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Matt Dunstone, skip of Team Manitoba-Dunstone, watches his last stone of the 10th End during the semifinal against Team Canada at the Montana's Brier Canadian men's curling championship, in St. John's, N.L., on Sunday, March 8, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Paul Daly

Dunstone wins Canadian men’s curling championship with 6-3 win over Koe

Donna Spencer, The Canadian Press 6 minute read Updated: 11:45 AM CDT

ST. JOHN'S - Matt Dunstone won his first Canadian men's curling championship after knocking hard on the Brier's door in recent years.

Dunstone's curling team from Manitoba defeated four-time champion Kevin Koe of Alberta 6-3 in Sunday's final in St. John's, N.L.

Dunstone reached his third final in four years after losses in 2025 and 2023. His teams also finished third in 2021 and 2020.

"This moment feels way more incredible than I ever would have imagined," said the 30-year-old skip.

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Winnipeg Jets centre Mark Scheifele named NHL first star of the week

The Canadian Press 2 minute read Preview

Winnipeg Jets centre Mark Scheifele named NHL first star of the week

The Canadian Press 2 minute read Updated: 1:59 PM CDT

NEW YORK - Winnipeg Jets forward Mark Scheifele was named NHL first star of the week Monday after recording eight points over a three-game stretch.

Scheifele scored his 18th career overtime goal in a 3-2 comeback win over the Chicago Blackhawks last Tuesday.

He had the game-winning goal in a 4-1 victory over the Tampa Bay Lightning on Thursday and scored his 30th goal of the season in a 3-2 OT win over the Vancouver Canucks on Saturday.

Scheifele also had five assists on the week.

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Updated: 1:59 PM CDT

Winnipeg Jets centre Mark Scheifele skates with the puck in an NHL game against the Anaheim Ducks on Feb. 27, 2026, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Kyusung Gong)
Winnipeg Jets centre Mark Scheifele skates with the puck in an NHL game against the Anaheim Ducks on Feb. 27, 2026, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Kyusung Gong)

Former St. James A suiting up for Czechia in World Baseball Classic

Taylor Allen 6 minute read Preview

Former St. James A suiting up for Czechia in World Baseball Classic

Taylor Allen 6 minute read Yesterday at 8:09 PM CDT

It turns out Winnipeg has produced its own version of a Shohei Ohtani.

“Yeah, the Temu Ohtani,” joked Ryan Johnson in a recent chat with the Free Press.

The St. James A’s alum is currently pitching and hitting for Team Czechia at the World Baseball Classic. The 33-year-old will get a chance to go up against the real Ohtani on Tuesday (5 a.m. CT) when Czechia (0-3) closes out the round-robin against Japan (3-0) inside the Tokyo Dome.

If Johnson’s lucky — or unlucky depending how you look at it — he might find himself on the mound at some point against the best ball player on the planet.

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Yesterday at 8:09 PM CDT

Czech Republic’s Ryan Johnson pitches against Australia in the eighth inning of a World Baseball Classic game in Tokyo, Friday, March 6, 2026. (Hiro Komae / The Associated Press)
Czech Republic’s Ryan Johnson pitches against Australia in the eighth inning of a World Baseball Classic game in Tokyo, Friday, March 6, 2026. (Hiro Komae / The Associated Press)

‘I really believe I’m an NHL player’: Rosen ready for takeoff with Jets

Ken Wiebe 6 minute read Preview

‘I really believe I’m an NHL player’: Rosen ready for takeoff with Jets

Ken Wiebe 6 minute read Saturday, Mar. 7, 2026

Isak Rosen didn’t see it coming.

The Swedish forward found himself on an American Hockey League road trip with the Rochester Americans when news of a pending trade popped up on his phone.

“I was in Laval, kind of asleep actually, and then a friend texted and called me and said ‘I think you’re going, there’s been a lot of rumours,’” Rosen said after taking the morning skate with the Winnipeg Jets on Saturday. “Five minutes later, I get a call. So, it was late Thursday night. It was a weird feeling, at first, but I’m super excited to be here.”

Rosen admitted he hadn’t heard anything about the prospect of being on the move in the days leading up to the NHL trade deadline.

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Saturday, Mar. 7, 2026

JEFFREY T. BARNES / THE ASSOCIATED PRESS FILES

Forward Isak Rosen was selected 14th overall by the Sabres in the 2021 NHL Draft.
JEFFREY T. BARNES / THE ASSOCIATED PRESS FILES Forward Isak Rosen was selected 14th overall by the Sabres in the 2021 NHL Draft.

