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SUPPLIED The Brandon Wheat Kings took defenceman Marko Malbasa of St. Andrews in the second round of the Western Hockey League Prospects Draft. Malbasa was one of 15 Manitobans drafted to the league.

Six players from Oak Bluff-based prep team chosen by Western Hockey League in Prospect Draft

Ken Wiebe 5 minute read Yesterday at 6:19 PM CDT

The way Marty Murray sees it, the Brandon Wheat Kings essentially came away with the equivalent of two first-round picks from the Western Hockey League Prospect Draft last week.

The head coach and general manager of the Wheat Kings conceded that he and his scouting staff gave some consideration to choosing defenceman Marko Malbasa of St. Andrews 18th overall before ultimately going with forward Rylan Edwards in that spot.

Fortunately for the Wheat Kings, by the time they made their next selection in the second round at 42nd overall, Malbasa — who played for the Rink Hockey Academy U15 Prep program last season — was still available.

“We felt really lucky to get him where we did,” Murray said in a telephone interview on Monday afternoon. “Big body. Good character, being a captain. He does everything pretty well. He can play heavy and play defensive and he can provide some offence.”

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Amateur

Bisons Athletics Photo Volleyball has been a lifeline for Karil Dadash-Adeh (7), the Manitoba Bison who just signed a pro league contract with Italian club Pallavolo Macerata.

Volleyball a lifeline for Manitoba Bisons’ Dadash-Adeh

Joshua Frey-Sam 8 minute read Preview

Volleyball a lifeline for Manitoba Bisons’ Dadash-Adeh

Joshua Frey-Sam 8 minute read Yesterday at 4:59 PM CDT

Karil Dadash-Adeh’s story isn’t an easy one for him to tell.

The 24-year-old is deliberate with every word he speaks when revealing how he fled Iran five years ago and went AWOL on a mandatory two-year military service to chase a dream in volleyball.

In a world where you never know who is reading, he is certain to maintain his family’s safety.

The decision to leave home was justifiably challenging for a then 19-year-old phenom, but Dadash-Adeh knew that his only other option could kill him and almost certainly spike any ambition that he had on the court.

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Yesterday at 4:59 PM CDT

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Mike Aporius / Free Press Manitoba Fearless rookie quarterback Tianna Hutter has been handed the reins to the Western Women’s Canadian Football League team’s offence, which struggled last season.

Hutter not afraid to step up in lead role as team prepares for Western Women’s Canadian Football League season kickoff

Joshua Frey-Sam 8 minute read Preview

Hutter not afraid to step up in lead role as team prepares for Western Women’s Canadian Football League season kickoff

Joshua Frey-Sam 8 minute read Friday, May. 8, 2026

Tianna Hutter hopes to be a member of Manitoba’s law enforcement one day so she can help those in need.

It’s a fitting career choice for a young woman who says she’s never been afraid to take a lead role when others are in distress.

This summer, the 18-year-old Winnipegger is being asked to revitalize the Manitoba Fearless, who have been handcuffed by their offence for a couple of seasons and are adamant about returning to their winning ways.

The first-year quarterback has shown promise for a club that went 1-3 before getting bounced at home in the first round of playoffs in the Western Women’s Canadian Football League last season — the largest women’s tackle football league in Canada.

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Friday, May. 8, 2026

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SASHA SEFTER / FREE PRESS FILES June can be one of the best months for action and species, as fish typically start to feed aggressively in shallow water.

Angling for cost-effective fishing trip straightforward

Patrick Nolan 6 minute read Preview

Angling for cost-effective fishing trip straightforward

Patrick Nolan 6 minute read Friday, May. 8, 2026

Where a fishing trip may have previously been considered a predictable and consistent event that occurred year after year, unforeseen economic stressors are forcing many anglers to re-examine where our dollars go.

As well, there will always be people looking to book their first ever trip, either because there is an interest, a special event or people are staying closer to home in this new economic landscape.

The good news is that all is not lost because the opportunity to successfully plan a rewarding trip to northwest Ontario doesn’t have to be expensive, difficult or tricky.

For the context of this column, short term rentals really can be the angler’s best pathway and represent the lowest barrier to entry. Airbnb is our friend, and there are dozens of places to stay that we can navigate to, view photos, message owners and read reviews. The website is safe and does a good job protecting the consumer where deposits are refundable — subject to date limitations — and both guest and host are insured.

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Friday, May. 8, 2026

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DAVID MILLAR PHOTO Winnipeg road cyclist Adam Smith — a climbing specialist — finds himself in the middle of a breakout season overseas.

Winnipeg cyclist Smith having breakout season with pro stage race debut

Joshua Frey-Sam 7 minute read Preview

Winnipeg cyclist Smith having breakout season with pro stage race debut

Joshua Frey-Sam 7 minute read Monday, May. 4, 2026

Clara Hughes. Leah Kirchmann. Adam Smith?

