(As of 2:01PM)
NHL:
NHL free agent frenzy continues today.
Prince George native Brandon Manning has signed a two-year contract with the Chicago Blackhawks that is worth $2.25 million per season..
The 28-year-old defenceman spent the last seven years in the Philadelphia Flyers organization.
The former Spruce King and Cariboo Cougars notched 19 points (7G, 12A) in 65 games this past season.
###
The Vancouver Canucks signed three free agents during the Canada Day frenzy, including centre Jay Beagle from the Stanley Cup-champion Washington Capitals.
The 32-year-old product of Calgary signed a four-year deal worth $12 million.
Vancouver also picked up forwards Antoine Roussel (Dallas), four years, $12 million, and Tim Schaller (Boston), two years, $3.8 million.
The Canucks also re-signed 25-year-old Swiss forward Sven Baertschi to a new three-year deal worth almost $10 million.
Baertschi tallied 29 points (14G, 15A) in 53 games last season, missing 28 games due to injury.
###
John Tavares says he’s “fulfilling his childhood dream,” signing a seven-year, $77 million contract with his hometown Toronto Maple Leafs.
The most sought after free agent met spent the last nine seasons with the New York Islanders after they drafted him first overall in 2009.
The 27-year-old forward recorded 84 points in all 82 games last season, but was a -12 and missed the playoffs for a second consecutive year.
BCHL:
The Prince George Spruce Kings will open and close their 2018-19 BCHL regular season schedule against the RBC champion Chilliwack Chiefs (Sept. 7-8 and Feb. 22-23).
The Spruce Kings will play 22 of 28 home games at the Rolling Mix Concrete Arena (RMCA) on weekend dates, 12 on Friday and 10 on Saturday.
WORLD CUP SOCCER: (in Russia)
Round of 16
TODAY
Russia 1 Spain 1 (Russia wins 4-3 on penalty kicks)
Croatia 1 Denmark 1 (Croatia wins 3-2 on penalty kicks)
(Host Russia will play Croatia in the quarter-finals)
SATURDAY
France 4 Argentina 3
Uruguay 2 Portugal 1
(France will play Uruguay in the quarter-finals)
On Monday, Brazil goes against Mexico (7AM) followed by Belgium vs. Japan (11AM).
On Tuesday, Sweden will face Switzerland (7AM) and Colombia will take on England (11AM).
CFL: (Final game in week three)
Montreal Alouettes 23 Saskatchewan Roughriders 17
The Alouettes snapped a 13-game losing streak.
JUDO:
Nine Prince George athletes (seven from the Hart Judo Academy and two from the PG Judo Club) are at the Canada Cup intenational judo meet in Montreal.
Competition concludes today.
In the U-18 division, Kimi Kamstra (Hart) captured gold, Tami Goto (PG) earned silver and Brooke Corbett (Hart) took a bronze.
FASTPITCH:
Finals will be played today in the Canada Day Fastpitch Tournament at Spruce City Stadium.
There are 11 men’s teams in the field, including the defending Canadian Native Fastball Champion Westbank Cardinals and the second place Regina Hawks.
There’s also four teams in the U-23 Division, which includes the defending Big Guy Lake team.
MLB:
Detroit Tigers 9 Toronto Blue Jays 1 (Sunday)
Toronto Blue Jays 4 Detroit Tigers 3 (Saturday)
The Jays are 39-44 and 2-1 on a nine-game homestand while the 37-48 Tigers ended an 11-game losing streak.
NBA:
Paul George is staying with the Oklahoma City Thunder after he agreed to a four-year, $137 million max contract.
PRINCE GEORGE SENIOR LACROSSE:
The best-of-three semi-finals are set in PG Senior Lacrosse with all games at 8PM.
The (10-6) Westwood Pub Devils will play the (8-8) Quesnel Crossfire Wednesday at Kin 1.
Game Two will be held in Quesnel on Monday, July 9th with a third game, if needed, July 11trh at Kin 1.
The other series will start on Thursday at Kin 1 as the (14-2) RPR Mechanical/J.R. Construction Bandits battle the (5-11) Mackenzie Omenica Fabricating Lumberjacks.
Mackenzie will be the site for game two on Tuesday, July 10th with a third game, if necessary, on July 12th at Kin 1.