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Olympics

SUPPLIED The Winnipeg Jets recently announced a first-of-its-kind partnership with Winnipeg long-track speed skater Tyson Langelaar.

Langelaar’s Olympic quest receives boost from the Jets

Mike McIntyre 5 minute read Thursday, Oct. 30, 2025

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Tyson Langelaar is all about speed. Now, the 26-year-old long-track speed skater has received a significant boost from his hometown Winnipeg Jets in his quest to reach the 2026 Winter Olympics.

“I couldn’t be more thrilled,” he told the Free Press this week. “It’s a dream come true to be connected to them.”

The hockey club recently announced a first-of-its-kind partnership with Langelaar that will help him on the road to Italy in February. He first approached True North with the idea over the summer.

“Amateur sport is very expensive. And it’s definitely not getting cheaper. I think for the last 20 years or so, amateur sport funding has always been behind the times and never really caught up,” said Langelaar, who now trains out of Calgary while also attending university.

Silver linings aplenty for Langelaar after missing Olympic berth

Joshua Frey-Sam 6 minute read Preview

Silver linings aplenty for Langelaar after missing Olympic berth

Joshua Frey-Sam 6 minute read Friday, Jan. 16, 2026

Tyson Langelaar was a fan of James Bond movies growing up. The spy series a staple for him on plane rides.

This 007, however, did not capture the Winnipeg-born speed skaters’ heart — it broke it.

One of the most agonizing results of Langelaar’s career came recently at the Canadian Olympic speed skating trials in Quebec City, where he saw his dream of representing Canada at next month’s Olympic Games in Italy instantly melt away.

Langelaar, who needed a top-two finish in the men’s 1,500-metre event, finished in third with a time of 1:46:883. The difference between him and second-place Daniel Hall was a fraction of a skate blade or, more accurately, seven hundredths of a second.

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Friday, Jan. 16, 2026

FRANCOIS GUAY PHOTO

Long track speed skater Tyson Langelaar had a career 2025 following a 2024 campaign that was derailed by a partially torn hip flexor.
FRANCOIS GUAY PHOTO Long track speed skater Tyson Langelaar had a career 2025 following a 2024 campaign that was derailed by a partially torn hip flexor.

The unsung playmakers of Olympic hockey magic

Joshua Frey-Sam 7 minute read Preview

The unsung playmakers of Olympic hockey magic

Joshua Frey-Sam 7 minute read Friday, Jan. 9, 2026

As the country’s top hockey talents celebrated their selection to the Canadian men’s national team that will play at next month’s Olympic Games in Milan, a pair of Manitobans knew their spots with the team were already secure.

Darren Granger and Kurt Keats aren’t household names like the players and coaches who make up Team Canada: Sidney Crosby, Connor McDavid, Josh Morrissey, or head coach Jon Cooper, to name a few.

That’s because Granger and Keats’ work is done away from the cameras and the spotlight, in locker rooms and offices. Make no mistake, though, they have become equally important to Team Canada’s quest for gold.

Granger is the team’s head equipment manager, while Keats is one of two managers of hockey operations.

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Friday, Jan. 9, 2026

Colin Corneau / BRANDON SUN FILES

Brandon native Darren Granger, along with his son Chase, carries the Stanley Cup into the Wheat Kings Hockey School barbeque back in 2014. The Los Angeles Kings equipment manager had the Cup for the day and let the locals have a look.

Colin Corneau / BRANDON SUN FILES Brandon native Darren Granger, along with his son Chase, carries the Stanley Cup into the Wheat Kings Hockey School barbeque back in 2014. The Los Angeles Kings equipment manager had the Cup for the day and let the locals have a look.

High-stakes tourney promises to thrill as skaters battle for Olympic berths

Laurie Nealin 6 minute read Preview

High-stakes tourney promises to thrill as skaters battle for Olympic berths

Laurie Nealin 6 minute read Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026

Ava Kemp and Yohnatan Elizarov won’t be cautiously dipping their toe-picks into senior competition waters at the 2026 Canadian figure skating championships this week in Gatineau, Que.

