Canada

Alex Ovechkin’s record chase is back on. His empty-net goal for the Washington Capitals in Saturday’s 5-2 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs wasn’t the most challenging goal among the 869 he’s scored in the NHL, but it was significant given his return from a 16-game hiatus due to injury. “Every goal is hard to

3 days ago News Duration 4:24 U.S. president-elect Donald Trump claimed on social media that he urged hockey icon Wayne Gretzky to run for prime minister during a Christmas visit. It’s Trump’s latest comment on Canadian politics, following quips about Canada becoming the U.S.’s 51st state and meeting ‘Governor’ Justin Trudeau.

It didn’t take goalie Mackenzie Blackwood long to establish himself as the Colorado Avalanche’s starter for the present and future after signing a five-year $26.25 million US contract extension on Friday. The Avalanche announced the signing, and a person with direct knowledge of the contract confirmed its value to The Associated Press. The person spoke

Eriks Mateiko scored the only goal of the shootout as Latvia stunned an alarmingly uninspired Canada 3-2 at the world junior hockey championship Friday. The forward moved in on his country’s eighth effort before firing home a goal to register one of the biggest upsets in tournament history. Mateiko and Peteris Bulans scored in regulation

The Detroit Red Wings fired coach Derek Lalonde on Thursday and named Todd McLellan as his replacement, a major change by general manager Steve Yzerman more than a third of the way through another disappointing season in the place known as “Hockeytown.” The move the day after Christmas comes with the Red Wings on a

Gavin McKenna’s second goal of the game, scored at 17:31 of the third period, snapped a 2-2 tie and lifted Canada to a 3-2 exhibition win over the Czech Republic on Monday night at the Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa. Bradly Nadeau also scored for Canada and Matthew Schaefer chipped in with two assists as

The world junior hockey championship has produced memorable moments and breathtaking performances. This year’s tournament in Ottawa should offer the same level of entertainment as the next generation of stars skate into the showcase event’s spotlight. The Canadian Press looks at some of the players to watch in the nation’s capital when the annual under-20

Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby is back in elite company and this time it’s alongside his Hall of Fame former teammate. Crosby tied Mario Lemieux’s record for most assists in team history during the first period of Monday’s 7-3 win over the visiting Philadelphia Flyers. Philip Tomasino finished Crosby’s backhand pass for a power-play goal at

The Winnipeg Jets had payback on their minds and top spot in the National Hockey League in their final game before the holiday break. The Jets made good on both accounts with a 5-2 win against the Toronto Maple Leafs before 18,923 at Scotiabank Arena on Monday. The win avenged a 6-4 home loss to

Easton Cowan watched Canada’s chances crumble in an instant. The winger was seated on the bench at last year’s world junior hockey championship when the Czech Republic scored a late winner off a lucky bounce to secure a stunning 3-2 quarterfinal upset that resigned the scuffling North Americans to an ugly fifth-place finish in Sweden.

New York Rangers forward Matt Rempe was suspended for eight games by NHL’s Department of Player Safety on Sunday for boarding and elbowing Dallas Stars defenceman Miro Heiskanen on Friday night. Rempe had an in-person hearing via Zoom on Sunday, as opposed to a phone call, which allowed senior vice president of player safety George

Dave Cameron had just hung up his skates. It was 1985 and he needed a new job after 168 NHL games, plus plenty more in the minors. He found his place working at a young offenders’ facility and as a high school guidance counsellor. There was passion for the craft, matched only by what he

Montreal executive vice-president of hockey operations Jeff Gorton says he has “no concern” about members of the Canadiens’ front office travelling to Russia amid the country’s invasion of Ukraine. Canadiens general manager Kent Hughes, scout Nick Bobrov and special adviser Vincent Lecavalier raised eyebrows by flying overseas this week to visit first-round draft pick Ivan

Centre Brayden Yager has been named captain of Canada’s team for the upcoming world junior hockey championship. Hockey Canada announced the team’s leadership group Thursday, with Tanner Molendyk and Calum Ritchie named alternate captains for the tournament that starts Dec. 26 in Ottawa. Yager, a Winnipeg Jets prospect, has a goal and four points in two

Porter Martone and Matthew Schaefer have won together. They’ve also battled on opposite sides. The pair are now eyeing gold for Canada at the upcoming world junior hockey championship. And after that, the teenage stars will pivot to the next hurdle in their young careers. The 2025 NHL draft. Martone and Schaefer are expected to

Easton Cowan had to bide his time. Taken in the second round of the Ontario Hockey League’s 2021 priority selection draft by the London Knights, he was initially bumped down two levels at age 16 for more seasoning. Cowan took the demotion in stride. He accepted the constructive criticism. He worked on his game, confident

Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender Anthony Stolarz will undergo knee surgery and miss four to six weeks, general manager Brad Treliving said Tuesday. Stolarz left the Maple Leafs’ 3-2 win over visiting Anaheim on Thursday with a lower-body injury. Treliving said a subsequent MRI found no structural damage to Stolarz’s knee but he had discomfort and

Former NHL star Joe Thornton and Calgary Flames front office executive Brad Pascall are heading the management team for Canada’s Spengler Cup squad for a second straight year, while Hockey Canada has named Gerard Gallant head coach. Hockey Canada announced its 2024 Spengler Cup management group Tuesday, with Thornton and Pascall working as co-GMs and