Sports

Pictured are Abigail Betker and Bryan Fraser, coach of the women’s Avalanche volleyball team at COTR. Betker is the latest athlete to join the team. (Corey Bullock/Cranbrook Townsman)

Kimberley’s Abigail Betker to join COTR women’s Avalanche volleyball

Betker was signed onto the team this week and will be playing for the Avalanche come the fall

Pictured are Abigail Betker and Bryan Fraser, coach of the women’s Avalanche volleyball team at COTR. Betker is the latest athlete to join the team. (Corey Bullock/Cranbrook Townsman)
Serbian tennis player Novak Djokovic, center, rides in car as he leaves a government detention facility before attending a court hearing at his lawyers office in Melbourne, Australia, Sunday, Jan. 16, 2022. A federal court hearing has been scheduled for Sunday, a day before the men’s No. 1-ranked tennis player and nine-time Australian Open champion was due to begin his title defense at the first Grand Slam tennis tournament of the year. (James Ross/AAP via AP)

Ruled out: Australia deports Novak Djokovic for being unvaccinated

The decision dashes Djokovic’s hopes of winning a record 21st Grand Slam title

Serbian tennis player Novak Djokovic, center, rides in car as he leaves a government detention facility before attending a court hearing at his lawyers office in Melbourne, Australia, Sunday, Jan. 16, 2022. A federal court hearing has been scheduled for Sunday, a day before the men’s No. 1-ranked tennis player and nine-time Australian Open champion was due to begin his title defense at the first Grand Slam tennis tournament of the year. (James Ross/AAP via AP)
File- File picture taken Oct.15, 2020 shows Bayern’s Alphonso Davies during the 1st round German Soccer Cup match between FC Bayern Munich and FC Duren, at the Allianz Arena in Munich, Germany. (AP Photo/ Matthias Schrader, file)

Canadian soccer star Alphonso Davies has heart muscle issue after COVID bout

21-year-old from Edmonton has been ruled out of Canada’s three World Cup qualifiers

File- File picture taken Oct.15, 2020 shows Bayern’s Alphonso Davies during the 1st round German Soccer Cup match between FC Bayern Munich and FC Duren, at the Allianz Arena in Munich, Germany. (AP Photo/ Matthias Schrader, file)
Florida Panthers goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky (72) defends the goal against Vancouver Canucks left wing Tanner Pearson (70) during the first period of an NHL hockey game, Tuesday, Jan. 11, 2022, in Sunrise, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

Reinhart has 3 points as Panthers hand Canucks coach Boudreau first non-OT loss

Florida picks up 5-2 win despite being outshot 44-26

Florida Panthers goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky (72) defends the goal against Vancouver Canucks left wing Tanner Pearson (70) during the first period of an NHL hockey game, Tuesday, Jan. 11, 2022, in Sunrise, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Vancouver Canucks new head coach Bruce Boudreau smiles as he attends a news conference in Vancouver, B.C., Monday, Dec. 6, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward

‘It’s about the players’: new coach Boudreau a welcome refresh for Vancouver Canucks

New coach reflects on the fresh start that kicked off with an 8-0-1 streak

Vancouver Canucks new head coach Bruce Boudreau smiles as he attends a news conference in Vancouver, B.C., Monday, Dec. 6, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward
San Jose Sharks left wing Evander Kane, seen during a regular season game against the Arizona Coyotes. The NHL team has placed the former Vancouver Giant on unconditional waivers with intent to terminate his contract. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri, File)

San Jose Sharks terminate Evander Kane’s contract

Former Vancouver Giants player could lose $22.9 million

San Jose Sharks left wing Evander Kane, seen during a regular season game against the Arizona Coyotes. The NHL team has placed the former Vancouver Giant on unconditional waivers with intent to terminate his contract. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri, File)
Cynthia Appiah from Canada competes during the Bobsleigh World Cup in Altenberg, Germany, Saturday, Dec. 18, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Robert Michael/dpa via AP

Canadian bobsledder hopes to break stereotype of what a Winter Olympian looks like

