My Experience With COVID-19

For over two years, I devoted myself to keep healthy and avoid unnecessary risks to get the world’s contagious illness – COVID-19. I sticked to my pandemic regimen in not getting into enormous crowds in specific places that I can control my environment. For the longest time, I adapt and done well to the new normal.

On the weekend preceding April 4, 2022, the streak halted. I developed a sore throat during the evening hours of Saturday, April 2, but upon testing via Covid-19 Rapid Antigen Test early Sunday, I tested negative. Feeling well to attend the Bulldogs game, I came to the arena presumably symptom-free. I was invited to attend a post-game dinner with my friends during the game, which I accepted.

When walking to the restaurant, there was an odd running nose, but nothing else as I was still feeling ok to attend dinner. But it was at the halfway mark of the dinner at Prince Eddy in Barton Street East was my first feeling of illness. Sudden fatigue, throat issues were the first culprits, and I made a decision to head home. Afterwards, I began to withdrawal and had a rough overnight sleeping.

Out of consciousness, I decided to take another RAT at 8:45 am. The result was alarming, as I was tested positive for the coronavirus. Given the significance of the two results in a 24-hour span, I scheduled and attended a COVID PCA testing, to which resulted a positive result. Within the next 24 hours, I informed my projected close contacts to seek and monitor any symptoms as they were initially exposed. Thankfully everyone was in good spirits.

For the next five days (isolation period per orders from Hamilton Public Health), I kept myself secluded downstairs for most of the days. Luckily for me, I was doing schoolwork and it helped me keep a straight path. Despite the mild symptoms of dry cough, sore throat and a running nose, I managed to still eat and drink fluids without issue, which it was a huge thing.

After my isolation period ended, I gradually resumed my normal routine around the house and kept distance from my relative as a precaution. The message to everyone is this….for anyone who doubted COVID, it is nothing to mess with. Although it has the equivalency of a flu, the effects are still consequential, given my preexisting diabetes. It can happen to anyone who followed the guidelines.

Please be considerate and wear a mask.

Bulldogs Thrash IceDogs

Ryan Winterton’s five-point performance propelled the Bulldogs to a 6-2 win over the arch rival Niagara IceDogs.

FIRST PERIOD

The opening period saw both sides control the pace, with both getting quality chances. Hamilton struck first on the powerplay at the 3:05 mark as Ryan Winterton scored his first of the year off the rebound and went past IceDogs netminder Josh Rosenzweig. Ryan Humphrey and newly-acquired Amber Xhekaj received the assists.

Bulldogs’ starting netminder Matteo Drobac had a great first period and the defence stood tall despite being outshot 11-8 in the opening frame.

SECOND PERIOD

It was all Bulldogs in the middle frame. The barrage started at the 4:29 mark as newcomer Mason McTavish hustled down to pass to Jan Mysak for his 18th of the season. It was McTavish’s first point as a Bulldog. Winterton also received an assist.

McTavish wasn’t done as he scored his first goal with the Bulldogs after shooting a rocket one-timer past Rosenzweig for a 3-0 Hamilton lead. Mysak and Winterton received the assists.

The IceDogs looked to get back into the game, but the Bulldogs’ Drobac kept the door shut with a terrific save on Brice Cooke. The Bulldogs kept pouring on the score chart at 15:32 as George Diaco finished off the beautiful tic-tac-toe sequence set up by Patrick Thomas and Winterton.

Drobac continued his fine performance by stopping former Bulldog Liam Van Loon on a breakaway. On the powerplay late in the period, Logan Morrison scored on a terrific pass by Diaco to give the Bulldogs a 5-0 lead into the intermission. With the secondary assist, Winterton registered his fifth point of the game.

THIRD PERIOD

A milder final frame came as both teams exchanged goals. Daniil Gushchin ended Drobac’s shutout bid at the 3:10 mark by shooting the puck point blank past the Hamilton netminder. Morrison responded for the Bulldogs at the 8:40 mark after receiving a nice pass from Mysak for a 6-1 lead. Noah Roberts also received credit for the assist. The IceDogs cut the lead to 6-2 at the 12:38 mark as Juan Copeland scored on a wide-open breakaway shot, fooling Drobac.

With the win, the Bulldogs take over first place in the Eastern Division. Next game for the Bulldogs is Friday night as they pay a visit to Oshawa to take on the Oshawa Generals.

My Time As An Intern

Today, December 17, marks my last day as the Communications Intern for the Mississauga Steelheads Hockey Club. After four months, I’m covering my last game with the team.

