Sports
Age only part of the story for youngest-ever Team Canada – TSN
According to EliteProspects.com, this is the youngest Team Canada ever at the World Juniors with an average age of 18.61 years.
“Everyone here deserves to be here,” Hockey Canada management group leader Mark Hunter said. “That’s what we looked at, who can play the best, and we evaluated from summertime to here. We put (age) aside, we picked who has the most talent and who can help the team win.”
The World Juniors have long been viewed as a 19-year-old event and Canada’s deep talent pool usually makes it tough for under-agers to crack the roster, but this year, Canada actually has four first-year, draft-eligible players. On the eve of the tournament, Hunter offered TSN a scouting report on his youngest players starting with returnee Alexis Lafrenière.
Lafrenière was benched during last year’s World Juniors and ended up only playing a depth role in Vancouver. This year, the Rimouski left winger is on the top line and top power play unit.
“He’s grown up,” Hunter observed of the reigning CHL player of the year. “He plays a real good two-way game now, he understands what needs to be done to win hockey games, how to win games … he sees he’s got to play both ends of the ice.”
Quinton Byfield is challenging Lafreniere atop this year’s draft class and will also start in a top-six role. A natural centre, the six-foot-four Byfield has been skating on the left wing on a line with Arizona’s Barrett Hayton and Lethbridge’s Dylan Cozens.
“He’s looked good,” said Hunter. “He’s a young man that’s really taken all this stuff in and we hope for good things for him in this tournament, but only time’s going to tell.”
“It’s hard to believe he’s that young,” Hayton said. “Obviously, he looks like a man out there the way he shields the puck, protects the puck and the way he can take over a game is impressive. His hockey sense is something that’s not really talked out, but he has a great feel for the game.”
Jamie Drysdale is a rare 17-year-old to make Canada on defence (only the seventh since 1991) and while he started each pre-tournament game as the seventh defenceman, the Erie Otter looked at ease at this level and has potential to carve out a bigger role.
“His skating does wonders for him,” Hunter noted. “I think he plays like a Victor Mete, who just skates and does things and keeps pucks out of our zone. His gaps are excellent so he’s really done a great job to present himself here and just continue to get better and better.”
Drummondville forward Dawson Mercer wasn’t invited to the World Junior Showcase in the summer, but used to a strong performance in the QMJHL Russia series games to catapult himself into the conversation. On the bubble until the final cut, Mercer scored in Canada’s first pre-tournament game against the Swiss.
“I like his intelligence,” Hunter said. “He makes intelligent plays. I feel like he plays two ways, which we wanted and he’s continued to get better since Day 1 of camp and hopefully he can continue to do that and win some big games for us.”
While the NHL is getting younger and younger, Hunter doesn’t necessarily believe this is the start of a new trend for Hockey Canada at the World Juniors.
“It just depends on the years,” he said. “You know what, every year is different so we’ll see next year what age it is. We have a lot of 18-year-olds playing this year and there’s going to be a lot … playing as 19-year-olds in Edmonton (next year) so that can happen, we’ll have to see. The bottom line is we picked these players based on who’s the best, did a lot of evaluation on them and that’s the conclusion we came up with.”
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Before turning in each night, Team Canada’s players turn in their phones to the team staff.
“The players understand they need to get to sleep, but do their friends? Do their families?” asked Hockey Canada director of men’s national teams Shawn Bullock. “Does everyone back home understand there is that major time change? We started explaining that in the summer, why we do those things and how important it’s going to be over here to get that quality of sleep, no disruptions with phones buzzing or anything of that nature.”
Defenceman Kevin Bahl is grateful for the policy, especially since his NHL rights were traded in a deal that broke around 11 pm in Vienna where Team Canada was training.
“If I had my phone I would’ve been up to 3 am so it’s good,” he said, “in my eyes at least.”
But, not everyone is a fan.
“My girlfriend doesn’t like it too much,” said goalie Nico Daws with a laugh. “But, no, it’s good. Sleep’s very important. Anything to get an upper hand in this tournament and it definitely helps.”
“It’s critical for these guys to get their rest so they can perform at an elite level,” Bullock concluded. “This tournament happens real fast and at an elite level and we need to be fresh.”
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Canada’s goaltending situation is coming into focus. Dale Hunter has confirmed that Moncton’s Olivier Rodrigue, who was scratched in both pre-tournament games, will start as the third goalie.
