Morning Sports Brief
Good morning!
Grab your coffee and settle in, because, while the Olympics are serving up upsets, golden moments, and a whole lot of drama, there’s plenty happening back home too. From CFL free agency shakeups to some seriously questionable character takes, we’ve got you covered. Let’s dive in.
Top Story
Canada’s Gilles and Poirier Claim Bronze in Ice Dance
Canada is back on the podium in ice dance. Piper Gilles and Paul Poirier captured bronze in figure skating after the free skate routines Wednesday, earning a free dance score of 131.56 and an overall total of 217.74. It’s Canada’s first medal in figure skating at these Games and the country’s first in ice dance since Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir won gold in PyeongChang in 2018. “We’re so proud of ourselves,” Gilles said after the medal ceremony. “What a moment we created. This is our medal, but also theirs [Canada’s]. They have chosen to support us time and time again, and for us to be able to nail this performance and create something for them was so, so special.” After years of dedication and near-misses, Gilles and Poirier delivered when it mattered most and gave Canada a moment to celebrate.
Quick Hits
🇺🇸 Jordan Stolz Opens His Olympic Campaign with Gold and a Record
American speedskater Jordan Stolz crushed the Olympic 1000m record with a time of 1:06.28, using a devastating final lap to claim his first Olympic gold medal. The 21-year-old phenom is now on the hunt for a potential four-gold haul across the Milano Cortina Games. When you dominate your signature event like that, the sky’s the limit.
🇮🇹 Italy’s 21-Year-Old Goalie Nearly Pulls Off Historic Olympic Upset
Damian Clara, a 21-year-old Anaheim Ducks prospect, put on the performance of his life against Sweden, stopping 46 of 49 shots before leaving with an injury in the third period. Sweden set an Olympic record with 60 shots on net but needed an empty-netter to escape with a 5-2 win. Clara kept Italy in the game for most of the night and gave the home crowd something to remember.
⛷️ Lindsey Vonn Undergoes Third Surgery After Olympic Crash
Ski legend Lindsey Vonn had a successful third surgery on the broken leg she suffered during the women’s Olympic downhill. Vonn posted photos from her hospital bed with a metal frame attached to her leg, saying success now has “a completely different meaning” after the violent crash ended her Olympic comeback. Heartbreaking, but she’s still standing.
🏒 Former Steeler Joey Porter Sr. Questions Ben Roethlisberger’s Character
Former Steelers linebacker Joey Porter Sr., who won Super Bowl XL with Ben Roethlisberger in 2005, said on a podcast during Super Bowl week that the quarterback is not “a good person.” Porter questioned Roethlisberger’s character despite their shared championship. That’s… one way to promote a podcast.
🏈 Former Jets First-Rounder Darron Lee Held Without Bond in Girlfriend’s Death
Former New York Jets first-round pick Darron Lee has been held without bond on a first-degree murder charge over the death of his girlfriend, Gabriella Perpétuo, in Tennessee. The 31-year-old former linebacker also faces a charge of tampering with or fabricating evidence. He’s due back in court for a preliminary hearing on March 9 and could face the death penalty. A tragic and devastating situation.
⛷️ Abby Wambach Leaves Wasserman Agency, Calls for Founder’s Resignation
Two-time Olympic gold medalist and World Cup winner Abby Wambach announced she’s leaving the Wasserman talent agency and called for founder Casey Wasserman to resign after emails between him and Ghislaine Maxwell were revealed in the Jeffrey Epstein files. Wambach is the first major sports figure to depart the agency over the revelations. Wasserman is also chairman of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, so this story isn’t going away.
🥇 French Biathlete Convicted of Fraud Wins Gold, Beats Her Victim
Julia Simon won Olympic gold for France in the women’s 15km biathlon after being convicted of credit card fraud against her own teammate, Justine Braisaz-Bouchet. Simon was handed a €15,000 fine and three-month suspended sentence in October after spending more than €2,000 using Braisaz-Bouchet’s card details. Braisaz-Bouchet finished 80th in the same race. Simon held her finger to her lips as she crossed the finish line. Yikes.
🇬🇱 Greenland’s Olympian Defying Donald Trump
Ukaleq Slettemark, one of only two Greenlandic athletes at the Olympics, is competing in biathlon while her homeland becomes a political flashpoint. Though the IOC doesn’t recognize Greenland’s flag, Danish fans waved it in the stands to support Slettemark and her brother Sondre. “I’m happy to defend my country,” Ukaleq says. Sport and politics collide, but she’s staying focused.
North of the Border
🏈 CFL Free Agency Frenzy: Big Money, Big Moves
The CFL free agency period wrapped up with some massive deals. The Edmonton Elks signed defensive lineman Malik Carney to a two-year contract worth $270,000 per season, making him the highest-paid American defensive player in CFL salary cap history. They also inked offensive lineman Coulter Woodmansey to a three-year deal worth $300,000 annually — the first National player to hit that mark and the highest-paid O-lineman in league history. Not to be outdone, the Ottawa Redblacks made linebacker A.J. Allen the highest-paid linebacker in the CFL ($240,000 in 2026, $250,000 in 2027) and signed quarterback Jake Maier to the richest backup QB contract in league history ($200,000 plus incentives). Edmonton is clearly making a statement after missing the playoffs five straight years.
