William Nylander, Leon Draisaitl lead European pre-Olympic picks
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Among Swedes joining Nylander are Colorado's Gabriel Landeskog, who made a late-season return from injury for the Colorado Avalanche and Tampa Bay Lightning captain Victor Hedman.
Sweden's great rival, Finland, named Aleksandar Barkov, who hopes to win a second Stanley Cup this week with the Florida Panthers, plus three Dallas Stars; Mikko Rantanen, Miro Heiskanen and Anton Lindell. Sebastian Aho of the Carolina Hurricanes with Jusse Saros in net.
The Swiss will be bolstered by Roman Josi of the Nashville Predators, two New Jersey Devils in Nico Hischier and Timo Meier, and Winnipeg Jet Nino Niederreiter. Germany leader is Edmonton's Leon Draisaitl, this year's Rocket Richard Trophy winning scorer with 52 goals, a further 33 playoff points to date, and Ottawa Senators Tim Stutzle.
Czechia's six pack includes Boston great David Pastrnak, defenceman Radko Gudas and goaltender Lukas Dostal. Two netminders were prominent in Latvia's selections, Elvis Merzlikins of Columbus and Vancouver Canuck Arturs Silovs.
Canada and the U.S. are expected to unveil their top six later Monday.
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Winnipeg Free Press
an hour ago
- Winnipeg Free Press
IIHF including women in tournament bonus money ‘significant', says Canada's Kingsbury
CALGARY – The International Ice Hockey Federation's decision to share tournament bonus money with women after years of men in the driver's seat is both symbolic and practical, says the general manager of Canada's women's team. 'It's very significant,' said Hockey Canada women's general manager Gina Kingsbury. 'For years, these types of topics have been brought up to the IIHF and they've always been shut down. 'More money invested in the women's game is really important.' The IIHF stated in a website report during its annual congress that 'development support,' worth nearly $9 million Swiss francs (C$15 million) in 2025, will be distributed to member federations based on their countries' performances across the men's and women's world championships, the men's under-20 championship and the men's and women's under-18 championships. 'Furthermore, the support will be weighted according to IIHF World Ranking,' the IIHF stated. The IIHF's development money was previously given to federations based only on men's world championship results. 'This has been a talking point on the women's side of the game for a long time,' said Canadian defender Renata Fast. The IIHF says the money will be split with 40 per cent going to the men's championship, 40 per cent to the women's championship, 10 per cent to the world junior men's tournament, and five per cent each to the men's and women's under-18 championships. That equates to roughly four million Swiss francs (C$6.7 million) going to federations based on the international results of their women's teams. 'It just signals that the IIHF is realizing that they need to modernize some of the things that have just been in place for years and years and years, and recognizing the growth of the women's game and the importance of acknowledging that and valuing it,' Fast said. 'The prize money to me symbolizes that.' The IIHF had previously argued that development money wasn't shared with women because the men's world championship turns a significant profit, while the women's tournament does not. 'Our organization wants to encourage its members to develop women's hockey and junior programs,' the IIHF said in an emailed statement. Even though Kingsbury sits on the IIHF's women's committee and Fast on the IIHF athletes' council, the report of bonus-money redistribution was buried in a congress report and came as a surprise to them. 'It just shows that there's a shift in thinking, maybe,' said Kingsbury. 'If we grow the women's game and if we kind of entice countries that may not have as strong of numbers on the women's side, or as strong a team … they'll be more motivated to invest in the women's side.' The IIHF may want to motivate countries to devote equal resources to men's and women's hockey, but it's ultimately each federation's decision how to use its developmental money. 'What also would be interesting is maybe if there's a federation where the women's program is stronger than the men's program in terms of a ranking standpoint, and how now their women's team can actually bring them in some prize money in an instance where their men's programs never did, that would be huge,' Fast said. Canadian women have never finished outside the medals at either the world championship or under-18 championship. Canada took silver and the under-18 team gold in 2025. Canada's men claimed under-18 gold, but were eliminated in the quarterfinals in both the men's and under-20 championship. 'If the women's program is stronger than the men's, there will be an increase in the support,' IIHF Director General Matti Nurminen said during the congress. 'If the men's and women's programs are as strong, there will be no real impact.' Hockey Canada and USA Hockey — perennial 1-2 finishers — already have the largest women's hockey budgets in part because their female registration far outstrips other countries at a combined 200,000 players. Nevertheless, Kingsbury says she would welcome any funding the women's teams are able to generate through international success. Thursdays Keep up to date on sports with Mike McIntyre's weekly newsletter. 'Any increase in funds, trust me, we've got lots of projects and ideas that could grow our game and could help the women's program,' she stated. 'There's always more we can do.' After lopsided women's hockey scores at the 2010 Olympic Games — and then-IOC president Jacques Rogge warning 'we cannot continue without improvement' — the IIHF committed 2 million Swiss francs to international women's hockey development. More equitable shares in the IIHF's bonus structure 15 years later is seismic, said Kingsbury. 'Our women's committee, for many years, I remember even before I was on it, the big topic was always the trophy for the women's worlds is smaller than men's and we don't get prize money,' Kingsbury said. 'Both those things have changed.' This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 20, 2025.
