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Friday, 27 March 2026
Maple Leafs sign college defenceman Hayes Hundley to entry-level contract
The Toronto Maple Leafs continue to build up their blue line.
NCAA defenceman Hayes Hundley agreed to a three-year entry-level contract with the team, it announced Friday.
Hundley, 21, will join the AHL’s Toronto Marlies on a professional tryout before the deal kicks in next season.
He played 38 games with St. Thomas University this season, recording six goals and six assists. The Upper Arlington, Ohio, native spent last season with the USHL’s Fargo Force, where he posted four goals and 12 assists.
At six-foot-three and 210 pounds, the right-shooting Hundley joins fellow defenceman Vincent Borgesi and forward Brandon Buhr among the Maple Leafs’ current NCAA signing class.
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Longtime MLBer, World Series champion Jason Heyward retires
Jason Heyward is hanging up his cleats.
The 16-year MLB veteran announced his retirement from baseball Friday on MLB Central.
“I’m glad and happy to be stepping to the other side of the game,” Heyward said.
“I look forward to being a potential mentor to any of the young players coming up, anybody that’s in the game right now. I feel like the game’s in good hands in that sense, and I look forward to being a fan and seeing what other ways I could give back.”
Heyward, 36, first entered MLB as a member of the Atlanta Braves in 2010. He spent five years with the NL East club, only topped by his seven seasons with the Chicago Cubs after a one-year pit stop with the St. Louis Cardinals. He also played for the Los Angeles Dodgers, Houston Astros and San Diego Padres.
The one-time all-star and five-time Gold Glove winner in the outfield finishes his career with a .255 batting average to go with 186 home runs, 730 RBIs.
He was part of the 2016 Cubs team that broke through to win the World Series, appearing in 16 games during that run.
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Thursday, 26 March 2026
Men’s March Madness Sweet 16 Preview: Final Four or bust for Michigan
While the first weekend of the 2026 NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Tournament lived up to its “March Madness” billing — with plenty of buzzer-beaters, exciting finishes and near-upsets — the second batch of games, while less chaotic, usually offers a higher degree of quality.
Yes, that seems obvious as you’ll see higher-seeded teams square off against each other, but the stakes of the Sweet 16 and Elite Eight add additional layers of drama and pressure to the backdrop of everything.
Making a Final Four is a pretty big deal, after all.
Heading into the Sweet 16, beginning with Thursday’s slate, there are a number of teams that have stood out and impressed in their first two games, but if there was one team that might have the best-looking path to the Final Four, it would be Michigan.
Thanks to its supersized frontcourt, led by six-foot-nine small forward Big Ten Player of the Year Yaxel Lendeborg, the Wolverines finished as the No. 3-ranked team in the country and have looked every bit that powerhouse during the NCAA Tournament, winning their first two games by an average margin of 22 points.
Beyond how well its played against inferior competition — no offence to Howard and Saint Louis — Michigan also the advantage of a potentially easier road to the Final Four. It sees Alabama in its Sweet 16 game Friday, a very potent offensive team but ultimately not as dangerous as the clubs that were led by Mark Sears in the past. Then it sees either Tennessee, another good-but-not-great squad, or an Iowa State team that could be without All-American Joshua Jefferson — or a Jefferson who would likely not be playing at 100 per cent — after he suffered an ankle injury just minutes into the Cyclones’ first-round matchup with Tennessee State.
The door is open for Dusty May to make his first Final Four with Michigan in just his second season at the helm in Ann Arbour. This isn’t to say it’s a guarantee — nothing ever is in this tournament — but it would be disappointing if the Wolverines weren’t in the Final Four this year.
Here’s a look at a few more storylines to watch heading into the Sweet 16 and Elite Eight of the 2026 tournament.
West Region UofA’s for the taking?
On the topic of Final-Four-or-major-disappointment, Arizona’s road to Indianapolis also looks quite clear.
