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Fresh Faces and Top Pick Madden Daneault Bring New Optimism to Kelowna Rockets Training Camp

Kelowna Rockets open 2026-27 WHL training camp at Prospera Place, featured by first-overall draft pick Madden Daneault and new general manager Curtis Hamilton.

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New Era Begins Following Memorial Cup Disappointment

A new sense of hope surrounds the Kelowna Rockets as the Western Hockey League club opened its training camp on Thursday, Aug. 27 at Prospera Place. The team is looking to move past a disappointing 0-3 finish at the 2026 Memorial Cup, launching its preparations for the 2026-27 season with significant changes across the organization.

Among the major off-season developments is the transition in front-office leadership. Curtis Hamilton has taken over as general manager, assuming the role after his father, team owner Bruce Hamilton, served in the position for 35 years.

Top Draft Pick Madden Daneault Makes Immediate Impression

Highlighting the roster of newcomers is center Madden Daneault, selected first overall in the 2026 WHL Draft. Daneault quickly caught the attention of coaches, management, media, and fans during Thursday’s ice sessions. During practice drills, the young forward demonstrated his skill set by scoring multiple goals, including a 2-on-1 rush where he cut across the ice to fire a shot into the top corner on the goalie’s glove side.

“He’s a special player, too. He’s talented, but he’s got very, very high character, so players like that don’t come along often, and we’re lucky to have him,” Hamilton said. The general manager described Daneault as a complete two-way player capable of playing a physical game alongside his offensive talent.

Daneault enters camp following a standout season with the U15 Red Deer Rebels, where he notched 149 points across 34 games, in addition to scoring six points in three games for the U18 AAA Red Deer Chiefs. Under revised WHL guidelines, Daneault can skate in up to 34 games for Kelowna this year. Current plans have him starting and finishing the campaign with the Rockets while returning to Red Deer to play for the Chiefs during the winter months.

“Obviously, it’s going to be a huge jump for me going from U15 hockey, but I played some U18 games last year, and I feel that helped me quite a bit,” Daneault noted, adding that he aims to play his game, maintain physical play, and set up teammates rather than focusing on instant stardom.

Veterans Step Up Ahead of Camp Conclusion

Returning forward Owen Folstrom also emerged as a standout during morning ice sessions. The 18-year-old doubled down on his off-season training following a sophomore campaign where he recorded 14 goals and five assists in a fourth-line role. Folstrom connected on several plays with Daneault during practice and expressed a desire to expand his role into a dependable 200-foot player who can produce more offensively.

“I was building that offensive confidence, and hopefully I can just bring that into this year and score some goals for this team, make plays, and just be offensively productive,” Folstrom said post-practice.

Head coach Derrick Martin emphasized the responsibility of veteran players like Folstrom to help integrate young additions, noting how exciting it is to see the gains players make over a single off-season.

Training camp activities culminate on Sunday, Aug. 30 with the annual Young Guns Game at Prospera Place. Admission is free to the public, with doors opening at 11 a.m.

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Toronto Blue Jays Roster Move: Rudy Martin Jr. Promoted, Jesus Sanchez DFA’d

The Toronto Blue Jays promoted 30-year-old outfielder Rudy Martin Jr. for his MLB debut while designating Jesus Sanchez for assignment in a roster move.

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September 12, 2026

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Blue Jays Promote Rudy Martin Jr. to Major League Roster

The Toronto Blue Jays have promoted 30-year-old outfielder Rudy Martin Jr. to the major league roster, setting the stage for his big-league debut. To make room for Martin, Toronto designated outfielder Jesus Sanchez for assignment.

A Long Journey to the Big Leagues

Martin’s path to the majors began in 2014 when the Kansas City Royals drafted him in the 25th round, a selection round that has since been eliminated. Prior to his promotion, he appeared in 27 games this season for Toronto’s Triple-A team in Buffalo, N.Y., posting a .253 batting average, a .351 on-base percentage, three home runs, and 12 stolen bases.

Roster Adjustment Involves Sanchez

Sanchez was acquired by the Blue Jays on Feb. 13 from the Houston Astros in exchange for outfielder Joey Loperfido. During his stint with Toronto, Sanchez posted a .260 average alongside eight home runs and 35 runs batted in. His .734 on-base plus slugging percentage ranked fifth among active Toronto players, though his play was also marked by several costly defensive mistakes.

