winnipeg Free Press
Toronto Argonauts sign veteran Canadian offensive lineman Ryan Sceviour
TORONTO – The Toronto Argonauts have signed veteran Canadian offensive lineman Ryan Sceviour, the CFL club announced Tuesday. The six-foot-four, 320-pound Sceviour played eight games with the Saskatchewan Roughriders last season. Sceviour played his first five seasons with his hometown Calgary Stampeders after being selected eighth overall at the 2018 CFL draft. He helped Calgary win a Grey Cup in his rookie 2018 season and was named a West Division all-star in 2022. The Argos also signed running back Peny Boone and offensive lineman Brandon Kemp and released linebacker Jarrett Martin. Thursdays Keep up to date on sports with Mike McIntyre's weekly newsletter. Earlier Tuesday, the Argos acquired the playing rights for running back Spencer Brown from Edmonton for a conditional eighth-round draft pick in 2026. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 5, 2025.
Toronto Sun
7 hours ago
- Toronto Sun
Zurkowsky: Outmatched Alouettes suffer embarrassing defeat to CFL-leading Roughriders
QB McLeod Bethel-Thompson continues to struggle for Montreal in lopsided 34-6 loss. Published Aug 03, 2025 • Last updated 2 days ago • 4 minute read Saskatchewan Roughriders' A.J. Ouellette, left, gets by Alouettes' Wesley Sutton (37) during first half CFL football action in Montreal on Saturday, Aug. 2, 2025. Graham Hughes/The Canadian Press The slaughter on Pins Ave. began with a 46-yard kickoff return by Dohnte Meyers — and got progressively worse from there. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account It would be easy to pile on the Alouettes, and criticize them extensively, following Saturday night's humbling 34-6 defeat to the Saskatchewan Roughriders before 21,654 Molson Stadium spectators, who endured an approximate 25-minute delay at halftime because of lightning in the area, not to mention the ensuing downpour. There are plenty of holes to fill on the Alouettes, and plenty of blame to mete out, following this embarrassing performance. And while Montreal clearly isn't in the same class as the Roughriders, who have a CFL-best 7-1 record as the regular season is about to reach the halfway mark, the Als' roster, which was already decimated by injuries, took a major hit on this night. Cornerback Kabion Ento, who has a team-leading three interceptions, was a last-minute scratch with a calf injury. Early in the first quarter, the Alouettes lost safety Marc-Antoine Dequoy with what appeared to be an injury to his left shoulder. And the team already was missing linebacker Najee Murray. Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Offensively, it appears the Als will be without centre Justin Lawrence for the conceivable future. He was injured in the second quarter and was seen on crutches post-game. Montreal already is without starting quarterback Davis Alexander (hamstring) and two starting receivers — Tyson Philpot (knee) and Austin Mack (ankle). Alexander is already on the six-game injured list and it appears the frequently injured Mack is headed there as well. He has a walking boot on his left ankle and must manoeuvre on crutches. While pro football teams will never use injuries as an excuse, and head coach Jason Maas always has adopted a next-man-up mentality, it's hard to believe the Alouettes can remain competitive with so many players sidelined. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'Injuries are part of the season, part of the game,' a remarkably calm Maas said. 'Obviously, at times, they're harder to overcome than others. I thought our guys kept fighting and dealing with them. Obviously, you never want to start a game losing a guy, then losing a couple of extra guys. That's hard. No one has that depth. At the end of the day, you've got to keep playing and find a way. We just didn't do that tonight. There's never going to be an excuse. No question it's never easy and makes it more difficult.' As Maas, a former CFL quarterback, went to bed Saturday night, he undoubtedly contemplated a dilemma his team has at that most important position without Alexander. Namely, can this team win with veteran McLeod Bethel-Thompson? It might be a moot point for now, since there doesn't appear to be a viable alternative. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. After finally winning his first start in three games last week at Calgary, the 37-year-old took a huge step backward against Saskatchewan. Bethel-Thompson completed 15 of 26 passes for 126 yards. He was intercepted once, should have been pilfered at least once more, and fumbled after being sacked by defensive-end Shane Ray. Looking for a change in momentum, Bethel-Thompson was temporarily benched in the third quarter following the turnover, replaced by an ineffective Caleb Evans, only to return with less than 10 minutes remaining in the fourth period. While the quarterback always will receive too much credit, or blame when necessary, he's now 1-3 with Montreal after going 3-10 with Edmonton last season. 