Sports

Men's Olympic Preview: Canada vs. United States – Hockey Canada

Published

3 years ago

February 11, 2022

Mason McTavish has played for eight different teams in the last 13 months, but the 19-year-old is embracing the opportunity to learn from new hockey minds along the way

If you asked Mason McTavish where he was living this past year, it wouldn’t
be a simple answer. He’s spent time in three countries and five cities,
plus several short-term trips to represent Canada in international
competition.

Overall, McTavish has played for five different club teams and now three
turns with Team Canada, but the 19-year-old is thankful for each
opportunity he has gotten.

“[With COVID-19], it’s been tough for some guys to play, but I’ve been
lucky enough to play all around dating back to last February in
Switzerland,” he says.

His travel journey began when the 2020-21 Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
season was cancelled due to the ongoing pandemic. Without a season to play
with his Peterborough Petes, McTavish looked across the ocean and found an
opportunity with EHC Olten in the Swiss League.

He scored nine goals and added two assists in 13 regular-season games, then
added two goals and five assists in four playoff games before returning to
North America. In May, he was off to Texas to represent Canada at the 2021
IIHF U18 World Championship, where he recorded five goals and six assists
as an alternate captain in Canada’s gold-medal performance.

After going to the Anaheim Ducks with the No. 3 pick in the 2021 NHL Draft,
McTavish began the 2021-22 season in Southern California, making his NHL
debut with the Ducks on Oct. 13 against the Winnipeg Jets.

“It was pretty special for me, my family and everybody that’s helped me get
to where I am,” he says of his first NHL game. “It’s kind of something that
you dream of, and I was lucky enough to score [and add an assist] in my
first game too, so that made it even [more special].”

McTavish became the youngest goal-scorer in Ducks history with his first
NHL goal. Not only did he gain valuable experience on the ice, but he had
the opportunity to socialize with veterans, like captain and fellow Team
Canada alumnus Ryan Getzlaf.

“He’s obviously another Olympian too, and just to learn all the little
things those kinds of guys do just in their day-to-day lives, how to treat
people, how they go about their day, I think that’s pretty cool,” he says.
“I thought it was a great experience. Hopefully I can stick there next
year.”

After nine games in Anaheim, McTavish joined the AHL’s San Diego Gulls. He
spent three games with the Gulls before he was reassigned to the OHL.

“Obviously, it’s not the news you want to hear, ‘You’re getting sent down,’
but it’s probably for the best,” he says. “You get to play a lot more [in
junior hockey], play centre, stuff like that.”

The Carp, Ont., native had quite a performance in his homecoming game,
scoring a hat trick in his first game back with the Petes. After four games
with Peterborough, though, he was on the road again—this time to represent
Canada at the 2022 IIHF World Junior Championship.

Although his World Juniors experience was unfortunately cut short when the
tournament was cancelled on Dec. 29, McTavish enjoyed each moment wearing
the Maple Leaf with Canada’s National Junior Team.

“It was short-lived, so that kind of sucks,” he says. “Meeting all the new
guys and creating new friendships [was] pretty cool. I’m definitely
fortunate for that.”

This season may have been filled with travel for McTavish, but that hasn’t
taken away from his exceptional hockey skills and game performances.

“I think Mason is arguably the premier player in the [Canadian Hockey
League],” says Jay McKee, head coach of the OHL’s Hamilton Bulldogs. “His
abilities are off the charts. He’s got a great all-around game. He cares
about playing on the defensive side of the puck but has elite skills and an
elite shot.

“He really is the full package in one player.”

It was those qualities that led the Bulldogs to pursue the centre at the
OHL trade deadline in January, resulting in a blockbuster trade that sent
McTavish to Hamilton.

“I’ve never been traded before… so it was definitely different for me, but
the guys in Hamilton were great about it and so was Peterborough. They made
it a lot easier,” McTavish says. “It’s been great so far and I’m looking
forward to going back.”

“He’s a fun kid. He’s got a great aura about him,” says McKee of his first
impression of McTavish. “I learned quickly how much he just loves the game
of hockey. He’s hard to get off the ice after practice, he stays out. And
he just has a really positive personality.

“I think he really raised the level of intensity in our practices while
also having fun with the guys.”

McTavish played three games with the Bulldogs before he got the call for
his next adventure: donning the Maple Leaf at the 2022 Olympic Winter
Games. Learning that he would be a member of Team Canada in Beijing was
“super honouring” for the 19-year-old.

“To get the call to play in the Olympics, it was crazy,” he says. “I’m just
going to soak up everything here.”

As the youngest member of Canada’s Men’s Olympic Team (and the youngest
since Paul Kariya in 1994), playing in the Olympics is another opportunity
to learn and grow as a hockey player for McTavish. Like his time in the
NHL, he is looking forward to playing and socializing with his veteran
teammates, particularly captain Eric Staal.

“He’s a Stanley Cup winner, somebody who’s obviously a terrific player. I’m
definitely excited to see how good he is on the ice. He seems like a great
person, too.”

