Sports Breaking News – Brandon Sun

New York Rangers players gather for a team picture during practice for the NHL Winter Classic outdoor hockey game, Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026, in Miami. (AP Photo/Michael Laughlin)

Florida Panthers and New York Rangers bring Miami Vice flair to Winter Classic

Alanis Thames, The Associated Press 2 minute read 5:34 PM CST

MIAMI (AP) — The Florida Panthers arrived in Ferraris, cigars lit, dressed in all-white Miami Vice attire — and, in true South Florida fashion, fashionably late.

The New York Rangers followed suit, stepping into loanDepot Park in their own Miami Vice whites.

With that, the 2026 Winter Classic was underway.

At loanDepot Park, home of Major League Baseball's Miami Marlins, an expected sold-out crowd had already begun filling the streets hours before the defending Stanley Cup champion Panthers were set to host the Rangers in the first outdoor game to take place in Florida.

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US hockey picks 4 Nations-heavy roster for the Winter Olympics, adding Keller, Thompson and Jones

Stephen Whyno, The Associated Press 3 minute read Preview

US hockey picks 4 Nations-heavy roster for the Winter Olympics, adding Keller, Thompson and Jones

Stephen Whyno, The Associated Press 3 minute read 8:46 AM CST

Tage Thompson and Clayton Keller helped the U.S. win the world hockey championship for the first time since 1933, while Seth Jones was a key part of the Florida Panthers' second consecutive Stanley Cup run.

Those contributions earned them a spot on the U.S. team at the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics as the only three additions from the 4 Nations Face-Off early last year.

USA Hockey unveiled its roster Friday on the “Today” show, with a vast majority of it made up of players who took part in the NHL-run international tournament in February, when the Americans made the final before losing to Canada in overtime. The only ones not back from the 4 Nations are forward Chris Kreider and former New York Rangers defenceman Adam Fox.

“It was incredibly difficult for our management group to get to the final roster and that’s a credit to so many in our country, including all those at the grassroots level who help make our sport so strong," general manager Bill Guerin said. "There’s nothing like the Olympics and I know our players and staff will represent our country well and work hard to achieve our ultimate goal.”

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8:46 AM CST

FILE - United States' Clayton Keller holds up the trophy after the final match between United States and Switzerland at the ice hockey world championships in Stockholm, Sweden, Sunday, May 25, 2025. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek, File)

Bargman scores first PWHL goal as Sirens edge Victoire 4-3

The Associated Press 2 minute read 3:16 PM CST

NEWARK, N.J. (AP) — Anna Bargman recorded her first-ever PWHL goal and Kristýna Kaltounková scored the go-ahead goal for the New York Sirens in a back-and-forth 4-3 win over the Montreal Victoire on Friday.

Bargman scored in the final minutes of the first period, cutting across the slot to tie the game after Laura Stacey scored for Montreal 3:47 into the game. The rookie recorded her first PWHL point in the Sirens’ last game against the Goldeneyes. She was a fifth-round pick for New York in this year’s draft out of Yale, where she ranks fourth on the Bulldogs all-time goals list.

Kristin O'Neill scored her second goal of the season in the second period for New York (5-0-0-5), but Victoire captain Marie-Philip Poulin answered with a power play goal. Kaltounková scored in her fourth straight game to overtake the lead, 3-2.

Paetyn Levis scored off a feed from Sarah Fillier to grow New York's lead halfway through the third period. In the final minutes, Montreal (3-0-1-4) pulled goaltender Sandra Abstreiter to bring out an extra skater. With 24 seconds to go, Natálie Mlýnková deflected Abby Roque’s shot into the net, but Montreal ran out of time to find an equalizer.

Vancouver Canucks extend Linus Karlsson, place Marco Rossi on injured reserve

The Canadian Press 2 minute read Preview

Vancouver Canucks extend Linus Karlsson, place Marco Rossi on injured reserve

The Canadian Press 2 minute read Updated: 6:27 PM CST

VANCOUVER - The Vancouver Canucks have signed depth forward Linus Karlsson to a two-year extension.

