News briefs for Thursday, June 29, 2023

Missing girl, 12, last seen downtown

10:11 AM

Winnipeg police are searching for a 12-year-old girl missing since Tuesday.

Daliya Young was last seen Tuesday morning in the city’s downtown, police say.

The 12-year-old is 5-1 with a thin build, medium-length red hair and brown eyes. She was last wearing a crop top, black pants and white Nike running shoes.

Police ask anyone with information on her whereabouts to call missing persons investigators at 204-986-6250.

Off-duty RCMP officer accused of threatening Winnipeg driver with ‘racial comments’

11:18 AM

An off-duty RCMP officer has been accused of uttering threats and making “racial comments” toward a driver on  a Winnipeg street.

The Independent Investigation Unit is probing the incident, which occurred on June 17 near Nairn Avenue and Watt Street in the Elmwood area at about 4 p.m.

A driver, who was travelling with his family, reported seeing another vehicle’s driver brake behind him, roll down his window and then utter threats and make “racial comments” before driving off.

Winnipeg police identified the vehicle’s registered owner as an off-duty Mountie. RCMP and the Winnipeg Police Service then notified the IIU on Tuesday.

The watchdog has asked for any witnesses to the incident, or anyone who may have information or video footage, to call investigators at 1-844-667-6060.

Jets select North Dakota product with third-round draft pick

11:26 AM

The Winnipeg Jets selected right-winger Zach Nehring in the third round of the NHL draft on Thursday morning.

Nehring, 18, is from Minot, N.D. He’s headed to Western Michigan University this fall after being part of the Shattuck St. Mary’s Prep Program. The 6-3, 179-pounder had 85 points (36G, 46A) in 54 games with the U18 squad last year.

Nehring actually played for the Winnipeg Junior Jets at the Brick Invitational Tournament back in 2014.

Winnipeg has three more picks remaining — two in the fifth round, and one in the seventh round. The Jets selected Ontario winger Colby Barlow on Wednesday night in the first round with the 18th overall selection.

Pair of Manitobans selected early in day two of NHL draft

11:35 AM

The first two Manitobans have come off the boards in the 2023 NHL draft.

First up was goaltender Carter Bjarnason of Carberry, who has played for the Brandon Wheat Kings the last two seasons. He went in the second round, 51st overall, to the Philadelphia Flyers.

That was followed by forward Jayden Perron of Winnipeg, who plays for Chicago Steel of the USHL, going in the third round, 94th overall, to the Carolina Hurricanes.

Flyers choose Sanford’s Sotheran

12:36 PM

Sanford’s Carter Sotheran is the third Manitoban chosen in the 2023 NHL Draft.

The 18-year-old defenceman was selected in the fifth round (135th overall) by the Philadelphia Flyers. The 6-3, 197-pounder played for the WHL’s Portland Winterhawks in 2022-23.

Jets add centre, goaltender in fifth round of NHL draft

12:40 PM

The Winnipeg Jets added two more young prospects in the fifth round of the NHL draft Thursday.

Centre Jacob Julien was taken 146th overall. He is 6-4 and 181 pounds and played for his hometown London Knights of the OHL last season. Julien had nine goals and seven assists in 40 games.

That was followed by goaltender Thomas Milic at 151st overall. You may have just seen him starring at Canada Life Centre for the Seattle Thunderbirds as they beat the Winnipeg Ice in the Western Hockey League championship to earn a berth in the Memorial Cup, where they lost in the final to the Quebec Ramparts.

The B.C. product had a monster junior season and is already 20 years old. He could turn pro as early as this fall, perhaps joining the Manitoba Moose.

Jets use final draft pick on WHL scholastic player of the year

1:24 PM

The Winnipeg Jets wrapped up their 2023 draft by selecting the Western Hockey League’s scholastic player of the year.

Connor Levis, 18, was chosen in the 7th round, 210th overall. The 6-1, 190 pound winger played for the Kamloops Blazers last year, including a Memorial Cup appearance.

He’s a Vancouver native who had 67 points (27G, 40A) in 68 games. 

Mould being removed from two civic arenas

1:27 PM

The city is removing mould from the ceilings of both the Century and St. Vital Arenas.

The city said in Thursday in a statement that while air testing inside the two arenas shows there is no safety risk to the public at this time, the mould is being taken out “as a preventative measure”.

The work in the arenas is expected to be done by the end of July, long before winter recreational activities begin again.

South Perimeter Highway closures postponed

2:36 PM

Planned overnight closures on the South Perimeter Highway are being postponed, the province says.

The closures were to be in place near the St. Mary’s Road interchange construction project.

The province says the closures are postponed until further notice.