It might be a bit ambitious to place his name among some of the most accomplished athletes in Manitoba’s rich — and likely underrated — road cycling history right now, but Smith, a 19-year-old from Winnipeg, is providing every reason to believe that he could be well on his way.

You see, Smith, a climber cyclist, has ascended steadily both nationally and internationally over the last few seasons, and now finds himself in the middle of a breakout season overseas that could yield a professional contract sooner than later and catapult his career to new heights.

Smith recently raced on the mountainous terrains of Asturias, Spain, in the Vuelta Asturias UCI 2.1 road race — a four-stage professional event that featured some of the best riders in the world — and did more than hold his own, especially early on.

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Monday, May. 4, 2026

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RICH LAM / UBC ATHLETICS PHOTO Former Vincent Massey Trojan Olivia Weekes paints every corner of the UBC Thunderbirds’ basketball history books: fourth all-time in UBC’s Canada West scoring (1,239 points), second in total rebounds (751), top 10 in steals (151 — eighth), blocks (50 — ninth) and minutes played (2,489 — ninth), and holds the women’s program record for free throws made (331).

Weekes crushing it in Land Down Under

Joshua Frey-Sam 6 minute read Preview

Weekes crushing it in Land Down Under

Joshua Frey-Sam 6 minute read Friday, May. 1, 2026

Dave Taylor has a funny way of describing what makes Olivia Weekes a rare breed on the basketball court.

“I say this in the nicest possible way, and really in kind of a positive coaching way: she’s a bit of a cheater,” said Taylor, who coached the 5-11 guard this past season, her last with the University of British Columbia Thunderbirds.

It’s a nod to Weekes’ elite competitive nature, which shone on the courts of Winnipeg and led to a stellar run in high school with the Vincent Massey Trojans before she was recruited west, where she starred for five years with the Thunderbirds.

“If we’re doing a drill in practice, we’re keeping score, and as soon as we’re keeping score, she wants to win,” added Taylor. “And if it means she’s got to push her teammate out of the way or foul to win, she’s going to do it.”

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Friday, May. 1, 2026

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RUTH BONNEVILLE / FREE PRESS FILES A lifelong advocate for improving sport environment, retiring President and CEO of Sport Manitoba Janet McMahon helped take Safe Sport from a concept to law — the Manitoba government passing the Protecting Youth in Sports Act on April 1.

Sport Manitoba’s influential president and CEO McMahon to retire

Thomas Friesen 9 minute read Preview

Sport Manitoba’s influential president and CEO McMahon to retire

Thomas Friesen 9 minute read Wednesday, Apr. 29, 2026

Janet McMahon helped build Sport Manitoba from the ground up, without forgetting where she came from.

The approach she took to her first job at Westman Sport to the inception of Sport Manitoba in 1996 to today as the organization’s president and CEO, is straightforward.

“What stands out for me the most is Janet’s passion for sport — her passion for sport from the perspective of, ‘The athlete comes first,’” said Jeff Hnatiuk, the province’s deputy minister of sport, culture, heritage and tourism.

“In Janet’s mind, it was always, ‘What’s best for the athlete?’”

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Wednesday, Apr. 29, 2026

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ZACHARY PETERS PHOTO Manitoba Bisons’ Tyrell Davis is the reigning men’s 60-metre national champ. He said being on the national team alongside the likes of Canadian track greats is a “surreal” feeling.

Track runner Davis sporting Maple Leaf again alongside Canadian greats

Joshua Frey-Sam 5 minute read Preview

Track runner Davis sporting Maple Leaf again alongside Canadian greats

Joshua Frey-Sam 5 minute read Monday, Apr. 27, 2026

Living in a world that is predicated on speed, Tyrell Davis has seen just how fast life can change.

The Winnipeg sprinter is in the midst of a whirlwind start to the calendar year that no one, including him, could have predicted, especially when considering how it all started.

Davis sped to Canadian university gold in the men’s 60-metre event at the U Sports championship in March, then swapped his Manitoba Bisons singlet for one with the Maple Leaf, as he represented Canada in Poland and Louisiana for the World Athletics Indoor Championships and World Relay Camp, respectively, in the following weeks.

Now, the 21-year-old is back in Canadian colours as one of the youngest of 29 Canadians in Gaborone, Botswana, for the World Athletics Relays this weekend (May 2-3).

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Monday, Apr. 27, 2026

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THE CANADIAN PRESS FILES Team Canada’s Audrey Vandervelden, left, and teammate Betty Baxter during 1976 Olympic games in Montreal against Peru.

