Latest news with #LondonOnt
CBC
11 hours ago
- Sport
- CBC
World champion Canadian defender Nicole Gosling poised to be picked early in PWHL Draft
A little more than a year ago, Nicole Gosling was celebrating on the ice in Utica, N.Y., with the rest of Team Canada. The Canadians had just defeated the Americans on home ice in overtime to win the world championship, and it was the defender from London, Ont.'s first title with the senior national team. Now, the 23-year-old is poised for what could be the biggest season of her life. She's projected to be taken high in the 2025 PWHL Draft, which is set for Tuesday in Ottawa, beginning at 7 p.m. ET. She's also one of the defenders fighting for a spot on the blue line for Canada at next year's Olympics. That has been a lifelong dream. "Obviously now there are other goals like playing in the PWHL, winning a Walter Cup, all that," Gosling said in an interview with CBC Sports. "But hopefully one day I could play in an Olympics. That's the ultimate goal, and then hopefully win gold, too. That will always be at the top of my list." She projects as an offensive, intelligent defender for whichever team selects her in the PWHL Draft. The New York Sirens have the first pick, followed by the Boston Fleet, Toronto Sceptres, Montreal Victoire, Ottawa Charge, Minnesota Frost, PWHL Vancouver and PWHL Seattle. Gosling is about as pro ready as they come, and projects to slot into a team's top two or four right away. She could play the same role on Team Canada for years to come, as the team ushers in a new wave of talent. "She's just someone that can really take control of a game with the way that she plays," said Clarkson University head coach Matt Desrosiers, who has coached Gosling for the last five seasons. A hockey family Gosling comes from a big family in London where just about everyone plays hockey. Gosling's father, Peter, played, and it was natural for Gosling and her sister to follow suit. Her cousin, Julia Gosling, just finished her rookie season with the Toronto Sceptres and will play next season with Seattle. Julia's father, Paul, is Gosling's father's twin brother. "Playing with her has been great," Nicole Gosling said. "We've had a lot of success together. We train together in the summer and everything, so there's a lot of familiarity there." Another cousin, Katelyn Gosling, played in the now-defunct Canadian Women's Hockey League. Yet another cousin, Cassidy Gosling, competed at Western University. Another distant cousin is famous for another reason. That would be actor Ryan Gosling, who is Gosling's father's cousin's son. "I can't say I've ever met him," Gosling said. Elite vision A lot stood out about Gosling's game for Desrosiers, who'd been following Gosling's career in London long before he talked to her about coming to the upstate New York college. The first thing he noticed was how smart she is. "She's just able to kind of see plays before it happens," Desrosiers said. "She's always had that ability." Desrosiers focuses on producing defenders who are 200-foot, multi-dimensional players. As a result, the school has churned out some of the best defenders in the PWHL, including Montreal's Erin Ambrose, Toronto's Renata Fast and New York's Ella Shelton. The coach sees elements of all of those players in Gosling. Like Ambrose, for example, Gosling can slow the game down and speed it up when she needs to do so. She can also be relied on by coaches who are looking for feedback on how she saw a particular play, almost like a second coach on the ice. "It was a lot of fun coaching her and kind of even learning from her," Desrosiers said. Marie-Philip Poulin named IIHF female player of the year, beating out 5 Americans Some of those defenders have also become mentors to Gosling. Fast has been a roommate at several Hockey Canada camps and Rivalry Series games, and Gosling said the older defender took her under her wing. It's the same story with Shelton and Ambrose. They've helped Gosling feel at ease in a Canadian jersey, whether it's giving her advice in the locker room or helping things feel light and less stressful. Even just watching how the veteran players approach the game has taught Gosling to focus on owning what she's good at rather than dwelling on what she's not accomplished. It's a lesson she plans to take with her to pro hockey. "Next year, no matter where I'm playing or how I may be contributing to the team, I think it's just being able to stay true to what I'm good at," she said. Gosling could find herself on the same team as at least one of those mentors next season. Ambrose's Montreal picks fourth in the draft and could use another top defender, after losing Anna Wilgren and Cayla Barnes to Seattle via expansion. Or maybe Gosling could find herself in Toronto, which picks third. That would give the Sceptres three strong former Clarkson defenders in the top four, should Gosling join Fast and Savannah Harmon. No matter where she ends up, she plans to bring a calm, composed style of play. Expect offence, too. Gosling finished her career at Clarkson as the school's all-time leader in points by a defender. "I understand both sides of the puck of being defensive, but also liking to contribute