The Wildcats have lived up to their No. 2-ranked billing so far, crushing Long Island University in the first round and then pulling away from Utah State in the second round.
They’re led by the super freshmen duo of Koa Peat and Brayden Burries, both of whom play with a poise and maturity that’s not often seen in freshmen.
While not quite as easy looking as Michigan’s, Arizona’s road to the Final Four should be very doable.
In the Wildcats way first will be Arkansas, led by a super frosh of their own in Darius Acuff Jr. — a potential top-five pick in this year’s NBA Draft — followed by either No. 11-seeded Texas or No. 2 Purdue.
Acuff is the kind of dynamic guard with the potential to take over a game and win it, essentially, by himself. However, so is Burries for Arizona, so while that promises to be a fun, exciting game, the Wildcats should have the edge there.
As for the possible Elite Eight matchup, should the Longhorns pull off the upset, it’s hard to see them doing it yet again against Arizona. Should it be the Boilermakers, while they are quite good and Braden Smith is great and experienced, it’s hard to pick against a team as good as Arizona has been all season long.
Beasts in the East
It was promised when the brackets were first revealed and now we have it.
The East Region’s semifinal bracket is a list of college basketball royalty with Duke taking on St. John’s in one of the Sweet 16 matchups Friday and Connecticut facing off against Michigan State in the other.
So, that’s Jon Scheyer vs. Rick Pitino and Dan Hurley vs. Tom Izzo in matchups with two of the brightest young coaching stars in college basketball taking on two of the absolute legends of the game.
All four teams are, obviously, well coached, they also all feature great top-end talent — in particular Duke’s Cameron Boozer, a potential first-overall draft pick — and they all have the potential to win the national championship if given the chance.
Buckle up for what should be three incredible basketball games.
South Region is the most unpredictable
After Alvaro Folgueiras hit one of the signature shots of the tournament thus far to knock out Florida, the South Region looks absolutely wide open.
Conventional wisdom would suggest the Kalvin Sampson’s Houston team and its suffocating defence now has the clear path back to the Final Four, but to underestimate six-foot-six freshman guard Keaton Wagler and Illinois would be foolhardy, to say nothing of the big-game experience that both Iowa and Nebraska, a team that also won a game in the dying seconds, now have.
The Cougars’ defence remains as stout as ever, and they feature an explosive guard of their own in Kingston Flemings, providing good reason to be confident in them with Florida out of the picture. But while Sampson’s team will almost certainly be able to drag games into the mud, if it comes down to a final shot, the other three remaining teams also have players that can take and make big shots down the stretch.
Does Cinderella no longer have a shot?
Looking at the 16 teams remaining, one thing stands above the rest: There are no Cinderellas.
The fun George Mason or Florida Atlantic stories are nowhere to be found this year, and might just be gone for good.
Yes, Texas is a No. 11 seed, but the fact remains that all of the teams left are from power conferences, and that’s not a coincidence.
The advent of NIL and the transfer portal has given an even greater advantage to the big-money schools to offer both recruits and players looking to transfer better deals than the mid-majors will ever be able to.
This doesn’t necessarily mean the tournament is bad because of this — all those exciting moments that you tune into it for still happen — but it likely means that those great underdog stories from the tournament are going by the wayside.
Two Canadians still dancing
The NCAA Tournament started with a record 36 Canadians competing in the event, and that’s now down to two.
Houston guard Emmanual Sharp and Alabama’s Aden Holloway are all that are left of the Canadian contingent.
Thankfully, both Canadians are key starters for their teams, so you’ll be able to watch plenty of them when their teams play.
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Scout’s Analysis: Exciting NHL prospects competing in NCAA tournament
The NCAA men’s hockey tournament is set to begin Thursday with regional match-ups being hosted across four cities in the USA. The defending champion Western Michigan Broncos return to the tournament as a top seed in their bracket based out of Loveland, Colorado. It’s a tough bracket for the Broncos, who could end up having to go through the University of Denver Pioneers in the second-round to get to the Frozen Four in Las Vegas.