Recognition five decades later for Manitobans who helped usher Canada onto Olympic stage

Taylor Allen 6 minute read Preview

Recognition five decades later for Manitobans who helped usher Canada onto Olympic stage

Taylor Allen 6 minute read Saturday, Apr. 25, 2026

It’s been five decades, but the memories remain vivid for a trio of Manitobans that helped the country make volleyball history at the 1976 Olympics in Montreal.

“I remember the incredible feeling of walking into Olympic Stadium and just the roar (of the crowd),” said Connie Lebrun, now 71 and living in Edmonton, recalling the opening ceremonies.

“That was just like the most incredible feeling, and I still always get chills on my spine when I hear the Canadian anthem.”

Lebrun, Mary Dempster and Claire Lloyd all wore the Maple Leaf at those Games when Canada made its debut in the sport.

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Saturday, Apr. 25, 2026

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The Niverville Nighthawks celebrate their victory in the Turnbull Cup in front of a crowd of 1,300 hockey fans, Thursday. (Cassidy Dankochik / The Carillon)

Nighthawks complete sweep

Mike McIntyre 6 minute read Preview

Nighthawks complete sweep

Mike McIntyre 6 minute read Friday, Apr. 24, 2026

VIRDEN — They grow up so fast, don’t they?

The Niverville Nighthawks may be the newest kids on the Manitoba Junior Hockey League block. But they didn’t need much time to show they’re a force to be reckoned with.

A magical regular season — the second-best in league history, in fact — has been capped off with the prestigious Turnbull Cup.

Niverville finished off a four-game sweep of the Virden Oil Capitals Thursday night with an impressive 6-2 victory inside Tundra Oil and Gas Place.

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Friday, Apr. 24, 2026

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SAM KEEN PHOTO If Manitoba Bisons freshman Dante Dyck (2) impresses the Vancouver Bandits at the invite-only combine this weekend, the guard could be invited to the team’s training camp that begins May 5 with a chance to make the club’s active roster.

Bisons’ Dyck, Lenz to attend Vancouver’s invite-only combine

Joshua Frey-Sam 6 minute read Preview

Bisons’ Dyck, Lenz to attend Vancouver’s invite-only combine

Joshua Frey-Sam 6 minute read Thursday, Apr. 23, 2026

There are no guaranteed job interviews in professional basketball after university. So the fact that Winkler’s Dante Dyck has already landed two before turning 20 could be telling of just how high his ceiling is.

The talented Manitoba Bisons guard is one of nearly 40 student-athletes from post-secondary programs across North America who will head west this weekend to take part in the Vancouver Bandits’ inaugural university combine at the Langley Events Centre.

Dyck will take the court with Bisons teammate Brandt Lenz for the invite-only combine, which is the first of its kind in the Canadian Elite Basketball League. Select players will be invited to run in the Bandits training camp, beginning May 5, where they will have a chance to make the team’s active roster.

Although Dyck, coming off a redshirt freshman season, could be one of the youngest in the crop, he might also be one of the most comfortable in a professional setting.

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Thursday, Apr. 23, 2026

Olympics

New fresh grass is grown for a world-class cricket pitch at the Pomona Fairplex on Wednesday, April 22, 2026, seen during the groundbreaking of the new Knight Riders Cricket Field, which will serve as the Los Angeles Knight Riders' official home field for 2026 and later host cricket at the LA 2028 Olympics. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)

New cricket stadium in Southern California heralds the sport’s Olympic return after 128 years

Deepa Bharath, The Associated Press 7 minute read Preview

New cricket stadium in Southern California heralds the sport’s Olympic return after 128 years

Deepa Bharath, The Associated Press 7 minute read Thursday, Apr. 23, 2026

LOS ANGELES (AP) — It’s been 126 years since cricket — the second most watched sport in the world — made an appearance in the Olympics. That’s about to change in 2028.

On Wednesday, shovels hit the ground in Pomona, a city in the eastern edge of Los Angeles County, where construction has begun for a 10,000-plus capacity premier cricket stadium. It will serve as the venue for men’s and women’s games, played by six teams in each competition.

The stadium is being erected in the Fairplex fairgrounds as the home of the Los Angeles Knight Riders, a professional Major League Cricket team owned by the Mumbai-based Knight Riders Sports. The company is co-led by Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan.

The groundbreaking kicked off with a “bhumi pujan,” a ritual rooted in Hindu tradition, which often marks the start of a construction project as a way of seeking divine blessings and forgiveness for disturbing the earth.

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Thursday, Apr. 23, 2026

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MIKAELA MACKENZIE / FREE PRESS The city announced Wednesday morning that Windsor Park Golf Course, along with the three other city-owned links (Kildonan Park, Crescent Drive and Canoe Club) will open to the public on Saturday, April 24, for the season.

Spring temperatures welcome as most golf courses set to fully open by Saturday

Joshua Frey-Sam 6 minute read Preview

Spring temperatures welcome as most golf courses set to fully open by Saturday

Joshua Frey-Sam 6 minute read Monday, Apr. 27, 2026

Despite a few remaining snow mounds and some standing water in areas, golf courses in and around Winnipeg have started teeing it up for the season, with many more expected to follow in the coming days.

