Three years into its existence, the Canadian Elite Basketball League includes more teams than the CFL

Accomplishments of the CEBL

It was three years ago when the CEBL first opened its doors as a six-team enterprise. Upon its first year, the league felt they could add a seventh club, in Ottawa. Then came Covid-19. It could have destroyed the new endeavour, had it not been for the commissioner and former CFL receiver Mike Morreale. In the summer of 2020, Morreale organized a two-week contest in St. Catharines, Ont., to allow CEBL to crown a champion. Thanks to the resulting boost from that championship run, in 2021, the CEBL again had a complete and steady schedule.

In 2022 the CEBL has added the Montreal Alliance, the Scarborough Shooting Stars and the Newfoundland Growlers. Just like that

The league continues to expand. After the addition of clubs in Toronto, Montreal, and St. John’s, the CEBL locations are now spread from Langley, B.C. to the east of the country. So now it can truly be called a national league. In fact, there are now 10 teams, making the CEBL the largest professional sports league in Canada. That’s more Canadian based teams than the NHL (7), the NBA (1), and MLB (1) combined! It also makes the league larger than the CFL.

The Scarborough (Toronto) Shooting Stars included a rap celebrity. J. Cole (Jermaine Cole) signed a contract with Scarborough, along with former local NBA star Jamaal Magloire as an executive. With J. Cole, there’s a trick component to signing a 37-year-old with insignificant experience consisting of three rounds last year in Rwanda. It is also uncertain how available he is going to be, as the artist has tour dates starting with June 10 — only five games into the season. But his acquisition has already attracted a lot of media attention. You can learn more about players and teams in different kinds of sports, and place bets on them online at https://bookmaker-ratings.net.za/bonuses/ , follow the link to learn about bonuses.

CEBL lost its Michael Jordan. Three years in a row Xavier Moon earned the CEBL Player of the Year prize. The American guard (Now with the LA Clippers) also directed Edmonton to the title in both of the last two seasons and accepted Finals MVP honours. He’s one of the CEBL players who leaped to the NBA during the last season as it grappled with COVID-affiliated problems. Another one is Lindell Wigginton, the Canadian Player of 2021, who has joined the Milwaukee Bucks upon exiting Hamilton. While losing such stars is sad, at the end of the day it might have a positive effect on the CEBL as it proves to players and fans the league can serve as a gateway to the NBA.

A new Moon might be rising. Since the departure of their celebrity, Edmonton may rely more on the forward Jordan Baker, winner of the 2020 Canadian Player of the Year award, who got 14.9 points and 9.4 rebounds on average last season. Kadre Gray is another powerful Canadian, previously a Laurentian U Sports star who averaged 15.3 points last year and 4.6 assists for Ottawa and is now part of the Fraser Valley Bandits. Guelph’s Cat Barber can take over the title, an American guard who averaged 17.6 points last season before getting a short break with the Atlanta Hawks.

The Elam Ending is still a thing. For years basketball geeks have been telling the NBA to embrace this inspiring way of ending matches. It removes the irritating custom of the losing team purposely fouling when the game is coming to an end. The NBA successfully tried it in 2020 at its All-Star Game, but they have not had the courage to try it in significant games. The CEBL has been doing it since 2020.

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From Underdog to Top Broodmare

Published on November 28, 2025

Todayville

WATCH From Underdog to Top Broodmare (video)

Executive Producers Jeff Robillard (Horse Racing Alberta) and Mike Little (Shinelight Entertainment)

What began as an underdog story became a legacy of excellence. Crackers Hot Shot didn’t just race — she paved the way for future generations, and in doing so became one of the most influential producers the province has known.

The extraordinary journey of Crackers Hot Shot — once overlooked, now revered — stands as one of Alberta’s finest success stories in harness racing and breeding.

Born in humble circumstances and initially considered rough around the edges, Crackers Hot Shot overcame long odds to carve out a career that would forever impact the province’s racing industry. From a “wild, unhandled filly” to Alberta’s “Horse of the Year” in 2013, to producing foals who carry her spirit and fortitude into future generations.

