Jaylen Johnson wasnt happy with how he finished his high school football career.

After his senior season at Cincinnatis La Salle High School, Johnson was named as the Greater Catholic Leagues co-defensive back of the year while earning first-team all-Ohio honors from MaxPreps. He helped lead the Lancers to the state semifinals, where they lost to Massillon Washington and his soon-to-be Ohio State teammate Jayden Ballard.

Johnson, however, doesnt believe he deserved any accolades for how he played in 2020.

My senior year, people say I played good, but in my opinion, I feel like I played horrible, Johnson told Eleven Warriors last week. My conditioning wasnt all the way right. My strength wasnt there; I was normally getting blocked when I rarely can get blocked. My breaks, my cuts, everything just was all very bad in my opinion. Honestly, I dont see how I won defensive back of the year in my conference.

Because there was uncertainty about whether the state of Ohio would even have a high school football season last fall due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Johnson admits he didnt prepare for the season the way he normally would have. Without knowing whether hed actually get to play a senior season, Johnson didnt have the motivation to give his all during his offseason training.

That taught Johnson a valuable lesson, though, as he prepares to start his Ohio State career this summer.

It taught me to always be ready so I dont have to get ready, Johnson said. And since Ive been training since December, my numbers are out the roof right now. A normal senior that plays my position would never be able to do the things that Im doing as of right now.

Johnson, who is set to arrive at Ohio State on Tuesday to enroll in classes and officially join the Buckeyes, has been working on getting stronger and improving his stamina in training for his freshman year. Through his offseason work in the weight room, which he says has been a big point of emphasis as hes prepared to head to Columbus, Johnson says he can now bench press 330 pounds, power clean 245 pounds, deadlift 515 pounds and squat 410 pounds.

This is not high school ball. Im playing with kids that are my age and older than me at the same time, so I know I have to be physically and mentally prepared, Johnson said.

The 6-foot-2 defensive back hasbulked up to 225 pounds as he prepares to play bullet, Ohio States hybrid safety/linebacker position, which he believes will be a perfect fit for his game.

Thats honestly what I wanted to play, bullet, because I can play in the secondary and I also can play in the box, Johnson said. When I think of that position, the first person that comes to my mind is Jamal Adams, whos one of my favorite safeties in the NFL right now.

Ranked as the No. 411 overall prospect and No. 29 safety in the recruiting class of 2021, Johnson is the lowest-rated position player in Ohio States new crop of freshmen. He says that doesnt bother him, though, because he knows his own ability.

Stars are for people who go to camps and how many offers you have. It doesnt define the person you are, the athlete you are, Johnson said. Aaron Donald was a three-star and hes been a defensive MVP almost every year. Russell Wilson was a three-star; one of the best quarterbacks ever.

I know what Im capable of doing. And I know that I can go beyond or be better than what Im doing now if I continue to work.

His three-star rating also didnt bother Ohio States coaches, who viewed him as a leader in the recruiting class.

Hes got a great way of connecting with the other recruits, Ryan Day said after the Buckeyes signed Johnson in December. Hes been a glue, to be honest with you, during this whole process, keeping guys together.

Johnson also knows that all of the freshmen, no matter how highly touted they were as recruits, have to prove themselves all over again now that theyre college players.

We gotta just come in ready to work, Johnson said. We all know that were nobodies now. Whatever our high school accolades and accomplishments are dont mean anything. Its time to start a new chapter. So thats how I look at it. I dont know about their perspective, but thats how I look at it.

I know what Im capable of doing. And I know that I can go beyond or be better than what Im doing now if I continue to work. Jaylen Johnson on being his own toughest critic

Even though Johnson arrives at Ohio State less heralded than most of the other new freshmen, he could have the opportunity to compete for early playing time. Ronnie Hickman and Craig Young are the frontrunners to play most of the snaps at bullet, while Kourt Williams is also a strong candidate for playing time if he is fully healthy for the fall, but none of them are proven commodities yet.