offensively," Gosling said. "I bring both aspects in that type of sense. I think I can just be relied on in kind of any situation." Teammates experience draft process together Gosling will have one two of her best friends with her at the draft next week: forward Anne Cherkowski and defender Haley Winn, who are both likely to hear their names called early on draft night. Winn has been Gosling's defence partner at Clarkson for most of her college career. Both set a competitive example inside the Golden Knights' locker room. Gosling never shied away from physicality in practice, setting a tone that would prepare the whole team for whatever came at them in a game. Winn, meanwhile, set an example with the hours she put in. The school has a machine that passes pucks to players so they can practice shooting. Winn shot 35,000 pucks on that machine in her first college season. Gosling said a PWHL team will be getting a special player in Winn. "The people who get to spend every day with her, they're going to learn lots," she said. "Her work ethic is unmatched. She's always at the rink, doing extra, taking care of her body." Like Gosling, Winn is pushing for a spot on the Olympic team next year, but for the red, white and blue. She is already a two-time world champion with Team USA. She also led Clarkson in scoring this past season, racking up 46 points in 38 games. Cherkowski, like Gosling and Winn, is another 200-foot player who can do a bit of everything. She can play up and down a lineup, contributing offence but also taking care of the defensive zone. That ability to be versatile is in high demand in the PWHL. "Anyone that will pick her up is honestly going to get a reliable forward, and I think that's what you need in this league is someone that you can rely on in any situation," Gosling said about her teammate. All three have leaned on each other throughout the draft process. Since their college season ended in the spring, it's been a mix of emotions, of new beginnings and endings. Gosling feels some nerves not knowing where she'll end up. But she also feels excitement to go to a new team and to have her draft moment, just like the players she watched on TV at the NHL Draft as a kid.
Yahoo
01-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
More people are getting divorced in their 50s and 60s. 'Grey divorce' is 'scary, but also a relief,' says one Canadian woman
Grey divorces are on the rise, but what makes them especially difficult? Here's what you need to know about separating at an older age. (Image via Getty) Christine Dafoe never thought she'd leave her marriage of 41 years. She described her divorce as "scary, but also a relief." At 65, it's daunting to start a new chapter but Dafoe was adamant about prioritizing herself and her happiness. "It was getting really toxic and controlling. There was emotional abuse going both ways, but he blamed me for everything," Dafoe said. "And so we separated." This article was originally published in February 2024. Dafoe is one of many Canadians who are choosing to divorce later in life, in what's sometimes referred to as a "grey divorce." Christine Dafoe, 65, is a resident of London, Ont. and will soon be moving out of the house she and her ex-husband shared. She joined the Senior Women Living Together group to find other women she could connect with and potentially have as roommates in a few months. (Image provided by Christine Dafoe) Grey divorce has become increasingly prevalent in many countries, including Canada. According to Statistics Canada, the average age of marriage in 2019 was 35 years old, meaning people were choosing to marry at a later age than decades ago. Similarly, more data shows that divorces are occurring at increasingly older ages. In 2020, the average age of divorce was 46 years old. Advertisement The agency said, the "rise of grey divorce in Canada, which coincided with the arrival of the baby-boom cohort into this age group, was however quite modest compared with the doubling of levels observed in the United States over a similar period." Experts attribute this rise to reasons like decreased stigma on divorce and marrying later in life, adding that there are unique challenges for those who divorce at an older age. For Dafoe, she continued to live with her ex-husband for more than a year, which she noted was difficult. On top of that, there were the financial stressors that came with separation. But having the support of her family, who had "seen the signs" before she did, was reassuring. Yahoo Canada spoke to experts to get insight into the rise of grey divorces and what someone might expect if they are divorcing at an older age. Here's what you need to know. Why are people getting divorced later in life? According to Statistics Canada, the average age of divorce in 2020 was 46 years old. (Image via Getty) Grey divorce refers to the phenomenon of divorce among couples over the age of 50. These divorces often occur after decades of marriage and can present unique challenges related to financial security, retirement planning and emotional adjustment. Advertisement Though the rise of grey divorce can be attributed to factors such as longer life expectancies and changing attitudes