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Toronto Argonauts vs Ottawa Redblacks: Chad Kelly Prepares for Ryan Dinwiddie’s Return

Chad Kelly and the Toronto Argonauts prepare to face former head coach Ryan Dinwiddie and the Ottawa Redblacks on Saturday afternoon at BMO Field.

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September 12, 2026

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Former Head Coach Returns to Toronto

Ryan Dinwiddie returns to BMO Field on Saturday afternoon for the first time since leaving Toronto in the off-season to become the head coach and general manager of the Ottawa Redblacks. Dinwiddie previously spent five seasons with the Argonauts from 2021 to 2025, guiding the franchise to two Grey Cup titles and earning CFL coach of the year honours in 2023.

The matchup features Toronto (6-6) coming off a short turnaround following a 37-22 Labour Day victory over the Hamilton Tiger-Cats on Monday. That win secured the season series for Toronto and placed them four points ahead of Hamilton for second place in the East Division. Meanwhile, Ottawa (0-11) enters the contest refreshed after an Aug. 30 loss to the B.C. Lions, though the Redblacks are seeking to snap a 17-game losing streak that dates back to last season.

Chad Kelly Anticipates Defensive Adjustments

Argonauts quarterback Chad Kelly worked under Dinwiddie as his offensive coordinator and head coach during his first four CFL seasons, including an MOP-winning 2023 campaign. To prepare for Saturday, Kelly noted that he has tried to view the matchup through his former coach’s eyes to predict how Dinwiddie might attempt to defend him.

During their previous meeting on June 20, a 44-24 Toronto victory in Ottawa, the Redblacks intercepted Kelly four times. Despite those turnovers, Kelly generated 424 passing yards and four touchdowns. Heading into Saturday, Kelly leads the CFL with 3,961 passing yards, 27 touchdown passes, and 18 interceptions.

Roster Overhauls and Individual Milestones

Ottawa will introduce 12 new players to its active roster for Saturday’s game, including 11 defensive additions. Cornerback Christian Matthew, halfbacks Adrian Frye and Travian Blaylock, defensive edge Luiji Vilain, and defensive tackle Isaiah Mack are set to start, while Canadian veterans A.J. Allen and Cleyon Laing will also be available.

For Toronto, head coach Mike Miller—who previously served four years as Dinwiddie’s quarterback coach—emphasized that his team cannot take their opponent lightly despite Ottawa’s struggles. That sentiment was echoed by Argonauts receiver Damonte Coxie, who recently crossed the 1,000-yard milestone for the first time in his CFL career and enters the game with 1,043 yards and five touchdowns on the season.

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Toronto Blue Jays Fall 7-4 to Baltimore Orioles at Rogers Centre

The Toronto Blue Jays fell 7-4 to the Baltimore Orioles at Rogers Centre on Friday, taking a hit in their push for the final American League wild-card spot.

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September 12, 2026

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Orioles Early Explosion Hands Blue Jays 7-4 Defeat

The Toronto Blue Jays dropped a 7-4 decision to the Baltimore Orioles on Friday night before a sellout crowd of 42,111 at Rogers Centre. Baltimore quickly seized control when Dylan Beavers launched a leadoff home run on the game’s second pitch. The Orioles extended their advantage during a five-run second frame off Toronto starter Max Scherzer (2-8), powered by six consecutive hits including a Colton Cowser two-run double and a two-run single from Beavers.

Toronto Fights Back Late in Wild-Card Chase

Former Blue Jay Chris Bassitt (7-5) earned the win for Baltimore, yielding two earned runs across five innings. Kazuma Okamoto provided Toronto’s first run with a solo homer in the fourth inning, his 31st of the season. After the Blue Jays added another run in the sixth, Coby Mayo responded for Baltimore with a solo home run in the seventh to mark his 23rd shot of the year.

Toronto mounted a ninth-inning rally when Brett Bateman hit his first major-league home run, a two-run shot that capped a three-hit performance. The Blue Jays brought the potential tying run to the plate, but Rico Garcia secured his eighth save by getting Alejandro Kirk to ground into a forceout. The loss leaves Toronto (73-75) with four defeats in its last six contests as the team chases Cleveland for the final American League wild-card position.

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