After watching Ohio States pass defense struggle last season, Johnson knows Kerry Coombs and Matt Barnes are looking for new players to step up on the back end of the defense, and hes motivated to do whatever he can to help the Buckeyes defense get back on track.

Ive been real focused lately because I know our defensive backfield wasnt the best that it could be, and I know they still need help and we need help, Johnson said. So my vision on my college career is to come in and be the best athlete I can be, and just give the coaches 25/8 every day.

Johnson, whos his own toughest critic, knows he still needs to improve to be a successful player for the Buckeyes. Specifically, Johnson knows he needs to work on improving his ball skills and off-man coverage.

If he can get better in those areas, though, he believes hell be able to do anything Ohio State asks him to do.

Those are two things that I have trouble with, Johnson said. I can run with anyone. If I can get my hands under you, I can play outside, I can play the slot, I can play linebacker, bullet. (Cover) tight ends, running backs. I just have to practice my off-man and my ball skills, thats it.

I can come up, make plays. I can play every coverage. I can read offenses. People tell me, theres not much stuff that I cant do.

RELATED Jaylen Johnson Brings Respect, Discipline, Physical Versatility and Another Example of Ohio State's Inside-Out Recruiting Approach

Playing for Ohio State has long been a dream for Johnson, and now, hes motivated to make an impact for the Buckeyes as soon as possible. Most of all, though, Johnson says he wants to follow the example set for him by his father, Jarvis, who also played Division I college football at Northern Illinois.

What motivates me the most is my father waking up every morning, 6 in the morning, going to work, working his behind off just to provide for me, Johnson said. So he really sparks the fire and my fuel to make me the best I can be every day.

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Jaylen Johnson Ready to Work, Motivated to Make Impact for Buckeyes Defense As He Begins Ohio State Career - Eleven Warriors

Jeff Wagner learned the answer starts very early in life -- but changes as we get older (2:44). WCCO 4 News At 10 - June 1, 2021

- Starting today, Minnesotans can earn a reward for getting the COVID-10 vaccine.

- It's part of a new state program aimed at getting more shots into arms. With so many states offering something similar, we wondered why are we motivated by incentives? Good question. Jeff Wagner learned the answer starts very early in life, but changes as we get older.

JEFF WAGNER: Did you hear about the state's incentive program for vaccines?

- We did. Not Minnesota's, but various other more popular ones.

- I think a popular one is Ohio. Everybody knows the lottery and the amount of money that you could have won.

JEFF WAGNER: A million bucks, in fact. That's what a 14-year-old boy--

- I'm definitely not quitting my job.

JEFF WAGNER: --and 22-year-old woman earned for rolling up their sleeves. Minnesota went the Minnesota route, meaning you could get a free fishing license, state fair admission, or state park pass, among other choices. Would it be nice to, like, retroactively get one of those because you already did it, right?

- Yes. So I'm already vaccinated. But it would be nice to kind of be patted on the back for that.

JEFF WAGNER: Why are we motivated by incentives?

FIYYAZ KARIM: It's a really good example of positive reinforcement and operant conditioning.

JEFF WAGNER: Fiyyaz Karim is a University of Minnesota professor who specializes in behavior health.

FIYYAZ KARIM: Looking at those external rewards as a motivation to change certain desired behavior.

JEFF WAGNER: Is this something we learn, or is maybe it instinctual in us?

FIYYAZ KARIM: It's actually a little bit of both because I think we are born innately with certain temperaments and personality styles.

JEFF WAGNER: Incentives can be taught in parenting techniques, like telling a child they only get dessert if they finish their vegetables.

FIYYAZ KARIM: Those different rewards helped to establish healthy routines and behaviors.

Story continues

JEFF WAGNER: As we grow up, Karim says motivation often comes from within, such as getting vaccinated because you feel it's the right thing to do.

- I think for us, being involved with health care, I think it's easier for us to think more so for herd immunity.

- For me, it's like how can we do the most for the people around us?

JEFF WAGNER: Your job could be considered incentive-motivated. If you work, you get paid. Hopefully, there's internal motivation as well.

