The Hanover Tache Junior Hockey League will operate with eight teams this upcoming season. HTJHL president Darrell Lupky has confirmed that the seven returning teams have unanimously approved the addition of the St. Clements Gators who will play out of the East Selkirk Arena. The Gators join the Lorette Comets, Landmark Blues, Red River Mudbugs, Springfield Xtreme, Niverville Clippers, Macdonald Swarm and defending champion Steinbach Huskies. The 2023-24 season is expected to start in mid-October.


The Steinbach Pistons play their second of four pre-season games tonight (7:30 p.m.) when they meet the Winkler Flyers at the T.G. Smith Arena. The defending Manitoba Junior Hockey League champions defeated the Flyers 5-1 Wednesday night in Winkler in their exhibition opener.


Nicholas Jones made 34 saves and Caleb Hadland scored a shorthanded goal 11:21 into the third period as the Brandon Wheat Kings opened their WHL pre-season schedule with a 1-0 victory over the Pats in Regina. The Wheat Kings and Pats wrap up their home-and-home tonight at Westoba Place.


Defender Jocelyne Larocque of Ste. Anne was one of 46 players who received invitations to Hockey Canada’s National Women’s Team September camp which begins Monday in Thorold, Ontario. Players will be split into two teams – Red & White – for practices, fitness testing, off-ice sessions and a pair of intrasquad games on September 14th and 16th. The camp will serve as a critical step towards preparation for international competition throughout the 2023-24 season including the 2024 World Women’s Championship next spring in Utica, New York. Three other Manitobans, goaltenders Corinne Schroeder of Elm Creek & Kristen Campbell of Brandon and blueliner Ashton Bell of Deloraine, will also attend the September camp.


Steinbach Regional kicked off its 13th season in the Winnipeg High School Football League Friday afternoon at A.D. Penner Park. The SRSS trailed 21-0 at halftime and lost its home opener 54-6 to the Dakota Lancers. Sabres quarterback Bradey Dornez threw for 118 yards and completed a short touchdown pass to Dylan Godlewski. Mason Funk played on both sides of the ball for the SRSS. He had 39 rushing yards, 49 receiving yards and lead the defence with six tackles. The Sabres next game is Thursday, September 14th at home against the Murdoch MacKay Clansmen.


The Winnipeg Blue Bombers face the Saskatchewan Roughriders today in the Banjo Bowl at IG Field. The opening kickoff is at 3 p.m. The Bombers are 9-3 and can clinch a playoff spot with a win. Winnipeg lost 32-30 in overtime to the Riders last Sunday in Regina in the Labour Day Classic. The Blue Bombers have made two roster moves for today's game. Linebacker Malik Clements and receiver Jeremy Murphy are in while fullback Konner Burtenshaw and running back Greg McCrae were put on the practice roster.


Doug Hanzell of Savannah, Georgia birdied the first playoff hole and captured the 61st Canadian Senior Men’s Golf Championship at the Big Sky Golf Club in Pemberton, British Columbia. Hanzell and Gene Elliott of West Des Moines, Iowa were tied at minus three after 72 holes. Todd Fanning was one-over par 73 for the third straight day and finished in a tie for 12th place. Fanning was the low Manitoban at plus five. Dan Scanlan was 74 and finished at plus 14. Reigning provincial champion Jay Doyle was 79 and plus 21 while Ken Warwick was 91 and plus 38.