One of the first to open was Shooters Family Golf Centre, which has become notorious for its quick jump into the outdoor season.

Owner Guido Cerasani opened the back nine for the first time on April 15, but was forced to close it again owing to Mother Nature taking another swing at low temperatures and snowfall. All 18 holes have been available for walking players since Monday, and Cerasani said enthusiasts have taken full advantage.

“Big time. (Tuesday) and (Monday), it was like full-bore summertime,” said Cerasani, who opened his driving range on March 27, then again on April 2.

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Monday, Apr. 27, 2026

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BROOK JONES / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS The Winnipeg Sea Bears take to the hard court against the visiting Vancouver Bandits in Canadian Elite Basketball League action at Canada Life Centre in Winnipeg, Man., Saturday, May 27, 2023. Winnipeg defeated Vancouver 90-85. Pictured: Forward Chad Posthumus makes his debut as a Winnipeg Sea Bears player.

Kornberger, Asagwara, Posthumus get call to the Basketball Hall

Joshua Frey-Sam 6 minute read Preview

Kornberger, Asagwara, Posthumus get call to the Basketball Hall

Joshua Frey-Sam 6 minute read Tuesday, Apr. 21, 2026

For 40 years, Bryan Kornberger coached his teams under one guiding principle: loyalty.

It’s what the locally renowned basketball coach felt he received time again during his long tenure as the head of Glenlawn Collegiate’s varsity girls’ program. It’s also what Kornberger strived to give back to his players each day.

Kornberger worked under that principle because it’s exactly what his former head coach, Dale Bradshaw, harped on during his playing days at Dakota Collegiate. Bradshaw inspired Kornberger to start coaching, and he’s since become one of his biggest supporters.

“Two things: he taught us not only what we needed to do to win the game, but why we were going to do it this way. And second off, he taught me loyalty. And with those two things, you can’t go wrong,” Kornberger said Tuesday at the University of Winnipeg’s Duckworth Centre after being announced as a member of the Manitoba Basketball Hall of Fame’s 2026 induction class.

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Tuesday, Apr. 21, 2026

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Tyler Schank / NCAA Photos via University of Denver Athletics Brandon’s Clarke Caswell (25) made his mark in the Frozen Four with the University of Denver Pioneers, including a game-tying goal late in regulation of the national semifinals against Michigan.

Brandon’s Caswell helps Denver to 11th national NCAA title

Joshua Frey-Sam 7 minute read Preview

Brandon’s Caswell helps Denver to 11th national NCAA title

Joshua Frey-Sam 7 minute read Monday, Apr. 20, 2026

It’s been a week that Clarke Caswell won’t soon forget.

The Brandon product is still riding high after helping the University of Denver men’s hockey program to its record 11th national championship and third in the last five years with a 2-1 triumph over Wisconsin.

Caswell and his teammates have received the VIP treatment around Colorado in the days following, being honoured at the Avalanche’s regular-season finale, watching Shohei Ohtani and the World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers pay a visit to the Rockies and, on Monday, wrapping up the local pro sports trifecta as the Nuggets begin the NBA Playoffs.

It doesn’t get much better for a college kid.

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Monday, Apr. 20, 2026

Science & Technology

FILE - Runners approach the finish line during the Boston Marathon, April 21, 2025, in Boston. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa, File)

A crowd scientist is helping the Boston Marathon manage a growing field of 30,000-plus runners

Jimmy Golen, The Associated Press 6 minute read Preview

A crowd scientist is helping the Boston Marathon manage a growing field of 30,000-plus runners

Jimmy Golen, The Associated Press 6 minute read Monday, Apr. 20, 2026

BOSTON (AP) — Running the Boston Marathon is tough enough without having to jostle your way from Hopkinton to Copley Square.

So race organizers this year turned to an expert in crowd science to help them manage the field of more than 32,000 as it travels the 26.2 miles (42.195 kilometers) through eight Massachusetts cities and towns — some of it on narrow streets laid out during Colonial times.

“There are certain things that we can’t change — that we don’t want to change — because they make the Boston Marathon,” said Marcel Altenburg, a senior lecturer of crowd science at Manchester Metropolitan University in Britain. “Like, I’m a scientist, but I can’t be too science-y about the race. It should stay what it is because that’s what I love. That’s what the runners love.”

The world’s oldest and most prestigious annual marathon, the Boston race was inspired by the endurance test that made its debut at the inaugural modern Olympics in 1896 — itself a tribute to the route covered by the messenger Pheidippides, who ran to Athens with news of the Greek victory over the Persians in Marathon.

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Monday, Apr. 20, 2026

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