The coach wasn’t ready to name a starter after Monday’s game, but Daws appears to have a leg up. He didn’t allow a goal in regulation or overtime in his two exhibition appearances and owns a .939 save percentage with Guelph this season.
“I felt really good, really confident,” said Daws after the win over Finland. “They have a good team over there, the Finns move the puck well and I thought I did a good job in the half I played. My mindset’s pretty strong, still the same as when I came, play my game and have fun with it and I’m having a lot of fun out there and the results are showing.”
After splitting a shutout with Daws in the first pre-tournament game, Portland’s Joel Hofer allowed three goals against the Finns, two in regulation and one in overtime.
“I’ve laid it all out on the line,” he said. “You can’t save them all so it’s not the end of the world. I’ll learn from it and move on.”
Daws had never played for Team Canada before this camp and a Boxing Day showdown against the Americans would undoubtedly be the biggest moment in his career.
“You try not to think about it too much,” Daws said. “I mean, obviously the whole country is watching and more and there’s a lot of stress in those games and a lot of pressure but, once again, I’m just here to have fun and play hockey.”
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Cole Caufield scored 14 goals in six games at the under-18 World Championship earlier this year, tying Alexander Ovechkin for the tournament record. Does that MVP performance give him confidence heading into his first World Juniors?
“That’s in the past now, I think there’s a lot of things I need to prove in this tournament too,” the Montreal Canadiens first-rounder said. “I just want to prove that I’m one of the guys that can lead the team in different ways than just scoring.”
But scoring is what Caufield does the best and he appears to be riding a wave of momentum heading into the World Juniors having potted four goals in a final tune-up game against the Germans on Monday.
“When a goal scorer’s scoring that’s a good thing,” USA coach Scott Sandelin said. “He loves to do that and it was a good game for him to have for confidence. It’s going to get tougher, but he finds ways. He has that smile on his face and hopefully we can keep that on there with him scoring in the tournament for us.”
Caufield always finds a way despite standing just 5-foot-7, 163 pounds. He has produced 12 goals in 18 games as a freshman with the University of Wisconsin this season. Last year, he set a new single-season USA National Development Program record with 72 goals.
“He just finds those soft areas,” Sandelin observed, “just knowing where pucks are going and being in the right spot or getting there at the right time is a real key to his success around the net.”
“The pucks find him,” noted goalie Spencer Knight, “and he finishes up close, he can finish from back far, he can take one-timers off the rush, he also can make passes too.”
Caufield has a swagger about him. Asked about Daws, he says he doesn’t know anything about the goalie, who burst onto the scene this season after getting passed over in the NHL draft. And Caufield doesn’t plan on doing any extra scouting.
“It’s all about instincts,” he insisted. “I mean, if the goalie can’t see it, he’s not going to be able to stop it.”
Caufield says the Boxing Day showdown with Canada will be the biggest game he’s ever played in.
“I’ve been looking forward to this for a long time,” he said.
What stands out about the rivalry with Canada?
“Just the history of everything, just the US-Canada bloodbath, even in the summer when played them it was kind of getting chippy, it’s never not intense.”
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Sandelin lists Caufield and Nick Robertson as the best performers in his team’s shootout work so far. It was Robertson, Toronto’s top pick in June’s draft, who won the internal competition at Tuesday’s practice.
“Unbelievable,” Caufield said of Robertson. “He pulls off some crazy moves. I think it just comes natural to him. He’s done some things in practice and the pre-tournament games that have just been eye-opening to me. He’s so skilled and so smart, it’s incredible.”
“I like shootouts,” Robertson said. “I have go-to moves and luckily it worked out.”
How many go-to moves does he have?
“More than one, that’s for sure,” Robertson said with a grin. “You got to read the goalie and hopefully it works.”
Sandelin says Team USA has worked on shootouts “two or three times” and will do it at least once more.
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Team Canada is scheduled to hold a practice at 2:30 pm (8:30 am ET) on Christmas Day.
Sports
Finding Your Perfect Match: The Best Ways to Choose an Online Sportsbook


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In the ever-expanding world of online sports betting, selecting the right sportsbook is crucial. This is to ensure an enjoyable and secure gambling experience. With numerous options available, it can be challenging to find the perfect fit. For instance, you can be looking into sites like BestOdds to find a sportsbook to go with but do not know what exactly to check.