towards marriage and divorce, Montreal-based divorce coach and researcher Ravit Rose said sometimes it's as simple as not feeling a connection anymore. She added because there is less stigma towards divorce and people feel like it's more of an option now, people might very well want to try to be independent and leave arguments or disagreements behind. "They start to realize that one has evolved much faster than the other one, and because they're not evolving at the same level, that disconnect causes them to want a divorce," Rose said. Of course, she added there are also a myriad of other reasons why people choose to separate. What makes grey divorces so difficult? Divorce can force individuals to reevaluate their sense of identity and purpose, especially if they have defined themselves primarily within the context of their marriage. (Image via Getty) Rose is also the founder of the Irooze Divorce Community, where she and her team study the science of "nasty divorces" compared to "amicable divorces." After clients fill out an assessment, they are offered a consultation and referred to professionals who specialize in divorce. Advertisement For the women over 50 she has seen in the past six months, she said about half of them have no income and no separate savings account. "When they're talking about getting divorced, their biggest worry is that they're not financially independent," said Rose. "They [say] things like, 'I feel petrified, I'm uncomfortable, I'm sad, I'm angry.'" After decades of marriage, finances are often deeply intertwined. Untangling assets, pensions, retirement accounts and property can be complex and may require the assistance of financial advisors or legal professionals. Splitting assets can also have significant implications for each spouse's financial security in retirement. In 2018, Statistics Canada reported senior women aged 65 and over are more likely to live in low-income households than their male counterparts. Advertisement Rose said the women who reported in their self-assessment as feeling more optimistic about their divorces were those who may have been the main income earners or felt more financially independent. Support networks become more important for senior women when they become single. (Image via Getty) Other challenges for those going through a grey divorce include rebuilding social networks and support systems, navigating adverse effects on physical and mental health and finding new living arrangements. Dafoe sold her shared property with her ex-husband in November 2023, and had been trying to find a new spot for last April. She found a group called Senior Women Living Together, where participants create a profile and try to find likely roommates. Arrangements like these can relieve financial stress from separation while building new networks and friendships. Dafoe said that although it can be scary, moving in with the ladies she met in the group was something she'd been looking forward to. She added that she feels comfortable enough and hopes everything works out. Let us know what you think by commenting below and tweeting @YahooStyleCA! Follow us on Twitter and Instagram.
CTV News
29-05-2025
- Climate
- CTV News
Cloud cover to clear, sunshine fills weekend forecast
CTV London Meteorologist Julie Atchison says weather conditions across London, Ont. are set to improve soon. Loading the player instance is taking more time than usual Loading the player instance is taking more time than usual Some cloud cover remains, but weather conditions across London, Ont. are set to improve soon. 'Watch [for] a bit of fog through the overnight, temperatures dip down between 10 and 11 degrees across the area and the winds will be light and variable,' explained CTV London Meteorologist Julie Atchison. 'We have lots of sunshine in the forecast.' Friday, sunny skies and climbing temperatures are expected, but a cold front is on its way Friday night. 'That will bring the chance for some showers anytime after about 7 p.m. [Friday],' said Atchison. 'Possibility of a thunderstorm as well as we push past midnight.' That front will clear, making way for some summer-like weather starting next week. Here's a look at the rest of the forecast Thursday night: Partly cloudy with 40 per cent chance of showers this evening. Clearing overnight. Fog patches developing after midnight. Wind northwest 20 km/h becoming light early this evening. Low 11. Friday: Sunny in the morning and early in the afternoon then a mix of sun and cloud with 30 percent chance of showers late in the afternoon. Fog patches dissipating in the morning. High 23. Saturday: A mix of sun and cloud. High 17. Sunday: Sunny. High 18. Monday: Sunny. High 22. Tuesday: Sunny. High 26.
CTV News
11-05-2025
- Sport
- CTV News
Week two of junior hockey player sexual assault trial sees marathon cross examination
Alex Formenton, Cal Foote, Michael McLeod, Dillon Dube and Carter Hart arrive at the courthouse in London, Ont. on May 9, 2025. (Source: Pool)
CTV News
10-05-2025
- Science
- CTV News
Science Rendezvous at Western gets kids interested in the sciences
The Science Rendezvous seen at Western University in London, Ont. on May 10, 2025. (Bryan Bicknell/CTV News London)
