July 2016
- Out of the sunshine, into the fire
Ever since the boy from the desert first laced up skates, Auston Matthews has been chasing challenges. He’s about to face his biggest yet.
- Don’t tell him he’s No. 2
Putting Patrik Laine’s and Auston Matthews’ 19-or-under performances at the World Championship in perspective
- The rest of the best
With all the Canadian teams picking in the top 12 of a deep draft, Damien Cox runs down the best prospects available after Toronto and Winnipeg get their men
- Clancy to Clark to Matthews
Three decades later, a lunch with a pair of Leafs legends offers plenty of lessons for Toronto’s No. 1 pick
- The $500-million man
Bryce Harper wants to play ball and have fun. He also wants to be paid like no athlete has been before. Will it happen?
- The pivot
How former NCAA quarterback Anthony Alford left the gridiron behind and became the Jays’ No. 1 prospect
- What it means to be a Raptor
Yes, they won 56 games. And yes, they made the third round of the playoffs for the first time in franchise history. But the most important feat of the 2015–16 Toronto Raptors? They built a team identity, and it’s not going anywhere.
- The Interview
Blue Jays starter Aaron Sanchez on curveballs, splitting his pants and (not) talking umpires
- Feschuk: With golf buddies like these…
With the weather getting nicer, it’s time to hit the links. Just be careful when filling out your foursome.
- Brunt: Back it up, boys
Blue Jays fans are fine with their team showing off and flipping bats. But if the players want to talk the talk…
June 2016
- The Road Trip issue
Whether you’re checking off Fenway, betting against a Triple Crown winner on Derby Day or screaming your way through the Final Four, an epic sports road trip can leave you with stories you’ll be telling for decades. Like these ones.
- In the home stretch
You can’t get to 28 of 30 MLB parks without a few hiccups
- Left in the dust
On a family trip to the southern U.S., my father lived his dream at Charlotte Motor Speedway
- From the fridge to baseball’s palace
Checking old Comiskey Park off the list brought me face-to-face with a legend
- Why Auston Matthews should be a Buffalo Sabre
Tanking sucks. No fan should have to cheer fro their team to lose. But a plan to fix the system exists, and we’re here to ease your fear of change.
- “There are many ways to stop me, just like there are many ways for me to pass them”
The Interview with Sebastian Giovinco
- Son of a gun
He’s chattier, claims to lay off bad pitches and is making a whole lot more money. But in plenty of ways, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is a lot like his dad.
May 2016
- The least-fancy stat of all
When you’ve got MVP-calibre skills, one figure matters more than any other: How often you put them to use
- The perfect hitter
How Joey Votto embraced the process and became one of baseball’s best
- “They’ve decided to throw money at nerds”
Teams across MLB have finally embraced analytics, which means the next big fancy stat could be kept hidden from the public
- A Royal pain
Analytics tell us the reigning World Series champions are going to regress this season. Can they defy the numbers?
- Beauty or the beast
The duelling styles of the Blackhawks and the Kings have offered the rest of the NHL a choice of championship blueprints
- What do you get for the team that has everything?
A Stanley Cup
- The invisible man
Anaheim’s Hampus Lindholm doesn’t have gaudy scoring numbers or throw highlight-reel hits, but he’s led the Ducks to the top of the West and is forcing us to rethink the stats we use to judge defencemen
- It’s not rocket science (but it’s close)
Golf companies may swap engineers with the likes of NASA, but the beating heart of club design is still the insight only pros can offer
- The young and the limitless
Brooke Henderson won an LPGA tournament at 17, but she wasn’t surprised. She’s been punching above her age bracket for as long as she can remember
- “I slept with a couple of clubs in my room. I was just a little overprotective of them.”
The Interview with Rory McIlroy
- Feschuk: One of these things is not bad like the others
The 2016 Blue Jays look to be picking up right where they left off last season. The rest of the division… not so much.
- Brunt: The son also rises
Upon arriving in Toronto, he was instantly vilified for not being Alex Anthopoulos. But who is Blue Jays president Mark Shapiro?
April 2016
- Sure thing
Despite growing up poor in a cartel-ridden part of Mexico, Roberto Osuna has always been 100 percent confident he’d one day be a superstar
- Building an ace
One year removed from an ACL tear, Marcus Stroman wants to go from 27 innings to 200. And he spent his whole off-season preparing to get there.
- Everything was happening
The meaning of that wild and glorious seventh inning
- Known unknown
With the Washington Capitals finally looking like a real Cup contender, it’s time to appreciate Nicklas Backstrom for something other than being underappreciated
- The thrill of it
Shannon Szabados is the only woman in a men’s pro league down south. But she’s not there to prove a point—she’s there to dominate between the pipes.
- “Usually goalies are weird. I’m kind of a relaxed, chill guy. And maybe some people think I’m funny. Maybe funny-looking?”
The Interview with Roberto Luongo
- Insider Knowledge: Getting a grip
The tires used on the IndyCar circuit aren’t built to last, but they’re the key to a driver’s comfort on the course
- The Play
Breaking down the best goal of the hockey season—in any league<
- Feschuk: Jump on the rookie who “may” hit 30 homers
And other surefire tips on how to dominate in fantasy baseball. Or at least play fantasy baseball.
- Brunt: A spring in his step
John Gibbons finally has a post-season to his name. And no matter what happens next, they can’t take that away from him.
March 2016
- THE HOW-TO ISSUE
The biggest stars in sports tell you what they do to be the best
- How to be the best defenceman on Earth
It’s simple: Skate really fast and make the most beautiful play possible. Simple, at least, if you’re Erik Karlsson.
- How to get back into a race car after nearly dying in one
Less than a year ago, James Hinchcliffe almost bled out at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Now, he’s racing to return to the track.
- Leap of faith
In three seasons, Kyle Lowry has gone from “uncoachable” backup to perennial all-star. All the Raptors had to do was hand over the keys.
- Can Alex Ovechkin catch Gretzky’s goals record?
He’s got a long way to go, but it might not be as crazy as you think
- Perfect game
Bud Holloway took a long and winding path to his first appearance in the NHL. But when the 27-year-old finally arrived on hockey’s biggest stage, it was worth the wait.
- “Between bombings, we used to play tournaments and compete. If the sirens came on, the matches would end and no new ones would start.”
The Interview with Ana Ivanovic
- Insider Knowledge: Chew on this
Everything you ever wanted to know about mouthguards. And about those weird mouthguard-like things, too.
- The Play
Patrick Kane and Artemi Panarin connect, and it’s as simple as tic-tac-toe
- Feschuk: Make America’s pastime great again
Trump’s plan: No more bat flips, no more trainers, and send baseball’s biggest stars back to Mexico (or maybe Haiti)
- Grange: Out of the ashes of a hockey life
Sheldon Keefe looked like he was on his way out of hockey forever. Now he’s the coach of the Toronto Marlies, sitting atop the American Hockey League standings and working every day with the future of the Maple Leafs.
- Brunt: So, is it the big . . . five?
It didn’t pan out in Melbourne, but Milos Raonic’s run to the semis proved to the world (and himself) that he can play with anybody
February 2016
- The overly confident predictions issue
Seventy-seven predictions and one guarantee
- Prediction No. 13: Steph Curry isn’t finished changing the NBA
The star point guard isn’t the biggest, fastest or most athletic player in the NBA. He’s just the pinnacle of the league’s evolution.
- Prediction No. 16: There will never be another dunk-contest champ like Vince
Vince Carter scrapped his entire plan when he showed up for the 2000 NBA Slam Dunk Contest. Then he improvised a masterpiece.