CBC
2 hours ago
- CBC
Hockey stick owned by Toronto Maple Leafs legend Bill Barilko hits auction block
A piece of hockey history is on the auction block — a signed stick owned by Bill Barilko, the Toronto Maple Leafs defenceman who scored the Stanley Cup-winning goal in overtime in 1951. The National Hockey League's website shows Barilko, born in Timmins, Ont., played 252 games in his career. He spent all of his five seasons with the Toronto Maple Leafs. For many, Barilko's goal against the Montreal Canadiens on April 21, 1951 is one of hockey's most celebrated. It was also Barilko's last, as in August of the same year, he died when a plane he was in went down while on a fishing trip to James Bay. The Leafs didn't win another Cup until 1962. Six weeks after that win, the crash site and Barilko's body were located. His story inspired The Tragically Hip song Fifty-Mission Cap. The game-issued stick from the 1950-51 season is being auctioned off by Miller and Miller Auctions based out of New Hamburg, Ont. Benjamin Pernfuss is the consignment director in the sports category at Miller and Miller and called it a "unique find." "It's one of those items that gives you a rush when you hold it in your hand, just knowing that you're touching a piece of history," Pernfuss told CBC Kitchener-Waterloo's The Morning Edition. "Every day, I'm in different people's collections and seeing items and it's not every day that I see something I haven't seen before. But this is one of those items and it really brought me a lot of joy to source it and and offer for sale." Listen to the radio call from 1951 when Bill Barilko won the Leafs the Cup 7 years ago Duration 0:35 After mysteriously vanishing, the Toronto Maple Leafs wouldn't win another Stanley Cup until Barilko's remains were found 11 years later. The stick is stamped number five, which indicates it was issued to Barilko because that was his number for the 1950-51 season. The stick is taped for game use in a way that matches Barilko's style and there are puck marks and lower hand grip wear, which could indicate the stick was likely used in a game, although Miller and Miller Auctions is unable to confirm that. The stick was made by Love & Bennett, a hockey stick supplier for the team, and the company's name is stamped on the stick. Pernfuss says the stick includes Barilko's signature and several other identifiable signatures including: Turk Broda, Ted Kennedy, Joe Klukay, Cal Gardner, Fleming Mackell, Ray Timgren, Howie Meeker, Harry Watson, Bill Juzda, Sid Smith, Max Bentley, Al Rollins and Tod Sloan. Miller and Miller Auctions notes the signatures of Rollins and Sloan also help date the stick to the 1950-51 season. Miller and Miller Actions had put an estimate for the stick at between $3,000 and $5,000, but Pernfuss says because it's so rare, "the sky is the limit." "There's not a lot of his memorabilia out there and the stick was owned by Barilko and signed by him as well. So it's a significant piece and a rare item in hockey history," Pernfuss says. The online auction closes Sunday evening.
