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Wednesday, August 31, 2022

{allcanada} Jack Draper defeats Felix Auger-Aliassime in monumental US Open victory

Draper took control of the          contest from the first game, never letting up in a 6-4 6-4 6-4          success - Shutterstock


Jack Draper reached the third round at a major for the first time after the biggest win of his life against world No 8 Felix Auger-Aliassime at the US Open.

Upon securing the monumental victory Draper, 20, smiled knowingly up at his player box and then launched a ball up high into the rafters of Louis Armstrong Stadium. Then he crouched down and roared at the ground in a huge outpouring of emotion after a controlled, mature and utterly dominant display which saw him win 6-4 6-4 6-4.

He overcame his Canadian opponent in a competitive and high level match, but one where - despite being the underdog - he always looked the more comfortable player. It was the culmination of a phenomenal year for Draper, climbing from outside the top 250 to now - with this victory - at least to 46th in the world.

It means that, after this tournament, Britain will have four men in the world's top 50 for the first time ever. Draper's performance was worthy of that new milestone.

Jack Draper hits a shot against Felix                  Auger-Aliassime on day three of the US Open - USA TODAY                  Sports
Jack Draper hits a shot against Felix Auger-Aliassime on day three of the US Open - USA TODAY Sports

He held serve for the duration of the straight sets victory, even holding off two break points to calmly take the opener. Then, in the seventh game of the second set, he clinched the all-important break with a backhand passing shot down the line that had the crowd oohing and ahhing. A 136mph ace then secured the two-set lead and he never looked back.

Draper defended supremely against his skilful opponent, always forcing him to take the extra shot and eventually Auger-Aliassime began leaking errors.

Draper was locked in, hitting only three unforced errors in the third set to Auger-Aliassime's 11, and the clean hitting made up for his low first-serve percentage.

Felix Auger-Aliassime reacts during his match                  against Jack Draper - USA TODAY Sports
Felix Auger-Aliassime reacts during his match against Jack Draper - USA TODAY Sports

At 2-2 in the third, after multiple deuces and an onslaught of baseline belters from the serving Auger-Aliassime, Draper slid full stretch to eke a backhand over the net. Auger-Aliassime, not expecting the ball to come back, clattered his shot into the net for break point. Draper's cross court passing shot in the next point gave him the final advantage he needed to storm to the victory.

Even serving for the match, Draper did not flinch. He held to love, hitting an ace and then serve-and-volley combination to win it at the net.

He will face Russia's Karen Khachanov in the third round.

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{allcanada} Tessier dies at 89, Jack Adams Award winner in 1983


Orval Tessier, who won the Jack Adams Award as NHL coach of the year in 1983, died Aug. 25. He was 89.

Tessier also was a scout with the Colorado Avalanche when they won the Stanley Cup in 2001.

Tessier coached the Chicago Black Hawks from 1982-85, going 99-93 with 21 ties.

He was voted the Jack Adams Award winner after his first season, 1982-83, when Chicago went 47-23 with 10 ties and finished eight points ahead of the Minnesota North Stars for first place in the Norris Division. The Black Hawks reached the Campbell Conference Final that season, losing the best-of-7 series to the Edmonton Oilers in four games.

The Black Hawks qualified for the Stanley Cup Playoffs in Tessier's first two seasons, but he was fired 53 games into the 1984-85 season following a 6-4 loss to the St. Louis Blues on Feb. 3, 1985.

Prior to working in the NHL, Tessier coached in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, Ontario Hockey League and American Hockey League.

He led Cornwall of the QMJHL to the Memorial Cup championship in 1972, and the following season guided Quebec of the QMJHL to the Memorial Cup championship game.

In 1982 he coached New Brunswick of the AHL to the Calder Cup championship.

Tessier, a forward, played three NHL seasons between 1954-55 and 1960-61, with 12 points (five goals, seven assists) in 59 games with the Montreal Canadiens and Boston Bruins.