- Prediction No. 17: Mike Babcock will turn Nazem Kadri into a star
Just half a season into his new coach’s tenure, the young centre is finally becoming the elite player the Maple Leafs thought they were drafting
- Prediction No. 22: A crazy class of rookies will make this year’s Calder Trophy the toughest award to win
Featuring: Jack Eichel, Dylan Larkin, Max Domi, Sam Bennett, Nikolaj Ehlers, Anthony Duclair, Oscar Lindberg and Colton Parayko
- Prediction No. 44: There will never be a billionaire in your beer league
Think Silicon Valley and a few things come to mind: Google, Apple, Facebook—and hockey?
- “I was really short, but one year, I think I was 15, I grew probably five inches. My parents said, ‘Thank you, God.’
The Interview with Evgeni Malkin
- Insider Knowledge: Signal to noise
A look at the long history and evolving technology behind electronic coach-to-player communication in the NFL
- The Play
Carson Palmer passes short right to Larry Fitzgerald for first down 669 of his career
- Feschuk: The future of sports will look like this
Want to know how you’ll be “consuming” the game in a decade? Just ask Shaq.
- Grange: With a little help from her friend
Brooke Henderson earned her LPGA Tour card the hard way last season, by winning. Now the rising star is aiming higher, with some inspiration from home.
- Brunt: Hockey’s homecoming
In recent years, Canada has lost hold of its national game. The return of the World Cup of Hockey may be a chance to change that.
December 28, 2015
- The 2015 Awards
Featuring Marcus Stroman, Brooke Henderson, Carey Price, LeBron James, Serena Williams, Rory McIlroy, Ronda Rousey, The Kansas City Royals, and many more
- What happens next?
Between concussions and a stroke, Kris Letang missed 136 games over the past four seasons. Now he’s hoping to help the Penguins reach their true potential.
- The greatest hate
There is no rivalry in hockey more deep-seated or carefully nurtured than that between the Montreal Canadiens and Boston Bruins. It’s about history, identity and the very meaning of the game.
- Kazakhstan 6–Canada 3
The never-told story of the never-seen game.
- “He’s that little runt who dangles and scores, then celebrates for 10 seconds too long”
The Interview with Mitch Marner and Dylan Strome
- Feschuk: The last and definitely least award
Looking back at the most inexplicable moments of 2015
- Grange: Still Kobe after all these years
The Lakers great has five NBA titles and a record number of All-Star Games to his name. But it’s his incredible self-belief that has defined his career—for better and, occasionally, for worse.
- Brunt: This is what we really look like
Sports fans like to think our heroes reflect all the best things about us. Instead, they simply reflect us.
December 7, 2015
- The Year in Sports
All the biggest moments of 2015
- 68
The story of a hockey superstar
- MVP
One-on-one with Josh Donaldson
- The story of “Captain Serious”
Chicago Blackhawks star Jonathan Toews got his nickname when he was a rookie, and yes, he’s pretty intense—he still thinks he could be a better hockey player. But he’s also learned to enjoy the game a bit more.
- “You’d get hit into the boards and fans would start punching you”
On the ice, the Oxford-Cambridge rivalry is the most intense in amateur hockey. Off the ice, it’s a battle over the origin of “Canada’s” game.
- Feschuk: It’s as simple as this detailed, 10-step process
Confused about what constitutes a catch in today’s fast-paced NFL environment? Kindly consult your rule book.
- Grange: The man with the game plan
Dwane Casey is the most successful head coach the Toronto Raptors have ever had. Just don’t expect to see him celebrating that fact.
November 15, 2015
- Why hockey needs P.K. Subban
One-on-one with the Montreal Canadiens star
- Baby faces of the franchise
Fear not, Leafs fans. The Toronto Marlies are fast, fit and highly skilled. This year might be hard for the big club, but the seeds are planted.
- Exception to the rule
At 14, Sean Day was pegged for NHL stardom. But at 17, that future is already in question. Can he change people’s minds in his draft season?
- Bad QBs need love too
In praise of the men who struggle gamely against a task too large for them
- “I saw this guy come out with goalie equipment and my eyes just lit up. I loved the gear—and the gear was awful back then.”
The Interview with Henrik Lundqvist
- Feschuk: Do they give out off-season trophies?
The Bills and Lions meeting in Super Bowl 50? That’s the beauty of the off-season: Nothing’s too crazy to hope for.
- Grange: If you build it, they will score
Darryl Belfry started out leading skills sessions for nine-year-olds. Now he’s a special consultant with the Leafs and working one-on-one with the very best in the game.
- Brunt: Nice to meet you. Now keep winning.
The Blue Jays’ new president will probably get past being seen as a villain. But can he keep the magic going?
November 2, 2015
- Special playoff package
Inside the unforgettable season of the never-say-die Toronto Blue Jays
- The epic ALDS
A 10-page photo essay
- D major
Seth Jones is poised to have a breakout campaign. If he does, Music City’s defence might be unstoppable.
- “We’re not going to lose to this team”
As a crop of young stars reignites the Battle of Alberta, Mark Spector looks back on the heyday of the epic Oilers-Flames rivalry
- The “it” factor
Missing something in last year’s playoffs, the Raptors have found an answer in DeMarre Carroll
- “A dream come true”
Cory Joseph is back in Toronto. But in many ways, he never left.
- The long game
The Toronto Raptors knew Bruno Caboclo was worth the time. And the risk.
- “I like to interact with fans on social media. I think they think I’m just a young, hip, single guy.”
The Interview with Tyler Seguin
- Feschuk: When Jose Bautista flipped off the Rangers
On the play that launched the Blue Jays into the ALCS, the home run itself was really just the prelude to the main course
- Grange: Settling in for a long winter
Brendan Shanahan knows the Toronto Maple Leafs rebuild will take time, but he’s got the pieces in place and the patience to make it work. And he expects it will.
- Brunt: It’s really tough to win them all
After leading the Jays to their first post-season in 22 years, John Gibbons still can’t get the respect he deserves
October 5, 2015
- The 50 most important players in the NHL
An exclusive ranking
- “Whatever it takes”
The inside story of Marcus Stroman’s incredible (and much-faster-than-expected) comeback
- The main event
Every year, the world’s best fantasy-football players gather in Vegas for a shot at $300,000 and their game’s championship belt
- “If we all thought more like Sherlock Holmes, we’d be a happier society”
The Interview with Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
- Feschuk: But what do we call McDavid?
So many questions this year. How badly will the Canucks suck? What is the mysterious hole in the Flames’ game plan? And—oh yeah, there are seven Canadian teams.
- Grange: When the game is just a game
This time last year, men’s national teamer Levon Kendall was gearing up for a season of pro ball in Spain. Now he’s taking care of his son in the most important fight of his life.
- Brunt: We’d like to get to know you well
The next great hockey star is about to debut in the NHL. Will we ever really understand what makes him tick?
September 7, 2015
- Taking very different routes
Going first and second overall in the 2012 draft linked two men forever, but Andrew Luck and Robert Griffin III couldn’t be further apart heading into 2015
- And now for his next act
In his first NFL season, Odell Beckham Jr. wowed the football world with his 100-yard receiving games and astounding plays, including “The Catch.” But will he be able to manage the hype and become the league’s next great receiver?
- Pulling a fast one
Chip Kelly has torn down the Philadelphia Eagles team he inherited and rebuilt it to play his hurry-up style. Now his reputation is hinging on the results.
- Serena’s time
She’s frequently been called the most dominant athlete in her sport. It’s just that now she’s the most dominant athlete, period.
