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Winnipeg Jets defenceman Dylan Samberg (54) can become an unrestricted free agent at the age of 29. (Erin Hooley / The Associated Press files)

Jets, Samberg agree to terms on three-year deal

Ken Wiebe 6 minute read Wednesday, Jul. 30, 2025

On the surface, this looks like the epitome of a compromise.

By avoiding Wednesday’s arbitration hearing in Toronto and the shrapnel it may have included, the Winnipeg Jets and Dylan Samberg found a happy medium, agreeing to terms on a three-year deal that carries an average annual value of US$5.75 million.

With the Jets avoiding a one-year award for Samberg that could have walked him to unrestricted free agency next summer, this should be characterized as an important development.

Since the two sides agreed to a term of less than six-to-eight years, many observers will stop short of saying it’s an undisputed victory for Jets general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff and company and there are plenty of valid reasons for that particular viewpoint.

Manitoba Open

Assiniboia Downs bettors put their money where their mount is

George Williams 6 minute read Preview

Assiniboia Downs bettors put their money where their mount is

George Williams 6 minute read 8:39 PM CDT

You could tell Assiniboia Downs was having a great season by the size of the wagering pools and the constantly growing crowds, but we certainly didn’t expect them to shatter their previous wagering record by a whopping $12 million.

Fans wagered an unprecedented total of $75.2 million on the live racing this season, which ended Wednesday, bettering the previous mark of $63.2 million set in 2020. Average wagering per card was $1.5 million, and wagering was up 21.16 per cent over the previous season.

One of the major reasons for the increase in wagering was the track’s strategic move over the past few years to reduce all takeouts on wagers to below 20 per cent, something that is very rare at North American tracks for obvious reasons, but it results in higher payoffs and puts more money back in the pockets of bettors.

The reduced takeout was a long-term play, and it absolutely worked. Kudos to Assiniboia Downs CEO Darren Dunn, VP of Finance and Gaming Sharon Gulyas and their management team for thinking well ahead of the curve. All the staff deserve a pat on the back this year for their excellent customer service, both on the betting side and in the food and beverage area. The nightly prime rib buffet was almost always sold out, and the newly minted Girls Night Out on Wednesday evenings turned out to be a huge hit among the ladies, with fancy hats and outfits everywhere.

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8:39 PM CDT

JASON HALSTEAD PHOTO / ASSINIBOIA DOWNS

2025 Assiniboia Downs Champions. From left: Chief Murray Clearsky, ASD leading trainer Steve Keplin, Jr., ASD leading jockey Damario Bynoe and ASD CEO Darren Dunn.
JASON HALSTEAD PHOTO / ASSINIBOIA DOWNS 2025 Assiniboia Downs Champions. From left: Chief Murray Clearsky, ASD leading trainer Steve Keplin, Jr., ASD leading jockey Damario Bynoe and ASD CEO Darren Dunn.

Papa Demski to suit up against Elks

Taylor Allen 5 minute read Preview

Papa Demski to suit up against Elks

Taylor Allen 5 minute read 6:54 PM CDT

EDMONTON — Nic Demski better sleep like a baby on this road trip.

Now with a newborn son at home, catching ZZZs will be even harder than catching TDs for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers receiver.

Demski and his fiancée Vanessa welcomed baby Cade into the world Wednesday night.

“This week was a whirlwhind,” said Demski, who didn’t practice with the team all week.

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6:54 PM CDT

JOHN WOODS / THE CANADIAN PRESS FILES

Winnipeg Blue Bombers receiver Nic Demski will suit up for the club’s tilt against the Edmonton Elks on Saturday. Demski is four yards away from hitting his third straight 1000-yard campaign.
JOHN WOODS / THE CANADIAN PRESS FILES Winnipeg Blue Bombers receiver Nic Demski will suit up for the club’s tilt against the Edmonton Elks on Saturday. Demski is four yards away from hitting his third straight 1000-yard campaign.

Jets know what to improve after dropping season opener

Ken Wiebe 7 minute read Preview

Jets know what to improve after dropping season opener

Ken Wiebe 7 minute read 5:38 PM CDT

The hiccups were bound to arrive: they were just a little more pronounced than Scott Arniel would have liked.

The head coach of the Winnipeg Jets wasn’t thrilled with a good chunk of the season opening 5-4 loss to the Dallas Stars and he wasn’t afraid to share that in his post-game media address.

After going through the process of breaking down the film, Arniel felt similarly — especially about the breakdowns in coverage and the inability to win as many one-on-one battles that are required to come out on top against a Central Division opponent and fellow Stanley Cup contender.

“Lots of teaching. They know there’s some areas we need to improve on. Talked about it, looked at it. Get ourselves reset,” Arniel said.