The deal, announced Friday, carried an annual-average value of US$2.25 million.

Karlsson, 26, has 16 points (nine goals, seven assists) over 36 games with the Canucks this season.

The six-foot-one, 178-pound centre from Eksjo, Sweden, has played all 63 of his career NHL games for Vancouver, recording 12 goals and 10 assists, and helped the club's American Hockey League affiliate, the Abbotsford Canucks, to a Calder Cup last season.

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Updated: 6:27 PM CST

Canucks forward Marco Rossi (93) waits for a faceoff against the San Jose Sharks during the third period of an NHL game in Vancouver on Dec. 27, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ethan Cairns

Anthony Joshua’s driver charged after deadly crash in Nigeria

The Associated Press 2 minute read Preview

Anthony Joshua’s driver charged after deadly crash in Nigeria

The Associated Press 2 minute read 12:55 PM CST

LAGOS, Nigeria (AP) — The driver in a deadly car crash that injured heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua and killed his two friends in Nigeria was charged, the police said on Friday.

Adeniyi Mobolaji Kayode, 46, was charged with dangerous and reckless driving in southwestern Ogun state following Monday's crash, police spokesman Oluseyi Babaseyi said in a statement on Friday.

The vehicle carrying Joshua, Sina Ghami and Latif “Latz” Ayodele hit a stationary truck on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway which links Ogun state to Lagos.

Kayode has been in custody since Thursday following his release from hospital, and was subsequently granted bail of 5 million naira ($3,480), Babaseyi told the Associated Press.

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12:55 PM CST

In this photo provided by the Federal Road Safety Corps, people gather at the accident scene of British boxer Anthony Joshua in Lagos, Nigeria, on Monday, Dec. 29, 2025. (Federal Road Safety Corps via AP)

Toronto Sceptres forward Daryl Watts honoured by PWHL for strong play in December

The Canadian Press 1 minute read Preview

Toronto Sceptres forward Daryl Watts honoured by PWHL for strong play in December

The Canadian Press 1 minute read Updated: 12:44 PM CST

TORONTO - Toronto Sceptres forward Daryl Watts was rewarded for her performance in December by being named to the PWHL's starting six on Friday.

The awards recognize the top three forwards, two defenders and one goaltender for their play in the previous month.

Watts had at least one point in five of seven games in December. Her four goals last month included a game-winner in Toronto's win over Montreal last Saturday.

Forwards Kendall Coyne Schofield and Britta Curl-Salemme of the Minnesota Frost were also honoured. The defensive nods went to Megan Keller and Haley Winn of the Boston Fleet and teammate Aerin Frankel was the top netminder.

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Updated: 12:44 PM CST

Sceptres forward Daryl Watts (9) celebrates with her team after scoring against the Minnesota Frost during a PWHL game in Toronto on Dec. 30, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sammy Kogan

Toronto FC bolsters backline by signing veteran centre back Walker Zimmerman

Neil Davidson, The Canadian Press 4 minute read Preview

Toronto FC bolsters backline by signing veteran centre back Walker Zimmerman

Neil Davidson, The Canadian Press 4 minute read 9:33 AM CST

TORONTO - Toronto FC bolstered its backline Friday by signing free-agent centre back Walker Zimmerman, a two-time MLS Defender of the Year, through the 2027-28 MLS season.

The 32-year-old U.S. international has spent 13 years in Major League Soccer with FC Dallas, Los Angeles FC and most recently Nashville SC. Along the way, he became a five-time MLS Best XI honouree, four-time MLS all-star and two-time MLS Defender of the Year (2020 and '21).

The native of Lawrenceville, Ga., had won 45 caps for the United States and served as American captain.