While bobsled is a predominantly white sport, Black pilots are even scarcer

Cynthia Appiah from Canada competes during the Bobsleigh World Cup in Altenberg, Germany, Saturday, Dec. 18, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Robert Michael/dpa via AP
Vanessa James and Eric Radford perform their routine during the senior pairs short program at the National Skating Championships, in Ottawa, Friday, Jan. 7, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld

James, Radford nab pairs spot on Olympic team despite withdrawal from nationals

Figure skating duo withdrew after stint with COVID over the holidays

Vanessa James and Eric Radford perform their routine during the senior pairs short program at the National Skating Championships, in Ottawa, Friday, Jan. 7, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld
Cranbrook split their two-game homestand with Prince George Friday and Saturday — a 1-0 OT victory on Friday and a 5-0 loss on Saturday. Vicki Brown/MyLight Photography

Prince George gets revenge over Bucks on Saturday

Cranbrook split their two-game homestand with the Spruce Kings — a 1-0 OT victory on Friday and a 5-0 loss on Saturday

Cranbrook split their two-game homestand with Prince George Friday and Saturday — a 1-0 OT victory on Friday and a 5-0 loss on Saturday. Vicki Brown/MyLight Photography
Montreal Canadiens general manager Marc Bergevin speaks to the media at a press conference Thursday, July 2, 2015 in Brossard, Quebec.  Bergevin joined the Los Angeles Kings as a senior advisor, the team announced Sunday. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ryan Remiorz

Former Montreal Canadiens GM Marc Bergevin joins LA Kings as senior advisor

Bergevin was in his 10th season as Montreal’s GM when he was fired on Nov. 28

Montreal Canadiens general manager Marc Bergevin speaks to the media at a press conference Thursday, July 2, 2015 in Brossard, Quebec.  Bergevin joined the Los Angeles Kings as a senior advisor, the team announced Sunday. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ryan Remiorz
Felix Auger-Aliassime of Canada plays a shot against Russia’s Daniil Medvedev during their semifinal match at the ATP Cup tennis tournament in Sydney, Saturday, Jan. 8, 2022. (AP Photo/Steve Christo)

Maple Leaf rules: Canada wins ATP Cup with win over Spain

Felix Auger-Aliassime saved 10 of the 11 break points he faced and had 15 aces

Felix Auger-Aliassime of Canada plays a shot against Russia’s Daniil Medvedev during their semifinal match at the ATP Cup tennis tournament in Sydney, Saturday, Jan. 8, 2022. (AP Photo/Steve Christo)
The Cranbrook Bucks beat the Prince George Spruce Kings in overtime Friday, Jan. 7, at Western Financial Place. The rematch goes Saturday at 7 pm. Vicki Brown/Mylight Photography

Red Hot Bucks gain OT victory over Spruce Kings Friday

Cranbrook-Prince George rematch goes tonight, Saturday, Jan. 8, at Western Financial Place

The Cranbrook Bucks beat the Prince George Spruce Kings in overtime Friday, Jan. 7, at Western Financial Place. The rematch goes Saturday at 7 pm. Vicki Brown/Mylight Photography
Madeline Schizas skates during the warm up for the senior women’s free program at the National Skating Championships, in Ottawa, Saturday, Jan. 8, 2022. Schizas won the women’s singles title at the Canadian figure skating championships, all but clinching her trip to the Beijing Olympics. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld

Teenager Madeline Schizas claims her first Canadian figure skating title

Madeline Schizas now looks towards the Beijing Olympics

Madeline Schizas skates during the warm up for the senior women’s free program at the National Skating Championships, in Ottawa, Saturday, Jan. 8, 2022. Schizas won the women’s singles title at the Canadian figure skating championships, all but clinching her trip to the Beijing Olympics. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld
(File photo)

P.E.I. hockey player suspended after criticizing league’s response to racist incident

Keegan Mitchell shared a letter he received Thursday from Hockey P.E.I. notifying him of the suspension