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5:38 PM CDT

JOHN WOODS / THE CANADIAN PRESS

Morgan Barron’s shorthanded goal in the third period sparked the Winnipeg Jets’ three-goal rally Thursday night at Canada Life Centre.
JOHN WOODS / THE CANADIAN PRESS Morgan Barron’s shorthanded goal in the third period sparked the Winnipeg Jets’ three-goal rally Thursday night at Canada Life Centre.

Relentless international window expansions detrimental

Jerrad Peters 5 minute read Preview

Relentless international window expansions detrimental

Jerrad Peters 5 minute read 4:21 PM CDT

Anyone seen Cole Palmer lately? How about Exequiel Palacios? At least Ousmane Dembélé, surely?

If not, it’s likely because the Chelsea, Bayer Leverkusen and Paris Saint-Germain players, who represent England, Argentina and France, respectively, are currently out injured.

Now, they’ve not suffered broken bones, major ligament damage or concussions. Their injuries were not sustained in tackles, knee-on-knees or any other sort of on-field clashes. No, they picked up their knocks over time — time they spent playing too much football without adequate rest and recovery.

They have stress injuries, and they’re not alone.

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4:21 PM CDT

Emilio Morenatti / The Associated Press files

The 18-year-old Barcelona and Spain megastar, Lamine Yamal, has barely had a break in two years and has been taking painkillers to keep him going.
Emilio Morenatti / The Associated Press files The 18-year-old Barcelona and Spain megastar, Lamine Yamal, has barely had a break in two years and has been taking painkillers to keep him going.

Vaughters’ style always in fashion

Taylor Allen 6 minute read Preview

Vaughters’ style always in fashion

Taylor Allen 6 minute read Wednesday, Oct. 8, 2025

No one has ever mistaken the Winnipeg Blue Bombers’ locker room for a fashion runway.

If anything, it’s the type of place where the fashion police would hand out citations left, right and centre to players for wearing flip flops, baggy gym shorts and compression shirts with the sleeves chopped off.

“We wear sweats to the game and we wear sweats when we travel. Everything’s actually really laid back here, which I think I kinda appreciate,” said first-year Bombers defensive end James Vaughters after Wednesday’s closed practice.

“It’s gotten so big in the NFL with the tunnel fits and travel fits and everything. I was into it, but being at the point of my career where I’m at, I just want to win and play well. I appreciate the focus that they have here.”

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Wednesday, Oct. 8, 2025

FRED GREENSLADE / THE CANADIAN PRESS FILES

Bombers’ DE James Vaughters (centre) puts pressure on the Argos QB Nick Arbuckle.
FRED GREENSLADE / THE CANADIAN PRESS FILES Bombers’ DE James Vaughters (centre) puts pressure on the Argos QB Nick Arbuckle.

Valour playing for pride with club set to miss playoffs for seventh straight year

Joshua Frey-Sam 6 minute read Preview

Valour playing for pride with club set to miss playoffs for seventh straight year

Joshua Frey-Sam 6 minute read Wednesday, Oct. 8, 2025

One year ago, Valour FC had everything to play for as it concluded its regular-season schedule at home, still mathematically in the hunt for a playoff berth.

On Saturday, when the club hosts the last home game of the regular season against the Halifax Wanderers at Princess Auto Stadium (2 p.m.), the stakes will be the polar opposite.

The penultimate match of the 2025 campaign will be inconsequential for Winnipeg’s pro soccer side, which, with six wins, 15 losses and five draws, finds itself in sixth place and 13 points back of the Wanderers (10-10-6) for the fifth and final playoff spot in the Canadian Premier League.

It’s a grim scenario that fans have become all too familiar with over the last seven years. Valour is the CPL’s only original franchise that has never qualified for the post-season, and Vancouver FC — which joined in 2023 — is the only other club in that boat.

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Wednesday, Oct. 8, 2025

JOHN WOODS / FREE PRESS FILES

Valour FC’s captain Raphael Ohin (left) defends against Pacific FC’s Yann Toualy the last time the two clubs met. Valour hosts its final home game of the regular season Saturday against the Halifax Wanderers before concluding the season on the road against Pacific on Oct. 18.
JOHN WOODS / FREE PRESS FILES Valour FC’s captain Raphael Ohin (left) defends against Pacific FC’s Yann Toualy the last time the two clubs met. Valour hosts its final home game of the regular season Saturday against the Halifax Wanderers before concluding the season on the road against Pacific on Oct. 18.

