No attempt to ‘Cover Up’ in the Whitecaps released third party independent review

Posted: December 19, 2019 in Canada Women's National Soccer Team, CanWNT, Major League Soccer, Vancouver, Vancouver Whitecaps, Whitecaps FC, Women's Soccer
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VANCOUVER, B.C – Please visit Daily Hive for my report on the Whitecaps third party independent review conducted by Sport Law & Strategy Group.

https://bit.ly/2PCdlzv

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An independent report says the Whitecaps didn’t ‘cover up’ abuse allegations in 2008

Posted: December 18, 2019 in Canada Women's National Soccer Team, CanWNT, Major League Soccer, Vancouver, Vancouver Whitecaps, Whitecaps FC, Women's Soccer
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VANCOUVER, B.C – Please visit Equalizer Soccer for my story on the Whitecaps third party independent report released by Sport Law & Strategy Group today.

https://bit.ly/35BiwW9

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What’s next for Cavallini and Whitecaps FC

Posted: December 17, 2019 in Major League Soccer, Mexico Soccer, Vancouver, Vancouver Whitecaps, Whitecaps FC
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VANCOUVER, B.C – Please visit Daily Hive for my story on Whitecaps FC club record transfer fee signing Lucas Cavallini.

http://ow.ly/wrfk50xCvqp

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Vancouver Whitecaps FC striker, Lucas Cavallini at B.C. Place on Monday, December 16. Photo: Har Journalist 

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Is Hockey Experiencing a Me Too Movement?

Posted: December 13, 2019 in UBC Hockey, UBC Thunderbirds Women's Hockey, UBC Women's Hockey, Vancouver, Women's Hockey
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The UBC Thunderbirds on Tuesday, December 10, 2019. Photo: Har Journalist

VANCOUVER B.C – The hockey world has been shaken as alleged incidents of racism, physical, verbal, and emotional abuse have rocked Canada’s favourite sport. Players have found the courage to speak out about abuse that should not be tolerated. Whether it’s at the NHL, major junior, or university level, bullying, intimidation, and abuse is not acceptable.

In a series of social media posts last month, former NHL player, Akim Aliu came forward with allegations of a racist incident that he experienced from a former coach.

The Calgary Flames and Coach Bill Peters went their separate ways on November 29, after Peters resigned. Aliu’s vulnerability opened a dark, but necessary chapter that is not openly discussed in the hockey world.

Further incidents involving players and coaches have since surfaced. The Chicago Blackhawks put assistant coach Marc Crawford on a leave of absence while they look into allegations from Crawford’s time at a previous organization.

On Tuesday, the Dallas Stars dismissed Coach Jim Montgomery citing, ‘unprofessional conduct’.

The NHL isn’t the only league that has taken swift action over bad behaviour.

The Swift Current Broncos fired head athletic trainer and equipment manager Jamie LeBlanc on December 2. The team cited, ‘demeaning, and derogatory’ comments.

Women’s hockey has also had troubling incidents of bullying and harassment.

The Lethbridge Pronghorns, and Windsor Lancers have had alarming allegations come to light. Lethbridge took action earlier this year, while Windsor has been slow to react.

Deanna Iwanicka continues to coach Windsor this season. The Lancers are 2-10-0.

Canada West’s, UBC Thunderbirds have built a positive environment for players and coaches that looks to bring everyone together. The positive culture within the team helps lead to success on and off the ice. There is no tolerance for crossing personal boundaries.

“There’s a grey zone that is in the coaching world,” Coach Graham Thomas explained to Har Journalist earlier this week after practice. “A fine line between challenging somebody, trying to get the best out of somebody, and pushing them where they feel like it’s too much. We always talk about hearing the message, and not the tone. We try and create an environment of respect and openness.

As coaches and players we make mistakes, we call do. If we felt like we were hard on somebody, we apologize, and learn what we could have done differently. It’s a heated game, it’s a competitive game. We’re all very competitive and the players do the same. The players get fired up or upset, and they say things that they don’t mean. Whether it’s to the other team, the ref, or us. We try in general to have a fine line.

