In early summer of 1973, coach Jim Spavital put his Winnipeg Blue Bomber squad through their training camp paces.

It amazes me sometimes to contemplate the people I know. You never suspect when you are growing up that friends will accomplish great things, and be renowned in their chosen profession and in the community.

This weekend is the VW City Memorial Tennis Tournament is in honour of Dr. Jerry Stitt at the Thunder Bay Community Tennis Centre.

Trevor Letowski’s journey back to the National Hockey League — and being on the payroll of one of the league’s most famous teams — happened within a matter of days.

A normal off-season for any Canadian university sports team can be a busy one amid roster turnovers due to graduation and transfers.

As director of player personnel for the Seattle Kraken, Norm Maciver has been extremely active since joining the National Hockey League’s newest franchise back in January.

Thunder Bay Thunderbolts swimmer Isabel Harri has committed to study at Eastern Michigan University on a full swimming scholarship for the 2022-2023 season.

When you can’t remember the last time you’ve done something, chances are it’s been a while.

Unrestricted free agent Eric Staal isn’t a free agent at all.

Nicholas Fazzari is making the jump in his college baseball career.

I must begin my column with a shout out to the Montreal Canadiens hockey franchise, and our very own Eric Staal, for their recent Stanley Cup playoff run.

This week has brought waves of potential good news for the Lakehead Thunderwolves basketball program and varsity sports across the province.

Jeremy Kirk earned his second AON District Open golf championship in four years on Sunday after carding a field-best 70 in the final round at Fort William Country Club.

Coaches can receive many awards, but I would think nothing is more satisfying than having an athlete you coach go to the Olympics Games.

Are you ready for some football, done the Canadian way? The Winnipeg Blue Bombers certainly are.

Eric Staal is a flat-out winner. That may be low-hanging fruit to grab and chew on in the days after Staal helped lead the surging (and surprising) Montreal Canadiens to the Stanley Cup final.

The first player signed in Thunder Bay Whiskey Jacks history also turned out to be its most popular. Todd Jason Rosenthal brought a blue collar work ethic to the diamond every day, much in tune with the patrons at Port Arthur Stadium who watched him play.

Canada has an enviable sports history. It is easy to forget that once upon a time, as recently as the 1960s, we had limited success on the world sports stage.

We are excited to announce that football coach David Battistel has been awarded the OFSAA Colin Hood Award, recognizing a coach that has been committed to the success of school sport.

Definitely unique, while short-lived, the Hockey Thunder Bay League was one of a kind back in the day.

As a growing athlete in Thunder Bay, Jack Moro made a choice between hockey, football and golf. He chose golf.

There is something unique about Northwestern Ontario and hockey. It is a regional passion that has persisted for decades, leading to development of incredible hockey talent that brings endless pride and joy for the fans of the region.

While many local products put up solid numbers in the old Western Hockey League, no other player from the Lakehead had more points there than Connie Madigan.

The competitive golf season came to life over the weekend in Thunder Bay.

The prospect of a free lunch turned out to be life-altering for Chicago Cubs farmhand and eventual Thunder Bay Whiskey Jack, Jason Hart.

Perhaps sporting combinations of brothers playing at the same time in pro sports would include baseball’s Joe and Dom DiMaggio or John and Pat McEnroe in tennis.

It's a bit of a milestone this week as this marks Net Shots column No. 1,250, which first began in 1997. Back to work . . .

I was able to get in my first round of golf in 2021 last week and although it was a little on the cold side I managed to do pretty well. At the Northwestern Ontario Sports Hall of Fame we are in the process of putting plans in place for the hosting of our Fred Bragnalo Memorial Golf Tourname…

EDITOR'S NOTE: This column was filed on May 14 — one day before Ross Brewitt's passing on May 15.

Returning to where he has had immense success both as a player and coach, David Whistle is heading back to the United Kingdom to resume his efforts behind the bench.

When I was thinking about what I would write about for my column this week, I kept getting pulled back to the fact that for the first time since 1979 the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Montreal Canadiens will meet in the NHL playoffs.

For Dan Shwam, the first manager in Thunder Bay Whiskey Jacks history and a rookie one at that, the memories of 1993 and 1994 are sweet.

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. — A college baseball player from South Dakota whose prosthetic arm was stolen from his vehicle got it back Tuesday after it was found at a recycling plant.

After being founded in 1971 and hitting the ice in 1972 as a rival to

In the lengthy and storied history of the National Hockey League, only three sets of brothers have combined to amass over 1,800 points in their respective careers.

From growing up and playing much of his hockey in his hometown of Thunder Bay, Adam Sergerie has continued to stay involved in the game.

Third-place against 110 other rowing teams from around the world. That was the final outcome for the Thunder Bay Rowing Club in the month-long 2021 World Erg Challenge.

The Thunder Bay Chill are launching their youth soccer programs in late May and head coach Giovanni Petraglia is happy they are despite restrictions involving the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Thunder Bay Kings AAA program, and its board of directors, announced Wednesday the respective head coaches of their four teams for the 2021-22 season.

Kenny Mandryk’s snocross season did not end as planned. Still, the run to the end was fantastic.

(Editor’s note: This story covering future Hollywood actor Wyatt Russell’s journey as a junior goalie at the Keystone Cup was published on April 17, 2004. The Chronicle-Journal will periodically go back in time and rerun work from some of our past columnists and reporters)

Capping off her Swedish Women’s Hockey League in style last week

Thunder Bay’s Ryan Fanti punched UMD’s ticket to the Frozen Four as the

Thanks to some dutifully kept Chronicle-Journal press clippings by a

Fitness and sports go hand in hand. Athletes need some kind of fitness to stay game ready and it does not matter what game.