Having an Olympic experience on his résumé at such a young age will also
provide a unique opportunity for his Bulldogs teammates cheering on
McTavish from back home.

“It’s really neat for them to have a teammate go to the Olympics,” McKee
says. “It’s something that’s unheard of, really, for OHL hockey players,
and obviously we’re all pulling for him to bring the gold medal back.

“I’m sure our players will be asking him about the experience and we’re all
very proud of him for representing the country. There really is no greater
honour in the sport.”

This season may have included more hotel stays and less home-cooked meals
than McTavish pictured, but he has appreciated every step along the way.

“[It] sounds like I’ve had 100 coaches in the last year, but it’s been
pretty cool,” he says. “[I’ve] been fortunate to learn from so many
different hockey minds.

“I’ve been through a lot of teams and cities. It’s been different, but
[I’ve] enjoyed it. You meet the new team, new faces, new coaches and learn
from a lot of new people. I think that’s probably going to be the biggest
takeaway this year.”

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Sports

Champions Trophy host Pakistan says it’s not been told India wants to play cricket games elsewhere

Published

1 day ago

November 8, 2024

Anne Joseph

LAHORE, Pakistan (AP) — A top official of the Pakistan Cricket Board declined Friday to confirm media reports that India has decided against playing any games in host Pakistan during next year’s Champions Trophy.

“My view is if there’s any problems, they (India) should tell us in writing,” PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi told reporters in Lahore. “I’ll share that with the media as well as with the government as soon as I get such a letter.”

Indian media reported Friday that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has communicated its concerns to all the Champions Trophy stakeholders, including the PCB, over the Feb. 19-March 9 tournament and would not play in arch-rival Pakistan.

The Times of India said that “Dubai is a strong candidate to host the fixtures involving the Men in Blue” for the 50-over tournament.

Such a solution would see Pakistan having to travel to a neutral venue to play India in a group match, with another potential meeting later in the tournament if both teams advanced from their group. The final is scheduled for March 9 in Pakistan with the specific venue not yet decided.

“Our stance is clear,” Naqvi said. “They need to give us in writing any objections they may have. Until now, no discussion of the hybrid model has happened, nor are we prepared to accept one.”

Pakistan hosted last year’s Asia Cup but all India games were played in Sri Lanka under a hybrid model for the tournament. Only months later Pakistan did travel to India for the 50-over World Cup.

Political tensions have stopped bilateral cricket between the two nations since 2008 and they have competed in only multi-nation tournaments, including ICC World Cups.

“Cricket should be free of politics,” Naqvi said. “Any sport should not be entangled with politics. Our preparations for the Champions Trophy will continue unabated, and this will be a successful event.”

The PCB has already spent millions of dollars on the upgrade of stadiums in Karachi, Lahore and Rawalpindi which are due to host 15 Champions Trophy games. Naqvi hoped all the three stadiums will be ready over the next two months.

“Almost every country wants the Champions Trophy to be played here (in Pakistan),” Naqvi said. “I don’t think anyone should make this a political matter, and I don’t expect they will. I expect the tournament will be held at the home of the official hosts.”

Eight countries – Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, England, Australia, South Africa, New Zealand and Afghanistan – are due to compete in the tournament, the schedule of which is yet to be announced by the International Cricket Council.

“Normally the ICC announces the schedule of any major tournament 100 days before the event, and I hope they will announce it very soon,” Naqvi said.

___

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Sports

Dabrowski, Routlife into WTA doubles final with win over Melichar-Martinez, Perez

Published

1 day ago

November 8, 2024

Anne Joseph

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia – Ottawa‘s Gabriela Dabrowski and Erin Routliffe of New Zealand are through to the doubles final at the WTA Finals after a 7-6 (7), 6-1 victory over Nicole Melichar-Martinez of the United States and Australia’s Ellen Perez in semifinal action Friday.

Dabrowski and Routliffe won a hard-fought first set against serve when Routliffe’s quick reaction at the net to defend a Perez shot gave the duo set point, causing Perez to throw down her racket in frustration.

The second seeds then cruised through the second set, winning match point on serve when Melichar-Martinez couldn’t handle Routliffe’s shot.

The showdown was a rematch of last year’s semifinal, which Melichar-Martinez and Perez won in a super tiebreak.

Dabrowski and Routliffe will face the winner of a match between Katerina Siniakova and Taylor Townsend, and Hao-Ching Chan and Veronika Kudermetova in the final on Saturday.

Dabrowski is aiming to become the first Canadian to win a WTA Finals title.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 8, 2024.

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Sports

Winger Tajon Buchanan back with Canada after recovering from broken leg

Published

1 day ago

November 8, 2024

Anne Joseph

Inter Milan winger Tajon Buchanan, recovered from a broken leg suffered in training at this summer’s Copa America, is back in Jesse Marsch’s Canada squad for the CONCACAF Nations League quarterfinal against Suriname.