Bisons make program history as drama reigns at track and field nationals

Ben Little 8 minute read Preview

Bisons make program history as drama reigns at track and field nationals

Ben Little 8 minute read Updated: 10:26 AM CDT

A photo finish doesn’t begin to describe what happened as the U Sports Track and Field Championships concluded Saturday at the James Daly Fieldhouse.

After three days of fast-paced action at the University of Manitoba, things came to a halt. One afternoon race was under review as officials spent more than three hours deliberating on a result that would determine the men’s national champion.

Hosting nationals for the second time in three years, the Herd’s program is growing at the right time. Fifteen Bisons competed for a medal Saturday, led by two veteran athletes who’ve been instrumental in the program’s success.

Fifth-year athlete Daxx Turner, the only triple jumper in Bisons history to win five Canada West Championships, aimed to close out his decorated collegiate career with a second national gold.

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Updated: 10:26 AM CDT

MATTHEW MERKEL / FREE PRESS

Manitoba Bisons’ Daxx Turner closed out his U Sports career Saturday with his second national gold in triple jump.
MATTHEW MERKEL / FREE PRESS Manitoba Bisons’ Daxx Turner closed out his U Sports career Saturday with his second national gold in triple jump.

Ottawa Senators defenceman Jake Sanderson out week to week with upper-body injury

The Canadian Press 2 minute read Preview

Ottawa Senators defenceman Jake Sanderson out week to week with upper-body injury

The Canadian Press 2 minute read 1:06 PM CDT

VANCOUVER - The Ottawa Senators will be without defenceman Jake Sanderson when they line up against the Canucks in Vancouver on Monday. 

Head coach Travis Green says the 23-year-old blue liner is out week to week with an upper-body injury. 

Sanderson left Ottawa's 7-4 win over the Kraken in Seattle on Saturday after getting hit along the boards by Brandon Montour midway through the second period. He did not return. 

The American has 11 goals and 48 points over 62 games this season and is averaging a career-high 24:49 in ice time. 

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1:06 PM CDT

Ottawa Senators defenseman Jake Sanderson, right, shoots the puck against Seattle Kraken forward Jordan Eberle during the second period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, March 7, 2026, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Stephen Brashear)
Ottawa Senators defenseman Jake Sanderson, right, shoots the puck against Seattle Kraken forward Jordan Eberle during the second period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, March 7, 2026, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Stephen Brashear)

Dolphins releasing QB Tua Tagovailoa, resulting in a $99 million dead cap hit. Malik Willis to sign

Alanis Thames And Tim Reynolds, The Associated Press 6 minute read Preview

Dolphins releasing QB Tua Tagovailoa, resulting in a $99 million dead cap hit. Malik Willis to sign

Alanis Thames And Tim Reynolds, The Associated Press 6 minute read Updated: 12:30 PM CDT

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (AP) — Tua Tagovailoa is out. Malik Willis is in. Just like that, the Miami Dolphins are starting anew at quarterback.

Tagovailoa — the team's primary starter for the last 5 1/2 seasons — will be released, the Dolphins said Monday, a move that will result in an NFL-record $99 million dead cap hit.

In his place: Willis, according to a person familiar with the negotiations who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because no deal has been completed. Willis has dazzling numbers, albeit in a very small sample size.

“I recently informed Tua and his representation that we are going to move in a new direction at the quarterback position and will be releasing him after the start of the new league year,” Dolphins general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan said in remarks released through the team.

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Updated: 12:30 PM CDT

FILE - Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa runs off the field during the first half of an NFL football game against the New England Patriots in Foxborough, Mass., Jan. 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty, file)
FILE - Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa runs off the field during the first half of an NFL football game against the New England Patriots in Foxborough, Mass., Jan. 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty, file)

Sports Editor's Picks

Taylor Allen:

Five examples of representation in recognition of International Women’s Day

BROOK JONES/FREE PRESS Team Manitoba Para Hockey star Alyssa White, is also a member of Team Canada.

Taylor Allen:

Sights set on making Manitoba proud

BROOK JONES / FREE PRESS FILES Manitoba Bisons receiver De Shawn Le Jour (1) hopes a career in the CFL will help him become a role model for the next generation of athletes.