Rather, the reigning national junior pair champions will enthusiastically jump into the proverbial deep end of the pool beginning with official practices on Thursday.

By virtue of their world standing points, the Winnipeg duo has been slotted to practice and compete in the grouping with Canada’s three top-ranked pair teams, including 2024 world titleholders and 2026 Olympic medal hopefuls Deanna Stellato-Dudek and Maxime Deschamps, who are vying for their fourth national crown.

“They’re very excited about it,” said Kevin Dawe, who has coached Kemp and Elizarov since the start of their partnership in 2020, first in Winnipeg and now in Toronto.

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Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026

Danielle Earl / Skate Canada

Winnipeg duo Ava Kemp (left) and Yohnatan Elizarov head into the tournament in Gatineau, Que., as the reigning national junior pair.
Danielle Earl / Skate Canada Winnipeg duo Ava Kemp (left) and Yohnatan Elizarov head into the tournament in Gatineau, Que., as the reigning national junior pair.

‘Never taking anything like that for granted’: Connor pumped for 4 Nations Face-Off

Ken Wiebe 8 minute read Preview

‘Never taking anything like that for granted’: Connor pumped for 4 Nations Face-Off

Ken Wiebe 8 minute read Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026

OTTAWA – Kyle Connor has been looking forward to this second act for nearly a calendar year.

After missing out on the high-stakes championship final of the 4 Nations Face-Off, the Winnipeg Jets sniper is determined to be a difference-maker for Team USA at the Olympics in Italy next month.

Named to the team on Friday morning as part of an announcement on the Today Show, Connor spoke to reporters prior to Saturday’s 4-2 loss to the Ottawa Senators about what it meant to get the call from general manager Bill Guerin.

“Yeah, it was cool. Never taking anything like that for granted,” said Connor. “And there’s nothing better than representing your country and playing for them and playing for something bigger than you.

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Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026

GARETH PATTERSON / ASSOCIATED PRESS FILES

Winnipeg Jets left wing Kyle Connor says he’s looking forward to the 4 Nations Face-Off after missing out on the championship final last year.
GARETH PATTERSON / ASSOCIATED PRESS FILES Winnipeg Jets left wing Kyle Connor says he’s looking forward to the 4 Nations Face-Off after missing out on the championship final last year.

Morrissey eager to make Olympic history of his own

Ken Wiebe 7 minute read Preview

Morrissey eager to make Olympic history of his own

Ken Wiebe 7 minute read Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026

It didn’t take long for Josh Morrissey to remember where he was when Sidney Crosby scored the goal that won Olympic gold for Team Canada 2010.

This time around, Morrissey might be on the ice when another magical moment occurs for his country.

The Winnipeg Jets defenceman was among the 25 players chosen to the men’s Olympic hockey team that will chase a gold medal in Milan next month.

“In 2010, I was pretty early in high school when Sid scored the golden goal. So, that one would rank pretty high,” Morrissey said Thursday when asked about his fondest Olympic memories before to facing the Toronto Maple Leafs. “I think I know exactly where I was when he scored that goal. So yeah, just kind of remember almost watching that game and then going out on the outdoor rink and dreaming of having that chance to be on Team Canada go for a gold medal. So, it’s pretty, pretty surreal.”

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Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026

Graham Hughes / THE CANADIAN PRESS files

Jets blue-liner Josh Morrissey was named to Canada’s Olympic team on Wednesday.
Graham Hughes / THE CANADIAN PRESS files Jets blue-liner Josh Morrissey was named to Canada’s Olympic team on Wednesday.

Jets’ Morrissey among Manitobans joining Team Canada

Ken Wiebe 5 minute read Preview

Jets’ Morrissey among Manitobans joining Team Canada

Ken Wiebe 5 minute read Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025

Josh Morrissey is getting another opportunity to represent his country.