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{allcanada} CF Montreal's eight-game unbeaten run snapped with loss to Red Bulls



MONTREAL — CF Montreal's unbeaten run ended at eight games on Wednesday night after a 1-0 loss to the New York Red Bulls at Stade Saputo.

Lewis Morgan scored the lone goal of the match right before halftime for New York (13-8-8).

At eight games, Montreal's (15-9-4) unbeaten run had tied a club record set earlier this year.

The game was a contest between the two best road teams in MLS and it showed as the Red Bulls didn't shy away, pressing high up from the start.

This led to an uncharacteristically nervy start at home for Montreal with many misplaced balls and giveaways.

Neither team created much offence throughout the first half. It took 43 minutes for the first opportunity to come the Red Bulls way and they made no mistake.

Cristian Casseres played Morgan in, and the midfielder chipped it over the goalkeeper to give New York the lead going into halftime.

The Red Bulls did not hide their intentions in the second half, having no fewer than eight players behind the ball defending. It took 30 minutes of pressure for the home side to find its first chance of the game.

With Romell Quioto's inch-perfect cross after being played into space, Mason Toye put it wide with an opportunity to guide the ball into a wide-open net.

New York saw the rest of the game out relatively comfortably, with Montreal's attack looking toothless in the dying stages of the game.

Montreal will now travel to Toronto for the third Canadian Classique of the season on Sept. 4 while the Red Bulls return home to host the Philadelphia Union on Sept. 3.

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{allcanada} Canada's Marino advances to U.S. Open third round for first time in career


NEW YORK — Vancouver's Rebecca Marino advanced to the third round of the U.S. Open with a 6-3, 7-6 (5) win over Ukraine's Daria Snigur on Wednesday.

Marino fired 13 aces in the match to Snigur's one, and won 74 per cent of first-serve points.

Marino took advantage of some spotty play from Snigur, who had 48 unforced errors, including one while facing match point.

The Canadian broke Snigur three times on eight chances, and saved five of the seven break points she faced.

Marino advanced to the third round of a Grand Slam for the second time in her career, and the first time in over a decade. She advanced to the third round of the 2011 French Open.

Marino will next face China's Zhang Shuai.

Later today, 2019 U.S. Open champion Bianca Andreescu was slated to take on 15th seed Beatriz Haddad Maia of Brazil and 2021 runner-up Leylah Fernandez, seeded 14th, was scheduled to face Russia's Ludmilla Samsonova.

In men's action, sixth seed Felix Auger-Aliassime of Montreal faced Jack Draper of Britain.

In women's doubles, the fifth-seeded pair of Ottawa's Gabriela Dabrowski and Giuliana Olmos of Mexico were set to play a first-round match against Peyton Stearns and Ashlyn Krueger of the United States.

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{allcanada} Lions acquire QB Adams Jr. from Alouettes



The BC Lions acquired quarterback Vernon Adams Jr. from the Montreal Alouettes on Wednesday in exchange for BC's first-round pick in 2023.

"Getting a player of Vernon's calibre provides a big boost to our offence as we continue pushing for a return to the playoffs," said Lions co-general manager Neil McEvoy.

Adams Jr. has appeared in five games this season for the Alouettes and thrown for 294 yards with a touchdown and two interceptions.

The 29-year-old was placed on the six-game injured list due to tendinitis in his throwing elbow on August 3, however TSN's Farhan Lalji notes that the injury has completely healed.

Lalji reported Tuesday that Als minority owner Gary Stern blocked earlier attempts to move Adams Jr., but now that he has stepped down from day-to-day operations of the team, talks were able to pick up once again.

The Lions lost their starting quarterback Nathan Rourke to a Lisfranc sprain in his right foot that he suffered on August 19 against the Saskatchewan Roughriders. Michael O'Connor and Antonio Pipkin both saw playing time at quarterback in the Lions' 23-16 loss to the Roughriders last week. 

