Latest news with #WorldJuniorChampionship
Time of India
8 hours ago
- Sport
- Time of India
NHL trade update, with the Oilers out, could the Senators be Carter Hart's NHL comeback ticket?
NHL-Carter Hart (Credit: Getty Images) In a surprising twist following the fallout of the 2018 World Junior Championship sexual assault case, NHL goalie Carter Hart may soon find himself back in contention, but not with the team he was once linked to. With the Edmonton Oilers reportedly uninterested, all signs now point toward another Canadian franchise stepping into the conversation: the Ottawa Senators. NHL goalie Carter Hart reportedly draws interest from Ottawa Senators Last week, Hart and four other players, Michael McLeod, Alex Formenton, Dillon Dubé, and Cal Foote, were acquitted in the long-running WJC investigation. Despite being found not guilty, the National Hockey League (NHL) deemed the allegations 'very disturbing'. It issued an indefinite suspension against all five, rendering them ineligible to play until further review. But in a developing twist, speculation is mounting around the Ottawa Senators making a move. Reports suggest the franchise is monitoring Hart's situation closely and could extend a contract offer as soon as league permissions allow. Among the five exonerated players, Carter Hart is widely viewed as the most likely to make a successful return to the league. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Flexible Program BITS Pilani Digital Apply Now Undo NHL continues ban even after Carter Hart, others found not guilty Legal and sports analysts alike believe that the road to reinstatement could open sooner than expected, especially if public and media sentiment shifts in Hart's favor. His willingness to testify in court may also play a role in rebuilding his professional image. FAQs Is Carter Hart cleared to play in the NHL? No, the NHL has currently ruled Hart and four other players ineligible, pending further review. Why are the Ottawa Senators interested in Carter Hart? Hart is considered the most NHL-ready among the cleared players and may fill Ottawa's long-standing goaltending gap. What happened in the 2018 WJC case? Hart and four others were accused in a 2018 assault case but were found not guilty in court this month. Are other NHL teams interested in the cleared players? Yes, reports suggest that a few NHL teams may be exploring options, particularly for Carter Hart and Michael McLeod. If the Ottawa Senators do make a move, they'll be betting on both talent and time. Hart, once considered a top-tier goaltending prospect, still has years of NHL potential ahead. Also Read: Could the former Stanley Cup champion Evgeny Kuznetsov find new life with the Bruins, Canucks, or Avalanche? Catch Rani Rampal's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 4. Watch Here!
Hans India
2 days ago
- Sport
- Hans India
India's 88th GM: Divya scripts history
New Delhi: In a historic moment for Indian chess, 19-year-old Divya Deshmukh etched her name in the record books by winning the FIDE Women's World Cup 2025. Facing off against veteran Koneru Humpy in an all-Indian final in Baku, Divya clinched the title 1.5–0.5 in the rapid tie-breaks, becoming the first Indian woman to win the coveted crown. The classical games played over the weekend had ended in tense draws, with both players showcasing resilience and elite-level play. In Saturday's opening game, Divya, playing with the white pieces, built a commanding position but allowed Humpy to equalise late. The second game on Sunday was more balanced, though Divya admitted she had 'wandered into trouble for no apparent reason' before managing to hold on. But the tie-breaks were where the young sensation flipped the script. After the first rapid game ended in a draw, the second saw Humpy crack under time pressure, making critical blunders that Divya capitalised on. With nerves of steel, Divya closed out the win to become the 2025 Women's World Cup champion — the fourth Indian woman to earn the Grandmaster title and the country's 88th GM overall. 'It was fate,' said an emotional Divya after the final. 'Before the tournament, I was thinking that I could maybe earn a Grandmaster norm here. And in the end, I became a Grandmaster.' Divya's victory is even more remarkable considering the odds. She came into the tie-breaks as the underdog — Humpy, a two-time World Rapid Champion and currently world No. 5 in classical chess, was widely expected to dominate in the faster format. In contrast, Divya was ranked No. 18 in classical, No. 22 in rapid, and No 18 in blitz on the FIDE women's list. This win crowns a sensational rise for the Nagpur teenager, who just last year clinched the World Junior Championship title. She also played a pivotal role in India's gold-medal run at the 2024 Chess Olympiad in Budapest, where she secured individual gold on her. bord.
