Former NHLer Willie Mitchell denies sexual assault allegations in civil lawsuit. Former National Hockey League defenceman Willie Mitchell has denied allegations of sexual assault made against him in a civil lawsuit, laying out his version of events surrounding a night of drinking in Tofino, B.C., in September of 2022.

Mitchell, a one-time Vancouver Canuck who played in the NHL from 1999 to 2016, was named as a defendant in a lawsuit filed in October by a woman identified in court records as S.D.K. The plaintiff alleges she was sexually assaulted by Mitchell after becoming intoxicated during a social evening connected to a fishing tournament in the coastal B.C. community.

Woman alleges former Canuck Willie Mitchell sexually assaulted her in 2022

In a response filed Nov. 20 in the British Columbia Supreme Court in Vancouver, Mitchell denied assaulting the plaintiff and disputed key portions of her claim, asserting sexual activity was consensual and that he had no reason to believe the plaintiff lacked the capacity to consent.

S.D.K.’s statement of claim and Mitchell’s response present sharply different accounts of what occurred on Sept. 11–12, 2022. The plaintiff’s allegations have not been tested in court.

According to Mitchell’s response, he attended the annual Race for the Blue fishing tournament in Tofino on Sept. 11, 2022, an event that included social activities and gatherings throughout the community.

#Canadian tennis star Mboko named WTA Newcomer of the Year

Powerball climbs to estimated US$1.25 billion after there were no big winners in Monday’s drawing.

While no one secured the grand prize, two tickets sold in Arizona and California matched all five white balls to win $1 million prizes. The drawing also produced 43 tickets that won $50,000 prizes and 14 tickets that won $200,000 prizes, Powerball said.

This is the second jackpot to hit at least $1 billion this year and the 12th to cross the $1 billion threshold in the past five years.

The largest jackpot this year was in September, and was valued at $1.787 billion before taxes. That went to two winners from Missouri and Texas who split the prize. They took the lump sum, $410 million before taxes, and other lottery winners have done the same.

“Powerball has only seen back-to-back to billion-dollar jackpots twice, and this one has arrived just in time for the holidays,” said Matt Strawn, Iowa Lottery CEO and Powerball Product Group Chair. “While it’s exciting to see the jackpot climb to this level, please remember to play responsibly. A single $2 ticket gives you a chance to win, while also supporting good causes in your community.”

Whether winners actually take an advertised jackpot value depends on how they choose to be paid. The estimated $1.1 billion offered in Monday’s drawing would have come only if a winner opted for 30 escalating installments – which lotteries offer through an annuity accounting for interest – over 29 years.

Otherwise, a winner could choose a lump sum representing what’s in the actual jackpot pool on the day of the drawing, which in Wednesday’s drawing is an estimated $572.1 million.

The next drawing is set for Wednesday at 10:59 p.m. ET. The odds of winning Powerball’s jackpot are 1 in 290.2 million.

By Toni Odejimi, Karina Tsui, CNN

Salah back in action for Liverpool after outburst. The Egypt forward was introduced to loud cheers in the 26th minute after defender Joe Gomez was forced off injured.

The home team were leading 1-0 at Anfield after Hugo Ekitike scored in the first minute.

Salah accused Liverpool of throwing him “under the bus” after he was left on the bench for last week’s 3-3 draw at Leeds -- the third match in a row that he did not start.

He also said he had no relationship with Slot when he spoke to reporters after the match at Elland Road.

He was omitted from the midweek Champions League trip to Inter Milan, which Liverpool won 1-0.

Slot said at Friday’s pre-match press conference that he would speak to the forward later in the day.

“I have no reasons not wanting him to stay,” he said.

Salah, who signed a new two-year contract at Liverpool in April, is due to join the Egypt squad for the Africa Cup of Nations after the Brighton match.

The length of his absence depends on how far Egypt go in the competition in Morocco, with the final taking place on Jan. 18.

Salah, third in Liverpool’s all-time scoring charts with 250 goals, has won two Premier League titles and one Champions League crown during his spell on Merseyside.

He scored 29 Premier League goals last season as Liverpool romped to a 20th English league title but has managed just four league goals this season.

Liverpool started their match against Brighton 10th in the table after a shocking run.

Nathan MacKinnon named NHL’s first star of month as Avalanche dominate November.

NEW YORK — Colorado centre Nathan MacKinnon has been named the NHL’s first star of the month after leading the league-leading Avalanche to an 11-0-2 record in November.

MacKinnon tied for first in the league with 26 points (11 goals, 15 assists), increasing his league-leading total to 44 points (20 goals, 24 assists) in 25 games.

Dallas Stars left-wing Jason Robertson and Chicago Blackhawks centre Connor Bedard were the second and thirds stars, respectively.

Robertson led the NHL with 13 goals in 15 #games.

Bedard had 23 points (10 goals, 13 assists) in 14 games for the resurgent Blackhawks.

Minnesota Wild goaltender Jesper Wallstedt was named rookie of the month after posting a record 6-0-0 with an NHL-best 1.14 goals-against average, .967 save percentage and three shutouts.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 2, 2025.

The Canadian Press

Homan and Jacobs post victories in openers of best-of-three finals at Trials

Safa’s alleged breach of a R25 million contract has emerged as the primary factor behind the collapse of the KwaZulu-Natal #Football Academy, according to documents obtained

Ferrari president John Elkann issued a plea on Monday to the misfiring team's two drivers, Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc, calling on them to focus on driving, not talking.

#Springbok centre Lukhanyo Am will leave the Sharks to further his career in Japan.

Rising Lions star Bronson Mills will appear in court on Wednesday after handing himself in to the Hout Bay Police Station on Tuesday morning after being accused of assaulting a Cape Town student last week.