Sports Reporter

Heat forward Ales Kotalik was placed on re-entry waivers on Wednesday

News and notes: Kotalik on re-entry waivers

With the NHL trade deadline less than a week away, the Abbotsford Heat's personnel situation is beginning to get very interesting.

Heat forward Ales Kotalik was placed on re-entry waivers on Wednesday
Shea Bourquin (with ball) of Abbotsford’s Premier League men’s squad tries to break free of the clutches of a Vancouver Rowing Club opponent on Saturday.

Abbotsford rugby club crushes Rowers

A weekend of comprehensive dominance illustrated the ever-expanding depth of the Abbotsford…

Shea Bourquin (with ball) of Abbotsford’s Premier League men’s squad tries to break free of the clutches of a Vancouver Rowing Club opponent on Saturday.
The Kenyan sevens squad celebrates winning the International Division in Abbotsford in 2009.

Rugby sevens event adds more international flavour

The Abbotsford Rugby Sevens tournament is growing by leaps and bounds heading into its third year.

The Kenyan sevens squad celebrates winning the International Division in Abbotsford in 2009.
Mission goalie Lukas Simpson stymies Abbotsford’s Brett Kolins on the doorstep during playoff action on Tuesday at MSA Arena.

Pilots win playoff opener

Heading into a first-round playoff series with the Mission Icebreakers, Abbotsford Pilots…

Mission goalie Lukas Simpson stymies Abbotsford’s Brett Kolins on the doorstep during playoff action on Tuesday at MSA Arena.
Top-ranked Hawks clinch provincial berth

Top-ranked Hawks clinch provincial berth

The W.J. Mouat senior girls basketball team clinched a trip to the…

Top-ranked Hawks clinch provincial berth
Cascades forward Ryan Fahandeg takes the ball to the hoop against Brandon on Saturday.

Cascades sweep Bobcats to clinch playoff berth

With their backs against the wall heading into the final two games…

Cascades forward Ryan Fahandeg takes the ball to the hoop against Brandon on Saturday.
Trevor Berge of the Yale Lions soars to the hoop against Alex Boschman of the MEI Eagles during Fraser Valley East quarter-final action last week.

Gators devour Lions in league final

For the Yale Lions, a decisive defeat at the hands of the Walnut Grove Gators in Saturday's Fraser Valley East senior boys AAA basketball league final was a timely learning experience.

Trevor Berge of the Yale Lions soars to the hoop against Alex Boschman of the MEI Eagles during Fraser Valley East quarter-final action last week.
Mico Dragutinovic (left) of the Mission Icebreakers and Travis Grewal of the Abbotsford Pilots duke it out on Friday at MSA Arena.

Pilots, Icebreakers to clash in first round

If familiarity breeds contempt, the Abbotsford Pilots and Mission Icebreakers figure to grow tired of each other in short order.

Mico Dragutinovic (left) of the Mission Icebreakers and Travis Grewal of the Abbotsford Pilots duke it out on Friday at MSA Arena.
Oklahoma City Barons centre Ryan O'Marra slipped a shot between the pads of Heat goalie Leland Irving on a first-period breakaway on Saturday

Arcobello’s OT goal lifts Barons past Heat

One night after turning in an effort that head coach Jim Playfair termed "disgusting," the Abbotsford Heat brought a surplus of passion, grit and elbow grease to their rematch with the Oklahoma City Barons on Saturday.
The sweat investment yielded a hollow result, though, as the Heat suffered a 3-2 overtime defeat to the Edmonton Oilers' affiliate at the Abbotsford Entertainment and Sports Centre.

Oklahoma City Barons centre Ryan O'Marra slipped a shot between the pads of Heat goalie Leland Irving on a first-period breakaway on Saturday
Jon Rheault

Resurgent Rheault on a roll with Heat

Following a recent Abbotsford Heat practice, defenceman T.J. Brodie was quietly conducting…

Jon Rheault
Fifth-year UFV forward Alyssa Gaukel

UFV’s Gaukel a ‘special player’

Alyssa Gaukel, in both a literal and figurative way, has helped lay…

Fifth-year UFV forward Alyssa Gaukel

Abbotsford lands Premier League soccer franchise

Abbotsford's status as a soccer hotbed was confirmed on Thursday afternoon, as the recently rebranded Magnuson Ford Mariners FC was awarded a franchise in the new B.C. Soccer Premier League.

Greg Nemisz is excited about the opportunity to play at the Saddledome as a member of the Heat. He aspires to play there on a more permanent basis in the future with the Flames.

News and notes: Nemisz, Heat stoked to play at Saddledome

The Abbotsford Heat have a home game on the road this Friday,…

Greg Nemisz is excited about the opportunity to play at the Saddledome as a member of the Heat. He aspires to play there on a more permanent basis in the future with the Flames.
Abbotsford native Tyson Barkman helped Canada's senior men's development team to a silver medal at a tournament in Florida.

Barkman thrilled to wear maple leaf

Tyson Barkman is hoping a strong performance for Softball Canada's development team…

Abbotsford native Tyson Barkman helped Canada's senior men's development team to a silver medal at a tournament in Florida.
Local rivals to clash in v-ball playoffs

Local rivals to clash in v-ball playoffs

Next week, the stakes go up in the men's volleyball rivalry between…

Local rivals to clash in v-ball playoffs
Tessa Hart

Cascades punch playoff ticket

After a two-year absence, the University of the Fraser Valley women’s basketball team is going back to the Canada West playoffs.

Tessa Hart
The senior co-ed team from Abbotsford’s Valley Stars cheerleading club posted a qualifying score for the World Championships at last weekend’s Cheer Fest.

Reason to cheer

Abbotsford’s Valley Stars cheerleaders had an exceptional showing at their home meet,…

The senior co-ed team from Abbotsford’s Valley Stars cheerleading club posted a qualifying score for the World Championships at last weekend’s Cheer Fest.
Rudi Thorsteinson of the Richmond Sockeyes unleashes a backhander against Abbotsford Pilots goalie Cole Chreptyk.

Pilots clinch first

Splitting a pair of weekend home games was enough for the Abbotsford Pilots to lock up first place in their conference.

Rudi Thorsteinson of the Richmond Sockeyes unleashes a backhander against Abbotsford Pilots goalie Cole Chreptyk.
Heat defenceman T.J. Brodie fends off Marlies forechecker Marcel Mueller.

Irving flawless, Breen fortunate as Heat sweep Marlies

The Abbotsford Heat, without a doubt, are playing their finest hockey of the season.
The local AHLers capped a two-game weekend sweep of the Toronto Marlies with a clinical 3-0 triumph on Saturday evening at the Abbotsford Entertainment and Sports Centre.

Heat defenceman T.J. Brodie fends off Marlies forechecker Marcel Mueller.
Ales Kotalik feels he could be a contributor at the NHL level

Kotalik making the most of his time with Heat

Ales Kotalik's first American Hockey League stint in eight seasons wasn't exactly for the faint of heart.

Ales Kotalik feels he could be a contributor at the NHL level