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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.
Also Interesting
Blue Jays Keep The Hot Stove Burning After Massive December Moves
The Toronto Blue Jays are certainly keeping things interesting this winter. While the calendar might say late December, the front office shows no signs of slowing down. They have already made waves across MLB with some massive acquisitions earlier in the month.
Rather than packing it in for the holidays, the management team is seemingly working overtime. Their goal is to build a roster that can truly compete for a championship in 2026.
Although there are no more signing announcements for the end of the year, the silence is likely temporary. Reports indicate that the team is actively pursuing several more roster improvements before the new year begins.
A Rotation Built To Dominate
The team made their intentions clear in early December. They successfully signed Dylan Cease to a massive seven-year, $210 million contract. This deal, which became official around December 8, instantly transforms the Toronto rotation into one of the strongest in MLB.
Moreover, they did not stop with just one big arm. The front office added significant depth by bringing in KBO MVP Cody Ponce on a three-year deal worth $30 million. This gives the team a level of stability that was missing in previous seasons.
With such dramatic changes to the roster, fans might be looking for a clear overview of licensed Ontario sportsbooks to understand how these moves have impacted the team’s championship odds. It is certainly a different looking team than the one that ended the last season.
Targets for the Bullpen and Lineup
It seems that the focus has now shifted from the starting rotation to other needs. Agents around the league note that the Jays remain “everywhere” in trade talks. The priority is now on finding high-leverage arms and position players to round out the squad.
The front office is reportedly looking at several specific targets:
- Robert Suarez is a primary target to help lock down the late innings.
- Luke Weaver is being considered to add veteran versatility to the staff.
- Depth pieces for the lineup are being sought to support the core hitters.
- Internal extensions remain a key part of the winter strategy.
Due to the heavy spending on Cease and Ponce, these next moves will likely be strategic. The team is looking for the right fit to complement their new stars.
The Future of the Infield and Management
Conversations are actively continuing with free agent Bo Bichette. Bringing him back is a major topic of discussion among the fanbase, even if no deal is imminent yet. Furthermore, the team has been linked to prospect Kyle Tucker, suggesting they are keeping an eye on the future as well as the present.
Manager John Schneider has also expressed optimism regarding his own contract extension. However, he made it clear that building the team comes first. Therefore, while the heavy lifting might seem done, the work continues behind the scenes.
To be sure, the MLB offseason is long. But the Toronto Blue Jays have started fast, and they seem determined to finish strong.
Also Interesting
BCU Financial: A Trusted Credit Union for the Ukrainian Community in Canada
We wanted to know what to do if you came to Canada for temporary or permanent residence. Many Ukrainians have arrived in the country, and many don’t know where to begin their financial journey. People often turn to traditional banks, where they encounter problems due to a lack of language skills and basic understanding of Canadian financial processes. We found an alternative – a credit union in Toronto. Today, we’ll look at one of the most well-known and learn more about what they have to offer Ukrainians.
What is a Credit Union in Toronto
These organisations differ from the typical bank for Ukrainians. They offer more flexible conditions, convenient online management, and a personalised approach.
However, these organisations are just as safe and reliable as banks. Let’s look at reliability using the example of the well-known BCU Financial:
- With over 70 years on the market. This credit union in Toronto has a dedicated client base with decades of experience.
- Extensive experience. Indeed, over more than 7 decades, its specialists have become experts in financial matters.
- Branches available. You can visit the office for face-to-face interaction.
- Active in the social life of the Ukrainian community. Buduchnist Credit Union provides financial support to schools, churches, and communication centres for Ukrainian newcomers.
As you can see, such companies have stability and experience. Now let’s look at how they differ from banks in financial matters.
Ukrainian Credit Union Toronto: Differences from a Traditional Bank
Firstly, such organizations welcome a personalized approach to Ukrainians. They are more flexible when it comes to obtaining a loan. Newcomers in Canada are working on receiving a good credit history. Banks always request one when reviewing a loan application.
Secondly, you can receive advice in your native language. Most Canadian banks don’t have multilingual consultants and respond only to inquiries in English or French. If, for example, you need help with a scholarship card, you’ll have to call a translator.
Third, you’ll get more flexible and understated banking for Ukrainians. It includes the ability to submit an app online. It provides such services as ordering credit cards, applying for a loan, or opening an account.
Conclusions
Credit unions are much easier for Ukrainians to work with. They speak your language, can provide advice on finances and their specific needs in Canada, and offer flexible terms. They also provide full-fledged online banking, so familiar to Ukrainians. You also become part of the community because, as a credit union member, you are, to a certain extent, its co-owner.
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