Skinner signing adds to Winnipeg Jets goalie intrigue

Stuart Skinner made no bold proclamations about his expected workload, nor did he provide any hints about whether or not he expected to be part of a tandem with Connor Hellebuyck, given the noise that has surrounded the Winnipeg Jets starting goaltender.

After agreeing to terms of a two-year deal with an AAV of US$3.75 million, Skinner showcased his trademark accountability and humility when asked about his expected role come this fall.

“To be honest, it wasn’t too much of a conversation because we don’t know too much,” said Skinner, when asked directly about Hellebuyck. “Obviously, there’s rumors out there. As far as my experience, rumours are just rumours until something happens.

“As of right now, me and Helle are teammates, which is so exciting. I mean, he’s the best goalie in the world, so it’s a great opportunity for me. I think, again, with the thought process of growing my game and just becoming a better goalie and the type of culture that Winnipeg brings, it’s extremely exciting.”

Sea Bears confident as club welcomes Mamba into town

Xavier Moon has been in town for nearly two weeks and still hasn’t made his debut for the Winnipeg Sea Bears.

Men’s squad shows its Canadian grit with victory in gruelling contest

Alistair Johnston said it would be a track meet. It was that, and then some.

Canada’s round-of-32 showdown with South Africa had enough running, hurdling and feats of strength to exhaust observers, nevermind the players, and its only goal cut through more than 90 minutes of tension like a javelin thrown to the winning position.

To the neutral, it was likely hard to watch. For fans of the teams involved, everything was happening all at once, on turbocharge. It was not the sort of game you’d easily stomach losing.

Thankfully for Canada, Stephen Eustáquio’s decisive delivery in the second minute of second-half stoppage time remedied the nausea just as it was setting in.

Pride of Cypress River drafted sixth overall by Calgary Flames

CYPRESS RIVER — It began like any other day for Carson Carels: Up at the crack of dawn, feeding his baby goats, driving a herd of hungry cattle and then heading to the rink for a quick workout.

But by the time Friday was over, it was one he would never forget.

Carels was drafted sixth-overall by the Calgary Flames, sharing the experience with more than 100 family members and close friends in an outdoor viewing party held on the family farm here in southwestern Manitoba.

“Just awesome. I’m still shaking right now,” the 18-year-old defenceman told the Free Press moments after hearing his name announced during the television broadcast by Flames legend Lanny McDonald.

Former Bison impressing on national flag football team

For years, Jackson Tachinski watched doors close, knowing another one was bound to open.

It happened time and time again during his five years as the Manitoba Bisons’ starting quarterback, trusting that he would find the right opportunity to deliver a strike.

Tachinski recently experienced something similar when the Winnipeg Blue Bombers released him following the club’s training camp last month. It’s the third time that the quarterback-turned-receiver had the door slammed shut on his CFL dreams, having also been let go by the Edmonton Elks in each of the last two springs.

Tachinski landed on his feet each time, however, and this time was no different.

Carolina Hurricanes Seth Jarvis’s buddies part of Stanley Cup celebrations

They might just be the world’s most famous friend group at this point.

And the good times just keep rolling for Winnipeggers Sloan Tremblay, Lucas Fry, Lucas Humble, Bryan Hanna, Matt McLeod and Noah Wagner.

From lying in confetti on the ice at T-Mobile Arena celebrating a Stanley Cup championship won by childhood buddy Seth Jarvis and his Carolina Hurricanes teammates, to riding their own float through the streets of Raleigh during the team’s championship parade, the self-described “Good Ol’ Canadian Boys” are in no hurry to wake up from what feels like a dream.

Not that they’ve had much time to sleep lately.

Winnipegger Kartusch pleased with lessons learned from first pro tourney

Seeing is believing, and Addison Kartusch recently got a glimpse into what life could be like as a pro golfer.

The 19-year-old Winnipegger teed it up in her first professional event over the weekend in the Great Lakes Championship in Harbor Springs, Mich., playing among 143 others who aspire to swing it on the LPGA Tour one day.

The 54-hole event was the ninth tournament of the season on the Epson Tour, which has been the development tour of the LPGA Tour since 1999. The 19-event circuit goes throughout the summer and is powered through the Race for the Card, which grants the tour’s top players a membership to play with the best in the world.

Kartusch, who just wrapped up her sophomore campaign of NCAA Division 1 golf at Bowling Green State University, still has some time before she needs to worry about playing for money and membership, but this experience was less about where she finished on the leaderboard.

Zajac repeats, Tuse gets his flowers in 48th Manitoba Marathon

Fists were bumping, hands were high-fiving and people were hugging at the finish line — even the weather was shining down on Winnipeg Sunday with perfect running conditions.

Sea Bears’ hype guy Kosyuga is the man behind the light-up shades

He jumps through the crowd with light-up sunglasses, displaying the message “Go Sea Bears Go” while his suit reacts to the fans’ cheers and the team’s advances.

Anton Kosyuga — the man behind the shades — has been prancing around Winnipeg’s sports centres since 2022.

“Everything was a complete accident. [I] never expected to be in the sports industry in general,” Kosyuga said.

Growing up, Kosyuga was never an athlete himself, but always on the sidelines cheering on his friends, front and centre.

Winnipeg teens will carry out official match balls at World Cup

For Aiden Karacsony and Cristiano Morais, the pre-match is the main event.

Sea Bears president proof there’s no one path to pro sports success

Rhéanne Marcoux — who was recently appointed president of the Winnipeg Sea Bears— has been making waves in the city’s sports industry for over 15 years.

Hall of Famer Ogoms gunning for return to court after battling cancer

Alicia Ogoms would be (mostly) at peace if she called it a career. No one would question her decision either.

Frankly, however, she has no interest in that.

The 32-year-old wants to go out on her terms, and she’s fought like hell for the last 20 months to make sure that happens.

Ogoms has already solidified herself as one of the most accomplished female players to grace the volleyball court in Manitoba’s rich history, and now she’s on a mission to carry out something that — to her knowledge — has never been done before.

Bombers win wild West shootout

CALGARY — Down one, with one minute left on the clock, in Week 1.

What a way to start the 2026 CFL season for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.

Despite the challenging predicament, the visitors didn’t stress under the bright lights at McMahon Stadium on Friday night.

Quarterback Zach Collaros fired a 27-yard pass to Ontaria (Pokey) Wilson, followed by 13 yards courtesy of running back Brady Oliveira, before kicker Sergio Castillo drilled a walk-off 38-yard field goal to give Winnipeg a memorable 30-28 victory over the Calgary Stampeders.

Iowa rookie at the centre of it all for Bombers

Tyler Elsbury sat patiently in his dorm room Saturday afternoon and tried his best to distract himself.

‘Knows what it takes to win’: Fan favourite Scott back with the Sea Bears

Truth be told, Trevon Scott could take the summer off.