The Kamloops Blazers are going all in as they get set to host the Memorial Cup, pulling off a blockbuster deal with the Everett Silvertips ahead of Tuesday's WHL trade deadline.

The Blazers picked up Olen Zellweger and Ryan Hofer from Everett in exchange for Kaden Hammell, Drew Englot, Rylan Pierce, Jack Baker, nine draft picks including four first round selections, and a conditional draft pick.

Other trades over the weekend saw Vancouver Giants captain Zack Ostapchuk dealt to Winnipeg for Skyler Bruce and Connor Dale, prospects Hudson Landmark and Owen Brees and four draft picks. Also, the top-ranked Seattle Thunderbirds picked up Colton Dach and a 5th round pick from the Kelowna Rockets in exchange for Ty Hurley, who was traded to Seattle from the Swift Current Broncos in November, along with Ethan Mittlesteadt, a first-round pick in 2024 and two conditional draft picks.

In WHL action on Sunday, Connor Bedard scored four goals in his return to the Pats lineup after the World Juniors as Regina beat Calgary 6-2, and Matthew Savoie and Zack Benson had two goals each as Winnipeg beat Portland 6-3.

In the NHL, Kyle Connor had a hat trick as the Winnipeg Jets beat the Vancouver Canucks 7-4 to extend their winning streak to a season-high five games. Meanwhile, John Tavares and Mitch Marner had three points each as Toronto beat Philadelphia 6-2 and Max Domi got the overtime winner as Chicago beat Calgary 4-3. Edmonton visits Los Angeles, Montreal hosts Seattle and Ottawa welcomes Nashville on tonight's schedule.

Busy weekend for local AA minor hockey

The Source for Sports U18 AA Broncos split their games on the weekend, winning 5-1 over the Notre Dame Hounds in Wilcox on Saturday before falling to the Prairie Storm 3-2 on Sunday at S3 Arenas.

The Pure Chem U15 Broncos won their only game of the weekend, 3-2 over the Saskatoon Generals at home on Sunday, and the SWT U13 Broncos beat the Regina Mustangs 7-4 on Saturday and the Moose Jaw Warriors 9-3 on Sunday. The U13 Broncos host the Regina Blues today at 5:45pm from S3 Arenas.

The Full Line Ag U18 Wildcats edged the Saskatoon Comet Legends 4-3 in their only game of the weekend on Saturday, while the Graphic Edge U15 Wildcats split their two-game homestand with the Northwest Sharks, losing 6-1 Saturday before picking up a 6-2 win on Sunday. The WW Smith U13 Wildcats fell 3-1 and 10-3 to the Western Prairie Thunder at home this weekend.

Canada faces host Swedes at women's U18 championship

Team Canada continues preliminary play at the World Women's Under-18 Hockey Championship with a game against host Sweden this afternoon.

Caitlin Kraemer had two goals and an assist as Canada beat Finland 8-0 in their opening game on Sunday. Canada will also face the USA on Wednesday before the playoffs begin on Thursday.

Road to Super Bowl mapped out in NFL

The NFL’s playoff picture is now set after the regular season wrapped up on Sunday. 

In the AFC, the top-seeded Kansas City Chiefs will have the first-round bye, while the Bills host the Dolphins, the Bengals welcome the Ravens and the Jaguars host the LA Chargers in the wild card round next weekend. 

The Philadelphia Eagles have the first-round bye in the NFC with the 49ers hosting the Seahawks, the Vikings hosting the Giants and the Buccaneers welcoming the Cowboys in the wild card games. 

The Super Bowl is on February 12 in Glendale, Arizona.

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