If it’s demeaning, racist, anything like that. We never call anyone out individually in that tone. We’ve put it in our code of conduct, respecting our competition. Just being mindful of what we’re saying. There’s chirps, and they’re talking to the other team throughout a game. We’ve just got to know that we do our talking on the ice, and never cross the line.”

The foundation of a successful hockey team starts with having everyone on the same page. Whether you’re working your way back from an injury, battling for ice time, or charting face-off and goalie statistics from the press box.

Everyone must be respected.

The Thunderbirds have built a winning mentality that includes everyone on the team.

“I’d say we’re very fortunate here at UBC,” Fourth-year forward, Shiayli Toni said. “We have wonderful coaches, and one of the primary goals when recruiting players is to really recruit for character. It’s not enough to have skill or talent. To get into this locker room and be a part of this team they have to know you’re a solid person through and through. I think that really sets us up for success. It also shows us how they care about us as a whole person, and not just as hockey players.

In sports culture, there’s such a hierarchy between coaches and certain people who can dictate your success in the game. Unfortunately there are some people who abuse their power. I think here at UBC we’ve created a tight knit family. Everyone has each others best interest at heart.”

What happened with Lethbridge and Windsor has come as a bit of a surprise to Toni.

“I think we’re all aware that these things happen in the world,” Toni said. “Not all of us have to face that on a personal level, in our day to day lives. The fact that it’s women’s hockey and people who I’ve probably played with in the past or played against, it does hit close to home.”

The strong culture that’s present within the program wasn’t always the case at UBC. The Thunderbirds went through some tough times before the current coaching staff was in place. Changing attitudes and the way hockey is viewed can take time. It starts with eliminating old stereotypes and gaps between young players and established veterans.

“We’ve worked really hard at creating an environment,” Thomas said. “It’s started with making sure there is no hazing. No freshman and fifth-year, major complex and division that they’re being treated differently. They do some more duties than the fifth years, but it’s all where you put your time in. More responsibilities on a road trip or picking up pucks after practice. We’re worked really hard at creating an environment where everybody feels safe and supported so there’s not this ‘Hey, I’m a senior, I’m going to boss you around.’ There was a lot of that when I got here. We’ve really tried to get rid of that.”

The Calgary, Alberta native, knows the image that hockey is looking to move forward from. The coaching style that has been in place for decades is not what society expects to see.

“I feel like in hockey there are some old school behaviours and treatment of players that does need to get out of the game,” Thomas said. “I experienced a bit myself, a little physical and verbal abuse in my career, and there’s no need for it. There’s one thing to motivate and challenge a player, it’s another thing in keeping that professional line and not crossing it.”

Sports has always been a place where we go to be entertained and watch our heroes. Now we’re seeing sports catching up to the rest of society. It’s important for athletes to have a safe place to play, and to be able to speak out if they’re in an uncomfortable environment. Hockey is a better sport when everyone is treated respectfully.

Rookie Chanreet Bassi makes and instant impact with the UBC Thunderbirds!!

Posted: December 9, 2019 in UBC Thunderbirds Women's Hockey, UBC Women's Hockey, Vancouver, Women's Hockey
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UBC Thunderbirds forward, Chanreet Bassi. Photo: Har Journalist

VANCOUVER, B.C – The UBC Thunderbirds have an exciting rookie forward that’s looking to dazzle this season. Chanreet Bassi has brought speed and skill to the Thunderbirds lineup. Bassi’s positive energy and enthusiasm has helped UBC to a 8-5-3 first half record.

“Everything’s super good,” Bassi explained to Har Journalist. “I love the team. School is going well and we’re doing pretty well right now.”

In 16 games this season, Bassi has contributed two goals and two assists. The first goal in her UBC career came on the power play during the teams home opener on October 11 vs Calgary. It’s not everyday that a first-year player earns power play time, but Bassi has earned it.

