Sports

Top Dog: Argos’ Chad Kelly named 2023 George Reed MOP

Published

10 months ago

November 17, 2023

NIAGARA FALLS, Ont. – The Toronto Argonauts were heavily featured at the CFL Awards after a 16-win regular season in 2023.

Five Argos heard their names called on Thursday night, headlined by quarterback Chad Kelly winning the 2023 George Reed Most Outstanding Player.

The MOP award has been re-named in honour of legendary Saskatchewan Roughrider George Reed, in memory of one of the greatest running backs of all-time, who sadly passed away in October. Reed — who will forever be remembered for the many records he held and the countless community members’ lives he uplifted — will now have his lasting legacy imprinted on all future winners of the league’s most coveted individual award.

The 29-year-old led the Double Blue to a franchise-best 16-2 record in his first year as a starter, tying the all-time mark for victories set by Edmonton in 1989.

“That’s huge, to have as many as we did,” said Kelly. “Obviously, we had a very successful season. And it didn’t end the way we wanted it to. But to know that there’s a lot of quality men and football players in that locker room that have had the focus and determination all year long, and the mentality of the 1-0 that we’ve created. It’s amazing to sit here and say that we’ve had five award winners.”

Kelly passed for 4,123 yards and 23 touchdowns, while adding eight more on the ground. He led the league with 10.5 yards per pass attempt and was one of four pivots to reach 4,000 passing yards. At 15-1, Kelly set the league record for winning percentage by a starting quarterback at .938 (minimum 14 starts).

“I’m sitting up here today as the Most Outstanding Player, which is beyond a blessing to be able to even achieve something so amazing,” said Kelly. “That’s kind of where I look back and say there was a moment where I wasn’t sure what was gonna happen with my life. And now I’m sitting up here.”

After leading a go-ahead drive in the 109th Grey Cup for the Argonauts, Kelly took over the job full time after the departure of McLeod Bethel-Thompson and led the Argonauts to their best regular season record in franchise history.

Joining Kelly in the awards were fellow Argonauts Most Outstanding Offensive Lineman Dejon Allen, Most Outstanding Special Teamer Javon Leake, Most Outstanding Rookie Qwan’tez Stiggers and Coach of the Year Ryan Dinwiddie.

The runner-up for Most Outstanding Player was Winnipeg’s Brady Oliveira, who earlier in the night was named Most Outstanding Canadian after besting his previous career-high of 1,001 rushing yards by more than 500 to total 1,534.The running back became the second Canadian to reach the 1,500 milestone and 2,000 yards from scrimmage, while also leading the league with seven 100-plus rushing yard games and set career-highs in receptions (38) and receiving yards (482).

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Edler to sign one-day contract to retire as a Vancouver Canuck

Published

4 hours ago

September 17, 2024

Anne Joseph

VANCOUVER – The Vancouver Canucks announced Tuesday that defenceman Alex Edler will sign a one-day contract in order to officially retire as a member of the NHL team.

The signing will be part of a celebration of Edler’s career held Oct. 11 when the Canucks host the Philadelphia Flyers.

The Canucks selected Edler, from Ostersund, Sweden, in the third round (91st overall) of the 2004 NHL draft.

He played in 925 career games for the Canucks between the 2006-07 and 2020-21 seasons, ranking fourth in franchise history and first among defencemen.

The 38-year-old leads all Vancouver defencemen with 99 goals, 310 assists and 177 power-play points with the team.

Edler also appeared in 82 career post-season contests with Vancouver and was an integral part of the Canucks’ run to the 2011 Stanley Cup final, putting up 11 points (2-9-11) across 25 games.

“I am humbled and honoured to officially end my career and retire as a member of the Vancouver Canucks,” Edler said in a release. “I consider myself lucky to have started my career with such an outstanding organization, in this amazing city, with the best fans in the NHL. Finishing my NHL career where it all began is something very special for myself and my family.”

Edler played two seasons for Los Angeles in 2021-22 and 2022-23. He did not play in the NHL last season.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 17, 2024.

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Sixth-ranked Canadian women to face World Cup champion Spain in October friendly

Published

11 hours ago

September 17, 2024

Anne Joseph

The sixth-ranked Canadian women will face World Cup champion Spain in an international friendly next month.

Third-ranked Spain will host Canada on Oct. 25 at Estadio Francisco de la Hera in Almendralejo.

The game will be the first for the Canadian women since the Paris Olympics, where they lost to Germany in a quarterfinal penalty shootout after coach Bev Priestman was sent home and later suspended for a year by FIFA over her part in Canada’s drone-spying scandal.

In announcing the Spain friendly, Canada Soccer said more information on the interim women’s coaching staff for the October window will come later. Assistant coach Andy Spence took charge of the team in Priestman’s absence at the Olympics.

Spain finished fourth in Paris, beaten 1-0 by Germany in the bronze-medal match.

Canada is winless in three previous meetings (0-2-1) with Spain, most recently losing 1-0 at the Arnold Clark Cup in England in February 2022.

The teams played to a scoreless draw in May 2019 in Logroñés, Spain in a warm-up for the 2019 World Cup. Spain won 1-0 in March 2019 at the Algarve Cup in São João da Venda, Portugal.

Spain is a powerhouse in the women’s game these days.

It won the FIFA U-20 World Cup in 2022 and was runner-up in 2018. And it ousted Canada 2-1 in the round of 16 of the current U-20 tournament earlier this month in Colombia before falling 1-0 to Japan after extra time in the quarterfinal.

Spain won the FIFA U-17 World Cup in 2018 and 2022 and has finished on the podium on three other occasions.

FC Barcelona’s Aitana Bonmati (2023) and Alexia Putellas (2021 and ’22) have combined to win the last three Women’s Ballon d’Or awards.

And Barcelona has won three of the last four UEFA Women’s Champions League titles.

“We continue to strive to diversify our opponent pool while maintaining a high level of competition.” Daniel Michelucci, Canada Soccer’s director of national team operations, said in a statement. “We anticipate a thrilling encounter, showcasing two of the world’s top-ranked teams.”

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This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 17, 2024

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Maple Leafs announce Oreo as new helmet sponsor for upcoming NHL season

Published

14 hours ago

September 17, 2024

Anne Joseph

TORONTO – The Toronto Maple Leafs have announced cookie brand Oreo as the team’s helmet sponsor for the upcoming NHL season.

The new helmet will debut Sunday when Toronto opens its 2024-25 pre-season against the Ottawa Senators at Scotiabank Arena.

The Oreo logo replaces Canadian restaurant chain Pizza Pizza, which was the Leafs’ helmet sponsor last season.

Previously, social media platform TikTok sponsored Toronto starting in the 2021-22 regular season when the league began allowing teams to sell advertising space on helmets.

The Oreo cookie consists of two chocolate biscuits around a white icing filling and is often dipped in milk.

Fittingly, the Leafs wear the Dairy Farmers of Ontario’s “Milk” logo on their jerseys.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 17, 2024.

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