Adams Jr. has appeared in 67 CFL contests split between the Alouettes and Roughriders, who he played 11 games for in 2017, and has thrown 43 touchdowns with 26 interceptions.

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{allcanada} Elks WR Lawler to miss at least two weeks with ankle injury


It appears the Edmonton Elks will be without one of their best offensive talents for the next while as wide receiver Kenny Lawler is expected to miss at least two weeks with an ankle injury, according to TSN's Farhan Lalji. 

Lalji notes there is a chance the 28-year-old will need to go on the six-game injured list with the injury. 

Lawler caught three passes for 146 yards in a loss to the Ottawa Redblacks on Saturday. On the season, Lawler ranks third in the CFL in receiving yards with 849 on 56 receptions, including five touchdowns. 

This is Lawler's first season in Edmonton after winning two Grey Cups with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in 2019 and 2021, his first two seasons in the CFL. The California native was named an All-Star in 2021. 

The Elks sit last in the West Division with a 3-8 record. 

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{allcanada} Rourke, McManis, Rhymes named CFL's August Top Performers



TORONTO — B.C. quarterback Nathan Rourke, Toronto linebacker Wynton McManis and Lions receiver Dominique Rhymes are the CFL's top performers for August.

Rourke completed 95 of his 120 pass attempts (79.2 per cent) in the three games he started, with 1,340 passing yards and nine touchdowns.

Rourke added 96 yards and three touchdowns on the ground.

The Victoria native led the Lions to wins over Edmonton, Calgary and Saskatchewan, but sustained a foot injury in the game against the Roughriders that could keep him out for the rest of the year.

Rourke leads the league in passing yards (3,281) and passing touchdowns (25), and currently has a CFL season record in completion percentage at 79.2 per cent (minimum 250 attempts).

McManis had 33 defensive tackles in four games for the Argos, and added three special teams tackles, a sack and a forced fumble.

He leads the league in tackles (69) and defensive plays (85).

Rhymes had 27 receptions for 402 yards and four touchdowns through four games in August.

He leads the league in receiving yards (893) and touchdown catches (nine).

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{allcanada} Roughriders coach Dickenson tests positive for COVID-19



Saskatchewan Roughriders head coach Craig Dickenson has tested positive for COVID-19, the team announced on Wednesday.

He is currently quarantining per CFL policy and is expected to the team in time for the Labour Day classic on Saturday.

Dickenson, 50,  has led the Riders to a 6-5 record this season, including a win over the BC Lions on Aug. 26.

In three seasons as the Riders' coach, Dickenson has a 28-15 record and with two West Final appearances. The Roughriders are schedule to play the West Division leading Winnipeg Blue Bombers on Sunday.

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{allcanada} Alouettes send DL Ellis, draft pick to Elks for DB Lyon, DL Costigan



It was a busy Tuesday morning for the Montreal Alouettes.

Not only did they send veteran quarterback Vernon Adams Jr. to the BC Lions, but they also acquired two defensive players from the Edmonton Elks. 

The Als sent defensive lineman Avery Ellis and a 2023 third-round draft pick to the Elks for defensive back Nafees Lyon and defensive lineman Thomas Costigan.

Ellis, 27, was in his first season in Montreal and recorded 17 tackles with three sacks over nine games. 

Lyon, 25, is a second-year player out of Charlotte and has made 25 tackles with one interception and one sack over eight games. 

Costigan, 25, is in his second CFL season and has made 14 tackles with three sacks over 11 games. 

The Alouettes are second in the East Division with a 4-6 record while the Elks are last in the West at 3-8. 

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Tuesday, August 30, 2022

{allcanada} Shapovalov grinds out five-set win over Huesler at US Open

Denis Shapovalov


NEW YORK — Denis Shapovalov's first set in the U.S. Open on Tuesday was over in a New York minute.

But it wasn't the 19th-seeded Canadian who took only 26 minutes to post a quick 6-2 victory in men's singles action.