“She has a very high hockey sense and hockey IQ,” Coach Graham Thomas explained. “She has a lot of skill. She sees the ice really well, and you match that with great skating ability. She’s still learning to be a consistent force in this league. She needs to continue to have that focus and intent all the time. She’s adapting to this level and the physicality. She’s done it pretty well. I think she’s going to get even better, and better as the season goes on.”

The Lake Country, B.C. native, has found herself on an explosive second line with Emma Hall, and Ashley McFadden. The trio bring tremendous finesse, terrific puck control, and blistering pace.

“Hallzy and Bassi played on Team B.C. together,” Thomas revealed. “They had a little bit of a connection. We didn’t try it right away, but we threw it out there. It’s really nice to see that they’re finding each other. You’re right, they’re very similar. They have a smiler skill-set and mindset. It’s good to see.”

As UBC looks for scoring by committee, the second line has the ability to carry the team and produce timely goals.

“Both Hallzy and McFadden great players,” Bassi said. “They support me on the ice and I love playing with them.”

Thunderbirds captain, Mathea Fischer has looked to pick up a few of Bassi’s puck handling tricks this season. The fifth-year centre is glad to have Bassi on her team and not on the opposition.

“She’s a very very dynamic player, Fischer said. “She has lot of skills. It’s always fun to watch her, she brings something different everyday. Even in practice, watching her and trying to learn some of the moves that she does. She’s a great player, and a great teammate. We’re lucky to have her here.”

The 21-year-old got into hockey at an early age. When you grow up in a family with an older sibling that loves hockey, naturally you want to be involved. Bassi knew that she wanted hockey to be a part of her life, and she quickly picked up the sport.

“I got into hockey when I was three or four,” Bassi explained. “I started playing it because I saw my brother would play it. I was just like, ‘oh, that’s like the coolest sport’. I wanted to get into it.”

Besides her brother, Bassi had a certain Montreal Canadiens player she also followed.

“As a youngster probably Brendan Gallagher,” Bassi said. “He’s just a feisty player, scores goals. and he works hard.”

If there is anyone on the Thunderbirds that knows Chanreet Bassi the best, that’s defender, Sydney Neustaeter.

Bassi and Neustaeter both grew up in Lake Country.

“I met her through hockey,” Neustaeter explained. “We had always kind of lived in the same places, but we went to different schools. We finally played together on the Kelowna Bantam A team. It was about six years ago. We’ve met through hockey, and have become close.

I committed before her, and I was really trying to push her to come here. I knew she was really interested in it, so I pushed her to get a commitment here.”

What’s the best way to shutdown Bassi one on one?

“I try and take the body as much as I can,” Neustaeter said. “I know her hands are pretty fast. If I take one look down, she’s already past me. I’ve got to take the body and hope for the best.”

UBC will be hoping to bounce back from a four-game losing streak when the second half of the Canada West season begins on January 3 against the Calgary Dinos. UBC has scored once in their last four games.

Spoken like a true veteran, Bassi is focused on the present. The Canada West playoffs, and possible USports Championship can wait. She isn’t about to be distracted by outside noise.

“We’re not going to think that far ahead,” Bassi said. “Yeah, just focus on the games ahead and just keep working at it.”

As a first-year player, what would it mean to make it to the national USports final?

“It would obviously be a dream, but once again, just have to work hard to get there. We’re just going to have to keep that up.”

The UBC Thunderbirds have a promising talent in Chanreet Bassi and the best is yet to come.

