Sports

Connor Bedard breaks silence on Corey Perry rumours, calls it ‘BS on the internet’

Published

10 months ago

December 2, 2023

Chicago Blackhawks’ Connor Bedard. Photo by PAUL SANCYA /THE CANADIAN PRESS

Connor Bedard has addressed rumours that circulated all week leading up to teammate Corey Perry being cut loose by the Chicago Blackhawks, calling the gossip “BS.”

Bedard was asked about the past week by media in Winnipeg after the Blackhawks practised at Canada Life Centre on Friday in preparation for Saturday’s matinee against the Jets.

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The player offered a response.

“It’s just a bunch of BS on the internet. It’s of course been an effect on myself and my family, and that’s not fair. But it’s out of our control. It’s all just fake, made-up stuff,” Bedard said.

While specifics surrounding Perry’s ouster remain unclear, Blackhawks general manager Kyle Davidson quickly shot down rumours during a news conference earlier this week that suggested Perry’s termination was tied to misconduct involving the family of Bedard, the team’s No. 1 draft pick.

The team waived Perry on Tuesday after an investigation into “unacceptable” behaviour, which kicked the rumour mill into high gear. He cleared waivers Wednesday with no other team placing a claim on the former Hart Trophy winner.

ESPN reported that Perry and the team travelled to Columbus on Nov. 21, a day before the Blackhawks were set to play the Blue Jackets. While there, an incident with a team employee occurred and led to Perry being pulled from the game the next day and the investigation being set in motion.

According to the report, it’s unclear exactly where the incident took place.

However, a report later Wednesday from Daily Faceoff reporter Frank Seravalli suggested booze might have been involved.

Citing sources, Daily Faceoff said an “alcohol-fueled incident involving Perry” was alleged to have happened during “an event that included corporate partners and team employees in attendance.”

It’s not yet clear what allegedly took place, who witnessed it, and who reported it to the team, Daily Faceoff reported.

On Thursday, Perry issued a lengthy statement that included an apology.

“I would like to sincerely apologize to the entire Chicago Blackhawks organization, including ownership, management, coaches, trainers, employees, and my teammates. I would also like to apologize to my fans, and my family. I am embarrassed and I have let you all down,” the statement read.

“As a result of my actions, there has been speculation and rumors. I am sickened by the impact this has had on others, and I want to make it clear that in no way did this situation involve any of my teammates or their families. Most importantly, I want to directly apologize to those who have been negatively affected and I am sorry for the additional impact to others it has created. My behavior was inappropriate and wrong.

“I have started working with experts in the mental health and substance abuse fields to discuss my struggles with alcohol and I will take whatever steps necessary to ensure this never happens again. I hope to regain the trust and respect of everyone who has believed in me throughout my career.

“Once again, I am deeply sorry.”

Earlier in the day, Bedard was named the NHL’s rookie of the month after collecting six goals and 12 points in a dozen contests.

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Sports

Canada’s Marina Stakusic falls in Guadalajara Open quarterfinals

Published

2 hours ago

September 13, 2024

Anne Joseph

GUADALAJARA, Mexico – Canada’s Marina Stakusic fell 6-4, 6-3 to Poland’s Magdalena Frech in the quarterfinals of the Guadalajara Open tennis tournament on Friday.

The 19-year-old from Mississauga, Ont., won 61 per cent of her first-serve points and broke on just one of her six opportunities.

Stakusic had upset top-seeded Jelena Ostapenko of Latvia 6-3, 5-7, 7-6 (0) on Thursday night to advance.

In the opening round, Stakusic defeated Slovakia’s Anna Karolína Schmiedlová 6-2, 6-4 on Tuesday.

The fifth-seeded Frech won 62 per cent of her first-serve points and converted on three of her nine break point opportunities.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 13, 2024.

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Sports

Kirk’s walk-off single in 11th inning lifts Blue Jays past Cardinals 4-3

Published

2 hours ago

September 13, 2024

Anne Joseph

TORONTO – Alejandro Kirk’s long single with the bases loaded provided the Toronto Blue Jays with a walk-off 4-3 win in the 11th inning of their series opener against the St. Louis Cardinals on Friday.

With the Cardinals outfield in, Kirk drove a shot off the base of the left-field wall to give the Blue Jays (70-78) their fourth win in 11 outings and halt the Cardinals’ (74-73) two-game win streak before 30,380 at Rogers Centre.

Kirk enjoyed a two-hit, two-RBI outing.

Erik Swanson (2-2) pitched a perfect 11th inning for the win, while Cardinals reliever Ryan Fernandez (1-5) took the loss.

Blue Jays starter Kevin Gausman enjoyed a seven-inning, 104-pitch outing. He surrendered his two runs on nine hits and two walks and fanned only two Cardinals.

He gave way to reliever Genesis Cabrera, who gave up a one-out homer to Thomas Saggese, his first in 2024, that tied the game in the eighth.

The Cardinals started swiftly with four straight singles to open the game. But they exited the first inning with only two runs on an RBI single to centre from Nolan Arendao and a fielder’s choice from Saggese.

Gausman required 28 pitches to escape the first inning but settled down to allow his teammates to snatch the lead in the fourth.

He also deftly pitched out of threats from the visitors in the fifth, sixth and seventh thanks to some solid defence, including Will Wagner’s diving stop, which led to a double play to end the fifth inning.

George Springer led off with a walk and stole second base. He advanced to third on Nathan Lukes’s single and scored when Vladimir Guerrero Jr. knocked in his 95th run with a double off the left-field wall.

Lukes scored on a sacrifice fly to left field from Spencer Horwitz. Guerrero touched home on Kirk’s two-out single to right.

In the ninth, Guerrero made a critical diving catch on an Arenado grounder to throw out the Cardinals’ infielder, with reliever Tommy Nance covering first. The defensive gem ended the inning with a runner on second base.

St. Louis starter Erick Fedde faced the minimum night batters in the first three innings thanks to a pair of double plays. He lasted five innings, giving up three runs on six hits and a walk with three strikeouts.

ON DECK

Toronto ace Jose Berrios (15-9) will start the second of the three-game series on Saturday. He has a six-game win streak.

The Cardinals will counter with righty Kyle Gibson (8-6).

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 13, 2024.

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Sports

Canada’s Sarah Mitton captures shot put gold at Diamond League in Brussels

Published

8 hours ago

September 13, 2024

Anne Joseph

BRUSSELS – Canadian shot putter Sarah Mitton rebounded from a disappointing performance at the Paris Olympics by capturing Diamond League gold on Friday.

Mitton, of Brooklyn, N.S., won the competition, the final Diamond League event of the season, with a heave of 20.25 metres on her third throw.

Chase Jackson of the U.S. placed second with a throw of 19.90, while German’s Yemisi Ogunleye, the Olympic gold medallist, claimed bronze with a toss of 19.72.

Mitton, the runner-up of last year’s world championship, failed to qualify for the top eight in Paris.

Edmonton runner Marco Arop, who won silver for Canada in the men’s 800 metres at the Paris Games, was scheduled to race in the 800 on Saturday.

Olympic bronze-medallist Alysha Newman, of London, Ont., also competes Saturday in the women’s pole vault.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 13, 2024.

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