When I first started with the Steelheads back in middle of September, I was determined to make an impact and enhance my writing craft. During the internship, I adjusted my writing ability to better suit for the story making needed to unravel for the season. Furthermore, doing Stats Guide for home games were a great challenge every time, but with the necessary adjustments advised by the great team of Michael Hastings and Sam Fleming, I made great strides as the internship whined down.

I can’t be appreciative for what Hastings, Fleming, and the Steelheads organization have done to me and my pursuit of a sportswriter career. At the age of 33, I felt like a 25-year-old doing the things I wouldn’t had envisioned doing. I will forever be indebted to them.

To the internship team of Brielle, Cosmo, Michele, Ryan and Maurice, it was a pleasure working with all of you during the home games. May I wish you the best in your future.

Meeting the likes of Matt Cullen, Victor Findlay, Tony Ambrogio, and Lukas Weese was a honour. Working in the same press box as these top-notch pros is something that couldn’t be taken for granted.

The Steelheads are a great team this season. The on-ice product is among the elite in the Ontario Hockey League, let alone one of the top goaltending duos in the country. To counted the notable first OHL points of Owen Beck, Luke Misa, Zander Veccia, first OHL shutouts of Joe Ranger and Roman Basran, Evan Brand’s 200th game, and Ethan Del Mastro’s first goal.

Whatever happens in the coming months remains to be seen, but it has been a blessing and a honour to work with an incredible organization. If they need someone to write for the team in the playoffs, I’m available to do it.

Bulldogs Get Their Guy

The Hamilton Bulldogs announced Jay McKee as their fifth Head Coach in the history of the franchise Tuesday.

McKee last coached with the Kitchener Rangers from 2016-2020, cultivating a .533 winning percentage as the bench boss. Behind the bench, McKee led the Rangers to three postseason appearances, notably a Western Conference Finals appearance in 2017-18.

In addition to the the hiring of the former NHL veteran, the team also announced the hiring of fellow assistant coach from the Kitchener days, Andreas Karlsson and Andrew Campbell.

For more information of this story, go to the Hamilton Bulldogs website.

The hiring of the coaching staff is a major move for the team that was falling out in the second half of last season of play.

Bulldogs Season Schedule Revealed

The Ontario Hockey League and the Hamilton Bulldogs unveiled their 2021-22 season schedule Tuesday afternoon.

The schedule features a full slate of 68 games, mostly playing within the conference, and some intra-conference tilts against teams within the geographical region. Beginning October 8, the Bulldogs start their sixth season in Oshawa taking on their rival Generals. Hamilton returns to the Hammer the following night (October 9) to face the Barrie Colts at the FirstOntario Centre.

Another notable game to watch will be the return of School Day game, when the Bulldogs host the Mississauga Steelheads on March 3. The regular season concludes April 3 at home ice against the Peterborough Petes.

Season tickets are on sale now via Hamilton Bulldogs website. For more information on the schedule, go to the following link…. Bulldogs 2021 Schedule

Stephen Retires

Former Hamilton Tiger-Cats Defensive Back Courtney Stephen announced his retirement Thursday.

A consummate professional and devoted community man, the Brampton, Ontario native spent seven of his eight seasons with the Ticats, played 113 games and nine career postseason games with Hamilton and the Calgary Stampeders. Stephen tallied 274 total tackles, two Quarterback sacks, 12 interceptions and seven forced fumbles.

Stephen was the 2012 Jake Gaudaur Veterans Award nominee.

Ticats Releases Watford

Quarterback David Watford was released by the Hamilton Tiger-Cats today.

The third-down, short-yardage specialist played 12 regular season and two postseason games with the Black and Gold in 2019. Watford scored six rushing touchdowns, tied for sixth in the Canadian Football League rushing touchdowns, and was the team’s TD rushing leader.

Pharand Commits to Bulldogs

The Hamilton Bulldogs received a Standard Player’s Agreement with their 2021 OHL Draft first round selection Alex Pharand.

The Sudbury native was chosen 14th overall in this past OHL Priority Selection Draft. Pharand scored 22 goals and 18 assists in 27 games for the Sudbury Nickel City Sons U16 AAA in the 2019-20 season.

Rock Retains Eleven Ahead of NLL Expansion Draft

On the day of the current NLL clubs sending a list of protected players ahead of the Panther City Expansion Draft, Toronto Rock has retained 12 players.

The players obtained in the protective list by the club were as follows…

Goaltender Nick Rose

Defence Challen Rogers, Mitch De Snoo, Latrell Harris, Brad Kri, Adam Jay, Josh Jubenville, and Jason Noble

Forwards Rob Hellyer, Tom Schreiber, Zach Manns and Dan Craig

In total, Toronto keeps four Fowards, seven Defence, and one goaltender.