The 25-year-old from Brampton, Ont., underwent surgery July 3 to repair a fractured tibia in Texas.

Canada, ranked 35th in the world, plays No. 136 Suriname on Nov. 15 in Paramaribo. The second leg of the aggregate series is four days later at Toronto’s BMO Field.

There is also a return for veteran winger Junior Hoilett, who last played for Canada in June in a 4-0 loss to the Netherlands in Marsch’s debut at the Canadian helm. The 34-year-old from Brampton, now with Scotland’s Hibernian, has 15 goals in 63 senior appearances for Canada.

Midfielder Ismael Kone, recovered from an ankle injury sustained on club duty with France’s Marseille, also returns. He missed Canada’s last three matches since the fourth-place Copa America loss to Uruguay in July.

But Canada will be without centre back Derek Cornelius, who exited Marseille’s win Sunday over Nantes on a stretcher after suffering an apparent rib injury.

The Canadian men will prepare for Suriname next week at a camp in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

“We are looking forward to getting the group together again with the mindset that there is a trophy on the line,” Marsch said in a statement. “We want to end 2024 the right way with two excellent performances against a competitive Suriname squad and continue building on our tremendous growth this past summer.”

The quarterfinal winners advance to the Nations League Finals at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Calif., with the two semifinals scheduled for March 20 and the final and third-place playoff March 23, and qualify for the 2025 CONCACAF Gold Cup.

Thirteen of the 23 players on the Canadian roster are 25 or younger, with 19-year-old defender Jamie Knight-Lebel, currently playing for England’s Crewe Alexandra on loan from Bristol City, the youngest.

Bayern Munich star Alphonso Davies captains the side with Stephen Eustaquio, Jonathan Osorio, Richie Laryea, Alistair Johnston and Kamal Miller adding veteran support.

Jonathan David, Cyle Larin and Theo Bair are joined in attack by Minnesota United’s Tani Oluwaseyi.

Niko Sigur, a 21-year-old midfielder with Croatia’s Hadjuk Split, continues in the squad after making his debut in the September friendly against Mexico.

Suriname made it to the Nations League quarterfinals by finishing second to Costa Rica in Group A of the Nations League, ahead of No. 104 Guatemala, No. 161 Guyana and unranked Martinique and Guadeloupe.

“A good team,” Osorio said of Suriname. “These games are always tricky and they’re not easy at all … Suriname is a (former) Dutch colony and they’ll have Dutch players playing at high levels.”

“They won’t be someone we overlook at all,” added the Toronto FC captain, who has 81 Canada caps to his credit.

Located on the northeast coast of South America between Guyana and French Guiana, Suriname was granted independence in 1975 by the Netherlands.

Canada has faced Suriname twice before, both in World Cup qualifying play, winning 4-0 in suburban Chicago in June 2021 and 2-1 in Mexico City in October 1977.

The Canadian men, along with Mexico, the United States and Panama, received a bye into the final eight of the CONCACAF Nations League.

Canada, No. 2 in the CONCACAF rankings, drew Suriname as the best-placed runner-up from League A play.

Canada lost to Jamaica in last year’s Nations League quarterfinal, ousted on the away-goals rule after the series ended in a 4-4 draw. The Canadians lost 2-0 to the U.S. in the final of the 2022-23 tournament and finished fifth in 2019-20.

Canada defeated Panama 2-1 last time out, in an Oct. 15 friendly in Toronto.

Goalkeepers Maxime Crepeau and Jonathan Sirois, defenders Joel Waterman, Laryea and Miller and Osorio took part in a pre-camp this week in Toronto for North America-based players.

Canada Roster

Goalkeepers: Maxime Crepeau, Portland Timbers (MLS); Jonathan Sirois, CF Montreal (MLS); Dayne St. Clair, Minnesota United FC (MLS).

Defenders: Moise Bombito, OGC Nice (France); Alphonso Davies, Bayern Munich (Germany); Richie Laryea, Toronto FC (MLS); Alistair Johnston, Celtic (Scotland); Jamie Knight-Lebel. Crewe Alexandra, on loan from Bristol City (England); Kamal Miller, Portland Timbers (MLS); Joel Waterman, CF Montreal (MLS).

Midfielders: Ali Ahmed. Vancouver Whitecaps (MLS); Tajon Buchanan, Inter Milan (Italy); Mathieu Choiniere, Grasshopper Zurich (Switzerland); Stephen Eustaquio, FC Porto (Portugal); Junior Hoilett, Hibernian FC (Scotland); Ismael Kone, Olympique Marseille (France); Jonathan Osorio, Toronto FC (MLS); Jacob Shaffelburg, Nashville SC (MLS); Niko Sigur, Hadjuk Split (Croatia).

Forwards: Theo Bair, AJ Auxerre (France); Jonathan David, LOSC Lille (France); Cyle Larin, RCD Mallorca (Spain); Tani Oluwaseyi, Minnesota United (MLS).

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This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 8, 2024.

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