Here’s a look at some of the top prospects I’m monitoring closely at the tournament. Notably, these players have either already been drafted by an NHL team, or are on their way to being a free agent. We’ll take a team-by-team look, but I wanted to start with one player in particular who I think could have the largest long-term (and potentially short-term) impact for a Canadian NHL team:
Future Montreal Canadiens Second Line Centre
The Canadiens have an embarrassment of riches scattered throughout their prospect pool. The organization has, so far, held off trading for a second-line centre and it might have something to do with the fact Michigan Wolverines forward Michael Hage is a player who could end up filling the void in the near future.
Hage is a play-driving centre who leans distributor more than pure shooter, but still projects as a prospect who could score 20 or more goals at the NHL level. He’s especially dangerous on the Wolverines’ power play. Hage has high-end vision with the puck on his stick and he’s highly competitive. He gets between 16-19 minutes per game for the Wolverines, depending on special teams. Almost all of his shifts have come at even strength and on the power play this season.
Michigan plays Bentley on Friday and, if they move on, would face the winner of Minnesota-Duluth and Penn State on Sunday. If the Wolverines are eliminated some time this weekend in the regionals, I’m anticipating Hage to sign with the Canadiens after wrapping up his sophomore season.
What will be interesting to see whenever Hage does sign is how the Canadiens handle it. James Hagens signing an ATO (amateur tryout) contract with the AHL’s Providence Bruins allows him to get some pro experience before the Bruins sign him to his entry-level contract. That may set a precedent for how Montreal proceeds with Hage since they are in the thick of a playoff race as well and have a tough lineup to crack. By going that route, Montreal could sign him to his ELC at any time, either to use him in the lineup at the end of the regular season or in the playoffs, depending on their scenario.
Now on to the NCAA teams and the players I’m watching closely for their potential NHL impact.
Michigan State Spartans
The Spartans enter the tournament as the top seed in the Worcester region with a record of 25-8-2. They have several players on their roster who look poised to sign entry-level contracts at the conclusion of their season.
Charlie Stramel, 6-foot-3, 222 pounds, senior forward
Stramel is property of the Minnesota Wild, who drafted the power forward in the first-round (21st overall) in 2023. Stramel took some time to evolve at the college level, but found his footing after transferring from Wisconsin after his sophomore season. He produced 19G-25A this year at MSU. He averaged nearly 20 minutes per game of ice time while being deployed in all situations. There was a time when I was concerned about Stramel’s ability to track up and down the ice, but he’s evolved over his college career and eliminated my concern in the process.
Wild GM Bill Guerin values players like Stramel. It would surprise me if Minnesota decided not to sign Stramel at the end of his season.
Trey Augustine, 6-foot-1, 190 pounds, junior goaltender
The Detroit Red Wings selected Augustine in the second-round (41st overall) in 2023. He’s a finalist for the Mike Richter award (top NCAA goalie) after a season that resulted in Augustine leading the Big Ten in save percentage, goals-against average and shutouts. He isn’t the tallest goaltending prospect, but Augustine has wide shoulders and takes up his share of the net. He squares up to shooters on time, has excellent crease composure and he’s plenty athletic enough to make second and third saves when required. Here’s a look at Augustine’s statistics his first three years at Michigan State. He’s a proven winner.
|
SEASON |
GP |
RECORD |
GAA |
SV% |
|
2023-24 |
35 |
23-9-2 |
2.96 |
.915 |
|
2024-25 |
30 |
19-7-4 |
2.08 |
.924 |
|
2025-26 |
32 |
23-8-1 |
2.09 |
.929 |
Porter Martone, 6-foot-3, 204 pounds, freshman winger
The Philadelphia Flyers selected Martone sixth overall last June. The freshman winger is the Spartans’ leading scorer (24G-23A) and appears ready to sign his entry-level contract.