Her influence ripples through Alberta’s racing and breeding landscape: from how young stock are prepared, to the aspirations of local breeders who now look to “the mare that did it” as proof that world-class talent can emerge from Alberta’s paddocks.

“Crackers Hot Shot, she had a tough start. She wasn’t much to look at when we first got her” — Rod Starkewski

“Crackers Hot Shot was left on her own – Carl Archibald heard us talking, he said ‘I’ll go get her – I live by there’. I think it took him 3 days to dig her out of the snow. She was completely wild – then we just started working on her. She really needed some humans to work with her – and get to know that people are not scary.” — Jackie Starkewski

“Crackers Hot Shot would be one of the top broodmares in Albeta percentage wise if nothing else. Her foals hit the track – they’re looking for the winners circle every time.” — Connie Kolthammer

Visit thehorses.com to learn more about Alberta’s Horse Racing industry.

Also Interesting

Historic Return: NHL Confirms Player Participation in 2026 Winter Olympics

Published on November 16, 2025

Duane Rolheiser

The NHL has officially confirmed the inclusion of its players in the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina, Italy, following a 12-year absence that left the fans craving the excitement of the real best-on-best international hockey. The announcement is a historical event, as it goes back to the Olympic arena where the hockey powerhouse nations of the world will eventually be faced with their complete NHL prowess.

The ruling has not only shaken the hockey fraternity but also the sports fraternity at large, as it has generated early predictions, betting debates, and revived rivalries. Also, such large websites as GGBet, where many fans place their bets, have also been on the lookout, offering odds and analysis on which country will win gold.

A Long-Awaited Comeback

Since the 2014 Olympics in Sochi, NHL players have not been given the chance to play in the Olympics. The spectators have since witnessed world championships that, even though competitive, did not have the superstar appeal of Olympic hockey. This decision of the league in selecting the players to Milan-Cortina is a recreation of the desires of the NHL and the international arena to become one again.

The 2026 tournament will be the one offering the excitement, talent, and passion that will be fitting among NHL players. These legends, such as Sidney Crosby, Connor McDavid, Auston Matthews, and Leon Draisaitl, could play with young players like Jack Hughes and Tim Stützle – that sort of experience and youth.

The Tournament Breakdown

The event in hockey will take place between 11 and 22 February 2026, and the team count will be 12, which will be divided into three groups:

● A: Canada, Switzerland, Czechia, France.
● B: Italy, Finland, Sweden, Slovakia.
● C: Latvia, Denmark, the US, Germany.

The teams will be playing three pre-elimination games followed by play-off, which will lead to the final match, and a gold medal will be given on February 22.

Slovakia is going to play against Finland, and Sweden against Italy. Team USA starts playing on February 12, and Team Canada plays against Czechia. The matches would all be at either the Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena or the Rho Ice Hockey Arena, both in Milan.

Why This Moment Matters

It is not only entertainment but a legacy that the NHL has gone back to the Olympics. To the league, it reestablishes itself as the world body in professional hockey. To players, it makes their lifelong dream of playing in the national team a reality in the biggest sporting arena. And to fans, it revives the magic that made such moments as Crosby scoring his Golden Goal in Vancouver 2010 unforgettable.

Nevertheless, beyond the ice, such a move will make the NHL more global and strengthen the new generation of sportsmen. The Games of 2026 are expected to achieve a huge global following, whereby fans in North America, Europe, and other continents will be reached.

Looking Ahead

As the opening of February 2026 approaches, the teams are plotting, investigating, and preparing to contest a tournament that numerous people are calling the most competitive Olympic hockey tournament to date. The already existing dream is Canada vs. USA, Finland vs. Sweden, and national pride will clash against the NHL-type talent.

Final Thoughts

It is not a sports story, but a cultural phenomenon because NHL players are returning to the 2026 Winter Olympics. It is an embodiment of unity, excellence, and the unadulterated affection of hockey. The fans all around the world are eagerly awaiting the days when the puck will drop in Milan and they will be watching a show that has been 12 years in the making.

The tournament will not be remembered for the successive gold medals, but rather for the first face-off to the final gold medal celebration. It can be either your country that wins; it could be just watching the magic, but in any case, one thing is certain: the Olympics are back, and the game has never been this alive.