(File photo)
FILE - In this Aug. 1, 2020, file photo, Minnesota Wild's Matt Dumba takes a knee during the national anthem flanked by Chicago Blackhawks' Malcolm Subban, left, and Edmonton Oilers' Darnell Nurse, before an NHL hockey Stanley Cup playoff game in Edmonton, Alberta. Dumba, former NHL player Akim Aliu, Colorado’s Nazem Kadri, Toronto’s Wayne Simmonds and Florida’s Anthony Duclair are members of the recently formed Hockey Diversity Alliance. (Jason Franson/The Canadian Press via AP, File)

Players share painful past in campaign to rid NHL of racism

Akim Aliu, Matt Dumba, Nazem Kadri, Wayne Simmonds and Anthony Duclair share their experiences

FILE - In this Aug. 1, 2020, file photo, Minnesota Wild's Matt Dumba takes a knee during the national anthem flanked by Chicago Blackhawks' Malcolm Subban, left, and Edmonton Oilers' Darnell Nurse, before an NHL hockey Stanley Cup playoff game in Edmonton, Alberta. Dumba, former NHL player Akim Aliu, Colorado’s Nazem Kadri, Toronto’s Wayne Simmonds and Florida’s Anthony Duclair are members of the recently formed Hockey Diversity Alliance. (Jason Franson/The Canadian Press via AP, File)
An arena worker removes the net from the ice after the Vancouver Canucks and Calgary Flames NHL hockey game was postponed due to a positive COVID-19 test result, in Vancouver, B.C., Wednesday, March 31, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

NHL postpones Saturday’s Canucks-Senators game over ongoing capacity limit

Neither the Canucks (16-15-3) nor the Sens (9-18-2) have played since Jan. 1

An arena worker removes the net from the ice after the Vancouver Canucks and Calgary Flames NHL hockey game was postponed due to a positive COVID-19 test result, in Vancouver, B.C., Wednesday, March 31, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Protestors gather outside an immigration detention hotel where Serbia’s Novak Djokovic is believed to stay, in Melbourne, Australia, Friday, Jan. 7, 2022. Locked in a dispute over his COVID-19 vaccination status, Djokovic was confined to the immigration detention hotel in Australia on Thursday as the No. 1 men’s tennis player in the world awaited a court ruling on whether he can compete in the Australian Open later this month. (AP Photo/Hamish Blair)

Unvaccinated tennis star spends his Christmas in immigration detention

Novak Djokovic battling deportation over COVID-19 rules to compete in the Australian Open

Protestors gather outside an immigration detention hotel where Serbia’s Novak Djokovic is believed to stay, in Melbourne, Australia, Friday, Jan. 7, 2022. Locked in a dispute over his COVID-19 vaccination status, Djokovic was confined to the immigration detention hotel in Australia on Thursday as the No. 1 men’s tennis player in the world awaited a court ruling on whether he can compete in the Australian Open later this month. (AP Photo/Hamish Blair)
Canada’s Keegan Messing reacts to the crowd after performing his men’s free program during the Skate Canada International figure skating competition, in Vancouver, on Saturday, October 30, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

COVID-19 spectre hangs over Canada’s Olympic figure skating trials in Ottawa

Canada’s top figure skaters will begin their quest for a spot on the Beijing Olympic team on Friday

Canada’s Keegan Messing reacts to the crowd after performing his men’s free program during the Skate Canada International figure skating competition, in Vancouver, on Saturday, October 30, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
The Beaver Valley Nitehawks and Castlegar Rebels, seen here during a game in December, are among the four KIJHL teams to report positive COVID-19 cases on their rosters. Photo: Jim Bailey

UPDATED: KIJHL games postponed after 4 teams report COVID-19 cases

Kelowna, Beaver Valley, Castlegar and Fernie each have infected players

The Beaver Valley Nitehawks and Castlegar Rebels, seen here during a game in December, are among the four KIJHL teams to report positive COVID-19 cases on their rosters. Photo: Jim Bailey
BCHL commissioner Chris Hebb (inset) has been part of the junior ‘A’ league since 2018. (Garrett James photo)

Overcoming COVID-19, other barriers ‘a wild ride’ says BCHL commissioner

Chris Hebb has dealt with a pandemic, cancelled games and travel issues since joining league

BCHL commissioner Chris Hebb (inset) has been part of the junior ‘A’ league since 2018. (Garrett James photo)