The draft will take place June 29th. Panther City will be playing its inaugural season in the fall at Fort Worth, Texas.

After the draft, the next major date on the league schedule is August 1 as the league’s Free Agency opens.

CFL Is Officially Back

Only time will tell in the next several months, but Monday June 14, 2021 will forever be the day the Canadian Football League returns.

An unanimous Board of Governors vote sealed the league’s return to action, effective August 5. Under the revised Collective Agreement with the League’s player’s association, the CFLPA, Training Camp will start on July 10.

Within a hour after the league announcement, the Ontario Government approved the CFL Return To Play material. The ruling means the Ontario CFL clubs are allowed to train under protocols agreed to from the government.

In regards to the fans, provinces in the West and Quebec will most likely see reduced capacity to begin the 14-week campaign. Ontario is most likely to start allowing fans by Labour Day at the earliest where the Tiger-Cats and their archival counterparts from the 403 renewed hostilities in the Labour Day Classic.

The Grey Cup will be played on December 12 in Hamilton.

City Council Approves HUPEG Plan

There will be new blend of sports and entertainment injecting to the beleaguered downtown precinct very soon.

In the day of the Ambitious City turning 175, the city council unanimously approved the Masters Agreement with the Hamilton Urban Precinct Entertainment Group (HUPEG).

According to the press release from the city, the HUPEG ownership of First Ontario Centre, First Ontario Concert Hall, Hamilton Convention Centre and Art Gallery of Hamilton will be official effective April 1, 2022.

The plan is for HUPEG to first start renovating the 35-year-old facility (FirstOntario Centre) in Fall 2022. After the completion of FOC, the other three facilities will undergo construction.

“The Precinct Group’s proposed minimum $50 million renovation of the FirstOntario Centre includes a new exterior façade and video board, comprehensive transformation of the lower bowl, expanded concourse level, and a new flexible curtaining system for the upper bowl balcony,” stated on the release.

In addition to the renovations, HUPEG acquires two major parking lots at York Blvd and Vine Street, and the Community Living Hamilton building on 191 York.

According to city council, it is stated with the agreement, the city will save $155 Million dollars in a 30 year span.

Toronto Rock to Hamilton

An iconic, big-name Canadian lacrosse franchise heads back to where it all began.

Last week, the Toronto Rock announced the team is moving to Hamilton. The six-time National Lacrosse League champions will be playing in the First Ontario Centre, effective 2021-22 season.

The news broke Tuesday night via Twitter during the team’s town hall session, and officially announced to the public by team owner Jamie Dawick the following day.

If you are a fair-weathered, casual sports fan, this announcement may not strike as significant as to those who long supported the franchise. The reaction to the move was mixed, but when Dawick mentioned the team will remain Toronto Rock, the social media buzz was mostly negative.

Let’s put it out this way, if you are a Hamiltonian who is familiar with sports, Toronto is the Zod to Hamilton’s Superman. After all, Toronto is the metropolis of Canada, while Hamilton is the underdog city with the national perception equivalent of Rodney Dangerfield. As much as Dawick is invested in promoting the brand in the region, the team name citing as Toronto Rock isn’t a long term stability initiative.

A name change from Toronto Rock to The Rock or Rock City would be ideal if Dawick and the team public relations department wants this brand to survive with efficient support from the Hamilton area. This is not the kind of city or part of the region Dawick wants to alienate.

Just like I gave OHL Hamilton Bulldogs owner Michael Andlauer a chance to integrate the fanbase into the OHL over pro hockey (which turned out well), I’ll give Dawick at least two years to materialize the product. After all, this is the franchise with a loaded roster ready to compete for the 7th league championship next season.

Rock-Hamilton Announcement

Bulldogs Axe Vince Laise

The Hamilton Bulldogs have fired Vince Laise as their Head Coach late Tuesday afternoon. Team President and General Manager Steve Staios will take over as the bench boss for the reminder of the season and playoffs.

Laise came to Hamilton as part of the Jon Gruden’s coaching staff in the 2018 OHL Championship team. Laise was appointed Head Coach before the current season, the fourth man to held the position in the team’s short history.

Laise finished the record of 24-28-7-1 as the Head Coach. Before joining the Bulldogs in the 2018 OHL Championship coaching staff under John Gruden, Laise was previously an assistant coach with the Erie Otters, helping the team to an OHL Championship appearance in 2017.

Steve Staios makes his Head Coach debut on Thursday when Hamilton visits Peterborough to take on the Petes.

