Latest news with #PacificColiseum
New York Times
09-06-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
PWHL Expansion Draft: How to watch, who's already off the board and players to keep an eye on
Six weeks after announcing its first expansion franchise, the Professional Women's Hockey League Expansion Draft is here. The league, which launched in January 2024 with six teams, is adding franchises in Seattle and Vancouver for the 2025-26 season. PWHL Seattle will play at Climate Pledge Arena, with the NHL's Seattle Kraken acting in a supporting role. The Vancouver team will play at Pacific Coliseum, the former home of the WHL's Vancouver Giants. Advertisement A pre-draft signing window allowed the new teams to kick-start their roster building with five signings each before making any selections on Monday night. The draft, which begins at 8:30 p.m. ET, will get each team to a 12-player roster. Here's everything you need to know about the PWHL Expansion Draft before Seattle and Vancouver are on the clock. Each of the league's six existing franchises — in Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa, Boston, New York and Minnesota — were able to initially protect three players from being selected in the draft or signing during the pre-draft window. Only players under contract or team control through 2026 could be protected. Once teams lose two players, either through the signing window or the draft, general managers are permitted to protect one additional player, increasing their protected list to four. As of Monday morning, the protection lists are as follows: Vancouver and Seattle will each select seven players in the draft from the pool of unprotected players. The draft order has not been announced and will be revealed at the start of the league's draft broadcast. Throughout the roster-building process, each existing team will lose four players total from their 2024-25 roster. With the signing window now closed, the 14 players taken in the draft will come from: Boston (3), Toronto (3), Minnesota (2), Montreal (2), New York (2) and Ottawa (2). Free agents — such as Natalie Spooner, Tereza Vanišová, Michela Cava, Susanna Tapani and Jesse Compher — are not eligible to be selected in the draft. Vancouver and Seattle each signed their maximum of five players during the signing window. Pending free agents and players left unprotected were eligible to sign during the five-day window, which officially closed on Sunday night. Advertisement None of the signings were free agents, with both general managers opting to sign top players from teams' unprotected lists. U.S. star Hilary Knight was not protected by the Boston Fleet and signed a one-year contract with Seattle on Wednesday night. GM Meghan Turner later added 2024 second-overall pick Danielle Serdachny and Knight's longtime U.S. teammate Alex Carpenter. No. 1 defender Cayla Barnes and starting goalie Corinne Schroeder rounded out Seattle's initial roster build. Vancouver signed a pair of elite defenders from the Minnesota Frost in Claire Thompson and Sophie Jaques, then added star forward Sarah Nurse and No. 1 goalie Emerance Maschmeyer. The final signing of Jennifer Gardiner, from Surrey, B.C., added a local player — and excellent young forward — to the mix. There are 59 players eligible to be selected over the seven-round draft, including 36 forwards, 19 defenders and four goalies. Given each team was only able to initially protect three players, there's a lot of top-end talent available to Seattle and Vancouver, even after the signing window took 10 players off the board. The expansion teams will need to keep the salary cap, which will go up to $1.34 million next season, in mind. So we can reasonably expect some role players with value on their contracts to be selected over some bigger names with higher salaries. With that in mind, here are some names to keep an eye on: Hannah Bilka, 24, forward (Boston Fleet) The No. 4 pick in the 2024 draft, Bilka is a creative winger with elite vision and playmaking ability. She spent most of her rookie season on long-term injured reserve, but still finished fifth in team scoring. She would bring legitimate top-line talent to either expansion team, but would look great in Seattle beside U.S. teammates in Knight and Carpenter. Advertisement Jessie Eldridge, 27, forward (New York Sirens) Eldridge has been one of the top scoring forwards in the PWHL the last two years. She's top-10 in all-time scoring with 38 points in 54 games, the most of any available player. Eldridge has shown she can slot in beside elite talent (like with Sarah Fillier and Carpenter) in New York, but has remained productive when put on her own line, too. Emma Maltais, 25, forward (Toronto Sceptres) It will be interesting to see which Sceptres forward gets taken first between Maltais and rookie Julia Gosling. In our mock draft, I took Gosling as the Vancouver general manager after a strong postseason. But Maltais is a strong 200-foot player who can scale the lineup and be a reliable penalty killer. Teams could see a lot of value in her two-way play, and there's some offensive upside still, despite a down year with only nine points in 30 games. Grace Zumwinkle, 26, forward (Minnesota Frost) Zumwinkle was seventh in league scoring last season, third in goals, and won the 2024 Rookie of the Year award. She wasn't as productive this season (10 points in 22 games), but she was also hindered by injury. At her best, Zumwinkle is a strong power forward who can score goals in the toughest areas of the ice. Ashton Bell, 25, defender (Ottawa Charge) Bell — along with Jocelyne Larocque — was one of Ottawa's best defenders in the playoffs, logging big minutes against top competition. Anna Wilgren, 25, defender (Montreal Victoire) Wilgren is a solid defender who makes smart decisions in her own zone. She was second in blocked shots (57) in the PWHL as a rookie and has proved to be a steady partner beside a more offensively gifted defender like Barnes in Montreal, which could make her a great fit for Seattle or Vancouver beside Jaques or Thompson. Brooke McQuigge, 25, forward (Minnesota Frost) McQuigge