Martone averages around 18 minutes of ice time. His combination of power and goal scoring upside are an attractive element. Pucks are on and off Martone’s stick in a hurry. He leans goal scorer but, with his size and length, extends plays for linemates in the trenches that eventually lead to assists.
Quinnipiac Bobcats
Ethan Wyttenbach, 5-foot-10, 181 pounds, freshman winger
The Calgary Flames have to be ecstatic with the step Wytennbach took with his game this year at Quinnipiac. Calgary selected him in the fifth-round (144th overall) just last June out of the USHL and he led the entire NCAA in scoring with 24G-34A this season. Wyttenbach has great puck touch and the ability to escape pressure in small areas. He’s quick off the rush and creative overall. All of his ice time comes at even strength and on the power play. He generally gets between 18 and 22 minutes per game depending on special teams.
It will be interesting to see what the Flames decide to do with Wyttenbach at the end of the year. The 19-year-old has time on his side to continue to develop at the college level and keep rounding out his overall game. Wyttenbach is a top 10 finalist for the Hobey Baker award.
Michigan Wolverines
TJ Hughes, 6-foot, 185 pounds, senior forward
After mentioning Hage at the outset of my analysis, I’d be remised if I didn’t promote the leading scorer for the Wolverines.
Hughes is the second-leading scorer in the NCAA (20G-33A). He averages just shy of 19 minutes per game of ice time with almost all of his shifts coming at even strength and the power play. Hughes leads by example with his relentless approach. He’s active up ice as F1 on the forecheck creating turnovers, strong on the puck and possesses a deceptive release. Hughes has pro ready habits overall. Although he doesn’t kill penalties, he’s generally trustworthy defensively in addition to the impact he provides offensively.
Penn State Nittany Lions
Matt DiMarsico, 6-foot, 180 pounds, junior forward
Gavin McKenna has garnered most of the attention at Penn State this year, but DiMarsico has stood out for me as well.
DiMarsico is the second-leading scorer at Penn State (18G-24A) behind McKenna (15G-36A). I appreciate DiMarsico’s competitiveness and consistency. He’s deployed in all situations and has averaged 18 minutes per game of ice time. DiMarsico might project as more of a bottom-six energy forward at the pro level, but he’s proven he has, at least, secondary scoring upside. His speed and commitment to detail in all three zones are attractive elements.
Dimarsico is 22 years old and undrafted, but it feels to me like there are several NHL teams that have interest in him. He could end up foregoing his senior season to turn pro.
Minnesota-Duluth Bulldogs
Max Plante, 5-foot-11, 180 pounds, sophomore forward
Plante was selected by the Detroit Red Wings in the second round (47th overall) in 2024. He is also a highly competitive forward who doesn’t shy away from engaging in the hard areas of the ice. He’s quick and fast on straight lines, reads how plays are developing and is exceptionally dangerous from the bumper position on the power play. Plante is the leading scoring at Duluth and fifth in the nation overall (24G-25A). He has the ability and commitment to be used in a variety of roles, including penalty-killing.
Western Michigan Broncos
Grant Slukynsky, 6-foot-1, 200 pounds, junior centre
Defending NCAA champion Western Michigan plays a hard, buttoned up, style of game as a team and Slukynsky is a massive contributor to their overall team success. He’s deployed in a variety of roles, one of the top face-off centres in the entire NCAA and the leading scorer for the Broncos (10G-30A). NHL teams will value his overall detail and “lead by example” approach to the game. I’m projecting Skukynsky as a potential bottom-six/two-way forward at the NHL level.
Cornell Big Red
Jonathan Castagna, 6-foot-2, 195 pounds, junior centre
The Calgary Flames acquired Castagna’s rights in the trade that sent defenceman MacKenzie Weegar to the Utah Mammoth at the trade deadline. Castagna is the leading scorer for the Big Red and a forward who has a real chance at someday maturing into a bottom-six contributor for the Flames. Castagna plays fast and uses his size and length as an advantage. He’s not a really high volume shooter, but when he has a clean look at the net he definitely knows how to deposit the puck in the back of it. Castagna averages around 19 minutes of ice time per game. I view him as an emerging two-way forward with secondary scoring upside, size, and commitment to be used in a variety of roles.
