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Wheelchair Basketball Canada photo Joshua Brown (6) has represented Manitoba at three Canada Games and played for the national U23 team. The East St. Paul product was most recently on the senior men’s national roster for the IWBF Wheelchair Basketball World Championships in Ottawa earlier this month.

East St. Paul product’s next wheelchair basketball chapter in Spain’s best men’s division

Joshua Frey-Sam 5 minute read Yesterday at 4:48 PM CDT

Every time Joshua Brown takes the court, the line between dreams and reality blurs.

You see, Brown, born and raised in East St. Paul, was diagnosed with cerebral palsy early in life. Understanding his condition, he came to terms with the challenge it would be to play stand-up sports competitively.

That didn’t stop him from dreaming, though.

Brown remembers watching Canada’s best in wheelchair basketball at the Paralympic Games on television as a youngster, and vividly recalls what went through his mind at the time.

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Hockey

Maple Leafs winger Gavin McKenna looks on during a pre-season game against the Montreal Canadiens in Toronto on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sammy Kogan

Debuts, returns and rematches: Games to circle on this season’s NHL calendar

Joshua Clipperton, The Canadian Press 4 minute read Preview

Debuts, returns and rematches: Games to circle on this season’s NHL calendar

Joshua Clipperton, The Canadian Press 4 minute read 8:19 AM CDT

The NHL opens its 1,344-game regular-season schedule next week. The league's 32 teams will play 84 contests each — up from 82 — for the first time since the 1993-94 campaign following pared-down training camps.

The Canadian Press takes a look at some of the headline-grabbing dates on the calendar.

OPENING NIGHT

The puck drops on five fronts Tuesday, including the Carolina Hurricanes raising their Stanley Cup banner before taking on the Florida Panthers. No. 1 overall pick Gavin McKenna will make his NHL debut when the Toronto Maple Leafs host the Montreal Canadiens. Meanwhile in Edmonton, the Mike Babcock era begins when the Oilers' new head coach and Connor McDavid face the Vancouver Canucks.

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8:19 AM CDT

Hockey

Work continues on the Calgary Flames' new arena in Calgary, Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh

New era looms for Calgary Flames, move to new arena on the horizon

Donna Spencer, The Canadian Press 4 minute read Preview

New era looms for Calgary Flames, move to new arena on the horizon

Donna Spencer, The Canadian Press 4 minute read 8:14 AM CDT

CALGARY - Calgary's relationship with its NHL team and the building it plays in will soon change.

The Flames open their final season at the Saddledome on Oct. 1 after 43 years. 

The team will move across the street to Scotia Place next year. 

Calgary Sports and Entertainment Corporation president and chief executive officer Robert Hayes predicted big feelings around the transition.

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8:14 AM CDT

Auto Racing

Mercedes driver Andrea Kimi Antonelli of Italy steers his car during the qualifying session for the Azerbaijan F1 Grand Prix, in Baku, Azerbaijan, Friday, Sept. 25, 2026. (AP Photo/Darko Bandic)

Russell takes Azerbaijan GP pole after F1 leader Antonelli hits the wall

The Associated Press 2 minute read Preview

Russell takes Azerbaijan GP pole after F1 leader Antonelli hits the wall

The Associated Press 2 minute read Updated: 8:50 AM CDT

BAKU, Azerbaijan (AP) — George Russell took pole position for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix after Formula 1 standings leader Kimi Antonelli hit the wall in qualifying Friday.

With his teammate Antonelli out of the running, Russell showed why Mercedes is such a big favorite at the Baku track as he went nearly a second faster than anyone else.

“When I crossed the line and I saw the gap. I was shocked. I knew the lap was was great,” Russell said.

Still, he added “you can't discount Kimi” for Saturday's race after Antonelli won from 19th on the grid at his home Italian Grand Prix this month. The 20-year-old Antonelli leads Russell by 81 points.

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Updated: 8:50 AM CDT

Tennis

FILE - Jannik Sinner of Italy reacts after winning against Alexander Zverev of Germany in the men's singles final at Wimbledon Tennis Championships in London, Sunday, July 12, 2026. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth, File)

Jannik Sinner withdraws from the China Open because of lingering knee injury

The Associated Press 2 minute read Preview

Jannik Sinner withdraws from the China Open because of lingering knee injury

The Associated Press 2 minute read 7:24 AM CDT

MILAN (AP) — Jannik Sinner will not be able to defend his China Open title, further delaying his return from injury as he says his knee is not quite ready yet.