With Toronto declining the 2026 contract options on veteran defenders Kevin Long, Raoul Petretta and Sigurd Rosted, experience was needed in the backline alongside 19-year-old Lazar Stefanović, 22-year-old Zane Monlouis and 23-year-old Nicksoen Gomis.

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9:33 AM CST

Nashville SC defender Josh Bauer (22) and defender Walker Zimmerman, second from left, celebrate their respective goal and assist against CF Montréal as Nashville SC midfielder Gastón Brugman, and midfielder Alex Muyl, right, also celebrate during the second half of an MLS soccer match Saturday, March 22, 2025, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/John Amis)

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Hilary Knight set to make 5th Olympics appearance as US women’s hockey unveils 23-player roster

John Wawrow, The Associated Press 3 minute read Preview

Hilary Knight set to make 5th Olympics appearance as US women’s hockey unveils 23-player roster

John Wawrow, The Associated Press 3 minute read 8:46 AM CST

Hilary Knight is set to make her fifth Olympic appearance, and this time lead a younger, faster U.S. women’s national team that's favored to win gold at the Milan Cortina Winter Games next month.

The 36-year-old Knight headlines the list as USA Hockey released its 23-player Olympic women’s roster on Friday. It’s a group that returns just 11 members from the team that won silver at the 2022 Beijing Games, and features several newcomers, highlighted by defender Laila Edwards.

From Cleveland, the 21-year-old Wisconsin senior is set to become the first Black female hockey player to compete for the U.S. at the Olympics.

“It still hasn’t really kicked in yet. Getting that call is like a dream come true,” Edwards said. “Always had dreams of playing in the pros, but the biggest dream was to go the Olympics for sure.”

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8:46 AM CST

FILE - United States forward Hilary Knight skates to the bench to celebrate her goal against Canada during the first period of a rivalry series women's hockey game, Nov. 8, 2023, in Tempe, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin, File)

Canada’s Shapovalov aims for top-10 return in 2026: ‘I’m able to push the top guys’

Daniel Rainbird, The Canadian Press 5 minute read Preview

Canada’s Shapovalov aims for top-10 return in 2026: ‘I’m able to push the top guys’

Daniel Rainbird, The Canadian Press 5 minute read 6:00 AM CST

Denis Shapovalov is targeting a return to the top of men’s tennis.

His performance during the past season has instilled a belief in the once-rising Canadian star that he will get there.

While top seeds Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner captivated the tennis world in 2025 — and Félix Auger-Aliassime commanded Canadian attention with his semifinal run at the U.S. Open — Shapovalov quietly built a comeback year.

“It's obvious that when I'm able to play at my top level … I'm able to push the top guys,” he said.

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6:00 AM CST

Jannik Sinner, of Italy, reacts after winning his match against Denis Shapovalov, of Canada, during the third round of the U.S. Open tennis championships, Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)

Matthews shines, pulls within one of franchise goals record as Leafs keep rolling

Tim Wharnsby, The Canadian Press 3 minute read Preview

Matthews shines, pulls within one of franchise goals record as Leafs keep rolling

Tim Wharnsby, The Canadian Press 3 minute read 5:00 AM CST

TORONTO - On the day before the United States Olympic hockey team roster unveiling, Auston Matthews exhibited why he will be one of the Stars and Stripes' leading men.

The Toronto Maple Leafs captain scored three times, including the game-winner with 4:22 remaining, to lead his club to a 6-5 come-from-behind win against the struggling Winnipeg Jets on Thursday.

“Yeah, it's exciting,” Matthews said. “You see Canada's team and some other teams that have come out. It feels like (the Winter Olympics) are right around the corner, only five or six weeks away. So definitely, I’m very anxious to see (the U.S. roster).”

Matthews registered his 14th career hat trick and 66th career game-winner. His second goal, on the power play, with two seconds remaining in the second period to pull the Maple Leafs within 4-3 after falling behind 4-1, was his 232nd goal on home ice, allowing him to pass Darryl Sittler’s 44-year-old franchise record.