plays a physical, hard-nosed game, which made her a solid contributing depth forward in Minnesota this season. She finished fourth in rookie scoring, and her eight goals ranked third behind only New York star Fillier (13) and teammate Britta Curl-Salemme (9). That her contract is likely cheaper than other top available players like Kelly Pannek should make her a savvy selection. Savannah Harmon, 29, defender (Toronto Sceptres) A team like Seattle might look at Harmon for more offense on the blue line — and given her familiarity with Barnes, the pick would make sense. She didn't score a single goal this season, but paired well with MVP and Defender of the Year finalist Renata Fast in Toronto, where she averaged over 22 minutes a night, most among available defenders. Advertisement If either team is looking for a young shutdown defender, Megan Carter could be a strong alternative from Toronto. She uses her size well to play a physical game and has an active stick, which makes her disruptive against opposing forwards. Aneta Tejralová, 29, defender (Ottawa Charge) It wouldn't be surprising to see defenders taken early and often in the expansion draft. If that happens, Tejralová is likely in the mix. She scored the most points among defenders who are still available and logged around 20 minutes per game on a strong Ottawa blue line. Kayle Osborne, 23, goalie (New York Sirens) Osborne would be a solid backup goalie for either team. She's young and had a strong rookie season (.916 save percentage) behind Schroeder in New York. Nicole Hensley could make a solid tandem in an expansion market, but she's older than Osborne and posted a .900 save percentage this season. Toronto starter Kristen Campbell has been inconsistent throughout her career, but could perhaps find her footing with a fresh start in a tandem. Toronto's No. 2 goalie, Raygan Kirk, would also be a great backup option, but there may be better options to take from Toronto's remaining three spots. Other top available players include forwards Kristin O'Neill, Shay Maloney, Abby Boreen, Kelly Pannek, Abby Roque and Brianne Jenner, and defenders Jaime Bourbonnais and Emily Brown. The PWHL Expansion Draft will be live on the league's website and YouTube channel starting at 8:30 p.m. ET. The coverage will be hosted by Jocks in Jills podcast hosts Julia Tocheri and Tessa Bonhomme, who left TSN to work with the PWHL in November 2024.
CTV News
07-06-2025
- CTV News
Driver arrested after Pacific Coliseum crash
Vancouver Watch There is heightened concern about safety after a man rammed a car into the Pacific Coliseum Thursday night during a Cirque de Soleil performance.
CTV News
06-06-2025
- CTV News
Suspect in Cirque du Soleil crash was having ‘religious delusions,' Vancouver police say
The suspect who allegedly crashed a car into an East Vancouver venue during a Cirque du Soleil performance Thursday evening was apparently experiencing 'religious delusions,' according to police. The vehicle slammed into the entrance of Pacific Coliseum around 8 p.m., approximately one hour after the crowded show began. The Vancouver Police Department said the suspected driver, a 30-year-old local man, was arrested at the scene and has since been certified under B.C.'s Mental Health Act, which allows for involuntary treatment. 'We trust that he's getting the care that he needs,' Sgt. Steve Addison told reporters Friday at a news conference. The suspect's name has not been publicized as he has not been criminally charged. Suspect was 'talking about Satan' Addison said the individual does not have a criminal record or any history of police interactions related to his mental health, but it was 'apparent' he was in crisis when officers arrived at the scene Thursday. 'He was speaking and acting erratically,' Addison said. 'Talking about Satan, talking about God, saying other things that made it very obvious he was experiencing a mental health crisis.' Authorities have not confirmed how fast the car was travelling when it crashed into Pacific Coliseum, but said it was moving at a significant speed. No one was injured – but Addison said the outcome could have been much worse if the vehicle had not struck a concrete column that prevented it from fully entering the venue. Witness Mike Roberts told CTV News he was at the Cirque du Soleil performance when he heard a loud bang, which he initially assumed was part of the act. He said he got up to investigate after seeing 'a small piece of the vehicle' had landed near his seat. 'Went behind the curtains and from there saw the car that was sitting inside, or partially inside the Coliseum doors,' he said. Pacific Coliseum crash Emergency crews respond after a car crashed into the entrance of Pacific Coliseum in East Vancouver on June 5, 2025. Incident reignites safety concerns Thursday's incident came 41 days after the Lapu-Lapu Day vehicle attack that left 11 people dead and dozens of others injured – and while the circumstances are different, Addison said 'some of the similarities' have understandably reignited safety concerns in the city. Those are even more pressing ahead of a weekend marked by a number of large-scale events in Vancouver, including the B.C. Lions home opener and Italian Day on the Drive. Police confirmed there will be mobile road barriers set up at both events, and that 300 extra officers will be deployed between Friday and Sunday to ensure public safety. 'We will have a high-visibility presence throughout the city in a variety of events,' Addison said. 'We're doing this to provide comfort and assurance to people, to deter crime, and to respond if something happens.' Heading into summer, with more massive events such as Pride and the Celebration of Light, the Vancouver Police Department will continue working with the organizers and city staff to 'do everything that we can' to keep the public safe, Addison said. 'We can't cage this city up, we can't bubble-wrap people,' he said. 'It's not reasonable or practical to put a police officer on every corner, and people don't want to see that. We can only worry about the things that we can control as a police agency.'