- Rock star
She’s already got Canadian, world and Olympic titles under her belt, and she skips the best women’s curling team on earth. Now, Jennifer Jones is gearing up for another shot at glory.
- Hand-to-hand combat
The members of the Bluewater Tug-of-War club have devoted themselves to a gruelling, often misunderstood, sport. Now they have a daunting goal: to be the best in the world.
- “There are two types of people in this world, faucets and drains, and I want to be a faucet”
The Interview with David Price
- Feschuk: Remember the fearsome 49ers? Neither do they.
Almost nothing could be as lousy as a San Francisco’s roster. Unless maybe Creed got back together.
- Grange: Glorious and free—to decide
With his NBA contract status up in the air, Tristan Thompson will not be helping Team Canada qualify for the Olympics. But that’s hardly something to hold against him.
- Brunt: Tomorrow I’ll be available
Twenty-five years ago, Dave Stieb pitched the Blue Jays’ only no-hitter. You’d think he’d be keen to talk about it.
August 17, 2015
- The wake-up call
A sleepless week for Alex Anthopoulos put the rest of the league on notice—his Blue Jays now have everything they need to go head-to-head with the best in baseball. Here’s how he did it.
- The closer
In his playing days, Rick Langford was a master of finishing what he started. Now he’s the man the Blue Jays trust to put the final touches on their future aces.
- Solving Greinke
There was a time when Zack Greinke almost walked away from baseball due to his struggle with anxiety. In this excerpt from her new book, The Best Team Money Can Buy, Molly Knight turns the spotlight on the superstar Dodger.
- Absolute focus
A World Cup veteran at just 17 years old, Jessie Fleming isn’t trying to replace the best Canadian soccer player ever. She’s out to be the best soccer player in the world. Period.
- Poster boy
Rowan Barrett Jr. is a Canadian-hoops blueblood rising at the right time. But he’s become a top prospect on his own efforts.
- “Maybe those extra few grams of grey matter I have mean extra momentum when I strike”
The Interview with Peter Dyakowski
- Feschuk: Little angels in the outfield
The fence was broken, the announcer left and the kids couldn’t see the ball. But oh, what glory.
- Grange: Knowing when to hold ’em
In the afterglow of the Pan Am Games, Toronto is considering a bid for the 2024 Summer Olympics. But that’s a gamble we’ve made—and lost, big time—before.
- Brunt: Did you expect anything less?
Alex Anthopoulos has pulled some gutsy moves to make Toronto a serious contender. We shouldn’t be surprised.
August 3, 2015
- Bringer of game
A leader in the clubhouse. A monster at the plate. Beloved by the city. Josh Donaldson may yet prove to be the best Blue Jay ever.
- Atta Boy, rook
Sportsnet’s all-rookie team and the first-half debate over 2015’s rookies of the year
- Another shot
Alex Rodriguez is having an improbably good season, so we circled back to some of the skeptical Yankee fans we talked to Opening Day to see if their opinions of the guy had changed
- Still slugging after all these years
Believe it. Albert Pujols is once again one of baseball’s best power hitters.
- Are they for real?
After three straight years with 106 or more losses, the Houston Astros are a contender in the AL West. Or are they?
- Here’s how you groom a pack of Cubs
After a string of abject seasons, the Chicago Cubs are finally a winning team—and thanks to a young and confident core, they’re built to stay that way
- Early returns
Francoise Abanda is the first product of a new approach to athlete development in Canadian tennis, and as she readies for her debut on the pro circuit, the future of the sport in this country looks brighter than ever
- Blades of glory
For the grounds crew preparing Oakville, Ont.’s Glen Abbey Golf Club for the 2015 Canadian Open, the quest for perfection starts before dawn
- “When you’re in there, emotions are running, they’re flying. Sometimes it gets outta hand.”
The Interview with Manny Machado
- Feschuk: Float like a bishop, sting like a queen
Feeling a lack of sporting variety? That’s because you haven’t gotten to the bottom of the barrel.
- Grange: She’s way more than all that
Kia Nurse is already an NCAA national champion and has led Canada’s women’s national team to a fifth-place finish at the worlds. Next up? Household-name status.
- Brunt: You’ve come a long way—maybe
Serena Williams has long since proven her dominance in women’s tennis. So why do people keep doubting her?
July 13, 2015
- WHAT IF… ’90s EDITION
18 stories all about how sports coulda been flipped, turned upside down
- Making great strides
Cameron Levins never won a provincial title as a teenager. He was never even runner-up. But his career since then has been marked by one improbable feat after another.
- Crash, bang, smash ’em up
Zak Madell and Canada’s wheelchair rugby team are favoured for Pan Am gold—and an automatic ticket to Rio
- Longtime listener, first-time caller
When your favourite team is down and troubled and nothing is going right, don’t worry—you’ve got a friend. And he’s just waiting to put you on the air.
- How to build a modern dynasty
Dynasties were supposed to be dead in this, the age of the salary cap. But as the Chicago Blackhawks recently proved, constructing a juggernaut is a matter of following seven simple rules.
- Batting around
There are good lineups and there are dominant lineups. The Toronto Blue Jays have a dominant lineup.
- “I left school at 12 to focus on baseball 100 percent”
The Interview with Roberto Osuna
- Grange: The supernatural
Canadian slugger and Marlins top draft pick Josh Naylor is ready to move from myths to the majors
- Brunt: A ghost doomed to haunt the game
The stars were aligning for MLB to welcome back Pete Rose, but baseball’s hits king is too complex for a fairy-tale ending
June 22, 2015
- On the edge
Soon, he’ll be Connor McDavid—Oilers saviour, transcendent superstar, face of the NHL. Right now, though, he’s just an 18-year-old kid who’s quickly running out of normal days.
- The fun begins at No. 3
All season long, Damien Cox has been updating his prospects list. Now, on the eve of the draft, this is his final ranking.
- Theory of Evolution
A smart kid with a head for science, Quebec Remparts goalie Callum Booth has learned that adaptation is key to hockey survival
- Cats and dogs and Trout
Mike Trout’s second-favourite pastime will catch even the most seasoned baseball fanatic by surprise
- Rising to the occasion
Sure, it doesn’t always end well, but there’s something special about LeBron in the playoffs
- Gulu Rises
In a land where terror reigned and children killed, life is starting to get back to normal. A new soccer academy has opened, and the Canadian responsible sees it as much more than charity—he believes there’s money to be made.
- “I nervous dance. I get all my little jitters out. I like any sort of Latin mix.”
The Interview with Melissa Tancredi
- Feschuk: The stages of golf grief, from delusion to beer
When it comes to one’s own golf game, hope doesn’t so much spring eternal as die by the end of spring
- Grange: Off the radar, on the podium
Anthony Cirelli was a long shot to even suit up in the OHL this season. Now, thanks in part to a dream Memorial Cup Final and the new NHL, he’s a safe bet for the draft.
- Brunt: “Have you ever accepted a bribe?”
With that one question, Andrew Jennings announced his intention to turn Sepp Blatter’s world on is head
June 8, 2015
- “There’s no medal for second place”
Many Stanley Cup winners say there are no words to describe the feeling of triumph. Losing game seven of a Cup Final, however, is a very different story.
- Going upstairs
Inside the NHL’s situation room
- They don’t make ’em like they used to
With 11 Stanley Cups and 513 NHL goals between them, Wally Stanowski, Milt Schmidt and the late Elmer Lach belong to an era of pro hockey nearly lost to living memory
- Getting up to speed
NHL scouts may have underestimated him at first, but Ottawa’s Travis Konecny has changed their minds, and then some
- The evolution of Christine Sinclair
For 10 years, people have been calling her the best soccer player on Earth. Today, with an Olympic medal, more than 150 goals and a chance to win it all on home turf, she might just believe it.