The top-ranked Sinner has not played since beating Alexander Zverev in the Wimbledon final. He withdrew from the U.S. Open because of a right knee injury.

And on Friday the Italian officially pulled out of the China Open, which starts Wednesday in Beijing.

“I am very sorry to announce that I won’t be able to play in Beijing this year,” Sinner said in a video on social media. “My knee is not there where I would like to be and I am not ready to compete yet, but I will do everything possible to be there on court as soon as I can.

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7:24 AM CDT

Soccer

Germany's Serge Gnabry, left, and Kai Havertz attend a training session in Herzogenaurach, Germany, Tuesday Sept. 22, 2026, ahead of the Nations League soccer match against the Netherlands on Thursday. (Federico Gambarini/dpa via AP)

Arsenal striker Kai Havertz leaves Germany camp early because of muscle strain

The Associated Press 1 minute read Preview

Arsenal striker Kai Havertz leaves Germany camp early because of muscle strain

The Associated Press 1 minute read 6:20 AM CDT

BERLIN (AP) — Kai Havertz was sent back to Arsenal on Friday after sustaining a leg muscle strain on international duty in Germany's 1-1 draw with the Netherlands in the Nations League.

The forward left Thursday night's game in the 30th minute clutching the back of his left thigh, but the German team's diagnosis was only a strain.

Havertz, who missed time last year with a knee injury, has started every Premier League game this season, picked ahead of Viktor Gyokeres in the battle for the striker spot for the English champions. Havertz has scored two goals in five league games this campaign.

Havertz was not the only early departure from Germany’s camp. Jamal Musiala sustained a “torn muscle fiber” in his right thigh during warmups Thursday and has returned to Bayern Munich, the German federation added Friday.

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6:20 AM CDT

Basketball

FILE - Oklahoma City Thunder general manager Sam Presti reflects on the team's first championship season during an NBA basketball press conference, Monday, June 30, 2025, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Cliff Brunt,File)

Thunder GM Sam Presti expects OKC to be ‘exceptional’ team even after major offseason moves

Tim Willert, The Associated Press 4 minute read Preview

Thunder GM Sam Presti expects OKC to be ‘exceptional’ team even after major offseason moves

Tim Willert, The Associated Press 4 minute read Updated: 5:45 AM CDT

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Sam Presti knows there is no dancing around the fact the Thunder will have a different makeup this season though that doesn't make OKC's longtime general manager nervous.

The Thunder won 64 games and took the San Antonio Spurs to seven games in the Western Conference finals, then traded longtime starter Lu Dort and key reserves Isaiah Joe and Aaron Wiggins to shed salary needed to get below the second apron — a strict payroll threshold above the luxury tax that imposes severe roster-building and trade restrictions.

“I really do feel that by season’s end, we could have a really exceptional basketball team, if we stay healthy,” Presti said Thursday. “But, we’re gonna be different.

“There’s no way to avoid that because if you look over the last two years we’re losing about 10,000 minutes combined of those players. We’re losing about, oh, like a quarter, of our minutes played with that particular group.”

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Updated: 5:45 AM CDT

Sports Editor's Picks

Former Winnipeg Jet doing his part for future of funded deaf athletes

Adrian Wyld / THE CANADIAN PRESS FILES Hard-hitting former Winnipeg Jets defenceman Jim Kyte (left) was given the Order of Canada back in May by then Governor General Mary Simon for his championing the rights of athletes with disabilities. His current fight is pressuring government for equitable funding of deaf athletes.

Former Bombers linebacker Gauthier enjoying career as electrician

RUTH BONNEVILLE / FREE PRESS Former Winnipeg Blue Bombers linebacker Shayne Gauthier started the company Haut Electrical with his Red Seal Journeyman electrician brother-in-law Marcus Hoch two years ago.