FIYYAZ KARIM: As an educator and a teacher, I have a passion for teaching. And I enjoy having that positive change on others.

JEFF WAGNER: Thousands of Minnesotans missed the boat on getting a vaccine incentive. But there is one external reward everyone gets to enjoy.

- I thought the more people get vaccinated, the faster we can get back to normal.

JEFF WAGNER: Jeff Wagner-- So that normalcy, almost like an incentive in itself?

- Yeah, absolutely.

JEFF WAGNER: -- WCCO 4 News.

- Minnesota's incentive program is paid for through federal COVID-19 funding, which is similar to the lottery system in other states. If you would like to register to get vaccinated for a reward, look for the link attached to this story on our website.

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Good Question: Why Are We Motivated By Incentives? - Yahoo News

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The Atlanta Hawks put together a big performance against the New York Knicks on Friday, posting a 105-94 win that wasnt even as close as the score would indicate. It seems there was a motivating factor behind the Hawks coming out and playing the way they did.

Hawks guard Kevin Huerter revealed that two key incidents from the second half of Game 2 made the team angry when watching film, and the team focused on not letting the Knicks beat them physically in Game 3.

Physical play has been a hallmark of the series. Hawks interim coach Nate McMillan has made it a key point publicly, too.

There was one moment where the Hawks seemed to be setting the tone early in Game 3. It definitely worked out, as theyre up 2-1 in the series and the Knicks look badly off on offense. Now its up to New York to mount a response.

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Hawks' Kevin Huerter reveals what motivated team in Game 3 - Larry Brown Sports

The gap between Europe's richest clubs and the rest has grown in the past 12 months despite no team avoiding the grave financial impacts of the pandemic, according to a new KPMG report which highlights the financial muscle of the dozen owners behind the failed Super League proposal.

While eight Premier League clubs are in the top 20 of the auditors annual Enterprise Value rankings at the end of a season in which games being played behind closed doors and broadcast rebates led to significant decreases in clubs perceived worth, a more concerning chasm has opened between 14 clubs across the continent and the rest.

Three London clubs feature in the top 11 of the 32-team table. Chelsea are seventh, Tottenham have fallen to ninth, while Arsenals on-field decline is being mirrored by their slump to 11th. West Ham United have dropped out.

But the most notable aspect is the fracture that now exists within the elite clubs. There are 13 clubs with midpoint valuations of more than 1bn and, underlining the yawning gap, the 15th-placed club, Schalke, have a worth of significantly less than half of that at 451m.

In the past season the top 10 clubs operating revenues accounted for almost 60% of the total income of all 32 clubs, while they accounted for only a third of the aggregate net loss, the report said.

The analysis says the clubs "at the very top" have operating models that are now "noticeably different" to the rest and in the six years since the began to evaluation ranking "the top 10 clubs have performed better than the other 22 clubs combined when considering total operating revenues, staff costs-to-revenue ratio and net result."

KPMG also found that of the 98 clubs in Europes big five leagues the dozen Super League members accounted for 74% of all social media followers 1.34bn compared to 474m.

All 29 clubs that were part of last years analysis recorded a decrease in valuation as the impact of the pandemic struck hard. More than 5bn has been wiped off the collective value of the elite clubs compared to last year but it has still risen 27% since 2016.

The rankings

1 Real Madrid -16% (compared to last year) Value: 2.62bn

2 Barcelona -10% Value: 2.58bn

3 Manchester United -20% Value: 2.39bn

4 Bayern Munich -9% Value: 2.36bn

5 Liverpool -14% Value: 2.059bn

6 Manchester City -17% Value: 1.95bn

7 Chelsea -15% Value: 1.69bn

8 Paris Saint-Germain -8% Value: 1.58bn

9 Tottenham Hotspur -17% Value: 1.54bn

10 Juventus -15% Value: 1.33bn

---

11 Arsenal -22% Value: 1.3bn

18 Everton -15% Value: 410m

20 Leicester City -24% Value: 382m

"The aggregate Enterprise Value of the 32 most prominent European football clubs has dropped by 15% year on year (-5.26bn), down to 33.6bn (29bn), a value slightly higher than the 2018 level," the report added.