- The early bird
Devon Travis has been fixated on the big leagues ever since he was a four-year-old playing T-ball. Now that he’s finally made it, he has zero plans to slow down.
- “I like steak. I also like wings, strips and pork. I’m not a big dessert person.”
The Interview with Usain Bolt
- Feschuk: So all will be well forever… right?
A very good coach has joined the Maple Leafs. Naturally everyone is calm and rational about it.
- Grange: Empty nesters
With one son in the NHL and two more on their way, Trish and Chris Strome have handled everything hockey has thrown at them. Now they face a new challenge: What comes next?
- Brunt: Hope is priceless (or $50 million)
Mike Babcock has his work cut out for him in Toronto, but fans are ready to believe he can perform a miracle
May 18, 2015
- How did they do it?
Nobody outside of Calgary expected the Flames to earn a playoff spot in the brutal Western Conference, let alone in a season fraught with injury and turmoil. But that’s exactly what they did.
- In his corner
Behind the scenes at Coach’s Corner, the most famous segment in Canadian television
- Stopping the fight
Kevin Westgarth, a Stanley Cup winner and Ivy League grad, was one of the NHL’s last brawlers. He’s crossed an ocean in search of a place to become the player he’s always wanted to be.
- Holding steady
Noah Hanifin may not be as sparkly as some of his draft classmates, but the talented defenceman will go early and play soon
- “I don’t have to cheer for him”
The love-hate relationship between Yankees fans and their favourite (or least favourite) disgraced superstar
- Mind over batter
Blue Jays starter Drew Hutchison may be a promising young arm, but it’s his wise old soul that sets him apart in Toronto’s rotation
- “It’s not like I’m gonna throw stuff around the room”
The Interview with Ryan McDonagh
- Feschuk: “How special is it to be excited?!”
The NFL draft can’t guarantee intrigue—just pomp and positivity. Loads and loads of positivity
- Grange: Getting there is no fun at all
It’s an era of championship-or-bust thinking in pro sports. But when only one team out of 30 gets to hoist the trophy, it sets fans up for misery far too often
- Brunt: Turns out you can go home again
In his second chance as Canadiens bench boss, Michel Therrien is mellow, mature and ready to roll with the punches
April 20, 2015
- On an island
There’s more pressure on John Tavares than ever before. Luckily, he’s built himself to handle it.
- Coyote loose in Vancouver
Radim Vrbata didn’t want to leave Arizona (for a second time). But both he and the Canucks are very glad he did.
- Blues brothers
At the 2010 draft, 15 minutes in the middle of the first round changed everything for St. Louis
- Hanging on to every goal
When the Jets came back to town, a hockey fan was reborn. And now the stress is killing him.
- Turning on a dime
The Raptors’ recipe for playoff success: Get the ball to Kyle Lowry so he can get it to everyone else
- The strong, silent type
Amir Johnson picks his spots in the locker room, but his show-don’t-tell example sets the tone for the Raptors
- Fast break
Prep school standout Thon Maker is the most hyped prospect in the brand-obsessed world of U.S. high school hoops
- “‘Oh, you’re making money ’cause your cool.’ No”
The Interview with Greivis Vasquez
- Feschuk: How to put your hockey IQ to work
There’s a Brian Burke–approved MBA program hoping to churn out NHL execs. Ties are optional.
- Grange: Just happy to be here (no, really)
This season has been one to forget for the Maple Leafs. But don’t tell that to Trevor Smith, who is savouring every NHL memory after years spent in hockey limbo.
- Brutn: Being bad makes for a good payday
As he prepares to fight Manny Pacquiao in the biggest bout of the 21st century, Floyd Mayweather Jr. welcomes the haters
April 6, 2015
- How far can Russell Martin carry the Blue Jays?
To October, hopes Alex Anthopoulos, which is why the $82-million catcher was Toronto’s top priority this off-season
- Why isn’t Hunter Pence a superstar?
The San Francisco Giants outfielder has two World Series rings. But can he join the ranks of baseball’s elite?
- Is Bryce Harper ready to destroy the NL?
Everything is in place for Harper to break through with a monster year
- Who’s the next breakout star?
On Pittsburgh’s Gregory Polanco
- Can the Red Sox go from worst to first again?
The players who could make magic happen
- Does Alex Rodriguez have anything left?
For him to play, he will have to do the one thing he’s always done best: hit.
- How to do the impossible
Connor McDavid has only been kept off the scoresheet twice—both times by the same time. What’s the secret?
- Flying saucers
Kelowna Rockets winger Nick Merkley might be the CHL’s best passer
- Sibling rivalry
One of Canada’s best skips, Kevin Koe has big titles under his belt and Olympic dreams. But back home, he’s just one member of the North’s first family of curling.
- Digging Out
In February 2003, an avalanche killed seven students in B.C.’s Glacier National Park. None of the survivors of that day have ever talked to the media. Until now.
- “My dad tried feeding me four, five meals a day”
The Interview with Johnny Gaudreau
- Feschuk: It’s an errand unlike any other
When Jim Nantz picks up his dry cleaning for the Masters, there’s an amen on every corner
- Grange: Big point man on campus
Canadian baller Kevin Pangos didn’t always intend on staying four years at Gonzaga and becoming the program’s quintessential player. That’s just the way it worked out.
- Brunt: Kids these days . . . better than ever
Alex Anthopoulos and John Gibbons are staking their own futures, and the team’s, on the Jays’ talented young guns
March 23, 2015
- The watchman
Not long ago, Josh Donaldson was struggling to live up to his potential. Then he discovered the film room.
- On the upswing
Four years ago, Michael Saunders lost his mother and nearly his career. Now he’s got his eye back on the ball.
- Next man up
Aaron Sanchez is getting his shot at the rotation the last way he’d ever want it, but the Jays’ newest ace-in-waiting knows his injured buddy always has his back
- Taking his lead
Edwin Encarnacion knows what it takes to go from castoff to to all-star. Can Justin Smoak follow that path?
- He’s got their backs
Once a tormented rookie, Mark Buehrle is now the go-to veteran for kids trying to find their feet with the big club
- “Distracting” “Immature” “Selfish” Cocky” “Jerk”
Evander Kane has been called a lot of things, but that’s not the whole story. What you don’t know about the centrepiece of the biggest trade of the NHL season just might change your mind about him.
- Street smarts
Dylan Strome was raised on the type of competition that breeds top-five picks
- Who says it doesn’t hurt to try?
Behind the scenes in the locker room, at the hotel and (of course) on the trainer’s table with Canada’s rugby sevens team as it fights for a spot in the 2016 Rio Olympics
- “Well, goals are more important, no?”
The Interview with Claude Giroux
- Feschuk: It’s our year! Or, at least, it’s not theirs.
Rejoice, Blue Jays fans! There are too many duds in the AL East for your team to fail this year.
- Brunt: Holding out for a hero (or two)
The Blue Jays said goodbye to skilled malcontents and will look to players who bring more than talent to the table
February 23, 2015
- Blast off
Don’t sweat the slow start. Andrew Wiggins has arrived on the NBA landscape, and he’s not going anywhere.
- The perfectionist
How does Mike Babcock do it? What’s behind the genius of the NHL’s most sought-after coach? It’s simple really: He hates to lose.
- O captain, our captain
Sharks management may have taken the “C” from Joe Thornton’s sweater, but this is still his team, and he still plans to lead them to glory
- Josh Ho-Sang vs. the world
The New York Islanders prospect is loaded with talent, but how will his swaggering style play in the team-first NHL?