Only this time, it will be on the grandest stage.

The Winnipeg Jets defenceman was among the 25 players unveiled by Hockey Canada on Wednesday morning at a press conference in Minnesota held to officially name the men’s Olympic team that will compete in Italy in February.

Morrissey was a stalwart blue-liner for Canada at the 4 Nations Face-Off last February, though he was unable to suit up in the gold medal game owing to a nasty flu virus.

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Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025

MELISSA MAJCHRZAK / ASSOCIATED PRESS FILES

Winnipeg Jets defenseman Josh Morrissey moves the puck against the Utah Mammoth during the second period of a Dec. 21 game in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Melissa Majchrzak)
MELISSA MAJCHRZAK / ASSOCIATED PRESS FILES Winnipeg Jets defenseman Josh Morrissey moves the puck against the Utah Mammoth during the second period of a Dec. 21 game in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Melissa Majchrzak)

Strathclair sniper a scoring sensation

Ken Wiebe 8 minute read Preview

Strathclair sniper a scoring sensation

Ken Wiebe 8 minute read Thursday, Dec. 11, 2025

Morgan Geekie doesn’t know what all the fuss is about.

The pride of Strathclair rolled into town for his annual visit with the Boston Bruins and — as usual — he drew a pretty large crowd of media around his stall after the morning skate.

This is standard operating procedure for most Manitoba-born players.

But there haven’t been many of those guys that have arrived on the scene this late in the season in a battle for the Rocket Richard Trophy, which is precisely where Geekie finds himself, going toe-to-toe with Nathan MacKinnon of the Colorado Avalanche in the battle to be the leading goal scorer in the NHL (and MacKinnon leading 24-22).

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Thursday, Dec. 11, 2025

Ethan Swope / THE ASSOCIATED PRESS FILES

Boston Bruins forward Morgan Geekie (39) celebrates his goal against Anaheim back in November. The Strathclair product had netted 22 goals going into game action against the Winnipeg Jets Thursday night.
Ethan Swope / THE ASSOCIATED PRESS FILES Boston Bruins forward Morgan Geekie (39) celebrates his goal against Anaheim back in November. The Strathclair product had netted 22 goals going into game action against the Winnipeg Jets Thursday night.

Bettman, Daly address state of the Jets, league

Ken Wiebe 8 minute read Preview

Bettman, Daly address state of the Jets, league

Ken Wiebe 8 minute read Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2025

Gary Bettman wasn’t here to sound the alarm or to apply any pressure to the ticket-buying public.

As Bettman, the commissioner of the NHL, and deputy commissioner Bill Daly sat at a table in front of the assembled members of the media inside Canada Life Centre on Wednesday morning, there was no formal agenda to adhere to.

This was a routine check-in with one of the 32 member clubs, which gave Bettman another platform to extol the virtues of an exciting start to a season where parity has taken centre stage.

The recent announcement related to the Winnipeg Jets hosting the Montreal Canadiens in an outdoor game next October was celebrated, questions about the upcoming Olympics were sorted through and Bettman also conceded that the Jets quest to reclaim their 1.0 history remains a work in progress — though that would suggest the efforts will continue until a suitable resolution is found.

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Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2025

MIKE DEAL / FREE PRESS

NHL commissioner Gary Bettman (right) and deputy commissioner Bill Daly spoke to the media Wednesday at Canada Life Centre.
MIKE DEAL / FREE PRESS NHL commissioner Gary Bettman (right) and deputy commissioner Bill Daly spoke to the media Wednesday at Canada Life Centre.

Winnipeg team advances to Olympic-qualifier final by prevailing in rematch with McEwen

Taylor Allen 6 minute read Preview

Winnipeg team advances to Olympic-qualifier final by prevailing in rematch with McEwen

Taylor Allen 6 minute read Thursday, Nov. 27, 2025

HALIFAX — Twenty-four hours earlier a dejected Matt Dunstone thought he blew it.