"Broadcasting and matchday income were impacted to the greatest extent by the pandemic, whereas commercial revenues slightly increased, mainly thanks to agreements signed before the start of the health crisis.

"The impact of the pandemic is apparent in clubs profitability as well: only seven of the top 32 clubs reported a net profit, while there were 20 profitable clubs in this elite a year before. Despite the latest 15% EV drop mainly caused by Covid-19, the 32 clubs increased their aggregate EV by 27% from 2016 until now."

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The damning figures that explain motivation for Super League as gap between biggest clubs grows - Football.London

This is a still frame from the arrest of CNN correspondent Omar Jimenez. Another Black member of his team, Michael Cooper, says his arrest the following day was racially motivated.

Roughly a year after covering protests that followed George Floyds murder, a Black security officer for the CNN broadcast team reporting live from Minneapolis sued the Minnesota State Patrol troopers who arrested him in an incident his lawyers call racially motivated.

On May 30, 2020, Michael J. Cooper provided security as part of the same CNN team that included correspondent Omar Jimenez, who was arrested on air a day earlier.

Michael Cooper, a former Illinois trooper, being interviewed by ABC 7 Chicago in Nov. 2020.

Both men are Black, and Coopers lawyers claim that the fact both were targeted for arrest was no accident.

The selective arresting of Black media members was not coincidental,his lawyer Jeffrey S. Storms wrote in an 11-page complaint. It was intentional and racially motivated.

One of Coopers lawyers, Ben Crump, is a prominent civil rights attorney who represented the Floyd family. Though the lawsuit was filed on May 27, the firm announced it on Tuesday.

How many times will the country need to see this script play out, where a Black man is treated differently by police than other people in the same situation? lawyer Christopher ONeal,from Crumps firm, asked in a statement. Mr. Coopers experience while simply working while Black is, unfortunately, all too common. There must be justice for him and for all Black Americans who have had their basic civil rights violated and their dignity offended while going about their lives.

According to the lawsuit, Cooper was 64 years old at the time of his arrest and was a 43-year, honorably retired law enforcement veteran. Cooper spent most of his career in the Illinois State Police.

The irony of Mr. Coopers arrest and mistreatment cant be understated, lawyer Antonio M. Romanucci ofRomanucci & Blandin, wrote in a statement. As the city was engulfed in protests for the harsh mistreatment of a Black man by Minneapolis police, Mr. Cooper himself was mistreated by state law enforcement officers, which is both baffling and extremely disappointing. We are committed to securing justice for Mr. Cooper for the way his civil rights were violated.

Coopers lawsuit names as defendants Trooper Patrick Kelly and an unknown supervising captain identified as Jane Doe.

As it became dark on the evening of May 30, the Broadcast Team found itself in a dangerous location where the police were shooting tear gas and rubber bullets towards the crowd. Mr. Cooper was charged with navigating the Broadcast Team to a different location to keep the team safe.

According to the lawsuit, one of the producers fell to the ground in pain after being shot with a rubber bullet, and the broadcast team came across a cloud of tear gas.

Mr. Cooper eventually identified law enforcement and recommended that they calmly approach law enforcement, present their press credentials, and seek assistance with evacuating the area, the complaint states.

Carrying two lawful firearms in his capacity as CNNs security officer, Cooper was the only Black member of the CNN team in the immediate vicinity at the time, according to his complaint.

Cooper says that the troopers ignored him after he repeatedly identified himself as press and presented his credentials.

The troopers ordered Mr. Cooper to kneel down, then lay down, and place his arms straight out from his body with his palms facing straight up, the complaint states.

According to the lawsuit, the supervising captain wrongfully proclaimed that Cooper violated curfew, ignoring Coopers explanation that Governor Tim Walz exempted press from it.

Cooper says he was held in jail 20 hours before being released, but no charges were ever filed.