NDTV
2 days ago
- Sport
- NDTV
Who Is Divya Deshmukh: 1st Indian Woman To Clinch Chess World Cup Title
The 19-year-old Divya Deshmukh stunned the chess world by winning the FIDE Women's World Cup 2025, becoming the first Indian woman to claim the prestigious title. In the all-Indian final, Divya defeated legendary compatriot Koneru Humpy 1.5–0.5 in the rapid tie-breaks on Monday to script a fairytale ending in Baku. The classical games played over the weekend had ended in tense draws, with both players showcasing resilience and elite-level play. In Saturday's opening game, Divya, playing with the white pieces, built a commanding position but let Humpy equalise late. The second game on Sunday was more balanced, though Divya admitted she 'wandered into trouble for no apparent reason' before holding on. But the tie-breaks were where the young sensation flipped the script. After the first rapid game ended in a draw, the second saw Humpy crack under time pressure, making critical blunders that Divya pounced on. With nerves of steel, Divya closed out the win to become the 2025 Women's World Cup champion, the fourth Indian woman to earn the Grandmaster title, and the country's 88th GM overall. 'It was fate,' said an emotional Divya after the final. 'Before the tournament, I was thinking that I could maybe earn a Grandmaster norm here. And at the end, I became a Grandmaster.' Divya's victory is even more remarkable considering the odds. She came into the tie-breaks as the underdog — Humpy, a two-time World Rapid Champion and currently world No. 5 in classical chess, was widely expected to dominate in the faster format. In contrast, Divya was ranked No. 18 in classical, No. 22 in rapid, and No. 18 in blitz on the FIDE women's list. This win crowns a sensational rise for the Nagpur teenager, who just last year clinched the World Junior Championship title. She played a pivotal role in India's gold medal run at the 2024 Chess Olympiad in Budapest, also securing individual gold on her board.
Hans India
3 days ago
- Sport
- Hans India
Divya Deshmukh scripts history to become first Indian woman to win chess World Cup
Baku: The 19-year-old Divya Deshmukh stunned the chess world by winning the FIDE Women's World Cup 2025, becoming the first Indian woman to claim the prestigious title. In the all-Indian final, Divya defeated legendary compatriot Koneru Humpy 1.5–0.5 in the rapid tie-breaks on Monday to script a fairytale ending in Baku. The classical games played over the weekend had ended in tense draws, with both players showcasing resilience and elite-level play. In Saturday's opening game, Divya, playing with the white pieces, built a commanding position but let Humpy equalise late. The second game on Sunday was more balanced, though Divya admitted she 'wandered into trouble for no apparent reason' before holding on. But the tie-breaks were where the young sensation flipped the script. After the first rapid game ended in a draw, the second saw Humpy crack under time pressure, making critical blunders that Divya pounced on. With nerves of steel, Divya closed out the win to become the 2025 Women's World Cup champion, the fourth Indian woman to earn the Grandmaster title, and the country's 88th GM overall. 'It was fate,' said an emotional Divya after the final. 'Before the tournament, I was thinking that I could maybe earn a Grandmaster norm here. And at the end, I became a Grandmaster.' Divya's victory is even more remarkable considering the odds. She came into the tie-breaks as the underdog — Humpy, a two-time World Rapid Champion and currently world No. 5 in classical chess, was widely expected to dominate in the faster format. In contrast, Divya was ranked No. 18 in classical, No. 22 in rapid, and No. 18 in blitz on the FIDE women's list. This win crowns a sensational rise for the Nagpur teenager, who just last year clinched the World Junior Championship title. She played a pivotal role in India's gold medal run at the 2024 Chess Olympiad in Budapest, also securing individual gold on her board.