💙💛 Winnipeg Blue Bombers Go All-In
The Winnipeg Blue Bombers had their most active free agency in years, signing offensive lineman Jarell Broxton (two years, $250,000 per season), receiver Tim White ($222,000 with a $75,000 signing bonus), defensive lineman Jake Ceresna ($235,000), receiver Tommy Nield ($175,000), cornerback Jonathan Moxey (two-year deal at $135,000), and linebacker Jovan Santos-Knox. After losing in the East Semi-Final, Winnipeg is clearly trying to get back to the Grey Cup.
💚🤍 Roughriders Release Veteran Kicker Brett Lauther
The Saskatchewan Roughriders released 35-year-old Canadian kicker Brett Lauther prior to an offseason roster bonus. GM Jeremy O’Day called it a “very difficult” decision. Lauther leaves the Riders ranked third in franchise history with 1,110 points and holds the best field goal accuracy rate (81.9%) in team history for anyone with 100+ attempts. But his 2025 season was inconsistent — he made just 72.2% of his field goals, the lowest in his eight years with the team. The Roughriders have two American kickers under contract to compete for the job.
🏀 Raptors Fall to Shorthanded Pistons Despite Poeltl’s Return
The Raptors lost 113-95 to Detroit despite Jakob Poeltl returning from a back issue that sidelined him since December 21. Poeltl played 20 minutes and looked rusty, finishing with nine points and six rebounds. Detroit’s third-string center Paul Reed dominated with 22 points, and Cade Cunningham torched Toronto for 28 points in 30 minutes. The loss drops the Raptors to 4-13 against the league’s top 10 teams. They’ve got work to do before the playoffs.
⚾ Blue Jays Open Camp with Unexpected Roster Flux
The Blue Jays opened spring training with some bad news: Shane Bieber’s delayed progression will keep him from Opening Day due to forearm fatigue, Bowden Francis needs season-ending elbow surgery, and Anthony Santander will miss five-to-six months after shoulder surgery. Jose Berrios is poised to join the rotation alongside Kevin Gausman, Dylan Cease, Cody Ponce, and Trey Yesavage. Manager John Schneider said the team will spend the next six weeks sorting out playing time before the March 27 season opener.
🏒 Five Storylines to Watch on Canada’s Olympic Hockey Team
Canada opens Olympic play against Czechia today as the favorite to win gold. Five things to watch: (1) How will 19-year-old Macklin Celebrini handle his first Olympics skating alongside Connor McDavid on the top line? (2) What do veterans Sidney Crosby (38), Drew Doughty (36), Brad Marchand (35), and Mark Stone (33) have left to offer? (3) Will Connor McDavid deliver his own golden moment like Crosby did in 2010? (4) Who emerges as Canada’s No. 1 goalie among Jordan Binnington, Logan Thompson, and Darcy Kuemper? (5) How will Tom Wilson’s physical style translate to international play? Puck drops at 10:40 a.m. ET.
🏒 Brad Marchand’s Thoughtful Take on Olympic Pressure
Bruins forward Brad Marchand watched Canadian short-track speedskater Courtney Sarault and teammates turn near-disaster into a podium finish and reflected on the intensity, risk, and narrow margins of Olympic competition. The 37-year-old first-time Olympian spoke about how much work athletes put in and the things outside their control that can end Olympic dreams. “You can tell the ice was a little bit chippy there yesterday. Somebody can slide out and take you out, and your Olympic dreams are done,” Marchand said. “I mean, that’s what it’s all about.” The man has graduated from ruthless face-licker to thoughtful empath.
Hustle & Heart Highlight
Nick Baumgartner, a 44-year-old snowboarder from the Upper Peninsula, races snowboard cross at his fifth Olympic Games today. His career has been shaped by construction sites, small-town winters, and stubborn determination. “We’re all aging. Father Time hasn’t beaten me yet,” says Baumgartner, who believes he could still reach the 2034 Games on home soil. That’s the kind of relentless spirit we’re here for.
What to Watch Today
Canada vs. Czechia in men’s Olympic hockey (10:40 a.m. ET). Macklin Celebrini makes his Olympic debut skating alongside Connor McDavid. Don’t miss it.
That’s it for today. Get out there and honour the hustle.
EXCERPT:
Piper Gilles and Paul Poirier captured bronze in Olympic ice dance with a free dance score of 131.56 and overall total of 217.74, giving Canada its first medal in figure skating at these Games and its first in ice dance since Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir won gold in 2018. “We’re so proud of ourselves,” Gilles said. “What a moment we created. This is our medal, but also theirs.”