Unheralded Marc-Andrea Huesler of Switzerland jumped all over the favoured Richmond Hill, Ont., athlete, who was trying to improve Canada's first-round record at Flushing Meadows to 5-0 after singles victories on Monday by Leylah Annie Fernandez, Rebecca Marino, Bianca Andreescu and Felix Auger-Aliassime.

But Shapovalov, who made a run to the U.S. Open quarterfinals in 2020, was able to adjust and took the next two sets 6-4, 6-4, but was bounced 6-3 in the fourth by the 26-year-old Huesler to set up a win-or-go-home fifth set.

The 23-year-old Shapovalov seemed to shift into "serious" gear in the fifth and deciding set. By changing the tempo and his sense of urgency Shapovalov won 6-1 to advance to the next round.

"Super tough match and very happy to get the win. It was a battle, he (Huesler) was playing so well from the back," said Shapovalov after the win. "Probably have a celebration in the ice bath after this one."

The match, which was rescheduled several times during the day, took almost three hours to complete.

BASELINES: In women's singles action on Wednesday, Fernandez will play Ludmilla Samsonova of Russia, Marino faces Daria Snigur of the Ukraine and Andreescu meets 15th-seeded Beatriz Haddad Maia of Brazil. On the men's side, Auger-Aliassime will face British player Jack Draper.

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{allcanada} PHF Montreal expansion franchise announces Force as team name



The Premier Hockey Federation announced that the league's expansion franchise will be named Montreal Force on Tuesday morning.

The Force chose maroon, white and black as team colours with a letter F shaped logo representing Quebec's fleur-de-lys. The team will wear three uniforms in their inaugural season.

"We wanted a powerful name to distinguish ourselves in this amazing hockey market and represent who we are across the women's sports landscape," said Force president Kevin Raphaël in a statement. "We are a force, both on and off the ice, with strong and confident women who will showcase their strength in all facets from competition to community involvement. We are a family of difference makers and role models who will make our province proud."

The Force also announced that the team will play home games across the province of Quebec during the 2022-23 season and seven cities have been targeted. Montreal, Gatineau, Québec, Rimouski, Rivière-du-Loup, Saint-Jérôme, and Sept-Îles are "among the hosts in consideration," the Force said.

The team will be based and will train out of Centre 21.02 at the Verdun Auditorium in southwest Montreal.

"The work ethic and winning mindset of the Montreal franchise during this offseason in preparation for their official entry into the 2022-23 season confirms this team will truly be a 'Force' in the PHF," said PHF commissioner Reagan Carey in a statement. "That all starts with the energy and passion from Kevin Raphaël and his team, right through to the players who have committed to the PHF, and the positive support that's being generated across the province of Quebec.

"Introducing the Montreal Force is a big step forward for the organization and the PHF as we continue building our new era with historic growth. We can't wait for the puck to drop and to see the Force in action."

The PHF will announce their full schedule ahead of the 2022-23 in early September.

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{allcanada} Ticats QB Shiltz (wrist) out 4-6 weeks



Hamilton Tiger-Cats quarterback Matthew Shiltz is expected to miss four-to-six weeks with a wrist injury, TSN's Farhan Lalji reports.

Shiltz has been splitting time with Dane Evans as the Tiger-Cats starter this season and went 13-of-15 passing for 144 yards and a touchdown in last week's loss to the Toronto Argonauts.

The 29-year-old has completed 70 of 97 passing attempts this season for 748 yards and four touchdowns with two interceptions. 

Hamilton currently sits third in the CFL East with a 3-8 record. 

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{allcanada} Peters, Schaffer-Baker, Henry named CFL Week 12 Top Performers



The CFL has announced that Toronto Argonauts defensive back Jamal Peters, Saskatchewan Roughriders wide receiver Kian Schaffer-Baker, and Calgary Stampeders wide receiver Malik Henry have been voted as Top Performers for Week 12.

