L’Alliance de Montreal ajoute le dynamique Smith a son effectif

The 14-player roster includes five returning members from the 2024 club

A native of Barbados, Ward appeared in 13 games with the Shooting Stars last summer

The Calgary Stampede is proud to welcome professional basketball to The Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth as the Calgary Surge of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) take on the Montreal Alliance at the Scotiabank Saddledome on Wednesday, July 9 at 7:30 p.m. Taking place on BMO Kids’ Day, this special event invites Stampede guests to experience the energy and excitement of live basketball, Stampede-style. With a focus on family fun, community celebration and dynamic entertainment, this first-ever Stampede appearance by the Calgary Surge will be a highlight of the 2025 Stampede. “The Calgary Stampede is all about bringing people together through unforgettable experiences,” says Allison Wright, Director of Stampede Programming at the Calgary Stampede. “What better way to do that than by introducing live professional basketball to Stampede Park – in a way that only the Stampede can deliver.” Game tickets, starting at $35 for the upper bowl and $45 for the lower bowl (plus applicable fees and taxes), include admission to Stampede Park for the entire day on July 9, giving fans the chance to explore the rides, food, music, and entertainment of the Calgary Stampede before heading to the Saddledome for tip-off. It’s a full day of Stampede excitement—from the Midway to the hardwood. “The reverence we have for the Calgary Stampede and its ability to create community runs deep, so to be partnering this early in our journey is a milestone moment for our company," says Jason Ribeiro, Surge Vice-Chairman & President and Co-Founder of REAL Entertainment & Culture Inc. “With SURGE 2 THE DOME, SURGE 2 RED DEER, and now SURGE 2 STAMPEDE, our feet are firmly planted as live event operators, and we look forward to bringing even more communities together around sports, arts and culture." The Calgary Surge made national headlines in May 2024 when they drew a record-setting crowd of 12,327 fans to the Saddledome—the largest single-game audience in Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) history. With another appearance at the venue scheduled for August, their Stampede debut on July 9 promises to blend the fast-paced energy of professional basketball with the spirit and spectacle of Stampede, adding a bold new chapter to the celebration’s entertainment lineup. “The Calgary Stampede is one of the most iconic celebrations in Canada, and it’s only fitting that CEBL basketball will become part of that energy and tradition,” says Mike Morreale, Commissioner and Co-Founder of the CEBL. “Bringing the Surge to the Saddledome during the Stampede is another bold step by the organization’s leadership to grow the game and deepen its roots in the Calgary community. It will be a truly special night that fuses the spirit of sport and culture in a uniquely Albertan way.” Don’t miss the chance to see one of Canada's fastest growing and exciting sports teams live at the Calgary Stampede. Tickets go on sale to the public on May 16th at 10 a.m. MST. Tickets can be purchased via Ticketmaster online or by phone at (587) 329-7087. Calgary Stampede Insiders can pre-purchase tickets beginning on May 14th at 10 a.m. MST. Become a Stampede Insider to receive the latest Stampede news, advance ticket opportunities, exclusive contests and more here . For more Calgary Stampede entertainment, tickets for the Stampede Rodeo as well as the Evening Show, which include the Rangeland Derby Chuckwagon Races presented by Play Alberta, the fan-favourite Relay Races, and the 2025 Grandstand Show presented by Freedom Mobile, are available now. Plan your Stampede today by visiting calgarystampede.com/tickets . ### About the Calgary Stampede The Calgary Stampede celebrates the people, the animals, the land, the traditions and the values that make up the unique spirit of the west. The Calgary Stampede contributes to the quality of life in Calgary and southern Alberta through our world-renowned Stampede, year-round facilities, western events and several youth and agriculture programs. Exemplifying the theme We’re Greatest Together, we are a volunteer-supported, not-for-profit community organization that preserves and celebrates our western heritage, cultures and community spirit. All revenue is reinvested into Calgary Stampede programs and facilities. About REAL Entertainment & Culture Inc. & the Calgary Surge REAL Entertainment & Culture Inc. (REC) is a professional sports and live events company co-founded by Jason Ribeiro that owns and operates the Calgary Surge Professional Basketball Club. The Calgary Surge tipped off their inaugural season at WinSport Event Centre in May 2023, after originating the Guelph Nighthawks, one of the founding members of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL). The Surge are active members of the community and have participated in a few hundred events (and counting) around the city that connect the team with diverse communities through sport, entertainment, and arts and culture. Over two seasons, the Surge have made back-to-back CEBL Championship Weekend appearances, were crowned Western Conference Champions in 2023, hold the league’s single game attendance record, and have sent over 4000 deserving kids and families to their games for free. Fans can expect even more excitement for 2025! For more information, visit www.calgarysurge.ca . About the Canadian Elite Basketball League A league created by Canadians for Canadians with a mission to develop Canadian players, coaches, sports executives, and referees, the CEBL boasts the highest percentage of Canadian players of any pro league in the country, with 75% of its rosters being Canadian and a record 12 players with NBA experience in 2024. Players also bring experience from the NBA G League, top international pro leagues, the Canadian National team program, NCAA programs, U SPORTS and CCAA. More than 20 players have signed NBA contracts following a CEBL season, and numerous CEBL players attend NBA G League training camps every year. The CEBL season runs from May through August with games broadcast live on CEBL+, TSN, TSN+, RDS, Game+, and Next Level Sports & Entertainment. More information about the CEBL is available at CEBL.ca and @cebleague on Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, LinkedIn, Facebook & YouTube.