When the Canucks win, they celebrate with the song ‘Zombie’ by The Cranberries

Posted: December 7, 2019 in Canucks, Vancouver, Vancouver Canucks
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VANCOUVER, B.C – Please visit Daily Hive for my story on the unusual Vancouver Canucks post-game victory song.

https://bit.ly/2YoJddG

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The UBC Thunderbirds look to improve special teams against the Alberta Pandas

Posted: November 27, 2019 in UBC Hockey, UBC Thunderbirds Women's Hockey, UBC Women's Hockey, Women's Hockey
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The UBC Thunderbirds at Doug Mitchell Thunderbird Sports Centre on November 26, 2019. Photo: Har Journalist

VANCOUVER, B.C – UBC will be looking to get back to their winning ways after being swept at home by the Mount Royal Cougars last weekend. Riding a six-game winning streak, UBC lost 2-1 and 1-0 to Mount Royal. UBC’s 8-3-3 record has them in second spot in Canada West with 26 points. They will close out the first half at home vs Alberta this weekend.

The Thunderbirds two-game losing streak has them taking everything in stride. It’s a long season, and you know there will be bumps along the way. Coach Graham Thomas wants to see his team continue to stick to the process.

“We learned an important lesson to not let our highs get too high, and our lows too low,” Thomas explained to Har Journalist earlier this week. “We learned the highs too high part on the weekend. Maybe we were thinking too much of ourselves, and not sticking to the process, and not putting the work in. All the hard work we did to earn those wins, and the (six-game winning) streak. We kind of veered from that.”

The process at hand involves a battle against the Alberta Pandas.

The Thunderbirds and Pandas faced off in the season opener. Alberta earned 7-1 and 7-0 wins over UBC.

The Birds have since re-grouped and are the highest ranked Canada West team in USports.

First year defender, Sydney Neustaeter, knows what UBC has to do to beat Alberta.

“I think we’ve got to shut down their speed, really take it to them” Neustaeter revealed. “They’re a small fast team. If we take the body to them, they shouldn’t be able to get past us.”

The Thunderbirds will also have to win the special teams battle. Mount Royal got the better of UBC’s power play. UBC’s power play is 10/59 this season at 16.9 percent, that has them third in Canada West.

“The special teams hurt us on the weekend,” Thomas said. “Our penalty kill needs to be better. We need to block shots, and we need to make smarter reads. The power play, it was all about execution. We just weren’t making passes, we weren’t supporting the plays very well. They just need to be better. They know it, they’re capable, and we believe in them.”

No matter what Canadian city you are in, there’s bound to be a discussion on how to fix the power play. Whether it’s an umbrella, overload, or 1-3-1 formation, everyone seems to have the answer of how to fix a struggling power play.

Captain Mathea Fischer, isn’t too worried about UBC’s challenges on the power play.

“I think the power play is about out working the pk.” Fischer said. “Keeping up that same work ethic that you do five on five. For us on the power play, I think it’s a great opportunity to be out there, have some fun, out work, and try and create some offence.”

The Pandas power play is 16/60 and at 26.7 percent, they are far and away leading Canada West with the player advantage. UBC will have to play disciplined and stay out of the box, especially because the Thunderbirds penalty killing is a league worst 78 percent.

There is more on the line in this matchup besides closing the first half on a positive note. The Pandas currently sit in third spot with an 8-6-0 record and 23 points. If UBC can earn a split or take both games from Alberta. That could make all the difference in deciding which team gets a first-round Canada West playoff bye in February.

Yes, it’s still November, but every game matters. In a conference that’s as close as Canada West, you can’t afford to take an evening or afternoon off. If UBC can send the Pandas into an early hibernation, that could decide which team earns a week of rest in February.

“It’s extremely important, especially tie-breakers,” Thomas reiterated. “All that comes into play. The points are very important, and they took it to us last time. We’re a different team now, a much better group, and we’ve come along way since we played them in the first weekend. We’ve got to come ready to prove that and show it to ourselves and everybody. The points are extremely important. Every game in this league is so tight.”

“Every point, every weekend is going to be huge come the end of the season,” Fischer said. “This league is so tight, and it’s probably the tightest in the country. The Pandas are always a good battle. It’s going to be a good test for us.”

Finishing the first half with some wins could help UBC build confidence for the new year. The Thunderbirds will begin January on the road against conference leading Calgary, January 3 – 4. Until then it’s all about the Panda, Panda, Pandas.

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