Peters recorded a career high three interceptions, including his first career pick six, in the Argos 37-20 win over the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. He added four tackles, including one tackle for loss. The second-year player has registered 38 tackles, one sack, and is tied for the league lead with four interceptions.

Schaffer-Baker set a new career-high with 170 receiving yards in the Riders' 23-16 win over the BC Lions. He added one touchdown catch, two 30+ yard receptions and three second-down conversion receptions. It was the second 100-yard receiving game of his career. Schaffer-Baker now leads the team with 614 receiving yards, 44 receptions and is tied for the team lead with four touchdown catches.

Henry set a pair of career bests with seven receptions and three touchdowns in the Stampeders 31-29 loss to the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. Henry racked up 122 receiving yards, the third 100-yard game, and it was the first multi-touchdown game of his career.  He leads the Stampeders with 637 receiving yards and six touchdown receptions.

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Monday, August 29, 2022

{allcanada} Oilers prospect Schaefer works toward reaching NHL with hometown team



EDMONTON -- Reid Schaefer grew up a fan of the Edmonton Oilers, so to be drafted by his hometown team was a dream come true.

The 18-year-old forward from Edmonton was chosen by the Oilers in the first round (No. 32) of the 2022 NHL Draft and attended his first development camp in July.

"I've been watching the Oilers growing up, so I know the guys who are on the team," Schaefer said at the camp. "I don't know them as friends, but I know of them and it's awesome to be a part of the organization with guys like Leon Draisaitl and Connor McDavid. It's a great organization to be a part of, it's just a competitive environment, and I'm proud to be a part of it."

Schaefer had 58 points (32 goals, 26 assists) in 66 games with the Seattle Thunderbirds of the Western Hockey League last season, then had 21 points (six goals, 15 assists) in 25 playoff games to help them reach the best-of-7 WHL Championship, a six-game loss to the Edmonton Oil Kings.

"We liked a lot of things about him," Oilers director of amateur scouting and player personnel Tyler Wright said. "We talked about trying to get a little bit bigger and heavier and going to the trenches, all those small intangibles. Progressively as the year went on, we had him ranked, and he kept climbing up the ladder."

Schaefer (6-foot-3, 215 pounds) will play with Seattle this season and is expected to take on a bigger role for a team projected to again contend for the WHL championship with a majority of its roster returning. Schaefer hopes to continue developing his all-around game as he works toward the NHL.

"I see playing a two-way power forward role, but I see myself with that offensive upside that can contribute offensively," Schaefer said. "I think I'm pretty unique in that sense. I can play up and down the lineup and play PK and stuff like that. I'm definitely a role player that competes every night and [can] be an energy guy."

With forwards McDavid and Draisaitl, the Oilers are considered among the highest-skilled teams in the NHL. They are looking to add a strong physical element to the roster, and Schaefer fits that category.

"He's a big-bodied guy that plays physical," Wright said. "He's a hard player to play against. I don't think he gets enough credit for the skill set he does have, and his hockey sense. We think he's a guy that's a little bit of a late bloomer that is coming into his own."

Schaefer has enormous upside and is already considered one of the Oilers' top prospects, according to Wright. He is expected to attend their rookie camp in September.

"Being an eighth-round draft pick in the WHL and then going to a first-round pick in the NHL, I think that shows how hard I've worked," Schaefer said. "I'm a very self-determined individual and like to work behind the scenes and prove people wrong. It's a credit to my coaching staff in Seattle, they've worked me hard and developed me well. It's surreal that I'm in this moment right now."

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{allcanada} Officiating could provide path to NHL for sons of Stanley Cup champions



BUFFALO -- Growing up in an NHL family, the desire to make it to the League often can be a strong pull.

For several at this year's NHL Exposure Combine, they're working towards realizing that dream, but as an on-ice official.