He had just lost his third consecutive game — a 9-5 loss to fellow Winnipegger Mike McEwen — which ripped his playoff hopes at the 2025 Canadian Curling Trials in Halifax out of his hands. It looked so dire he packed up his curling gear and took it back to the hotel to get it ready for the trip home.

Fortunately for Dunstone, he had to unpack.

Brad Gushue and Kevin Koe also closed out the round-robin on Wednesday with losses, which meant the 30-year-old from Winnipeg was able to squeak into Thursday night’s semifinal as the No. 3 seed in a rematch with McEwen. It was a second life and Dunstone made the most of it by bouncing back with a clutch 9-5 victory.

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Thursday, Nov. 27, 2025

Darren Calabrese / THE CANADIAN PRESS

Skip Matt Dunstone yells instructions to teammates Thursday during semifinal of the Canadian Olympic curling trials in Halifax.
Darren Calabrese / THE CANADIAN PRESS Skip Matt Dunstone yells instructions to teammates Thursday during semifinal of the Canadian Olympic curling trials in Halifax.

Dunstone sneaks into men’s semifinal at Olympic curling trials

Taylor Allen 8 minute read Preview

Dunstone sneaks into men’s semifinal at Olympic curling trials

Taylor Allen 8 minute read Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2025

HALIFAX — Matt Dunstone missing the playoffs seemed unfathomable on Monday.

The Winnipeg skip had just outlasted Brad Gushue in a 9-7 nailbiter to become the only men’s team at the Canadian Curling Trials in Halifax to own a perfect 4-0 record.

“We put ourselves in the driver’s seat,” said Dunstone at the time.

They hit a speed bump Tuesday afternoon when Kevin Koe turned back the clock and made a triple takeout to steal a 5-4 win.

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Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2025

Darren Calabrese / THE CANADIAN PRESS

Matt Dunstone will face Mike McEwen in the semifinal of the men’s olympic qualifier.
Darren Calabrese / THE CANADIAN PRESS Matt Dunstone will face Mike McEwen in the semifinal of the men’s olympic qualifier.

‘Looking forward to that next chapter’

Ken Wiebe 8 minute read Preview

‘Looking forward to that next chapter’

Ken Wiebe 8 minute read Thursday, Jun. 26, 2025

Kristen Campbell had a feeling it was coming, though she didn’t necessarily know where she would be on the move to next.

The Brandon product and the Toronto Scepters had already come to a mutual understanding that it was time for a change for both parties, so it was about making a trade that would benefit both sides.

That trade came on Tuesday night, when Campbell was dealt to PWHL Vancouver along with the 19th overall pick in the 2025 draft for the 16th and 23rd picks.

“I definitely had an idea that it was going to come into fruition and to be heading to Vancouver for this new opportunity and new environment is exciting,” Campbell said in a telephone interview from Toronto.

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Thursday, Jun. 26, 2025

CHRIS YOUNG / THE CANADIAN PRESS FILES

Decorated goaltender Kristen Campbell, who hails from Brandon, was dealt to PWHL Vancouver from the Toronto Sceptres on Tuesday.
CHRIS YOUNG / THE CANADIAN PRESS FILES Decorated goaltender Kristen Campbell, who hails from Brandon, was dealt to PWHL Vancouver from the Toronto Sceptres on Tuesday.

Special Olympics finds new pool for swim competitions

Kevin Rollason 3 minute read Friday, Jun. 20, 2025

Athletes with Special Olympics Manitoba are back in the swim for their annual summer games this weekend after the University of Manitoba closed its pool in April.

Originally scheduled for the Joyce Fromson Pool at the university, the 57 athletes, starting at age 15, were forced to look for a different aquatic facility when a leak forced the closure of the pool. The university later decided to replace it.

