Bulls & Bears: Rugby Sevens is a magical event

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After the remarkably poised Kerry Einarson rink defeated Jennifer Jones for a record-tying fourth consecutive Scotties Tournament of Hearts championship last week at the Sandman Centre in Kamloops, the spotlight this weekend shifts to the men’s game and the Tim Hortons Brier at Budweiser Gardens in London, Ont.

Brad Gushue of Newfoundland (and Team Canada) and Kevin Koe of Alberta — both four-time former champions — are among the favourites for screen time at what will be the last Brier presented by Tim Hortons. The event — one of the rock solid heritage brands when it comes to TSN in particular and Canadian sport television properties in general — will have a new title partner next year.

Led by team president and general manager Chris Drury, the New York Rangers showed considerable salary cap creativity to land Patrick Kane from the Chicago Blackhawks earlier this week, making him the second major acquisition by the Blueshirts this trade season after Vladimir Tarasenko was picked up from the St. Louis Blues two weeks ago.

The US$2.2 billion Rangers and the $2 billion Toronto Maple Leafs — the two richest franchises in the NHL according to the valuations compiled by Forbes Magazine — set the tone for the NHL trade deadline.

The big question is whether the moves made by other teams will be enough to get the better of the Boston Bruins in these upcoming playoffs?

The current year Bruins (48-8-5) now own the record for being the fastest NHL team to cross 100 points in a regular season. They did it in 61 games, edging past the storied 1976-77 Montreal Canadiens, Stanley Cup champions who that year reached the threshold in 62 games. Twelve years after their 2011 Cup win and four years since their last appearance in the Cup final, the Bruins are just that good and show no signs of letting up. There hasn’t been a better performer in 46 years.

Yet there’s nothing more bullish heading into the weekend than Rugby Sevens. Held at B.C. Place in Vancouver, the internationally-sanctioned HSBC Canada Rugby Sevens became an annual sensation prior to the COVID-19 pandemic and appear poised to build on their previous successes as one of the most popular special events in the country.

More than 60,000 fans — many of them in costumes and body paint — are expected to be part of the magic this weekend in the eighth rendition of the Canada Sevens.

Kudos to Rugby Canada and local organizers for expanding the event to three days to accommodate a 16-team women’s tournament — joining 16 men’s teams.

Bears of the week

Olympian Charmaine Crooks is one of the busiest people in Canadian sport. Her new assignment — being promoted from vice-president to acting president of Canada Soccer — will be one of the toughest of her career. Yet she is well-positioned to resolve disputes between the national governing body and its men’s and women’s national teams.

The sooner the better given the reputational damage done over the past 15 months under the administration of former president Dr. Nick Bontis, who resigned earlier this week. Don’t feel too sorry for Bontis, who will seemingly retain his vice-presidency at CONCACAF.

Marketing communications executive and sport business commentator Tom Mayenknecht is a principal in Emblematica Brand Builders and the host of The Sport Market on BNN Bloomberg Radio 1410 and TSN Radio nationally. Follow Mayenknecht at:.

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