Sports Editor's Picks

Winnipeg Free Press:

Special Coverage: CFL Grey Cup 112

Special Coverage: CFL Grey Cup 112

Mike McIntyre:

Lowry a leader in every sense of word

Winnipeg Jets’ Adam Lowry (17) celebrates as Kyle Connorís (not shown) shot sneaks through the pads of Nashville Predators goaltender Juuse Saros (74) for the winning goal in NHL overtime action in Winnipeg, Thursday, December 15, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/John Woods

Taylor Allen:

Sky’s the limit for ‘Double Gold’ MacDonald

RUTH BONNEVILLE / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS sports - jiu jitsu fighter, Logan MacDonald What: Brazilian jiu jitsu fighter who recently won gold at an event in California. Family owns a BJJ gym in town. Photos of Logan with his dad, MATT MACDONALD, in their home gym. See Taylor's story Dec 13th, 2022

Mike Sawatzky:

Deadline deal pays off for Terriers

Scott Stroh photo Defenceman Hayden Lacquette has become a key cog in Portage’s attack.

Joshua Frey-Sam:

Bob Dyce never considered coaching as a career; now he’s a CFL boss

The way the Dyce roll

Mike Sawatzky:

Brennan makes the most of opportunities

SUPPLIED Lucas Brennan is known for his willing to do the work required to improve and be successful on the ice.

More Sports

A young Team McDonald look to the future with changing of old guard

Taylor Allen 5 minute read Preview

A young Team McDonald look to the future with changing of old guard

Taylor Allen 5 minute read Friday, Oct. 3, 2025

The door is wide open for the next great men’s curling team to emerge out of Manitoba.

With Matt Dunstone pre-qualifying for the Brier on an annual basis, and Reid Carruthers gradually shifting his focus to coaching, the opportunity is there for a rising star out of the Keystone Province.

Enter Jordon McDonald.

Despite being just 22 and fresh out of junior ranks, McDonald and his Assiniboine Memorial Curling Club foursome are ranked ninth in the country.

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Friday, Oct. 3, 2025

Matt Packwood / The Brandon Sun Files

Skip Jordon McDonald said Friday he appreciates playing some of the country’s best teams because it’s a learning experience for his young team.
Matt Packwood / The Brandon Sun Files Skip Jordon McDonald said Friday he appreciates playing some of the country’s best teams because it’s a learning experience for his young team.

Book closes on Jets training camp

Mike McIntyre 7 minute read Preview

Book closes on Jets training camp

Mike McIntyre 7 minute read Friday, Oct. 3, 2025

Training camp is in the books for the Winnipeg Jets. Now comes the hard part for coaches and management — finalizing an opening-night roster that can’t exceed 23 healthy skaters.

The deadline isn’t until Monday under NHL rules, but Friday’s pre-season finale in Calgary may have already tipped the Jets’ hand on how those last cuts will play out.

Consider this: 30 players remain in camp, though that number includes captain Adam Lowry (hip surgery) and defenceman Dylan Samberg (broken wrist), who will both start the season on injured reserve. It also includes third-string goalie Domenic DiVincentiis, who’s headed to the Manitoba Moose this weekend.

That leaves four more moves to make, assuming Jonathan Toews (lower body, day-to-day) is ready for Thursday’s season opener against Dallas and no other surprises crop up via injury, waivers or trades.

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Friday, Oct. 3, 2025

MIKE DEAL / FREE PRESS FILES

Winnipeg Jets defenceman Luke Schenn (centre) said the team is trying to get their timing down in the final tune up of pre-season game action against Calgary.
MIKE DEAL / FREE PRESS FILES Winnipeg Jets defenceman Luke Schenn (centre) said the team is trying to get their timing down in the final tune up of pre-season game action against Calgary.

‘Just keeping things simple and not overthinking it’

Joshua Frey-Sam 6 minute read Preview

‘Just keeping things simple and not overthinking it’

Joshua Frey-Sam 6 minute read Friday, Oct. 3, 2025

The Manitoba Bisons are in the middle of the chase for a Canada West playoff spot, but might be without their quarterback for the second week in a row.

Jackson Tachinski’s status is up in the air for Saturday’s home contest against the University of British Columbia Thunderbirds at Princess Auto Stadium (12 p.m.).

Tachinski, who did not return to the field after halftime of the Bisons’ Sept. 20 game against the Alberta Golden Bears, missed last week against the Regina Rams.

The star fifth-year pivot practised this week, but head coach Stan Pierre could not say how confident he is that Tachinski will start.

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Friday, Oct. 3, 2025

BROOK JONES / FREE PRESS FILES

Manitoba Bisons quarterback Jackson Tachinski (centre) didn’t return to the Sept. 20 game against the Alberta Golden Bears. Backup pivot Cole Anseeuw might be tasked with a second start this Saturday.

BROOK JONES / FREE PRESS FILES Manitoba Bisons quarterback Jackson Tachinski (centre) didn’t return to the Sept. 20 game against the Alberta Golden Bears. Backup pivot Cole Anseeuw might be tasked with a second start this Saturday.

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