CORRECTION – Steve Staios is overseeing the coaching staff, not taking over the bench boss role as previously mentioned.

Hamilton Bulldogs 2019-2020 Season Preview

The Hamilton Bulldogs enter the 2019-2020 season with a level of confidence and level-minded optimism.

Mixed in with a promising blend of youth and veteran talent, the Bulldogs would like to make strides following a season that experienced growing pains both on and off the ice.

Here are the positional breakdowns of the roster set to take to the ice on Friday in Sarnia…

Goaltending

From November onward, Zackary Roy showed glimpses of strong play and noticeable retractions on other games as a starter. Roy ultimately led the Bulldogs to the eighth seed in the Eastern Conference and started all four games against Ottawa in the playoffs – an impeccable feat for a rookie netminder which led to him being awarded the part of the OHL Second All-Rookie Team.

Expect another season of growing pains for Roy, but needs to minimize mistakes to avoid a sophomore jinx.

Marco Constantini is projected to be the backup to Roy. The 17-year-old netminder played well as the main man between the pipes for the Hamilton Kilty B’s last season, leading to a playoff berth in the OJHL. Don’t expect Constantini to challenge Roy for the starting job this year, but should get considerable playing time at times during this season barring injury.

Defense

This core last season was largely scrutinized by fans and observers alike and battle-tested based on their level of play. This shouldn’t be the case this year.

The effective core consists the likes of Kade Landry, Josh Wainman, Michael Renwick, Jake Gravelle, Cameron Supryka, the newly acquired Nathan Staios, Frank Jenkins, Peyton Vescio, and Gavin White rounds out the core that will look to better protect the second year Roy with stability on the blue line.

Forwards

Longtime fan favourite Matthew Strome has left Hamilton for professional endeavours with the Philadelphia Flyers organization, leaving an invaluable mark on the five-year-old franchise. Despite Strome’s departure, the leadership and talent level hasn’t been regressed as initially expected for a revamped, competitive team.

Franchise player Arthur Kaliyev return from NHL training camp with the LA Kings to jumpstart a promising flux of youth and veteran talent on the frontline. Tag Bertuzzi looks to stay healthy and produce.

Liam Van Loon, Logan Morrison, Narvin Mutter, Avery Hayes and local fan favourite Issac Nurse return to stabilize the unit that the team will rely on for production every game. Rookies George Diaco, Ryan Winterton, Mark Duarte, Lawson Sherk and Davis Young rounds out the core that look to accumulate more scoring from last year.

Prediction – Hamilton finishes in sixth in the Eastern Conference. The team has many building blocks to grow and prosper for another championship run in the foreseeable future.

Bulldogs Brantford Bound

According to various sources familiar with the Hamilton Bulldogs, the team will be moving to Brantford for the 2023-24 season. The move is subject to approval from the city council, which is expected to approve the proposal during their special council meeting on Tuesday, February 7.

The report comes after over two months of searching for a temporary home following a leaked story about the miscommunication between First Ontario Centre owner HUPEG and the team last November. The arena owners told the tenants Bulldogs, Toronto Rock and Honey Badgers to relocate for two years as the arena undergoes major renovations.

As for Brantford, the Telephone City will be hosting the Ontario Hockey League for first time since 1984, when the Brantford Alexanders competed from 1979 to 1984 at the soon-to-be Bulldogs home arena – the 3,000-seat Brantford Civic Centre.

In order to prepare for the Bulldogs transition to the new city, Brantford is committing over $3 Million from the casino fund with the Bulldogs footing the remaining balance of the proposed $7+Million dollar upgrade to the 57-year-old arena.

Mitchell Signs In Hamilton

The first major domino in the 2023 CFL Free Agency fell today as Quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell signed a 3-year contract with the Tiger-Cats.

Without question, this signing should indicate the Ticats are making serious push to win the Grey Cup on their home turf this coming season. Mitchell has a lengthy resume and track record as one of the elite Quarterbacks in the CFL, when healthy.

The 32-year-old native of Katy, Texas played for ten seasons with the Calgary Stampeders, starting as backup to Kevin Glenn from 2012 to 2013 before being named QB1 for the next nine seasons in 2014 leading to two Grey Cup championships. The two-time CFL Most Outstanding Player was demoted to backup for Jake Maier early last season.

During his career with the Stampeders, Mitchell passed for 32,541 yards, 188 touchdowns and 89 interceptions. In 2019, Mitchell became a member of the CFL All-Decade Team.

Hamilton Bulldogs Commit To Rebuild

The Hamilton Bulldogs entered the second half of the 2022-23 Ontario Hockey League season hoping to rebuild the franchise and win another OHL championship.