Despite efforts made on Mr. Coopers behalf, Mr. Cooper never received so much as an apology or public recognition of this unlawful act by the State Patrol or Minnesota public officials, the complaint states.

This experience has caused Mr. Cooper great stress and anxiety not only due to his own unlawful arrest but because he has now been left to contemplate that the system he has dedicated his life to is capable of unlawfully arresting and causing resulting harm to wholly innocent men and women, it continues.

Cooper alleges violations of his First and Fourth Amendment rights, seeking $500,000 for each of the two counts.

Minnesota State Patrol did not immediately respond to an email requesting comment.

[Image via screen capture from CNN/YouTube.]

Have a tip we should know? [emailprotected]

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Black Security Officer for CNN Sues Over Racially Motivated Arrest that Occurred a Day After Omar Jimenez Was Handcuffed on Live TV - Law & Crime

Cesar Azpilicueta revealed the double motivation behind Chelseas stunning European success.

Azpilicueta said they were determined to prove the doubters wrong after losing their way earlier in the season while the pain of losing the FA Cup final two weeks ago drove them on.

Chelsea captain Azpilicueta said: "Losing a final, of course it hurts a lot, I wish we could have won both, the FA Cup and the Champions League but we didn't and we took this energy, we suffered 15 days ago, what it meant to lose a final and it hurts. You don't want to be on the losing side.

"The first trophy as a captain is something really special, it took three finals and the fourth was the right one, the big one, I'm so happy, I'm very pleased.

"A few months ago, lots of people doubted the quality of the team and we created a special bond and we did it.

Azpilicueta arrived in the summer of 2012 just after Chelsea had won their first Champions League trophy and now he says the feeling of their latest success feels so special but he insists they are already thinking about the next one.

He added: When you play for a club like Chelsea, you always think in the future. That's done, we are very happy, we will celebrate, we are champions of Europe again after nine years, second time in our history.

"But football like this, the ones who go to the Euros get a new challenge ahead of us, we will come back in the Premier league, we didn't finish where we wanted to finish and we want to fight for everything.

"At Chelsea, I always learned that we go for every single game, fight for every single trophy and I'm pleased that I could get my hands on the trophy that I missed before.

Thomas Tuchel, beaten in last year's final with PSG, was over the moon to go one better and praised his players for winning their individual battles.

He said: To share it with everybody is incredible. What a fight, we made it 1-0 but I dont know what to feel actually.

I was so grateful to arrive anyway, to arrive the second time, but it felt different. We somehow, we could feel it and Im happy.

Today, they were deserving to win this. We wanted to be the stone in the shoe, the stone in the clockwork of Man City. We encouraged everyone to step out, go for duels one-on-one.

"We were great and had some dangerous counter-attacks, had some opportunities. The second-half was a real fight.

That was a massive moment [with Christian Pulisic] that could have been 2-0 then we had to defend. It was very intense, very fast, the circumstances.

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Cesar Azpilicueta opens up on double motivation that powered Chelsea to European success - The Mirror

Next opponent: Wildcats

Both UA and Alabama come in on winning streaks as both swept their opponents in the regionals and Super Regionals. However, Alabamas is actually quite a bit longer. The Crimson Tide hasnt lost since April 17 to Florida, and are 18-0 since then.

Alabama, behind Montana Fouts, eliminated Arizona in 2019. Fouts (25-3) is still around and still one of the best pitchers in the country, with a 1.49 ERA. She threw two shutouts in the three-game regionals and struck out 28 batters in 14 innings. She struck out another 11 batters against Kentucky in a Super Regional win.

None of that intimidates the Wildcats.

Alabama's Montana Fouts, center, celebrates her win over UA two years ago in Oklahoma City. The Wildcats are looking forward at another chance to face her Thursday.

I dont think you ever forget a loss that a team gives you, UAs Jessie Harper said of Fouts three-hit shutout in that 2-0 win over the Wildcats two yeas ago.

I definitely remember it its etched in there (she points to her head). I wont forget it. We are definitely just going to come out and just play our game. I think thats really the key. Im really excited, its going to be a very fun experience.