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5:00 AM CST

Toronto Maple Leafs' Auston Matthews (34) celebrates his goal against the Winnipeg Jets during second period NHL hockey action in Toronto on Thursday, January 1, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Frank Gunn

Dylan Guenther has 1st career hat trick to send Mammoth to 7-2 victory over Isles

The Associated Press 6 minute read Preview

Dylan Guenther has 1st career hat trick to send Mammoth to 7-2 victory over Isles

The Associated Press 6 minute read Yesterday at 11:59 PM CST

NEW YORK (AP) — Dylan Guenther had his first career hat trick and added an assist and the Utah Mammoth topped the New York Islanders 7-2 on Thursday.

Nick Schmaltz scored twice and added an assist, Clayton Keller and Mikhail Sergachev each had a goal and two assists, while Lawson Crouse and Barrett Hayton each had two assists. Karel Vejmelka returned from a two-game absence and finished with 20 saves as the Mammoth snapped a two-game skid.

Cal Ritchie and Matthew Schaefer scored for New York, and Max Shabanov had two assists. David Rittich made nine saves on 14 shots, but was replaced by Marcus Hogberg 5:41 into the third period.

SENATORS 4, CAPITALS 3

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Yesterday at 11:59 PM CST

Utah Mammoth right wing Dylan Guenther (11) controls the puck past New York Islanders center Kyle MacLean in the third period of an NHL hockey game, Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026, in Elmont, N.Y. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

Quick strikes from Caufield and Anderson help Canadiens rally for 7-5 win over Hurricanes

Bob Sutton, The Associated Press 2 minute read Preview

Quick strikes from Caufield and Anderson help Canadiens rally for 7-5 win over Hurricanes

Bob Sutton, The Associated Press 2 minute read Yesterday at 9:22 PM CST

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — Cole Caufield and Josh Anderson scored 23 seconds apart in the second period, and the Montreal Canadiens erased a two-goal deficit in beating the Carolina Hurricanes 7-5 on Thursday night.

Sammy Blais had a goal and an assist for the Canadiens, who have a five-game point streak after winning for the third time in four games. Nick Suzuki, Oliver Kapanen, Juraj Slafkovsky and Lane Hutson also scored.

Alexander Texier added two assists and Jakub Dobes made 20 saves for Montreal.

Sebastian Aho had two goals and three assists to become the first Carolina player with more than three points in a game this season. Andrei Svechnikov and Nikolaj Ehlers each added a goal and two assists. Alexander Nikishin had one goal and one assist, but the Hurricanes lost for the second time in their last six home games.

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Yesterday at 9:22 PM CST

Montréal Canadiens' Oliver Kapanen (91), Ivan Demidov, center, and Noah Dobson (53) celebrate a goal by Sammy Blais, not shown, against the Carolina Hurricanes during the first period of an NHL hockey game in Raleigh, N.C., Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026. (AP Photo/Karl DeBlaker)

Matthews’s hat trick, game-winner leads Maple Leafs to 6-5 comeback win over Jets

Tim Wharnsby, The Canadian Press 2 minute read Preview

Matthews’s hat trick, game-winner leads Maple Leafs to 6-5 comeback win over Jets

Tim Wharnsby, The Canadian Press 2 minute read Updated: Yesterday at 10:57 PM CST

TORONTO - Captain Auston Matthews registered his 14th career hat trick, including the game-winner, to lead the Toronto Maple Leafs to a 6-5 comeback win against the struggling Winnipeg Jets on Thursday.

Jets netminder Eric Comrie could not freeze a loose puck at the side of his goal. It slid to a wide-open Matthews in front with 4:22 remaining for the Maple Leafs' (19-15-6) fourth win in five outings.

Winnipeg (15-20-6) squandered a 4-1 lead after 40 minutes for its eighth loss in a row. Mark Scheifele scored two goals and set up another to lead the Jets.