- Playing on the edge
The world’s wildest and most dangerous sports
- A big Knight, every night
Since he was a kid, Mitch Marner has been told he’s too small to play top-level hockey. Not so much.
- Stickhandle with care
It was almost kindling. It was barbershop décor. Then it was damn near priceless. It’s the oldest hockey stick in the world.
- “He played with a frying pan. He beat me in two sets”
The Interview with Tuukka Rask
- Feschuk: Just count the cartoon stars
An all-access look at the NFL’s top secret—and highly scientific—sideline concussion protocol
- Grange: Here comes the boom (we hope)
Like its Toronto franchise, MLS as a whole is expanding and stocking up on talent. But is it a watershed, or another example of a soccer league with eyes bigger than its stomach?
- Brunt: The game’s bigger than bad news
It doesn’t seem to matter what the NFL gets wrong. The lure of the spectacle keeps tens of million watching.
January 26, 2015
- What’s it like to be the third member of the Sedins’ line?
We asked thirteen of their brothers (from other mothers) to tell us
- Getzlaf & me
Hawken Miller is a high school senior who won’t let a terminal disease slow him down. He’s also the most impressive young man the Anaheim Ducks captain has ever met.
- Old school
They don’t make sports like they used to (and in some cases that’s a good thing). We remember things that are gone but not forgotten from the games we love.
- Up, up, and up
Six short years and an eight-inch growth spurt took Anthony Davis from a high-school nobody to his generation’s most dominant big man.
- Dream Land
Pavel Zacha is focused on making history by being the next great Czech
- “This is really creepy that you know that”
The Interview with Daniel and Henrik Sedin
- Feschuk: Roll tape of middle-aged schlub in produce aisle
A day in the life of a magazine writer, as seen through the eyes of former coaches and retired players
- Grange: The (new) life of Bryan
When Bryan Colangelo’s Toronto Raptors tenure ended, many questioned both his moves and ability. Now, his reputation on the mend and he’s ready for what comes next.
- Brunt: Out with the old, in with the same?
Leafs fans rejoiced at Randy Carlyle’s firing, and unless the next coach brings home the Cup, they’ll call for his head, too.
December 29, 2014
- Leading the rush
Tyler Seguin heads a group of flashy young snipers taking over the NHL
- How the deal went down
Alex Anthopoulos takes us inside the negotiations that led to the Josh Donaldson blockbuster trade
- One for the road
Bus. Hotel. Arena. Repeat. Thirteen days with the Seattle Thunderbirds on hockey’s toughest road trip.
- Remembering Jean Béliveau
The Montreal Canadiens star played hockey the same way he lived his life—with humility, honesty and plain old hard work.
- Consensus No. 1.5
In any other NHL draft year, Jack Eichel is a lock for first overall. And maybe this year, too.
- “No. God, no. Connie’s a terrible nickname.”
The Interview with Connor McDavid
- Grange: If you give this guy an inch…
In pursuit of his NBA dreams, Burlington, Ont.’s Brady Heslip just happens to be making history
- Brunt: The whole world in his hands
It isn’t the responsibility of sports heroes to stand up against injustice. But is it ever sweet when they do.
December 8, 2014
- The Awards Issue
The Raptors’ Kyle Lowry leads our 4th annual awards special
- Finally on the map
Two Stanley Cups and 550 points into his career, Anze Kopitar is the pride of Slovenia. And the NHL’s most underrated superstar.
- The self-education of Brendan Shanahan
The rise of the Maple Leafs’ new president has been anything but conventional
- Big man on campus
Kingston’s Lawson Crouse isn’t the highest scorer in his draft class, not even close. But scouts are taking notice of him for other reasons.
- Hard foul
On the court, Tyler Hansbrough is a hulking, brutish menace opponents hate to face. Off the court, he’s nothing like that.
- “I’m not gonna smile as I’m coming out of the hack”
The Interview with Rachel Homan
- Grange: When the frame becomes the art
Russell Martin got paid, and he has data-driven appreciation for his subtle skills to thank for it
- Feschuk: Throw shade without throwing sweaters
Since tossing sweaters on the ice is a punishable offence, here are some other creative ways for fans to express disgust
- Brunt: Going back to Glennie Avenue
While he never worked in Hamilton’s steel mills, Pat Quinn was a product of his hard-working hometown
November 24, 2014
- The coast is cleared
Six things we learned about the surprisingly successful Vancouver Canucks on the NHL’s hardest road trip
- Inside a hockey factory
There’s a remote little town in Sweden that exports three things: pulp and paper, heavy machinery and really, really good NHL players
- Priority viewing
During a tough rookie year in junior, Mathew Barzal spent hours studying his game. Now scouts are doing the same.
- How to cheat
Sports are rife with cheating. We asked athletes, coaches and experts of all stripes how to win the game by gaming the system.
- These are your sports on drugs
It’s time to embrace performance enhancers
- “There’s probably gonna be some swear words”
The Interview with Danica Patrick
- Grange: Adam and the eve of a new Jays era
On Adam Lind, poster boy for the past decade of Toronto baseball—both the good and the bad
- Feschuk: Louder! Longer! It’s all about the fans…
It’s not about whether you win or lose, it’s whether your arena’s horn is loud enough to wake the dead
- Brunt: Where baseball goes to dream
The Arizona Fall League is a chance for prospects to turn heads—and for Blue Jays fans to imagine a brighter future
November 10, 2014
- Don’t look back
Jonathan Bernier was drafted in 2006 to be a star goaltender. Eight years later, it hasn’t happened, and in Toronto the pressure is only building.
- Going flat out
Inside the incredible world of land-speed record chasing
- Citizen of the game
Plenty of kids leave their home countries so they can play hockey. But Daniel Sprong did it much earlier than most.
- Just plain Nashty
In 18 seasons of brilliance, Steve Nash crafted a basketball legacy both distinctly Canadian and whollly his own
- “I wear very tight suits, tight jeans, tight T-shirts”
The Interview with Erik Karlsson
- Grange: It’s the Big Smoke, not the Big Easy
Michael Bradley isn’t calling it a lost season for TFC. In his mind, they’re just getting started.
- Feschuk: What happens on the road, stays…
What every hockey parent should expect from their kid’s first away tournament
- Brunt: Can he complete one last Hail Mary?
Departing CFL commissioner Mark Cohon deserves praise. But he never did figure out how to make the Argos relevant.
October 27, 2014
- Man, this is fun
At just 24, Drew Doughty has already won two Stanley Cups and two Olympic golds. On, yeah, and he’s having a better time than you off the ice, too.
- The next step
Forget LeBron. Forget Kobe. Raptors superstar DeMar DeRozan is the hardest-working man in the NBA.
- No point arguing
The Toronto Raptors’ backcourt isnt’ asking for respect. They’re taking it.
- Nothin’ but net
Even when you adjust for era and team, Ken Dryden still rules the crease
- 3 on 1
What happens when you sit down with three of the greatest players on the planet? You learn a little—OK, a lot—about hockey.
- You can’t miss this kid
All eyes are on Eri’s Connor McDavid, the favourite to go first overall next June, and he wouldn’t want it any other way
- “We’re gonna win trophy. Grammy. Why not?”
The Interview with Alexander Ovechkin
- Grange: “There’s nothing to worry about”
Tristan Thompson is set to take on any role for the Cavs—just as he’s always done for his family
- Feschuk: The glory days these are not
There are reasons why it’s awesome to be a Senators fan. But the name “Senators” isn’t one of them.