As of January 12, the Bulldogs are seventh in the Eastern Conference, however they are only two points ahead of eighth-place Sudbury and four points ahead of their archrival Oshawa Generals.

Regardless of their ranking, the Bulldogs’ path to successfully defending their title appears to be more tough. In the weeks building up to last Monday’s trade deadline, top Eastern Conference teams Peterborough, Ottawa, Barrie, and North Bay made crucial acquisitions in preparation for a long playoff run.

Hamilton lacked the necessary resources and draught stock to be competitive, having given up a big amount of their draft cupboard to acquire Arber Xhexaj and Mason McTavish for their eventual championship run. Standing pat with the returning core from last season would have had serious implications for their future.

With that in mind, Bulldogs General Manager Matt Turek and management made the decision to build the groundwork for the future by selling many key pieces for higher-level talent and restocking their draught.

In the ten-day span, Turek traded Ryan Humphrey, Ryan Winterton, Avery Hayes, Gavin White, Brendan Anderson, and team captain Logan Morrison. In exchange, the Bulldogs acquired Luca Testa, Carson Lloyd, Nick Lardis, Sahil Panwar, Ben Bujold, and Cedricson Okitundu, as well as seven draught picks from 2023 to 2026.

For the remainder of the season, I expect the Bulldogs to remain competitive and pursue a playoff spot. With the two-year temporary relocation pending, Bulldogs fans must respect the process and continue to support the team through this important time in their history.

Hamilton Tiger-Cats 2021 Season Preview

For the first time since the 2019 Grey Cup, the Hamilton Tiger-Cats return to action as the Canadian Football League resumes action after a long, COVID-19 layoff.

Since the resounding defeat in the hands of Winnipeg, the team, like the league itself, has seen a profound turnaround of talents via retirement, or in between clubs. With the Grey Cup scheduled for mid-December, the Tiger-Cats inherit expectations of winning the championship at their home turf.

Hamilton will take to the field on Thursday at Winnipeg with the returning QB Jeremiah Masoli leading the team. It will make the first time in over two years the incumbent played in a game. Surrounding Masoli will be a potentially-potent offence anchored by the reigning league MOP Brandon Banks, Braylon Addison, DeVier Posey and Jaylen Acklin.

The offensive line will feature a mix of returnees and youth with Brandon Ravenberg and Chris Van Zeyl leading the core, while Darius Ciraco takes over retiree Mike Filer under centre.

Like the offence, the defence will feature familiar faces from the 2019 team. The front seven is set to feature the returns of Ted Laurent, Dylan Wynn, JaGared Davis and Julian Howsare in the line,.

Simoni Lawrence anchors the linebacker group that’ll feature free agent signee Jovan Santos Knox (formerly of WPG) in the middle, and former NFL player Kameron Kelly at the SAM spot (right side position linebacker).

The secondary should still be formidable with Mike Daly, Frankie Williams (2019 Special Teams MOP), Jumar Rolle, Trune Adaleke and free agent acquisition Ciante Evans. The depth could be contested following the retirements of Rico Murray, Delvin Breaux, and Courtney Stephen.

Perhaps the newest core of talent in the team will be in the special teams. Doing the kicking duties will be the former NFL kicker Taylor Bertolet and global selectee Joel Whitford doing the punting. 2019 CFL draftee Gordon Whyte replaces longtime veteran Aaron Crawford as the long snapper.

With the mixture of youth and experience, the 2021 Hamilton Tiger-Cats hope to renew their dominance of the Eastern Division and eventually the overdue cultivation of winning the most lucrative prize in Canadian football.

Masoli To Start at QB on Opening Night

If there was any doubt.

The Hamilton Tiger-Cats announced Jeremiah Masoli the team’s starting quarterback for the season opener in Winnipeg Thursday against the Blue Bombers.

The news comes as no surprise to no one who followed the team in a regular basis. After all, he earned the right to win the job after what he went through over two years ago.

Ticats coaching staff did the right thing condensing the distractions and made the quarterback competition less of a spectacle for the franchise who is attempting to steer course for a championship in December.

Hutchcraft, Slade Re-Signs with Rock

The Toronto Rock announced team re-sign the contracts of Goaltender Riley Hutchcraft and Defenseman Brandon Slade to one-year contracts.

The third round selection from the 2017 NLL Draft pick, Hutchcraft appeared in limited action in the 2019-2020 season, appearing in only one game.

Slade appeared in five contests during the 2019-20 season, registering one goal and three assists. The Orangeville, ON native was acquired by Toronto via free agency in 2017.