The combine, held annually at LECOM HarborCenter in Buffalo, is a four-day camp in which participants put their abilities in officiating-specific skills to the test. The NHL officiating department selects those they have a high interest in, places them in various minor professional leagues, and monitors their progress over the next 2-3 years.

Brock Beukeboom started thinking about a potential new journey three years ago courtesy of his father, Jeff, a four-time Stanley Cup champion during his 13 NHL seasons with the Edmonton Oilers and New York Rangers. The elder Beukeboom felt it would be a great opportunity for his son to stay in the game after his playing career and that he would be a good asset for the next generation of officials coming through the ranks.

Brock Beukeboom was selected by Tampa Bay Lightning in the third round (No. 63) of the 2010 NHL Draft but the defenseman played one season in the ECHL and four seasons in Europe before the 30-year-old retired at the end of last season.

"Every kid wants to play in the NHL," Brock said. "But the older I got, the more I realized just how tough it is. Everything happens for a good reason and now that I'm older and I'm experiencing this, it's like, OK, I can't make the NHL as a player, maybe I have an opportunity here to be a ref or a linesman and still give a service back to the game."

BUFFALO, NEW YORK - AUGUST 19: Brock Beukeboom, left,                practices a call during the NHL Exposure Combine at                HarborCenter on August 19, 2022 in Buffalo, New York.                (Photo by Joshua Bessex/NHLI via Getty Images)

For Brody Sutter, hockey is what he's known his whole life, growing up as part of hockey's most famous families.

His father, Duane Sutter, played 731 NHL games during 11 seasons with the New York Islanders and Chicago Blackhawks, and won four Stanley Cup championships with the Islanders (1980-83). His uncles, Darryl, Brian, Brent, Rich and Ron, all played in the NHL and coached or worked in the League after they retired.

Brody was selected by the Carolina Hurricanes in the seventh round (No. 193) of the 2011 NHL Draft and played eight games for the Hurricanes in 2015-16. But most of his professional career was spent in the minor leagues, and the 30-year-old retired after playing the past three seasons in Europe.

"Everyone thought it was a good idea," he said. "They're excited for me. … Obviously this is a path no one in my family has taken."

That former players like Jeff Beukeboom and Duane Sutter are spreading the word has been a welcome boost to the League's recruiting efforts.

"They see that this is a great resource and an opportunity for their children to stay involved and not have to coach or be a scout, and stay on the ice," NHL officiating director of scouting and development Al Kimmel said. "That's where we all want to be, on the ice. That's the most exciting part of the game, right? It's great, the promotion, the assistance we're getting from people within the game."

Tyler Spott is at the opposite end of his hockey career. The 22-year-old is entering his senior season as a defenseman on the Northeastern University men's hockey team and decided to participate in the combine after discussing it with his father, Steve Spott, an assistant with the Dallas Stars.

"It's a whole different perspective on the game, honestly," Tyler said. "It's something I wasn't expecting at all. Usually I'm the player yelling at the ref. Learning from the professional guys here, you gain a lot of respect because it is a lot more difficult of a job than you think it is. They play such an important role in the game."

BUFFALO, NEW YORK - AUGUST 19: Brock Beukeboom, left,                practices a call during the NHL Exposure Combine at                HarborCenter on August 19, 2022 in Buffalo, New York.                (Photo by Joshua Bessex/NHLI via Getty Images)

A first-time participant at the combine, Sutter also appreciated the opportunity to learn from current and retired NHL officials.

"I just apologized jokingly, like if my uncle or my dad or anyone back in the day ever said anything to you they shouldn't have, I apologize," he said. "I think I'm fortunate my family has a lot of respect in the game, but I know they played hard and they probably weren't the ref's favorite player. … But [the officials] have all been great."

Sutter and Beukeboom have moved past their chances of making the NHL as players and are focused on a new path to the League.

"This is something I want to pursue for the next however long I could do it," Beukeboom said. "I'm having a blast, meeting a lot of new people and I'm enjoying it, but I do want to take it seriously as well. … This is something that I think it could really be a staple in my life moving forward."