CBC
06-06-2025
- CBC
Bible group called 911 about man later arrested in ramming of Vancouver arena, police say
Social Sharing Vancouver police say the suspect in a vehicle ramming at the Pacific Coliseum Thursday night had been the subject of a 911 call earlier that day from a Bible study group. Sgt. Steve Addison says the man was reportedly acting erratically at the church, but he left before officers encountered him. Addison says the 30-year-old Vancouver man had no prior interactions with local authorities on either criminal or mental health grounds. The man was detained after a BMW sedan crashed into the Pacific Coliseum in East Vancouver during a Cirque du Soleil show at around 8 p.m. Thursday. No one was injured in the incident, with Addison calling it a "miracle" given the number of people inside and outside the arena at the time. WATCH | Man arrested after ramming car into Vancouver arena: Vancouver man arrested after vehicle driven into Pacific Coliseum 3 hours ago Duration 1:05 Vancouver police have arrested a 30-year-old man after a vehicle was driven into the entrance of the Pacific Coliseum Thursday night. Police say a Cirque de Soleil show was taking place inside and it was a "miracle" no one was hurt. Addison says the man is being held under the Mental Health Act, and it's believed he was suffering a "significant" crisis when the ramming happened. Police are not identifying him because he has not been criminally charged. Police presence at weekend events The incident came 40 days after an SUV plowed through a crowd at the Lapu-Lapu Day festival, also in East Vancouver, and killed 11 while injuring scores of others. Addison said there was no evidence the latest ramming was linked to terrorism or copied the Lapu Lapu festival attack, but police understand that the public may be fearful given similarities between the two incidents. He said that is why police are ensuring safety at events this weekend — including the B.C. Lions' season opener on Saturday and the Italian Day festival on Commercial Drive — by deploying more than 300 additional officers, as well as vehicle barriers. The barriers were seen being installed on Commercial Drive on Friday ahead of the Italian cultural festival. "We fully understand that as soon as this vehicle struck the Coliseum last night, the first thing that was going to be in people's minds was a flashback to what happened 40 days earlier at the Filipino Lapu Lapu festival," Addison said. "That's the natural reaction. "If I have a message for people, it's please know that we're doing everything that we can, in our power, working with our partners to mitigate risks, to make this summer as safe as possible."
National Post
06-06-2025
- National Post
Police investigating after vehicle crashes into Cirque du Soleil arena in Vancouver
FILE: Caution tape is backdropped by police lights on Jan. 27, 2020. Photo by Tim Krochak / Saltwire Vancouver police say it's a 'miracle' no one was injured after a vehicle crashed into the Pacific Coliseum arena on Thursday evening. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS Enjoy the latest local, national and international news. Exclusive articles by Conrad Black, Barbara Kay and others. Plus, special edition NP Platformed and First Reading newsletters and virtual events. Unlimited online access to National Post. National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. SUBSCRIBE FOR MORE ARTICLES Enjoy the latest local, national and international news. Exclusive articles by Conrad Black, Barbara Kay and others. Plus, special edition NP Platformed and First Reading newsletters and virtual events. Unlimited online access to National Post. National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles 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 Police say a vehicle drove into the front entrance of the building around 8 p.m. while a Cirque du Soleil show was taking place. They say a 30-year-old Vancouver man has been arrested under the Mental Health Act and the crash does not appear to be an act of terrorism. In a post to social media platform X, Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim says he's grateful that no one was hurt. Get a dash of perspective along with the trending news of the day in a very readable format. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again Sgt. Steve Addison told Global News that police don't believe there's a link between this and the Lapu Lapu Day Festival attack in Vancouver. The ramming attack at the Lapu Lapu Day Festival on April 26 killed 11 people and injured dozens more. Our website is the place for the latest breaking news, exclusive scoops, longreads and provocative commentary. Please bookmark and sign up for our daily newsletter, Posted, here.