This article will explain the basics of finding an excellent online sportsbook.
Licensing and Regulation
The first and most critical factor when choosing an online sportsbook is ensuring it operates in a legal and transparent manner. A reputable sportsbook should possess a valid license from a recognized regulatory authority. These licenses indicate that the sportsbook adheres to strict standards, including fair play, responsible gambling and financial security.
Before registering, check for the sportsbook’s licensing information. In most cases, you will find this in the footer of their website. Some of the most reputable regulatory bodies for online sports betting include the United Kingdom Gambling Commission (UKGC), the Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) and the Isle of Man Gambling Supervision Commission.
Additionally, research the sportsbook’s track record for regulatory compliance and any previous non-payment or unethical practices incidents. User reviews and industry news sources can provide valuable insights into the sportsbook’s reputation.
Odds and Betting Markets
The quality of odds and the variety of betting markets offered are key factors in determining the suitability of an online sportsbook. Competitive odds provide better potential returns for your bets, while a wide range of markets allows you to explore different betting options.
Compare odds from multiple sportsbooks to ensure you get the best bet value. Some websites and apps even offer odds comparison tools to make this process more convenient.
Moreover, consider the breadth of sports and events covered by the sportsbook. Whether you’re into mainstream sports like football, basketball, or soccer or niche sports and events, the sportsbook should offer diverse markets to cater to your preferences.
Security and Payment Options
Security is paramount when sharing personal and financial information with an online sportsbook. Look for sportsbooks that employ the latest encryption technologies, such as SSL (Secure Socket Layer), to safeguard your data. Consider factors like two-factor authentication (2FA) to enhance account security further.
Payment options are another critical aspect. Ensure the sportsbook offers convenient and secure methods for depositing and withdrawing funds. Common payment methods include credit/debit cards, bank transfers, e-wallets (like PayPal or Skrill) and cryptocurrencies (like Bitcoin). Choosing a sportsbook that supports your preferred payment method is essential to streamline your betting experience.
Sports
As LeBron James enters Year 21, the theme of Lakers media day was passing the torch and sharing the load
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The budding relationship between fifth-year forward Rui Hachimura and four-time MVP LeBron James has been one of the stories of the offseason for the resurgent Los Angeles Lakers. Stories of the two working out together have become commonplace. “I call him my Daniel-san and I’m Mr. Miyagi,” James joked at Lakers’ media day Monday. It was an appropriate comparison not just between James and Hachimura, but the legend and his entire team.
Now that Udonis Haslem has called it a career and Andre Iguodala is seemingly headed in that direction, James is officially the NBA’s oldest active player. He proved that he is still a superstar on the court last season, but aside from Anthony Davis and Taurean Prince, all of his Laker teammates are at least a decade his junior. In a perfect world, the days of James pushing for 30-point triple-doubles on a nightly basis are now over. He has a group of young teammates eager to learn from his example and lift him up when he needs it.
“I think with this team we have the most depth,” new Lakers big man Christian Wood said Monday. “No team in the league has more depth than we have.” This was the goal of the Lakers’ offseason. Though they didn’t make any particularly splashy additions, six of the seven Lakers to play at least 200 postseason minutes are back this season. Joining them are Gabe Vincent, a starter on Miami’s finalist from a season ago, and Wood, one of the NBA’s most dynamic scoring big men. Rounding out the new-look bench are former first-round picks Taurean Prince (29), Cam Reddish (24) and Jaxson Hayes (23). That youth-oriented approach was no accident, as Lakers coach Darvin Ham explained Friday.
“Now that we have, top-to-bottom, what we feel is a highly balanced, skilled, athletic, younger team of guys that have logged a ton of NBA minutes, we can surround both he and AD with these players who are coming in eager to contribute, eager to show that they can impact winning,” Ham said. “That’s gonna allow us to be able to be more efficient with his game-to-game minutes.”
Managing James’ minutes was difficult last season. The Lakers lacked depth on a roster depleted by the Russell Westbrook trade, and when Davis was hurt, James needed to carry a remarkable burden just to keep the Lakers afloat. He averaged 24.1 shots and 34.6 points per game between Dec. 18 and Jan. 24, Davis’ longest extended absence of the season. Roughly one month later, he suffered the foot injury that hampered him for the rest of the season. It’s an outcome Davis is hoping to avoid this time around.