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{allcanada} Report: Jets to release Grey-Cup winning QB Streveler


The New York Jets have informed quarterback Chris Streveler that he will be released on Tuesday as the team finalizes their 53-man roster, according to ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter. 

The 27-year-old Streveler joined the Arizona Cardinals after winning the 107th Grey Cup with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in 2019 when they defeated the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. The Crystal Lake, Ill., native spent two seasons with the Cardinals (2020-21), appearing in seven games, throwing for 141 yards, a touchdown and an interception. 

Following his release from the Cardinals, Streveler spent short stints with the Miami Dolphins and the Baltimore Ravens.  

This preseason, Streveler helped the Jets go undefeated and led them in rushing yards while throwing for 277 yards, five touchdowns and an interception. 

Streveler tossed a a pair of touchdowns and 96 yards in the Jets' final preseason game against the New York Giants. 

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{allcanada} Canada's Andreescu, Marino, Auger-Aliassime all win first matches at U.S. Open



NEW YORK -- Bianca Andreescu advanced to the second round of the U.S. Open with a 6-0, 3-6, 6-1 win over France's Harmony Tan on Monday.

Andreescu, ranked 50th in the world heading into the final Grand Slam of the season, put the game away on her second match point when Tan missed on a forehand volley.

The 22-year-old from Mississauga, Ont., and 2019 champion, improved her all-time U.S. Open record to 11-1.

Andreescu started the match with a dominant first set, losing just eight points. She won 14 points in a row between the fourth and sixth games.

Tan came back with a strong second set, scoring two early breaks and jumping to a 4-0 lead. Andreescu cut the lead to 5-3, but Tan served to love in the decisive game to even the match at a set apiece.

Andreescu returned to form in the third set, scoring an early break in Game 2 and taking a 3-0 lead. Tan won on serve to cut the lead to 3-1, but Andreescu responded by serving to love in Game 5, then came back from 40-0 down to score the break and take a 5-1 lead.

Serving for the match, Andreescu clinched the victory on her second match point.

Tan had 28 unforced errors and eight double-faults in the match, compared to 17 unforced errors and just one double-fault for Andreescu.

Andreescu won six of nine break points, and defended one of the three she faced.

Andreescu will next face National Bank Open finalist Beatriz Haddad Maia of Brazil, who cruised to a 6-0, 6-0 win over Ana Konjuh of Croatia.

Vancouver native Rebecca Marino will also be moving on to the second round, earning a 6-2, 6-3 win over Poland's Magdalena Frech.

Marino, 31, won four of her seven break points to go along with 19 winners on the match.

She will next face Daria Snigur, who upset seventh seed Simona Halep 6-2, 0-6, 6-4.

Later Monday, Leylah Fernandez of Laval, Que., who advanced to the 2021 U.S. Open final before losing to Britain's Emma Raducanu, was scheduled to face France's Oceane Dodin in the evening session.

In men's singles competition, sixth-seeded Felix Auger-Aliassime of Montreal struggled at times with his serve, but still managed to coast to a quick 6-3, 6-4, 3-6, 6-3 win against Switzerland's Alexander Ritschard.

Auger-Aliassime had 13 aces in the match, eight double faults and took four of eight break points.

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{allcanada} Roughriders sign WR Lenius


The Saskatchewan Roughriders have signed national wide receiver Brayden Lenius, the team announced on Monday.

The Regina native returns to the Riders after signing with the NFL's Atlanta Falcons in January. The 25-year-old caught 37 passes for 471 yards and four touchdowns in 2021. Lenius also added six receptions for 43 yards in two playoff games.

Lenius originally joined the Roughriders after the team selected him in the second round (15th overall) in the 2019 CFL Draft. 

In four collegiate seasons between New Mexico and the University of Washington, Lenius recorded 581 receiving yards and four touchdowns. 

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