After Scheifele put his team ahead 5-4 with a power-play snipe, Troy Stecher’s slapper and Matthews's third put Toronto ahead for good. Matthews pulled to within one goal of tying Mats Sundin’s franchise record of 420 goals.

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Updated: Yesterday at 10:57 PM CST

Toronto Maple Leafs' Auston Matthews (34) celebrates his goal with Nicholas Robertson (89) and Troy Stecher (28) as Winnipeg Jets' Gabriel Vilardi (13) reacts during third period NHL hockey action in Toronto on Thursday, January 1, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Frank Gunn

Premier League club Chelsea parts ways with head coach Enzo Maresca

The Associated Press 2 minute read Preview

Premier League club Chelsea parts ways with head coach Enzo Maresca

The Associated Press 2 minute read Updated: Yesterday at 6:36 AM CST

LONDON (AP) — Enzo Maresca left his post as Chelsea head coach on Thursday after a reported deterioration in his relationship with the Premier League club’s hierarchy.

The Italian coach was midway through his second season in charge. In his first season, he won the UEFA Conference League and Club World Cup.

Last month, Maresca said he had experienced his “worst” 48 hours at Chelsea but didn’t specify why.

Chelsea is in fifth place in the Premier League and has advanced to the English League Cup semifinals.

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Updated: Yesterday at 6:36 AM CST

Chelsea's head coach Enzo Maresca, left, gives instructions to Estevao during the English Premier League soccer match between Chelsea and Bournemouth in London, England, Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2025. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung)

Experienced Canadian curling teams will aim to end Olympic gold drought at Cortina

Gregory Strong, The Canadian Press 4 minute read Preview

Experienced Canadian curling teams will aim to end Olympic gold drought at Cortina

Gregory Strong, The Canadian Press 4 minute read Yesterday at 6:00 AM CST

There won't be Olympic stage fright for members of the Canadian curling teams at the Milan Cortina Games in February.

The presence of the five Olympic rings can be unnerving for some athletes, especially those competing under the sporting world's biggest spotlight for the first time.

All three Canadian sides — the men's, women's and mixed doubles teams — are loaded with experience.

Three of four members of the men's squad skipped by Brad Jacobs have previously won Olympic gold and the other has earned bronze.

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Yesterday at 6:00 AM CST

Team Jacobs, rear from left to right, Brad Jacobs, Marc Kennedy, Brett Gallant, and Ben Hebert pose with the winning women's team, from left to right, Rachel Homan, Tracy Fleury, Emma Miskew, and Sarah Wilkes following the Montana's Canadian Curling Trials in Halifax on Nov. 29, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darren Calabrese

‘Really inspiring’: How advanced technology is evolving baseball on Canadian soil

Rianna Lim, The Canadian Press 7 minute read Preview

‘Really inspiring’: How advanced technology is evolving baseball on Canadian soil

Rianna Lim, The Canadian Press 7 minute read Yesterday at 5:00 AM CST

Inside a large indoor space marked with metal equipment, training gear and gadgets stored in drawers and shelves, athlete Peyton Markwood uses two hands to pull on the handle of a large machine with all the strength he can muster, as it measures the power and movement of his muscles.

Later, his performance director, Tyler Soucie, directs him to put a smaller machine on his wrist and force it against a nearby metal bar as quickly and forcefully as he can, to measure how fast his brain can command his shoulder and arm to push.

It’s all statistics, physics and incredibly precise measurements of biomechanics, ranges of motion and strength. But it’s not your traditional science lab – it's a baseball training facility in Kitchener, Ont.

“It seems to evolve every day,” said Soucie, who founded Velo Baseball in 2018 and opened the facility in 2021. “There's always something new coming out, some sort of new edge. It usually starts at the major league level and then trickles its way down."

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Yesterday at 5:00 AM CST

January 2, 2026

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