'That was a tough one,' Bethel-Thompson said. 'I can't remember a time that we felt that out of rhythm on offence and I felt that out of rhythm. We just didn't execute and that was a really, really disappointing performance. We definitely kicked ourselves in the shin, over and over again. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'It was crazy. Unexplainable and unacceptable to come out and have that performance. That was one of the worst performances I've been a part of. Definitely got to be better.' Forget for a moment the Alouettes were held to two long Jose Maltos field goals — from 56 and 54 yards. Their deepest penetration was to the Saskatchewan 46 early in the third quarter. Montreal was held to 12 first downs and 169 yards' net offence. The Als ran only 48 offensive plays and controlled the ball barely more than 23 minutes. Bethel-Thompson was sacked twice. While Tyler Snead was the Montreal's leading receiver, catching seven passes for 88 yards, the team's longest offensive play was an 18-yard pass to him. Charleston Rambo, arguably Montreal's fastest receiver, didn't have a pass thrown his way. Alexander Hollins, replacing Mack, was targeted only once and didn't have a reception. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. The Alouettes failed to score an offensive touchdown for the first time since last Oct. 19, at B.C. Defensively, not even the return of suspended veteran rush-end Shawn Lemon for the first time in a year could galvanize the Als. Trevor Harris passed for 289 yards and two touchdowns. Meyers caught five passes for 136 yards, while tailbacks A.J. Ouellette and Mario Anderson combined for 122 yards. The Riders had 22 first downs and 418 yards' net offence. With a 5-3 record, Montreal is in no immediate danger and sit second in the East Division, two points behind Hamilton (6-2), who defeated Edmonton earlier Saturday. The Alouettes entertain the Elks on Friday night. The game marks the return of former Montreal starting quarterback Cody Fajardo, who was named the Grey Cup's most valuable player in 2023. Fajardo was traded last winter for Bethel-Thompson. Canada World Toronto Maple Leafs Other Sports Opinion
Winnipeg Free Press
a day ago
- Winnipeg Free Press
Bombers rookie returner Vaval looking like rising star
It was during the dog days of training camp when Trey Vaval, one of the many unknowns trying to crack the Winnipeg Blue Bombers roster, revealed how beneficial it was to be in a new city where all he knew was how to get from home to work. After practice, the wiry defensive back and return specialist spent most of his time alone, diving into his playbook, studying the nuances of the Canadian game and reading the good word. Not only did it give the 24-year-old an edge on the field, but he believed it helped him grow as a human being and strengthen his spiritual faith in a short period. FRED GREENSLADE / THE CANADIAN PRESS FILES 'I try to grow every day, as a man, as a football player, as a son — all of that. Every day I try to do it, don't matter what I'm doing,' Vaval said after Monday's practice at Princess Auto Stadium, where the Bombers are preparing to face the Stampeders in Calgary on Saturday (7 p.m. CT). A grateful Vaval went on to win the returner job, and nine weeks later, the rookie affectionately known to his teammates as Mighty Mouse looks like a budding star in the Canadian Football League after taking two returns — a 93-yard kickoff and a 97-yard punt — back for touchdowns in the first half of Winnipeg's 40-31 victory over the Toronto Argonauts. He became the first player in Bombers franchise history to return a punt and a kickoff for a touchdown in the same game. Both of the returns showcased his elite elusiveness and speed, and by the second half, the Argos were OK sacrificing field position in the name of keeping the ball out of his hands. 'I'm not even gonna lie, I really just kind of blacked out and just trusted the guys in front of me,' Vaval said. 'After the first one, I was kind of telling myself, 'You're not gonna score again. Just secure the ball for your team, set the offence up, make sure they have good field position. And the second one hit, and I just blacked out and just trusted my blockers and just ran.' His kickoff return in the first quarter was the first touchdown of his professional career. Unaware that players can receive fines for taking home game balls, Vaval kept the one from that play as a memento. FRED GREENSLADE / THE CANADIAN PRESS FILES 'If I wasn't supposed to, I'm probably going to get a fine, but, hey, I'll take it,' he said. 