With both teams hot at the moment, Candrea said when you get to the WCWS, its really about you not your opponent.

Right now, its really not necessarily the opponent but how you play, and, if you execute the game in the circle and you execute the game offensively and defensively, then you got a chance to play with anyone, Candrea said.

Excerpt from:
Not going out that way: Cats motivated by missing last year's WCWS due to COVID-19 - Arizona Daily Star

When Gov. Jared Polis announced the states latest attempt to convince holdouts to get vaccinated, he placed a giant prop check for a million dollars on a stand and assumed his best carnival barker act.

Thats right! You can win one million dollars, and you may already be entered! the governor declaimed from a podium. Anybody who got the vaccine in Colorado or who gets the vaccine will be an automatic participant in not one, not two, not three, not four, but five drawings for a million dollars!

Yeah. It was bad.

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The idea of offering cash prizes to get vaccine-hesitant people to do what should be considered a civic duty was popularized in Ohio, whose leaders announced the states Vax-A-Million drawings earlier this month. In Colorados program, modeled on Ohios, every adult who has been vaccinated for COVID-19 will be entered in five drawings to choose a million-dollar winner in each. The first drawing in whats called Comeback Cash is scheduled for June 4, the last on July 7.

Its hard to imagine anything else that could so perfectly encapsulate American societys pitiful response to the pandemic. That response has been characterized by stupendous acts of selfishness, complete abandonment of social responsibility, extremist elevation of the individual over the community, lethal rejection of the common good, and nauseating displays of personal entitlement. The million-dollar drawing is not only necessitated by the selfishness of so many Coloradans but it relies on it.

From the start of the pandemic, right-wing lunacy created a more dangerous environment for everyone. It fueled resistance to social distancing measures. It celebrated defiance of public health orders. It jeopardized the lives of public health care workers. It encouraged rejection of mask-wearing protocols. It normalized the view that COVID-19 was a hoax. And it gave license to outrageously antisocial behavior under the banner of individual freedom.

Thats the banner Republican Rep. Ken Buck raised in opposition to the vaccine. I have the freedom to decide if Im going to take a vaccine or not and in this case I am not going to take the vaccine, he said on Fox News in December.

Herd immunity when a large enough proportion of a population is protected from a virus for it to be eliminated as a community threat is estimated to be at least 80% for COVID-19. But about 30% of the U.S. population is reluctant or unwilling to get vaccinated, including a sizable portion of Coloradans. Some, especially from communities of color, harbor an understandable distrust of vaccines, or they have a medical condition that precludes vaccination. But many have gone unvaccinated out of hesitancy or laziness, as Polis once described it. Others subscribe to the Buck brand of responsibility-free personal choice, no matter how many fellow Coloradans it kills.

But public health officials are betting that pecuniary selfishness will overpower political selfishness. And its probably a safe bet. Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine claimed that after implementation of his states lottery, shots increased 49% among people 16 and older. Coloradans seem to have an insatiable appetite for gambling in other arenas. And the roughly 1-in-500,000 odds of winning the vaxx prize are attractive.

But even if the program works, theres no avoiding the profound failure at its heart. We might acknowledge that methadone clinics offer an effective treatment for heroin users, but we dont celebrate them. Comeback Cash is at best a regrettable expedient to address shameful behavior. The state essentially is spending $5 million in bribes to persuade residents to do the right thing at a time when Colorado unemployment remains at double pre-pandemic rates, when a wave of evictions could be imminent, when the pandemic is believed to have contributed to a significant increase in homelessness, and when COVID-19 has killed more than 6,700 people and counting in the state.

During his announcement of the drawings, Polis quoted The Hunger Games and said to eligible Coloradans, May the odds be ever in your favor. In the movie the line referred to a deathmatch among children for entertainment in a dystopian future society. Odds are that Polis was careless with the quote, but, given the dystopian qualities of our own societys approach to the pandemic, it was apt.