“It’s my goal every year to play 82,” Davis said. Though likely unobtainable, keeping Davis on the floor will be essential to the Lakers’ championship hopes this season. In fact, James might even argue that his co-star’s health is more important than his own. “He is the face [of the franchise],” James said at media day. For stretches last season, he was among the NBA’s best players. Between Nov. 13 and his own injury on Dec. 13, Davis averaged 32.4 points per game while doubling as the league’s best defensive player.
But for the Lakers to realize their considerable potential, he’ll have to sustain that dominance for longer stretches. The supporting players, who were so instrumental in lifting the Lakers from out of the top-10 in the West and into the Western Conference finals, will have to continue to benefit from James’ presence as Hachimura has. The Lakers went from cellar-dweller to contender last season when they morphed from an older, star-driven roster to a younger, balanced one, and whether that means Davis stepping into James’ role as the focal point of the team or the role players improving with another year in the system, the Lakers made it clear at media day that they plan to continue that transformation.



Sports
The Growing Popularity of Online Casino Apps in Canada: A Comprehensive Guide


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Online casinos have surged in recent years, partly because the pandemic moved people from traditional brick-and-mortar establishments to playing from the safety of their homes and partly because technological leaps have made online gaming more engaging and immersive.
In response to the rise in online casinos, companies have invested in bringing the experience to mobile apps. Apps provide players with an accessible way to enjoy their favorite casino games—plus, there are usually more features and gameplay is more convenient.
This guide explores the benefits of online casino apps, the legal considerations surrounding gambling in Canada, the different types of casino games available on apps and future trends in the industry. If you’re an online casino enthusiast looking to sample the best apps, try this list first to see if your favorite casino already has an app. Chances are, they do.
Why an app?
Smartphones have brought a level of convenience to life that is not always appreciated, especially as users become increasingly accustomed to having a tiny computer in their pocket. Ease of access to everything from email to real-time maps to e-reading devices allows for an unprecedented level of flexibility.
Online casinos are no exception. You can access a wide range of casino games while you’re waiting for a bus, relaxing at home on the couch, or during a lunch break. Apps, in comparison to online casino websites, provide a user-friendly interface that is specifically designed for your phone.
Online casino and gambling regulations
It is important to understand the legal considerations and gambling regulations in Canada, or from whichever country you are partaking in online gambling. Engaging with licensed casinos is the best way to protect yourself from potential harm associated with cybercrime, scams, or other unethical practices. Reading reviews from online casino comparison sites or verifying casino licenses is recommended before playing, especially with real money.
In Canada, the legality of online gambling varies across provinces. Some provinces have their own online gambling platforms, while others rely on offshore operators. As a general rule of thumb, online gambling is legal in Canada. The legal gambling age varies by province, so it’s best to check laws and regulations depending on your specific location.
Which types of games are available?
Most casino games have been adapted for mobile apps. Slot games are particularly popular because developers have been able to introduce vibrant graphics and exciting themes to the app experience. Table games such as blackjack, roulette and poker are also popular for those seeking a more strategic, reflective experience.
A lot of online casino apps also offer live dealer games, where players can interact with actual dealers and other players in real time. By leveraging a smartphone’s unique features, such as vibration, these types of games played on an app can feel even more immersive and authentic.
Future trends and advanced gameplay
The online casino app industry is continuously developing, with cutting-edge innovations and trends shaping the industry’s future. One emerging trend is the integration of virtual reality (VR) technology. VR technology, while still not fully mimicking physical casinos, does create a more interactive gaming environment for players.
Another trend is the improvement of mobile payment options. By incorporating a variety of payment options, such as Apple Pay and Google Pay, making deposits and withdrawals in mobile casino apps is increasingly more simple and secure. Additionally, advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) are being leveraged to enrich the gaming experience, with AI-powered chatbots providing personalized customer support.
The Wrap-Up
In today’s age, apps are a normal part of our daily routine. Online casinos have successfully tapped into ever-evolving smartphone technology to create engaging and accessible entertainment options. It is as important as ever to choose reputable service providers and practice responsible gaming, but as the industry continues to innovate, more complex and engaging options are on the horizon.
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