News briefs for Saturday, July 1, 2023

‘Volatile material’ safely disposed of: Police

10:09 AM

Winnipeg police say a ‘volatile material’ was moved from a building at the University of Manitoba yesterday and safely detonated.

Police were initially called to the 100 block of Dysart Road at the U of M Fort Garry Campus just before 11 a.m. for a report of a “potentially dangerous situation.”

Police say the university reported an “unstable chemical with a potential for explosion” was stored in a building on campus. The material, learned to be a chemical commonly found in laboratories, was contained.

The Bomb Unit removed the material from the building and it was detonated shortly after 4 p.m. No injuries were reported.

Bombers Demski won’t play vs. Alouettes

11:07 AM

MONTREAL — Blue Bomber veteran receiver Nic Demski has been ruled out for tonight’s game against the Montreal Alouettes at Molson Stadium.

Demski was listed as a game-time decision on Friday, as he and his fiancé awaited the birth of their first child. Demski didn’t make the trip to Montreal and was officially ruled out this morning.

DB Redha Kramdi has also been ruled out. Kramdi was supposed to make his first start at strong-side linebacker but suffered an injury in practice earlier this week.

Former Jets captain Wheeler signs with New York Rangers

11:44 AM

It didn’t take long for former Winnipeg Jets captain Blake Wheeler to find a new hockey home.

The 36-year-old signed a one-year deal with the New York Rangers on Saturday morning as NHL free agency got underway. He will be paid US$800,000 plus bonuses.

Wheeler was bought out of the final year of his US$8.25 million contract on Friday by the Jets.

The Rangers visit the Jets on Monday Oct. 30 in the coming season.

Jets sign depth goaltender Collin Delia

1:32 PM

The Winnipeg Jets have made their first free agent signing, bringing depth goaltender Collin Delia to the organization on a one-year contract.

Delia, 29, will be paid the league minimum of US$775,000. He spent last year with the Vancouver Canucks organization, splitting games between the NHL and AHL.

For his career, the California product has appeared in 52 big-league games with a 19-18-7 record, a 3.51 goals against average and .897 save percentage.

Winnipeg began the day with just two goaltenders under contract in Connor Hellebuyck and Oskari Salminen, who played with the Manitoba Moose last season.

Jets re-sign Vlad Namestnikov

2:24 PM

The Winnipeg Jets have re-signed unrestricted free agent Vladislav Namestnikov.

He’ll make US$2 million per season for the next two years.

Winnipeg obtained Namestnikov from the San Jose Sharks at the trade deadline last year in exchange for a fourth-round draft pick. The 30-year-old Russian product had 10 points (two goals, eight assists) in 20 games with the Jets, both as a winger and a centre.

Jets bring Laurent Brossoit back to town

2:28 PM

The Winnipeg Jets signed free agent goaltender Laurent Brossoit to a one-year deal worth US$1.75 million on Saturday.

He previously played for the Jets for three seasons before joining the Vegas Golden Knights for the past two.

Brossoit, 30, helped Vegas beat Winnipeg in the first round of the playoffs this past spring, then suffered a season-ending injury in the second round.

Winnipeg also signed free agent netminder Collin Delia earlier in the day.

Police investigating robbery in Point Douglas

4:42 PM

Winnipeg police are investigating after a pair of antique pistols valued at $6,200 were stolen during a commercial break-in.

Police, who were alerted to the incident Thursday, say the pistols were stolen between June 25-28 in the 100 block of Meade Street North.

The pistols are described as “Roth Kilkeny Flinlock” dueling pistols, are approximately 10 1/2 inches long, are half-stock with horn fore-ends, and have a finger spur on the trigger guards. Each pistol has a single gold barrel band.

Police say the pistols are operational, but no ammunition was stolen.

Anyone with information is asked to call investigators at 204-986-6219 or Crime Stoppers at 204-786-TIPS (8477).

Crews respond to three fires in 24 hours

4:55 PM

Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service was called to a vacant house in the 100 block of Lisgar Avenue Saturday morning.

Firefighters battled the blaze and declared it under control nearly four hours later at 1:19 p.m. The house is expected to be a total loss.

Crews were also called out to the 400 block of Elgin Avenue for reports of a fire in a vacant two-storey house just after 11 p.m. Friday.

The fire was under control about an hour later, and no occupants were found inside. On May 17, WFPS was called to the same location for reports of a fire.

WFPS was also sent to the 600 block of Flora Avenue for reports of a fire in a vacant two-and-a-half storey house around 3:21 p.m. Friday.

Firefighters attacked the fire from inside the house and declared it under control 20 minutes later.

All three fires are under investigation.

Bombers-Als delayed owing to severe weather

6:05 PM

MONTREAL — Severe weather has forced the CFL to issue a delay on the Week 4 matchup between the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and Montreal Alouettes at Molson Stadium.

Heavy rain and nearby lightning has pushed the game back to 6:15 p.m. CT, which is fewer than 10 minutes later than the original kickoff of 6:07 p.m. CT. There’s a chance the game could be further delayed, with some inside the stadium suggesting it could be pushed back to 7:30 p.m. CT, noting that’s when the storm is expected to pass through the area.

It’s the first game of the 2023 regular season between the Bombers and Alouettes. The Bombers are 2-1, while the Alouettes are 2-0.

Bombers-Als delayed to 7 p.m. CT

6:14 PM

MONTREAL — Severe weather has forced the CFL to issue a delay on the Week 4 matchup between the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and Montreal Alouettes at Molson Stadium.

Heavy rain and nearby lightning has pushed the game back to 7 p.m. CT, which is about an hour later than the original kickoff of 6:07 p.m. CT. There’s a chance the game could be further delayed, with some inside the stadium suggesting it could be pushed back to 7:30 p.m. CT, noting that’s when the storm is expected to pass through the area.

It’s the first game of the 2023 regular season between the Bombers and Alouettes. The Bombers are 2-1, while the Alouettes are 2-0.

Bombers-Als delayed to 7:40 p.m. CT

6:44 PM

MONTREAL — Severe weather has forced the CFL to issue a delay on the Week 4 matchup between the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and Montreal Alouettes at Molson Stadium.

Heavy rain and nearby lightning has pushed the game back to 7:40 p.m. CT, which is about an hour and 40 minutes later than the original kickoff of 6:07 p.m. CT. There’s a chance the game could be further delayed as the storm continues to move through the area.

It’s the first game of the 2023 regular season between the Bombers and Alouettes. The Bombers are 2-1, while the Alouettes are 2-0.