CTV News
6 days ago
- Sport
- CTV News
Gasps and tears in courtroom as former junior hockey players found not guilty
Hugs, tears and sighs of relief filled a London, Ont. courtroom as five former members of Canada's junior hockey team on trial for sexual assault were found not guilty. Family members of the defendants filled the first row of seating in courtroom 21, while Justice Maria Carroccia read her opening remarks. She said the complainant in the case, known as E.M., did not present credible testimony and that prosecutors could not meet the onus of proof for the charges against Michael McLeod, Carter Hart, Alex Formenton, Dillon Dube and Callan Foote. When those remarks were made, family members of the defendants audibly gasped and tears began flowing. As the verdicts were being read, McLeod and Hart's mothers could be seen in the front row of the courtroom holding hands. All five players pleaded not guilty to sexual assault after an encounter that took place in a London, Ont., hotel room in the early hours of June 19, 2018. Years of speculation regarding the allegations — fueled by a lawsuit settlement, parliamentary hearings and revived investigations by the police and Hockey Canada, along with an NHL investigation — all preceded a complex trial earlier this year that included a mistrial and the dismissal of the jury, leaving the verdict to Carroccia. Over the course of about five hours, Carroccia explained her reasoning for the acquittals in detail, highlighting the complainant's 'tendency to blame others' for inconsistencies in her allegations. 'For instance, she said that Det. Newtown spoke over her and cut her off when he took a statement, so that impacted on her answers. She also blamed her civil lawyers for inconsistencies and failing to catch the quote errors in her July 2022 statement — evidence that specifically contradicts the evidence of the complainant. Some of the complainant's testimony in chief was proven to be wrong once compared to legal evidence,' said Carroccia. She also said the woman went to 'great lengths' to point out that she was really drunk through the course of the night, but that is not supported by surveillance video from a bar and hotel that night and the testimony of others. 'In my view, the complainant [EM] exaggerated her intoxication. When confronted with inconsistencies or when she was unable to explain why she acted in a certain way, and defaulted to say It was because she was drunk,' Carroccia added. Michael McLeod faced an additional charge of 'party to the offense,' which was dismissed. The players, who are now between the ages of 25 and 27, were in London at the time of the events in question for a gala and golf tournament marking their 2018 World Junior Championship victory. E.M. testified in May that she was naked, drunk and scared when four of the men showed up unexpectedly in her room at the Delta Hotel London Armouries and felt the only 'safe' option was to do what they wanted. Prosecutors argued the players did what they wanted without taking steps to ensure she was voluntarily consenting to sexual acts. 'I made the choice to dance with them and drink at the bar, I did not make the choice to have them do what they did back at the hotel,' she testified. Defense attorneys cross-examined her for days and suggested she actively participated in or initiated sexual activity because she wanted a 'wild night.' Two short videos of the complainant taken by McLeod the night of the encounter were played in court. In one, the woman says it was 'all consensual,' though she told the court that wasn't how she truly felt. As it relates to the videos, Carroccia said 'While speaking on the video, E.M. does not display any signs of intoxication. She has no difficulty speaking. … She is not slurring her words and speaks clearly and coherently.' Protesters gathered outside a packed London courthouse on Thursday morning, holding signs that signaled support for the complainant. The public didn't learn of the allegations for years. Police closed their initial investigation without charges in early 2019, but the complainant sued Hockey Canada in 2022. The organization settled the lawsuit amid intense scrutiny that cost it sponsors, but police reopened their investigation. The players' identities were made public when they were charged in early 2024. At the time, four of them played in the NHL — Dube for the Calgary Flames, Hart for the Philadelphia Flyers, and McLeod and Foote for the New Jersey Devils. Formenton had previously played for the Ottawa Senators before joining a Swiss team. All went on indefinite leave, and none is on an NHL roster or has an active contract with a team in the league. The NHL launched its own investigation in 2022. Officials pledged to release the findings, though Commissioner Gary Bettman said in February that would depend on what the league can say given legal proceedings. The London Police Service acknowledges the verdict delivered today by Ontario Superior Court Justice Maria Carroccia in the sexual assault trial involving five former members of Canada's 2018 National Junior Hockey Team. As a police service, our role in the justice system is… — LPS Chief Thai Truong (@LPSChiefTruong) July 24, 2025 — With files from The Canadian Press