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People were killed by the thousands. But only cash will motivate some Coloradans. - Colorado Newsline

With the NHL draft lottery just a few days away, I thought it would be a fun excercise to take a look at who the Calgary Flames might consider drafting if they get extremely lucky and get themselves a Top 2 pick at this years draft. The lottery will be held on Wednesday June 2 and the Flames will come in with the 13th best odds. This means their chances of winning the lottery will be very slim, with just a 2.2% chance of the #1 overall pick, and a 4.6% chance of a Top 2 pick.

However, for the sake of content, lets say the Flames win a Top 2 pick. What would they do? This years draft class is a little bit different than other years in that there really isnt a consensus number one pick available, and surely isnt really a consensus number 2 either as a result. This would leave a lot of options for the Flames should they win a top pick.

I guess the biggest question we would want to answer first is what the Flames currently have for holes both at the NHL level and in the system. With recent first round picks Jakob Pelletier and Connor Zary in the forward system, it appears that the Flames would be wise looking at defence with the #1 pick.

After not selecting a defenseman since the first round of 2017 (Juuso Valimaki), the Flames chose four last year, including three consecutive picks in the 2nd and 3rd rounds (Yan Kuznetsov, Jeremie Poirier, Jake Boltmann). With Kuznetsov set to join Stockton next year, hes likely still at least a few years away from really factoring in at the NHL level.

I think its really a simple decision if the Flames get the first pick, and thats to draft Owen Power who has been the closest thing to consensus #1 throughout the year. With the development of Juuso Valimaki and likely departure of Mark Giordano in the near future, adding a LHD could really supplement the team well in the present and future.

I have watched Power at the World Championships over the last few weeks and have really been impressed with his play as hes earned more time in the lineup for Canada. I think it would make the most sense to add to the defensive core should the Flames have the top pick.

If the Flames end up with the 2nd overall pick, I think the answer on who they would draft is a lot more debatable. This years draft features a number of players who could climb to the #2 spot or fall back as the gap between each is fairly minimal.

I think it has become apparent that the Flames could use some help at the center position should they not make a blockbuster trade. Out of the available players, I think someone like William Eklund could be a good fit for the team. He is currently the top ranked European skater by Central Scouting and had a solid season playing in the SHL as an 18 year old.

Eklund is a very well rounded player both offensively and defensively with the ability to play both Center and Wing positions as needed. Even if hes not quite NHL ready this year, he would be a great piece to have in the system for a season.

Matthew Beniers is another center who has been projected to go as high as #2 in some mock drafts. He fell to #6 in the rankings among North American skaters but projects as a player who could be in the NHL as soon as this upcoming season.

If the Flames decide to stick with defense with the pick, adding Luke Hughes so they could have a Hughes brother would be a strong pick as well, although maybe a touch high for the #2 spot. Out of all the players mentioned, I would lean towards Eklund, but I could be swayed to any side really.

One thing that winning a lottery and getting a top 2 pick also does is provide the Flames with a ton of extra and unexpected trade value. If the Flames pick suddenly becomes Top 2, could they use it to entice Buffalo for a Jack Eichel trade?

I feel like Eichel is probably the only player worth trading a pick this high for, but it would certainly be an intriguing possibility especially if Buffalo wins the other lottery and can select 1-2 this year. Another option would be trading back as well and picking up some picks for later in this draft or next year. BT showed his mastery of that last year when he picked up a pair of 3rds and still got the player they wanted in Connor Zary.

Of course all of this probably wont matter with the Flames holding just a 4.6% chance of a top pick, but its fun to see what could happen. What will actually happen Im sure though is the team with the 12th best odds winning a lottery and the Flames missing out because they won an actual game against Vancouver. That would maximize the misery, and thats just what happens when youre a fan of the Flames. The lottery goes Wednesday night at 5:00 PM MT.

See the article here:

Who Would the Flames Pick if they Win the Draft Lottery? - Matchsticks and Gasoline

Baseball BC president Chris Balison stopped by McArthur Island on Wednesday (May 26) to catch a glimpse of return-to-play exuberance.