- Brunt: Why they won’t put a ring on it
Oslo is the latest city to withdraw its bid for the 2022 Games, which says a lot about the Olympics these days
September 22, 2014
- “I promise to never forget where I came from”
As Cavaliers fans put a bitter split behind them and celebrate LeBron James coming home, Akron, Ohio, knows the truth: He never left
- Long way back
Before a life-altering tragedy, Canadian Ron Turcotte won the Triple Crown aboard Secretariat. Now, 41 years later, he returns to Belmont, hoping to witness history.
- “If I have a decent body, I can pose for Playgirl”
The Interview with Jim Brown
- Grange: Is this heaven? No, it’s Colorado
Fully healthy for the first time in years, Justin Morneau is back on top—and loving every minute
- Feschuk: Eternal sunshine of the epic collapse
With the dawn of every NFL season comes hype—much of it completely unwarranted, but still worthy of recognition
- Brunt: We really can’t help ourselves
It’s been a roller coaster of a season for the Jays. But no matter the ending, we’ll be back for more.
September 8, 2014
- Johnny please be good
Fans in Cleveland have been waiting years—decades—for a quarterback deserving of their love. If you ask people who know Johnny Manziel, they’ve found one.
- Parting shots
Why we’ll never see another Roger Federer, who, 16 years into his career, is still one of sports’ most perfect athletes
- Don’t call it small ball: Inside the Little League World Series
As hundreds of players and thousands of fans descend on a small Pennsylvania town, a kids’ game gets serious.
- “I got expelled in Grade 2!”
The Interview with Sydney Leroux
- Grange: Absence makes the team grow stronger
Missing the FIBA World Cup hasn’t stopped Team Canada from building for the future
- Feschuk: Of ill-fated optimism and staggering delusion
With the dawn of every NFL season comes hype—much of it completely unwarranted, but still worthy of recognition
- Brunt: Are four downs coming north?
The Bills’ days in Buffalo may be numbered, and the long-rumoured debut of the NFL in Canada could be nigh
August 18, 2014
- The Beauty of Sport
Stunning scenery, even more stunning people: 18 of Canada’s best athletes (plus one bison) take their talents into the wild for our annual beauty issue
- Just a bit inside
The evolution of Clayton Kershaw, through the eyes of the men who have caught him
- “I wish I could go back in time and play some of the greats”
The Interview with Maria Sharapova
- Grange: From one phenom to another
Long before Eugenie Bouchard, there was Carling Bassett—Canada’s first tennis “darling”
- Feschuk: Mario Williams, you’re fired!
Donald Trump may not be the owner the Bills deserve, but he’s the owner they need right now
- Brunt: Appreciate your star while you still can
Toronto has a habit of not really embraicing its biggest sports heroes. And that’s exactly what Jose Bautista is.
July 28, 2014
- What if…
They’re questions that have fuelled barroom debates for years. We went back to the start of the century and rewrote sports history to find the answers.
- “How rotten is the peach?”
The Interview with Milos Raonic
- Grange: Free agency as popcorn flick
The NHL may have loyalty and long-term deals, but the NBA has the far more exciting off-season
- Feschuk: Look who’s come crawling back…
For years, golf has tormented us. Now the sport needs its duffers. Well, we have some demands.
- Brunt: The last pages of a global novel
Each World Cup unfolds as its own tale. This edition had a storybook finish, but the real climax came in the semifinal.
July 7, 2014
- The final straw
After years of hard living—blowing through more than $30 million—former slugger Darryl Strawberry found his true calling
- “I prayed, God, please don’t let the money change me.”
Jays prospect Daniel Norris isn’t in baseball for the paycheque. Seriously.
- Show me (where) the money (went)
Lessons on how to make (and lose) a fortune from Leigh Steinberg, the world’s first super-agent and the real Jerry Maguire
- “It means everything”
The men who win the Stanley Cup and the men who lose it have more in common than either side knows. Behind the scenes at the Cup final.
- “I’m back to eating whole packs of bacon now”
The Interview with Brittney Griner
- Grange: O brother, what pick art thou?
Nick Wiggins, brother of Andrew, is forging his own path to pro basketball
- Feschuk: It’s not whether you win or lose…
It’s how you codify formal rules for an invented game and enforce them no matter the social cost
- Brunt: The whole world is (now) watching
In 1994, the U.S. hosted the World Cup, and its citizens barely noticed. Today, soccer is a big deal everywhere. Finally.
June 23, 2014
- The beauty of being Mark Buehrle
Mark Buehrle doesn’t watch tape, go to pitchers’ meetings or wave off signs. He just wins games.
- Luke Chudleigh: On the fast track
The son of an apple farmer from Milton, Ont., is convinced he can crack the world’s most glamorous race car series
- One and only
Eleven men, long odds, one live rooster. Remember Canada’s lone World Cup appearance.
- The Interview: Tyler Ennis
“Nobody likes you when you act like you’re somebody”
- Grange: Taking it one game day at a time
When Blue Jays broadcaster Joe Siddall lost his son, he leaned on the game they both loved
- Feschuk: How to (pretend to) be the model fan
There’s an etiquette to sitting in the stands at a baseball game. We’ve got you covered.
- Brunt: Actually, winning is everything
For Eugenie Bouchard—and for us—it’s no longer enough to be the best Canadian. It’s time to be the best in the world.
June 9, 2014
- Neymar and Brazil under siege
As thirty-one countries descend on Brazil, no nation has more on the line than the World Cup hosts. Will the pressure break them?
- World Cup Preview
Breaking down all 32 teams
- The Interview: Colby Rasmus
“You could say I’m kinda old school, like I live in the Stone Age”
- Grange: When a team becomes a family
In the trial by fire of shared personal tragedy, some NHL teams forge stronger bonds
- Feschuk: An all-pro of awful press conferences
Ray Rice’s “apology” sets the standard for athletes failing to acknowledge their mistakes
- Brunt: Heroes shouldn’t be working class
CFL players are among the last pro athletes to earn regular folks’ wages. Why don’t their fans stand up for them?
May 26, 2014
- He’s going to be big
With swagger, grit and talent in spades, Blue Jays prospect Marcus Stroman defies the idea that short pitchers can’t start
- A new target
Most Blue Jays prospects hone their stuff in the minors; Chris Rowley tweaks his game between tank training and route marches. Now the West Point grad’s hopes of making the big club hang on the army letting him go.
- The Lucky Ones
London Knights stars Nikita Zadorov and Bo Horvat got cut from their NHL teams this season. Good thing.
- Life of a rook star
Canadian grandmaster Eric Hansen wants to be the world champion of chess. It’s a long way to the top.
- The Interview: Zdeno Chara
“I couldn’t feel my legs. I was like, how am I gonna drive?”
- Grange: Can’t lose for winning
The Raptors exceeded everyone’s expectations this season. But what needs to come next?
- Feschuk: Live from the draft: Men are sitting!
Oh, the thrill of watching NFL teams pick new players (and punishing the guy who forgot the dip)
- Brunt: Let’s talk about our feelings
The past two seasons have ended in the same place for MLSE’s signature teams. So why are the vibes so different?
May 12, 2014
- Gun for hire
Can anything less than a Cup keep Thomas Vanek in Montreal?
- Home and really far away
Ten kids. 7,200 kilometres. One epic road trip.
- The Interview: Michael Bradley
“This idea that my career’s over just ’cause I’m back in MLS—ridiculous”
- Grange: United under a cartoon dinosaur
Hoops fans in this country are a tribe in need of validation. Win or lose, these Raptors get it.