Denver Pioneers
Boston Buckberger, 5-foot-11, 181 pounds, junior defenceman
Buckberger is a 22-year-old undrafted free agent who has developed nicely at the college level. Sometimes prospects need more time to work on their game. Buckberger is a perfect example. His skating, for his size, needed to improve for me to gain more trust in his trajectory. Now that he has proven his pace isn’t an issue the rest of his game has come into focus. Buckberger averages over 24 minutes per game of ice time. He’s in the top 10 for points by a defenceman in the entire NCAA (10G-18A) and top five in the plus/minus category (plus-29).
Buckberger might end up returning to Denver for his senior season, but I’m confident in saying teams are circling him as well. I’m pulling for this player. He’s worked hard to get to the stage he’s at and, honestly, how can’t you pull for a player with such a great name. What a handle.
Rieger Lorenz, 6-foot-3, 210 pounds, senior forward
Lorenz was selected by the Minnesota Wild in the second-round (56th overall) in 2022. The senior forward has blossomed into a reliable three-zone contributor at Denver. After a down year offensively last year as a junior (6G-14A) Lorenz has improved to 15G-18A this season. He’s being deployed in all situations and is committed defensively. He has a chance to potentially provide the Wild with some bottom-six minutes at the NHL level in time.
Why senior players are in control of their destiny
Something to keep a close eye on at this time of the year, in relation to seniors whose rights are already owned by an NHL team that drafted them, is the timeline to get graduating player signed to contracts.
If a graduating player, like Lorenz for example, isn’t signed by August 15 this summer he becomes an unrestricted free agent free to sign with any NHL organization. Seniors are in ultimate control of their destiny. They can choose to sign with the team that drafted them or wait it out until August 15. When a team is informed that the graduating player isn’t interested in signing with them, they will usually attempt to trade his rights to another NHL organization in return for a later round draft pick.
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Canada’s Stephen Gogolev fifth after men’s short program at figure skating worlds
Canada’s Stephen Gogolev continued his breakout season Thursday, finishing fifth in the men’s singles short program at the world figure skating championships.
Competing at his first worlds, Gogolev delivered a personal-best 94.38 points with a clean skate to “Mugzy’s Move” by American swing band Royal Crown Revue.
“I felt like I was really able to put out the performance that I really wanted to and give energy throughout the program,” Gogolev said.
Two-time world champion Ilia Malinin of the United States led the field with 111.29 points, bouncing back after he unravelled with an error-filled free skate and fell from first to eighth at last month’s Milan Cortina Winter Games. France’s Adam Siao Him Fa sat second (101.85) and Estonia’s Aleksandr Selevko was third (96.49).
Gogolev is coming off a fifth-place finish in Milan, landing just 1.12 points off the podium in his Olympic debut.
Once a child prodigy, the 21-year-old from Toronto is making a name for himself on the senior international stage after years of back injuries kept him off the ice.
“It was definitely a hard few years in the previous seasons, but I’m very happy, and I think it creates for quite a good story,” Gogolev said. “Now I’m back at the highest level that I’ve ever been.
“(The Olympics) definitely increased my confidence quite a bit in that I’m able to compete at a much higher level than I expected to be at the beginning of the season. I’m not really sure if I feel any difference in expectations, I would say, because I think the goal for every competition is to just to do the best I can.”
The men’s free program is scheduled for Saturday. Gogolev could secure a second entry for Canada at next year’s world championships with a top-10 placement.
Competition continues Thursday with the pairs free skate. Canadian champions Lia Pereira and Trennt Michaud sit in third after scoring a personal-best 75.52 in Wednesday’s short program.
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