Jets mailbag: storylines to watch as countdown to 16th season begins

Trevor Hagan / THE CANADIAN PRESS FILES The Winnipeg Jets start their pre-season campaign on Saturday in Edmonton in preparation for the 2.0 club’s 16th regular season.

Storied photojournalist inducted into Media Roll of Honour

WINNIPEG SUN FILES Jon Thordarson’s headshot for the Winnipeg Sun in 1981. The photojournalist’s storied career included 37-years in newsprint, working at the Winnipeg Tribune (1973-80), Hamilton Spectator (1980-81) and Winnipeg Sun (1981-89) before leading the photo department at the Free Press (1989-2010).

Summer success sends Brezden to the Black Sea

DANIELLE EARL / SKATE CANADA Dauphin’s Breken Brezden started the figure skating season off last month by pocketing a silver medal in Montreal before notching a win in Waterloo, Ont.

Bombers bring A-game in avenging Labour Day loss

Winnipeg Blue Bombers' Ridge Texada (26) defends against Saskatchewan Roughriders' Shemar Bridges (84) during first half CFL football action in Winnipeg, Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/John Woods

More Sports

Basketball

Minnesota Lynx guard Aari McDonald looks to shoot during the second half of a WNBA basketball game against the Indiana Fever, Thursday, Sept. 24, 2026, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Ellen Schmidt)

A’Ja Wilson and Aces to face Caitlin Clark and Fever in opening round of WNBA playoffs

The Associated Press 3 minute read Preview

A’Ja Wilson and Aces to face Caitlin Clark and Fever in opening round of WNBA playoffs

The Associated Press 3 minute read 12:24 AM CDT

NEW YORK (AP) — The WNBA playoffs will have a star-studded matchup between A'Ja Wilson and Caitlin Clark, thanks to a massive comeback by Golden State.

Down 10 with three minutes to go, the Valkryies went on a 14-0 run to beat the Los Angeles Sparks 76-75 Thursday night and move into to the No. 2 seed on the final day of the regular season.

Golden State's win and Indiana's loss to Minnesota sets up a best-of-three series between the reigning champion Las Vegas Aces and the Fever.

The series beginning Sunday in Las Vegas will be a showcase between Wilson, the four-time WNBA MVP, and Clark, the 2024 rookie of the year and three-time All-Star.

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12:24 AM CDT

Baseball

Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Tyler Glasnow throws to the plate during the first inning of a baseball game against the San Diego Padres, Thursday, Sept. 24, 2026, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Padres beat Dodgers 4-2 to clinch a franchise-record 3rd straight postseason berth

Beth Harris, The Associated Press 2 minute read Preview

Padres beat Dodgers 4-2 to clinch a franchise-record 3rd straight postseason berth

Beth Harris, The Associated Press 2 minute read 12:17 AM CDT

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Fernando Tatis Jr. and Ethan Salas had RBI singles in a three-run seventh inning and the San Diego Padres beat the Los Angeles Dodgers 4-2 on Thursday night to clinch their franchise-record third consecutive postseason berth and fifth in seven seasons.

It didn't come easily.

The Dodgers closed to 4-2 in the ninth on Shohei Ohtani's RBI double off Padres closer Mason Miller.

Yuki Matsui (1-1) got the victory in relief. Miller earned his 38th save.

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12:17 AM CDT

Basketball

Valkyries rally past the Sparks 76-75 to secure No. 2 seed and spoil Nneka Ogwumike’s final game

The Associated Press 2 minute read 12:06 AM CDT

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Kaitlyn Chen scored 14 of her 18 points in the fourth quarter, Gabby Williams added eight points in the final 90 seconds, and the Golden State Valkyries closed on a 17-4 run to beat the Los Angeles Sparks 76-75 on Thursday night in the final game for former WNBA MVP Nneka Ogwumike.

Golden State (32-11) secured the No. 2 seed in the WNBA playoffs and will face seventh-seeded Dallas in a first-round series beginning on Sunday.

Ogwumike had 17 points, 15 rebounds and five assists for Los Angeles (16-27) in the final game of her 15-year career. Ogwumike, who announced on Aug. 19 she would retire after this season, and her 19th double-double of the season — and 134th of her career to rank sixth in league history.

Dearica Hamby and Rae Burrell each scored 15 for Los Angeles.

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