La Ligue élite canadienne de basketball (LECB) et la Société des loteries et des jeux de l’Ontario (OLG) ont annoncé jeudi le renouvellement du partenariat officiel d’OLG pour une deuxième saison. Dans le cadre de cet accord, LOTTO MAX continuera d’être la loterie officielle, et PROLINE restera le service de paris sportifs en points de vente officiel de la LECB et de ses quatre équipes basées en Ontario. De plus, LOTTO MAX revient en tant que partenaire présentateur de la Conférence de l’Est de la LECB et des séries éliminatoires de la Conférence de l’Est. OLG continuera d’offrir des expériences innovantes et excitantes aux partisans de la LECB et aux amateurs de basketball à travers l’Ontario en 2025. La société demeure engagée à dynamiser la ligue en proposant des promotions centrées sur l’expérience des partisans ainsi que du contenu attrayant, tant dans les arénas que sur les plateformes de diffusion. « Le renouvellement de notre partenariat avec OLG reflète notre engagement commun à offrir des expériences exceptionnelles aux partisans », a déclaré Mike Morreale, commissaire et cofondateur de la LECB. « Ensemble, nous poursuivons sur notre lancée afin de faire croître le sport et de renforcer la présence de la ligue en Ontario, dans ce qui s’annonce comme une autre saison palpitante. » Pour lancer la saison, les partisans assistant aux matchs d'ouverture à domicile des Honey Badgers de Brampton, des River Lions de Niagara, des BlackJacks d’Ottawa et des Shooting Stars de Scarborough recevront un t-shirt spécial aux couleurs de leur équipe. Pour ajouter à l’excitation, OLG lancera le programme « Super partisan LOTTO MAX du match », qui permettra à deux partisans chanceux par match, dans chacun de ces marchés, d’être surclassés à des sièges au bord du terrain, leur offrant une vue rapprochée et immersive de l’action. Cette reconnaissance spéciale vise à célébrer nos partisans passionnés et à enrichir leur expérience de match de manière inoubliable. « OLG est fière de poursuivre son partenariat avec la LECB et de créer encore plus de moments mémorables et palpitants pour les amateurs de basketball », a déclaré Maxine Chapman, vice-présidente, marque et marketing. « Notre engagement envers le soutien du sport en Ontario demeure fort, et nous avons hâte d’améliorer l’expérience des partisans tout en célébrant la passion et l’enthousiasme des supporteurs à travers la province. » La septième saison de la LECB débutera le 11 mai, lorsque le Surge de Calgary se rendra à Edmonton pour affronter les Stingers dans le cadre de la Bataille de l'Alberta. Avec 127 matchs de saison régulière au programme, la campagne 2025 mènera aux séries éliminatoires qui commenceront le 14 août. Le week-end du Championnat , qui réunira les quatre meilleures équipes de la saison régulière s'affrontant pour le titre de la ligue, se tiendra au Centre Canada Life à Winnipeg, du 22 au 24 août. Les abonnements saisonniers et les forfaits flex sont désormais disponibles dans toute la ligue, offrant un accès prioritaire aux sièges et donnant accès à des prix avantageux. Pour plus d'informations sur les billets pour tous les matchs de la LECB, y compris les billets individuels, rendez-vous sur cebl.ca/fr-ca/tickets et cebl.ca/cw25/tickets . - LECB – À propos de la LECB Ligue créée par des Canadiens pour des Canadiens avec la mission de développer des joueurs, des entraîneurs, des dirigeants sportifs et des arbitres canadiens, la LECB compte le pourcentage le plus élevé de joueurs canadiens de toutes les ligues professionnelles du pays, ses formations étant composées à 75 % de Canadiens et comptant un nombre record de 12 joueurs possédant une expérience de la NBA dans leurs rangs en 2024. Les joueurs viennent également de la NBA G League, des meilleures ligues professionnelles internationales, du programme de l'équipe nationale canadienne, des programmes de la NCAA, ainsi que de U SPORTS et de l’ACSC. Plus de 20 joueurs ont signé des contrats de la NBA après une saison de la LECB et de nombreux joueurs de la LECB participent chaque année à des camps d'entraînement de la NBA G League. La saison de la LECB se déroule de mai à août et les matchs sont diffusés en direct sur CEBL+ , TSN, TSN+, RDS , Game+ , et Next Level Sports & Entertainment . De plus amples informations sur la LECB sont disponibles sur CEBL.ca/fr-ca et via @cebleague sur Instagram , Twitter , TikTok , LinkedIn , Facebook et YouTube . À propos d’OLG OLG est une société de la Couronne qui contribue à l’essor de l’Ontario en offrant des expériences de divertissement de grande qualité à ses clients. Agissant de manière socialement responsable, OLG exploite et gère des établissements de jeux terrestres, la vente de jeux de loterie à l’échelle provinciale, des jeux en ligne ainsi que la prestation de bingo et d’autres produits de jeux électroniques dans les centres de jeux de bienfaisance. OLG soutient également l’industrie des courses de chevaux en Ontario. Depuis 1975, OLG a généré environ 62 milliards de dollars pour la population et la province de l’Ontario, soutenant ainsi les grandes priorités du gouvernement, notamment les soins de santé, la prévention et le traitement du jeu problématique, ainsi que le soutien aux athlètes amateurs. Chaque année, les profits des activités d’OLG bénéficient également aux communautés hôtes, aux Premières Nations de l’Ontario, aux détaillants de loterie et aux organismes de bienfaisance locaux partout dans la province.

The Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) and Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG) announced Thursday the renewal of OLG’s official sponsorship for a second season. As part of the agreement, LOTTO MAX will continue as the Official Lottery, and PROLINE will remain the Official Retail Sportsbook of the CEBL and its four Ontario-based teams. Additionally, LOTTO MAX returns as the presenting partner of the CEBL’s Eastern Conference and Eastern Conference Playoffs. OLG will continue to deliver innovative and exciting experiences for CEBL fans and basketball enthusiasts across Ontario in 2025. They remain committed to enhancing the vibrancy of the league by offering fan-centric promotions and engaging content both in arenas and on broadcast platforms. “Renewing our partnership with OLG reflects our shared commitment to delivering exceptional fan experiences,” said Mike Morreale, Commissioner and Co-Founder of the CEBL. “Together, we’re building on our momentum to grow the game and elevate the league’s presence across Ontario in what promises to be another exciting season.” To kick off the season, fans attending home openers for the Brampton Honey Badgers, Niagara River Lions, Ottawa BlackJacks and Scarborough Shooting Stars will receive a special team t-shirt. Adding to the excitement, OLG will introduce the "LOTTO MAX Supreme Fan of the Game" which will see two lucky fans per game in each of these markets upgraded to courtside seats, offering them an up-close and personal view of the action. This special recognition aims to celebrate our passionate supporters and enhance their game-day experience in an unforgettable way. “OLG is proud to continue its sponsorship of the CEBL and create even more memorable and exciting moments for basketball fans,” said Maxine Chapman, VP Brand and Marketing Officer. “Our commitment to supporting sports in Ontario remains strong, and we look forward to enhancing the fan experience and celebrating the passion and enthusiasm of supporters across the province.” The seventh season of the CEBL tips off May 11 with a total of 120 regular season games in the 2025 campaign , leading to playoffs that begin August 14. Championship Weekend , which features the league’s top four teams during the regular season vying for the league title, will be held at Canada Life Centre in Winnipeg August 22-24. Season tickets and flex packs are now available league wide with priority seating access and preferred pricing. Ticket information for all CEBL games, including single-game tickets, can be found by visiting cebl.ca/tickets and cebl.ca/cw25/tickets . - CEBL - About the CEBL A league created by Canadians for Canadians with a mission to develop Canadian players, coaches, sports executives, and referees, the CEBL boasts the highest percentage of Canadian players of any pro league in the country with 75% of its rosters being Canadian and a record 12 players with NBA experience in 2024. Players also bring experience from the NBA G League, top international pro leagues, the Canadian National team program, NCAA programs, as well as U SPORTS and CCAA. More than 20 players have signed NBA contracts following a CEBL season, and numerous CEBL players attend NBA G League training camps every year. The CEBL season runs from May through August with games broadcast live on CEBL+ , TSN, TSN+, RDS , Game+ and Next Level Sports & Entertainment . More information about the CEBL is available at CEBL.ca and @cebleague on Instagram , Twitter , TikTok , LinkedIn , Facebook & YouTube . About OLG OLG is a Crown agency that contributes to a better Ontario by delivering great entertainment experiences for our customers. Acting in a socially responsible way, OLG conducts and manages land-based gaming facilities; the sale of province-wide lottery games; Internet gaming; and the delivery of bingo and other electronic gaming products at Charitable Gaming Centres. OLG is also helping support the horse racing industry in Ontario. Since 1975, OLG has generated approximately $62 billion for the people and Province of Ontario to support key government priorities like health care; the treatment and prevention of problem gambling; and support for amateur athletes. Each year profits from OLG's operations also support host communities, Ontario First Nations, lottery retailers and local charities across the province.