- Feschuk: Relax, baseball’s finally calmed down
Just when you thought the frenetic pace of MLB action was too much for your heart to take…
- Brunt: Raptors rise a sign of the times
Pucks have always trumped hoops in this country. But with all that’s happening in Canadian basketball, the gap is narrowing.
April 21, 2014
- Shot in the arm
Five years ago he was injured and out of baseball. Only in the movies will you find a more unlikely all-star than Toronto’s Steve Delabar.
- The Interview: Jonas Valanciunas
Kristina Rutherford chats with the Toronto Raptors’ centre
- Grange: Dusty, mothballed field of dreams
The Expos weren’t in action when the Jay hit the Big O in March. But their grounds crew was.
- Feschuk: It’s official, we now have a cover jinx
With great power comes great responsibility. Sorry, Dave Nonis, we don’t take requests.
- Brunt: Doing it his way, come what may
This off-season proved that Alex Anthopoulos will do what he thinks is best for the Jays, no matter the consequences
April 7, 2014
- Staff pitcher day
How the Blue Jays grip their pitches
- Mr. Big Shot
Despite being a badly needed sniper for the offence-starved Habs, Max Pacioretty isn’t a huge star in Montreal. And that’s fine with him.
- Morrison: Cleared for takeoff at just the right time
It’s no sure thing the Philadelphia Flyers will make the playoffs, but they’re the bubble team nobody wants to face
- The Interview: Arnold Palmer
Kristina Rutherford chats with golf legend Arnold Palmer
- Grange: Hope for the best, plan for the rest
For once in the Raptors’ spotty 19-year history, their GM is setting the team up to win now and later
- Feschuk: How to win fans and mislead people
In many NFL cities, now is not a time of hope and excitement. Unless you believe the teams’ slogans…
- Brunt: The message is loud and clear
The expectations aren’t nearly as high this season, but nobody will be satisfied if this Jays team isn’t a contender
March 24, 2014
- Up close with Edwin
One-on-one with Toronto’s Edwin Encarnacion, the “best-kept secret in the game”
- The toolman cometh
Scouts rate Bryce Harper’s otherworldly skills
- Trout fishing
Pitchers dish on their strategies against the Angels phenom
- Winning the Cardinal way
The book on St. Louis’s perennial success
- Mr. March
Canada’s Tyler Ennis is about to take the NCAA tournament by storm
- The Interview: James Hinchcliffe
Kristina Rutherford chats with the IndyCar driver
- Grange: How you feel about Scrubbs now, TLC?
Passed up by big NCAA schools, Carleton guard Phil Scrubb is blazing a trail to the pros anyway
- Feschuk: Just taking it one cliché at a time
Interested in becoming a sports announcer? Your first task is memorizing these classics.
- Brunt: Calling on the baseball gods
Dustin McGowan is putting it all on the line for the Blue Jays—again. And he’s long overdue for some good luck.
March 10, 2014
- Could’ve seen it coming
Few predicted the ease with which the men’s hockey team took care of business in Sochi. But all the signs were there from the beginning.
- Weight of the world
Five men were the defining players of these Games. They shared golden expectations, but each bore different burdens. Some wilted. Others shone. At the end, one stood alone.
- The new deadline
Steven Stamkos missed Sochi. But the playoffs will be a different story. Inside the comback of hockey’s top sniper.
- Rockin’ the house
Meet Rachel Homan, the wunderkind who isn’t shy about her plan to be the best skip in curling
- Feschuk: Quick! Get that goalpost an agent!
Crosby was great. Wickenheiser was terrific. But nobody had a better Games than that post.
- Brunt: Savour Sochi, hockey fans…
All signs point to NHL players not being in Pyeongchang for the 2018 Winter Games. And it just won’t be the same.
February 24, 2014
- A new Lou
Roberto Luongo opens up about why the pressure won’t break him. Not anymore.
- Terror on the way to the top
A climber picks the same mountain as the Taliban
- Crawl, stand, strike
To get back to the pitch, Kara Lang started at zero
- It’s like Michael Jordan said…
Why P.K. Subban doesn’t mind being booed
- Grange: “She’s the best of all time””
In an era of 100 percent focus on a single sport, Olympian Heather Moyse focuses on everything
- Feschuk: Found in Translation
Look a little deeper and you’ll see there’s hidden meaning in the speech that opened the Olympic Games
- Brunt: Excuse us while we kick your butt
The Vancouver Games revealed a new Canada, one that cares less about being nice, more about being the best
February 10, 2014
- “You never know what’s going to happen with me”
As Alex Ovechkin’s Olympic moment arrives, is his NHL career nearly over?
- Last call
After 20 years behind the microphone, Murray Vosbourgh never did get to call his dream game, but realizes that isn’t the most important thing in life
- Feschuk: A sorry force like gravity
It’s their big chance to make an impression, so don’t be surprised if Olympians talk some trash
- Morrison: Four-on-four for fighting
It’s an innovative idea by a member of hockey’s royalty. And it might just get rid of a scourge on the game.
- “It kind of bends and snaps and crunches”
An interview with Ronda Rousey
January 27, 2014
- The battle plan
What it’s going to take for Crosby and the boys to win in Russia
- Always “B” prepared
How the Bruins lose stars without losing momentum
- Boys to men
Canadian hockey’s elite bred in Minnesota
- It’s time to forgive Vince Carter
Toronto needs to bury the hatchet—and maybe even thank him
- Spiritual guidance
How Amir Johnson became the Raptors’ heart and soul
- “So, do I call you ‘Iron’?”
Catching up with adopted Siberian Mike Keenan
- Dude, where’s your car?
Behind the scenes of the Dakar Rallly, one of the most gruelling races on Earth
- Feschuk: Who will think of the broadcasters?
You may not have much pity for those who gave you months of speculation. But they suffer for your entertainment.
- Morrison: Is this the NHL’s last Olympics?
Players and fans love the games. Owners don’t. So soak up Sochi, because the NHL wants to stay away from South Korea.
- Brunt: Cooperstown needs to catch up
Barry Bonds’s absence from the Hall of Fame makes one thing clear: The system for deciding who gets in is broken.
December 30, 2013
- Big game hunter
Carey Price has his sights set. First Gold. Then the Cup.
- Old battle reborn
The current crop of young Maple Leafs and Red Wings have the talent—and grit—to keep an old rivalry going for years to come
- Searching for answers
Canadians expect gold at the World Junior Championship. So after four years of failure, Hockey Canada took big risks in building the 2014 team.
- Northern touch
At 13, long before Steph Curry became an NBA superstar, he was tearing up Toronto hardcourts
- The perfect storm
The quarterback’s short and the cornerbacks are huge. Most of the receivers weren’t drafted. The best defender played offence in college. The Seattle Seahawks are united by their supposed deficiencies—and their Super Bowl aspirations.
- Feschuk: Breakin’ the rules
Whether it’s Madison Square Garden or your living room, no rules violation escapes the notice of Brendan Shanahan
- Morrison: It’s time to shoot down the shootout
With playoff races so tight and jobs often hanging in the balance, let the outcome be settled by actually playing the game
- Brunt: Back where he belongs
Behind his steely glare and determined professionalism, Roy Halladay kept a soft spot for the place it all began
December 16, 2013
- Capital Pains
This was supposed to be the Ottawa Senators’ season to contend. So what’s gone wrong?
- Something to cheer for. Finally.
In 1993, a Russian rookie ended the “Maple Laughs” era
- Border battles
Simon Fraser University is taking it to the Americans
- The anonymous superstar
You don’t know Damian Warner, but you should
- Feschuk: “In one of my coaching stupors…”
If the Houston Texans part ways with their coach, we’ve already found them a replacement
- Morrison: Let the officials handle the calls
The idea of coaching challenges is gaining traction. But video review already works. And with a few tweaks, it can be better.