Winnipeg Free Press:

Jets pull win from the fire

Mike McIntyre:

Change should be in the air for Jets

John Woods / THE CANADIAN PRESS FILES Winnipeg Jets general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff.

Ken Wiebe:

More Jets OT troubles in loss to Sharks

Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck (37) blocks a shot by San Jose Sharks center Philipp Kurashev (96) during the third period of an NHL hockey game, Sunday, March 1, 2026, in San Jose, Calif. (Godofredo A. Vásquez / The Associated Press)

Taylor Allen:

Carruthers calls it a career

BROOK JONES / FREE PRESS FILES Reid Carruthers announced on social media Wednesday that he is retiring after more than 20 years in competitive curling.

More Sports

Booker scores 30 points as Suns halt Hornets’ road winning streak at 10 with 111-99 victory

Jack Thompson, The Associated Press 3 minute read Preview

Booker scores 30 points as Suns halt Hornets’ road winning streak at 10 with 111-99 victory

Jack Thompson, The Associated Press 3 minute read Yesterday at 11:59 PM CDT

PHOENIX (AP) — Devin Booker had 30 points and 10 assists as the Phoenix Suns stopped the Charlotte Hornets’ road winning streak at 10 games with a 111-99 victory Sunday night.

Booker was 1 for 6 from 3-point range but made all 15 of his free throws.

Collin Gillespie and Jalen Green each scored 24 points for the Suns, who have won four of five. Rasheer Fleming added 16 off the bench, including four 3-pointers.

LaMelo Ball led the Hornets with 22 points. Their road winning streak was the NBA's longest since the Los Angeles Lakers won 11 straight away from home in 2019-20. Charlotte hadn't lost on the road since Jan. 17 at Golden State.

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Yesterday at 11:59 PM CDT

Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker drives between Charlotte Hornets forward Moussa Diabate, guard Josh Green (10) and forward Miles Bridges during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, March 8, 2026, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker drives between Charlotte Hornets forward Moussa Diabate, guard Josh Green (10) and forward Miles Bridges during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, March 8, 2026, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Chiefs and tight end Travis Kelce nearing a deal for his 14th season, AP source says

Dave Skretta, The Associated Press 4 minute read Preview

Chiefs and tight end Travis Kelce nearing a deal for his 14th season, AP source says

Dave Skretta, The Associated Press 4 minute read 11:42 AM CDT

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Kansas City Chiefs and Travis Kelce are nearing a deal to bring the four-time All-Pro tight end back for a 14th season, a person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press on Monday.

The person spoke on condition of anonymity because a contract had yet to be finalized.

The 36-year-old Kelce said late last season that he would make a decision on whether to retire by early March, which would give the Chiefs some certainty as they attempt to rebuild their roster. The negotiating window for free agents opened Monday and the league year begins Wednesday, at which point trades and contracts can be finalized.

The Chiefs also are trying to plan for next month's NFL draft. They have two first-round picks following their trade of cornerback Trent McDuffie to the Rams last week, their original at No. 9 and the No. 29 selection that they picked up from Los Angeles.

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11:42 AM CDT

Travis Kelce of the Kansas City Chiefs plays in the second round of the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am in Pebble Beach, Calif., on Friday, Feb. 13, 2026. (Santiago Mejia/San Francisco Chronicle via AP)
Travis Kelce of the Kansas City Chiefs plays in the second round of the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am in Pebble Beach, Calif., on Friday, Feb. 13, 2026. (Santiago Mejia/San Francisco Chronicle via AP)

The Chicago Bears and safety Coby Bryant agree on a 3-year, $40 million contract, AP source says

Andrew Seligman, The Associated Press 2 minute read 1:57 PM CDT

CHICAGO (AP) — The Chicago Bears and former Seattle Seahawks safety Coby Bryant have agreed to a three-year, $40 million contract, a person familiar with the situation told the Associated Press on Monday.

The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the contract can’t be finalized until the start of the league year on Wednesday.

The 26-year-old Bryant — named after the Los Angeles Lakers great — was a key part of a defense that allowed the fewest points in the NFL and helped Seattle win its second Super Bowl championship last season. He had four interceptions after recording three in 2024 and seven passes defensed in 15 games. He missed the final two regular-season games because of a knee injury and returned in the playoffs.

Chicago went 11-6 last season and won its first division title since 2018. The Bears advanced in the playoffs for the first time in 15 years, rallying to beat Green Bay in a wild-card thriller before losing to the Los Angeles Rams in overtime in the divisional round. ___

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