'I'm actually gonna send it to my mom (Lori). I kept that game jersey and that ball. My mom, she got stuff since I was a kid, so all that stuff means more to her than to me. So I give all that stuff to her.' Vaval has been a revelation for the Bombers to begin this season. The club struggled in the return game in 2024 then was thought to have acquired the fix to those issues when it landed Peyton Logan in free agency. However, when Logan went down with an injury early in training camp, questions began to swirl — until Vaval arrived. Since then, the 5-11, 163-pounder from Blue Springs, Mo. has impressed with his talents and his professional approach. 'It was right for when he showed up,' said special teams co-ordinator Mike Miller. 'He had a willingness to want to learn and understand the nuances of the Canadian game, and talking scenarios and stuff. 'I'm actually gonna send it to my mom (Lori)… My mom, she got stuff since I was a kid, so all that stuff means more to her than to me. So I give all that stuff to her.'— Blue Bomber defensive back and return specialist Trey Vaval commenting on keeping the game ball he held to score his first touchdown. 'So stuff that sometimes as a rookie, people are maybe a little more shy to ask the questions, because they don't want to be perceived to be wrong, and he had no problem asking the questions, asking the right questions, and then putting it to the field of play afterwards.' Following his breakout performance, Vaval leads the CFL in punt return yards (449) and is third in punt return average (13.6). He's also third in total kick return yards (437) and combined yards (886). 'Immediately what was evident was you got a guy who's kind of nicked up in camp and not really getting an opportunity, and we somehow have the foresight to make sure he stays, and a couple weeks later, he's cleared, and you like what he's doing,' said head coach Mike O'Shea. 'Now, when he gets that opportunity, he's just got a thirst for knowledge. He wants to do it, right? He wants to understand the CFL game and all the particulars of the special teams play here. That can be different than other returners that are as gifted as he is, that are just happy with their gift. But he is certainly interested in more opportunities and becoming a pro.' FRED GREENSLADE / THE CANADIAN PRESS FILES The first seven games of Vaval's professional career have featured more bright moments than dull. He's dealt with several learning moments while navigating issues when fielding the ball early on, and he's proven he's worth watching every time he touches the ball. 'It's kind of how college was for me, just the whole mental game,' Vaval said. 'Not just (learning) stuff, but kind of like you always have self-doubt. But it's not like I don't believe in myself, I don't believe my teammates, it's just that mental battle, like the devil trying to get in your head. So you're always at war with yourself. That's probably the biggest (lesson), if I mess up on a play, just next play mentality.' The Bombers have a significant decision looming. With Logan returning to practice on Monday, it's only a matter of time before coaches will need to choose between the player they originally tabbed to return kicks and the one who has restored the spark in the third phase of their team. Vaval has also taken on significant snaps at field corner in the last two games, which raises questions about whether coaches would want him to play defence and special teams — a demanding task for the best athletes. FRED GREENSLADE / THE CANADIAN PRESS FILES It's something Mighty Mouse has prepared for since turning pro. 'When I was with the Atlanta Falcons, Marquice Williams, special teams coach there, he told the whole room, 'You can't be a professional athlete and just play one position. You got to be able to play multiple positions,'' Vaval said. 'Doesn't matter what you're doing, you gotta be able to play multiple phases of the game. It's just how the game is, being a professional athlete. So, yeah, I'm sure I can go out there and do both.' X: @jfreysam Joshua Frey-SamReporter Josh Frey-Sam reports on sports and business at the Free Press. Josh got his start at the paper in 2022, just weeks after graduating from the Creative Communications program at Red River College. He reports primarily on amateur teams and athletes in sports. Read more about Josh. Every piece of reporting Josh produces is reviewed by an editing team before it is posted online or published in print — part of the Free Press's tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about Free Press's history and mandate, and learn how our newsroom operates. Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider becoming a subscriber. Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support.
