NorthWest Sports Blog brings you daily features on Oregon, Washington State, and BC amateur and pro sports teams.
NWSB Blogger Dave B. checks in this time with a Northwest Athlete Profile of none other than Vancouver BC major leaguer Justin Morneau. He became the first Canadian to win the AL MVP award, and the second Canadian to win a major league MVP award (Larry Walker was the first, having won the NL MVP Award in 1997; Walker and Morneau were joined in 2010 by Joey Votto).
NWSB Blogger Dave B. checks in this time with a Northwest Athlete Profile of none other than Bob Lenarduzzi. In 1974 Lenarduzzi joined the Vancouver Whitecaps. In 2001, Lenarduzzi was inducted as a player into the Canadian Soccer Hall of Fame. In 2005, he was awarded the Order of British Columbia. In 2003, he was inducted into the U.S. National Soccer Hall of Fame.
Dave B goes inside current Canadian up and coming golf star Nick Taylor from Abbotsford BC with another northwest athlete profile. Nick Taylor is one of the new breed of Canadian golfers. In 2011 Nick received a sponsor’s exemption into six Canadian Tour events. He played in seven events when it was all said and done and won over $15,000. With two top 10 finishes.
Josh Hall recently had a NWSB exclusive twitterview with former Vancouver Canucks player and current right winger for the Thomas Sabo Ice Tigers of the Deutsche Eishockey Liga, Brad Leeb. Leeb spends parts of his off-season in British Columbia and also played in the NHL for the Toronto Maple Leafs. What else did Josh ask Brad? Read on to find out!
NWSB insider Dave B brings us another profile featuring an athlete from the Northwest. Colten Teubert started his career with the Regina Pats of the WHL before helping lift Team Canada to Gold and Silver performances in the under-18 Championships. He was eventually chosen by the Los Angeles Kings in the NHL Draft, but was sent to the minors before being traded to the Edmonton Oilers.
Women`s soccer has exploded over the past few years with the addition of extra teams in amateur leagues across the continent to accommodate more interested players. Canada`s lofty world ranking has maintained interest in the sport and with the large numbers of female fans in attendance this week at the CONCACAF Olympics qualifier, it is time for the Vancouver Whitecaps to promote their women’s team.
NWSB insider C-Mac brings us a Northwest Coaching Profile on past Vancouver Canucks head coach and general manager Pat Quinn. Pat Quinn was one of the hardest workers the league has ever seen in both his playing and administrative roles. He earned the NHL’s Jack Adams top coach award twice. He’s also probably the second greatest coach in team history.
NWSB insider Dave B brings us another Northwest Athlete Profile, following Zach Hamill. Hamill quickly caught on with the Everett Silvertips of the WHL where he caught fire. After representing his country in many competitions for Team Canada, he was selected 8th overall in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft by the Boston Bruins. He played for the minor league team affiliate, the Providence Bruins.
C-Mac our Vancouver Whitecaps blogger tells us the Whitecaps managed to field a competitive squad just about every week.. The five top moments of the 2011 team. Bryce Alderson, a Whitecaps youth academy player doing well, signing Young-Pyo Lee, Eric Hassli’s spectacular dipping shot, and the opening game in Empire Field.. Here’s to the 2011 Whitecaps memories. Our Year In Review. Cheers.
Another North West Athlete in the spotlight today. Current MLB big league ball player Brett Lawrie from Langley, British Columbia. Danny Ferguson points out Lawrie was drafted as a catcher, but played regularly at second, third and left field as well. For the Toronto Blue Jays the high profile Canadian prospect in the franchise makes sense on many levels.
On Friday, 41 CHL players will take the ice on Calgary in order to prove to Head Coach Don Hay they have what it takes to don the maple leaf. Richard Hodges brakes down the WHL players would could make Team Canada for the 2011/12 World Junior Hockey championships.
Another North West Athlete in the spotlight today. Western Hockey League Victoria Royals’ Kevin Sundher. Sundher, a third round draft pick of the Buffalo Sabres, is turning heads in his fourth WHL season with the Royals franchise. The Surrey native has familal roots in Port Alberni, his great- grandfather settled there in 1906, and his dad grew up a fan of the former Victoria Cougars.