For the first time in nearly two years, Kamloops Minor Baseball Association house league teams are playing games, with the pandemics grip loosening across the province.

The sheer joy and excitement, it was unbelievable, said Balison, the KMBA past-president who spoke for the organization on Thursday. Its exactly whats meant to occur at McArthur Island. Theyve been waiting a long time.

Step 1 of B.C.s restart plan began on May 25 and allows for local outdoor games and practices for both adult and youth teams. Indoor low intensity group exercise is allowed, with limited capacity.

Contact play, thats great, we can start getting into games, said Ciaran McMahon, technical director for the Kamloops Youth Soccer Association. Its starting to look like a normal season.

The general tone from local sports organizations contacted on Thursday was positive, but confusion, which has come to be expected during COVID-19 transitional stages, is accompanying Step 1.

Both the KMBA and KYSA are waiting for clarification on the definition of local, as the provinces restart plan can be interpreted to allow for more leeway than what is currently sanctioned under viaSport guidelines, which is games between teams from the same association.

ViaSport is the government agency that has been establishing return-to-play protocol throughout the pandemic.

Within KYSA, we havent had updates from viaSport or BC Soccer, McMahon said. Its mildly frustrating, but theyre not getting heads up from the provincial government. We have to define what local is within your zone.

For now, the KYSAs community-program teams can play each other. Select teams are limited to intrasquad matches, unable to travel to Kelowna, Penticton, Salmon Arm or Vernon.

The KYSAs current season wraps up at the end of June.

We want to offer more, McMahon said. Three or four weeks of games beats one or two weeks. Were hoping for clarification sooner than later.

KMBA rep teams are also awaiting clarification.

Until viaSport tells us exactly what we can do in terms of travel for sport, were in a holding pattern, Balison said, noting the current KMBA season wraps up near the end of June.

Clearly, these kids see everyone else playing on the fields and want to play themselves. These are athletes that play at the highest level for their age and theyre itching to play, anxiously waiting.

At the university sports level, TRU WolfPack athletics director Curtis Atkinson is thrilled with the return-to-play timeline.

Canada West recently established schedules and pushed back starting dates. Soccer season, traditionally the first TRU team-sport varsity campaign to begin, was pushed back to September from August.

The B.C. restart plan calls for a return to normal sport competitions on Sept. 7 at the earliest, with an updated COVID-19 safety plan in place.

It was as good of news as we hoped for, Atkinson said. It lines up perfectly with our season.

Canada West schedules for WolfPack teams in 2021-2022 will not feature out-of-province play during the regular season.

Fewer games will be on the Canada West schedule than in traditional years, both as a cost-cutting measure and to allow for rescheduled contests in off-weeks.

On the professional sports front, Sean Smith, business operations and events supervisor for the City of Kamloops, said the B.C. Lions have confirmed they expect to be in the Tournament Capital in July for training camp.

Farhan Lalji of TSN reported on Wednesday the CFL is aiming to open training camps on July 10.

Smith said the Lions players required to quarantine prior to camp are likely to begin arriving in Kamloops on July 1.

THE SPORTS PLAN

Below are the sports-and-excercise timelines outlined in the B.C. restart plan:

Step 1: Starting May 25

Indoor low intensity group exercise allowed with limited capacity

Outdoor games and practices for both adults and youth group/team sports allowed

No spectators at any indoor or outdoor sport activities

Step 2: Earliest start date June 15

Indoor high intensity group exercise allowed with reduced capacity

Indoor games and practices for both adults and youth group/team sports allowed

No spectators at any indoor sport activities

Outdoor spectators up to 50 allowed

Step 3: Earliest start date July 1

All indoor fitness classes allowed, usual capacity

Limited indoor spectators allowed

Step 4: Earliest start date Sept. 7

Return to normal sport competitions with an updated COVID-19 Safety Plan in place

Increased outdoor and indoor spectators

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Sports in Kamloops elation, confusion part of B.C. restart plan; Lions aiming to arrive in July - Kamloops This Week