Now the athletes, whose Special Olympics oath is “Let me win, but if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt,” are diving into the Selkirk Community Pool at the Lord Selkirk Regional Comprehensive Secondary School this weekend. The first competitions began Friday.

Michelle Stamm, manager of the Selkirk pool, and herself a Special Olympics swim coach, said when she got the call from the organization, she immediately agreed to let the athletes go there. Then her own facility was forced to close last month after developing leaks in two pumps.

Winnipegger Guenette to be inducted into the Volleyball Canada Hall of Fame

Joshua Frey-Sam 6 minute read Preview

Winnipegger Guenette to be inducted into the Volleyball Canada Hall of Fame

Joshua Frey-Sam 6 minute read Friday, May. 2, 2025

If Wanda Guenette had it her way, she would’ve played basketball.

When she looks back at it now, that probably wouldn’t have been the right decision.

“My temperament really wasn’t made for the sport,” said a chuckling Guenette, who possessed exceptional hops and dominated the post as a teenager.

It also happens that the lifelong Winnipegger was pretty good at volleyball, a sport that she made waves in as a high school player.

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Friday, May. 2, 2025

RUTH BONNEVILLE / FREE PRESS

Wanda Guenette represented Canada at four Pan American Games, including the bronze-medal winning team in 1995, two World Cups, five NORCECA Championships and at the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta.
RUTH BONNEVILLE / FREE PRESS Wanda Guenette represented Canada at four Pan American Games, including the bronze-medal winning team in 1995, two World Cups, five NORCECA Championships and at the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta.

Winnipegger earns silver at World Junior Speedskating Championships

Mike McIntyre 5 minute read Preview

Winnipegger earns silver at World Junior Speedskating Championships

Mike McIntyre 5 minute read Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2025

Competing in the Winter Olympics used to be a dream for Winnipegger Skylar Van Horne.

Now?

“It’s a goal,” the 18-year-old speed skater told the Free Press on Tuesday. “As I’m getting older I’m setting myself up well to have that opportunity in the future.”

Van Horne took some big strides towards that this past weekend in Italy as part of Canada’s eight-member team consisting of four women and four men. She helped the three-member women’s team win a silver medal in the team-sprint event at the World Junior Championships along with teammates Julia Snelgrove (Dartmouth, N.S.) and Isabelle Champagne (Calgary). They narrowly missed edging Poland for top spot, but improved upon the bronze they captured a year ago at the event held in Japan.

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Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2025

SUPPLIED

Winnipegger Skylar Van Horne (bottom, left) and teammates Julia Snelgrove (middle, left) and Isabelle Champagne (bottom, second from left) earned a silver medal in the team pursuit at the World Junior Speedskating Championships in Italy.
SUPPLIED Winnipegger Skylar Van Horne (bottom, left) and teammates Julia Snelgrove (middle, left) and Isabelle Champagne (bottom, second from left) earned a silver medal in the team pursuit at the World Junior Speedskating Championships in Italy.

Fired US Center for SafeSport investigator arrested on new charges

Eddie Pells, The Associated Press 3 minute read Monday, Jan. 13, 2025

DENVER (AP) — An ex-cop fired from his job as an investigator at the U.S. Center for SafeSport for allegedly stealing money seized at a drug bust has been arrested again, this time charged with rape and sex trafficking.

Jason Krasley, a former police officer in Allentown, Pennsylvania, was arrested Friday and charged with felony rape and involuntary sexual servitude for crimes allegedly committed while he was on the force between 2011 and 2015, according to a news release from the district attorney's office.

Krasley left the department in 2021 and went to work for the SafeSport Center, which fired him last year shortly after learning he'd been arrested for allegedly stealing $5,500 from a drug bust he helped conduct while on the force.

The new arrest resurfaces the question of how Krasley was able to maneuver through what officials at the center say is a robust vetting process it uses to hire people tasked with uncovering sensitive information regarding sex-abuse cases.

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