- Brunt: Where the game matters most
There’s only one place in Canada that matches Riderville’s passion for football: Quebec
December 2, 2013
- Are the Leafs good? Or just lucky?
Toronto is defying the rules of analytics. Can it last?
- Stars in prison stripes
Inside the longest-running prison rodeo in America
- A new kind of dynasty
The national midget champion Red Deer Optimist Chiefs’ culture starts behind the bench
- The Red Wings Way
A fan long before he bought the team, pizza magnate Mike Ilitch spared no expense in transforming Detroit into a perennial power
- Buffalo Bills: The foundation
Kiko Alonso leads the NFL’s best rookie crops—a group of young stars that has people thinking something special is just around the corner
- Jesse Ryder: Tough to keep down
The famous cricket star is back—almost from the dead
- Feschuk: You gotta know when to hold it
Going to an NFL game with your progeny can be a bonding experience. Just get club seats if either of you plans to pee.
- Morrison: It’s not all about the numbers
Why Paul Henderson should be a Hockey Hall of Famer
- Brunt: The not-so-obvious choice
Naming Canada’s best athlete is an annual exercise in comparing ourselves to the rest of the world
- Stars in prison stripes
November 18, 2013
- Why is Patrick Roy so angry?
On what fuels Colorado’s rookie coach
- You can’t rush a good thing
The Edmonton Oilers rebuild is actually on track. Seriously.
- Holding the line
He’s making millions now protecting Peyton, but Orlando Franklin’s most important deal was signed 11 years ago in Toronto
- Friday night lights on the Prairies
How, in a Prairie town of 365, the Central Butte Bulldogs have created a high-school football powerhouse
- Hendricks: The great contender
Welterweight Johny Hendricks is a nice, easygoing family man. And the most powerful title threat Georges St-Pierre has ever faced.
- Prep school confidential
Inside the institutions of higher basketball learning where kids like Jalen Poyser learn to be pros
- Feschuk: The very best part is the stopping
Master of the delaying tact of the shoe-tie. Tragically injured in the noble pursuit of the 10K. Scott Feschuk: jogger.
- Morrison: And the hits just keep on comin’
The NHL has done its best to accentuate speed and skill since the lockout. But that’s made it a dangerous place to work.
- Brunt: Where’s our glass slipper?
As excitement for the World Cup ramps up, Canadians must—once again—find other teams to cheer for
November 4, 2013
- Connor McDavid: A step ahead
Crosby. Tavares. MacKinnon. They’re all great. But Connor McDavid is doing things never seen before.
- Here’s Johnny!
John Tavares has Islanders fans dreaming about a dynasty again
- His name is Jonas
Just 21, Jonas Valanciunas is already the one sure thing on the Toronto Raptors
- Skipping wars
Young guns are set to challenge vets for big purses at the Grand Slam of Curling. And for the chance to represent Canada in Sochi.
- Between a rock and a cold place
You’d never know it from looking at it, but a world champ is one of 800 curling diehards who live here
- Nets gain
Brooklyn’s roster looks great. But can it gel by the playoffs?
- Dwight Howard: Looking way up
Howard is in love with Houston. Now he just needs to put a ring on it.
- Marc Etienne McLaughlin: The wild card
How a hamburger-loving Montreal entrepreneur turned a poker hobby into a shot at $8.3 million
- Chad Owens: Running with the best
The Argonauts star arrived in Toronto not even knowing who Pinball Clemons was. Turns out the two are more alike than either would have thought.
- Brunt: They know we don’t care
The NFL understands that we’re quite willing to let athletes be hurt for our amusement
- Feschuk: We’re better than some teams!
Think your job sucks? Try writing peppy things about the soon-to-be 0-16 Jacksonville Jaguars for a living.
- Morrison: Don’t give peace a chance
You can attempt to make hockey safer, to make fights less frequent. But don’t ever expect them to go away. They won’t.
October 14, 2013
- Vancouver: Time to get tough
Their new defence-focused coach may be the Canucks’ last chance to live up to their promise
- Calgary: It’s not going to be all bad
There won’t be much to cheer about in Calgary. But don’t worry, we found a few things
- Edmonton: Ready to take the next step
There’s a new regime and lot of talent in Oil Country, and everyone is sick of hearing how good they could be.
- Winnipeg: The honeymoon is over
Jets fans are no longer happy to just have hockey back—they want a winner. But is this really the roster?
- Toronto: That’s good, now get better
The Leafs took a big step last year, but they need to take another one
- Ottawa: Time to join the rush
If the Senators are going to contend, Kyle Turris will have to be front and centre
- Montreal: The next big thing
The Habs are betting that Alex Galchenyuk is their third star to build around
- Buffalo: Heading off the buffalo jump
The Sabres look like they’ll bottom out this year, but that might just be best for everyone involved
- Chicago: Can anyone say dynasty?
The Blackhawks have returned all the important pieces and are poised to be the first repeat champs in 16 years
- Dallas: Everything’s bigger in Texas…
And that goes for expectations as well. Tyler Seguin can’t wait to surpass them.
- Detroit: Detroit rock solid
One day the Wings will miss the playoffs, right? It has to happen… sometime? Soon maybe? No.
- Pittsburgh: It’s been downright offensive
Swept out of the playoffs in June, the Penguins are starting this season with a whole new focus
- Breaking through
After failing to catch on in the NFL, Kory Sheets is chasing records with the Riders and has turned his team into a serious Grey Cup threat
- “It was right in my grasp”
Nearly 14 years later, The Tackle remains unforgettable for all involved
- Science of Sport
Quarterback arm strength
- A funny thing happened on the way to the majors
Why the Gulf Coast League is the last place a big-league hopeful wants to be
- Road to the World Cup
The most important matches of World Cup qualifying are upon us. For dozens of teams across Europe and the Americas, years of effort come down to two days in October that will make or break their Brazilian dreams.
- The town that Lord Stanley built
The Kenora Thistles own a special place in the history of Canada’s game
- Feschuk: Get pumped! For ponies and sorrow!
There’s plenty for Canadian hockey fans to get excited about this season. Most of it has nothing to do with hockey.
- Brunt: If a punch lands in the forest…
Floyd Mayweather Jr. is the best boxer alive, a true giant of his sport. It’s too bad he’s fighting in the wrong era.
- Morrison: A normal season? Try again next year.
There’s no lockout to worry about this year, but the combined challenges of the Olympics and realignment will play havoc.
September 30, 2013
- The secret life of Bobby Ryan
The Sens’ new star opens up about his lost childhood on the run from the FBI, and how he survived it all.
- The great son
Trevor Gretzky on long balls, small towns and the pressure of living up to the famous name
- Calm before the storm
Inside Dion Phaneuf’s summer hideaway
- “There was a collective gasp”
Breaking down the greatest play in football history — 41 years later
- New era
How Yasiel Puig and a group of young superstars are revolutionizing baseball
- Poutine and cracker jacks
The old ballpark that proves baseball is alive and well in La Belle Province
- Spinning out of control
Disgraced and demoted after a juvenile nightclub incident, England’s Monty Panesar is trying to get back to the elite level
- The Swede science
Alexander Gustafsson isn’t a UFC superstar, but five rounds with Jon Jones might change everything
- Scott Feschuk: In defence of the Octobong
- Stephen Brunt: It’s time to forgive Ben Johnson
Sportsnet looks back on the 25th anniversary of Ben Johnson’s rise and fall from glory at the 1988 Seoul Olympic Games