The Province
3 hours ago
- The Province
Florida Panthers' Stanley Cup damage just the latest mishap in the trophy's storied history
Hockey's holy grail has been dropped several times, swam in pools and the ocean, and used both a baptismal font and an accidental toilet Florida Panthers Matthew Tkachuk, front. and Gustav Forsling pour beer from the Stanley Cup onto fans at the Elbo Room, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., the morning after defeating Edmonton in Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Final. The Cup was damaged the night before. Photo by Joe Cavaretta / AP Some hockey fans are understandably bent out of shape over the Florida Panthers damaging the Stanley Cup this week, but the coveted trophy has been through worse. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles by top sports columnists Patrick Johnston, Ben Kuzma, J.J. Abrams and others. Plus, Canucks Report, Sports and Headline News newsletters and events. Unlimited online access to The Province and 15 news sites with one account. The Province ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles and comics, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles by top sports columnists Patrick Johnston, Ben Kuzma, J.J. Abrams and others. Plus, Canucks Report, Sports and Headline News newsletters and events. Unlimited online access to The Province and 15 news sites with one account. The Province ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles and comics, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors It's been sunk to the bottom of a swimming pool. It's been used in the baptism of several infants and at least one baby has pooped in it. It's even been dropped — or maybe it was tossed — from a second-storey balcony overlooking a rock star's whiskey-shaped pool. 'It happens every year, the bowl gets damaged — basically it gets 'out of round' if you know what I mean,' Cup keeper Phil Pritchard told a Washington Capitals blogger in 2018. 'It is nobody's fault; it just happens every year. It has become part of the lore of sports' greatest trophy.' This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Here are just a small handful of the known stories about what the silver and nickel trophy has endured through its 131 years. Dents and cracks At some point after knocking off the Edmonton Oilers in Game 6 on Tuesday night, the Panthers managed to crack the trophy's bowl and dent the base before even leaving the arena, as evidenced by photos being circulated on Wednesday. A spokesperson for the Hockey Hall of Fame told the Associated Press it will be repaired in time for Sunday's victory parade in Sunrise, Fla. It wouldn't be the first time the Cup has been damaged almost immediately after it was awarded. As the Colorado Avalanche gathered on the ice for a team photo to celebrate their 2022 championship, Nicholas Aube-Kubel stumbled and dropped the Cup as he skated into the dogpile, leaving a noticeable dent on the base. Essential reading for hockey fans who eat, sleep, Canucks, repeat. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Just a year before, the Tampa Bay Lightning damaged it at some point prior to or during a boat parade to celebrate a second-straight title. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Because the Stanley Cup spends 24 hours with each player and staff member of the winning team, how the damage occurred is usually a mystery or the stuff of anecdotal legend. But while visiting St. John's with the Boston Bruins' Michael Ryder in the summer of 2011, cameras captured the trophy taking a tumble from a table. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Three years earlier, a few days after the Detroit Red Wings claimed the Cup, it was dented after falling off a table at the restaurant owned by defenceman Chris Chelios. The Cup makes a splash The Panthers were the last team to take the hockey's holy grail swimming when they took it to Fort Lauderdale Beach after last year's defeat of the Oilers in the final. At points during their revelry, players hoisting the Cup were diving into waves. Pritchard, in an email to the South Florida Sun-Sentinel, expressed concern about possible erosion but said they 'managed to clean it as good as possible and dry it off.' Panthers forward Matthew Tkachuk later admitted it wasn't ideal. 'I think somebody said that's not technically allowed, but I said it was too late,' Tkachuk said Thursday. 'It already happened.' This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Other famous dips include the time it ended up at the bottom of Mario Lemieux's pool following their 1991 win, tossed there from a 20-foot high waterfall by defenceman Phil Bourque. 'We had to dive in,' Bryan Trottier recounted on the Spittin' Chiclets podcast in 2022, 'Troy Loney and I dive and get the Cup out of the Pool. It was very tarnished the next day.' The most famous pool story occurred eight years later as the Dallas Stars celebrated the organization's first championship. While partying at the home of Pantera drummer Vinnie Paul, the Stars celebrity superfan said Guy Carboneau tossed the Cup to teammate Craig Ludwig from a balcony above his pool — that was shaped like a bottle of Crown Royal whisky — only for it to hit the pool deck and fall in the chlorinated water. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Carboneau disputed that version of events in a 2022 interview with D Magazine in Texas, saying it was an accident as he tried to hand it off to Ludwig. 'If I really wanted to throw the Cup, I would have thrown the Cup. But that was not my intention.' Ludwig, who admitted in the same article that they were all fairly drunk by this point, couldn't be sure what happened. Oh, Baby! The first known and reported instance of an infant being baptized in Lord Stanley's Cup came in 1996 when the Avalanche's Sylvain Lefebvre used it for his daughter's He was followed in 2008 by the Red Wings' Tomas Holmstrom, whose niece was welcomed into the Christian faith in the bowl from which countless beers and bottles of champagne have been slurped. The Pittsburgh Penguins' Josh Archibald had his three-week-old baptized in 2017, and the Avalanche's Jack Johnson used it for all three of his kids on his day with the trophy in 2022. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. In 2008, Kris Draper admitted to the Toronto Star that his newborn daughter 'pooped in the Cup.' 'That was something. We had a pretty good laugh,' said Draper, who cleaned it out and 'still drank out of it that night.' Read More