Explosive guard brings elite scoring ability and playmaking versatility to Montréal following stellar season in Slovakia

Le chef de file canadien des technologies financières s’engage à offrir un programme de remise en argent sur tous les achats de billets de la LECB pour les détenteurs de la carte Neo Mastercard

Training camp will take place from May 8 to 12 at Ridley College and the Walker Sports and Abilities Centre at Canada Games Park, culminating in a pre-season scrimmage against the Brampton Honey Badgers on May 13

Any casual observer of the Fraser Valley-Trinity Western U SPORTS men’s basketball game on Feb. 14 would not have noticed anything amiss. They would have watched as the Spartans withstood a late Cascades charge to win an overtime thriller. They would have seen – though, probably not paid any mind to – Ukrainian referee Andrii Babyk. But they could not have known that, just days earlier, Andrii’s brother, Viktor, was killed in war. “For my dad, basketball helps him to not think about anything,” explained Bogdan, Babyk’s 13-year-old son. Andrii continued: “When I have a game, it's two hours in the game, one hour in pre-game and one hour in post-game. These four hours, I think just for basketball in this time. And after again, I think about this situation. I'm calling my mom, my father, and we talk a lot. But for me, it’s important, when I said, ‘OK, I'll ref,’ I can’t cancel.” Babyk is a lifelong basketball junkie whose journey will take him to the CEBL for a Vancouver Bandits exhibition game on May 8, followed by some regular-season assignments. He and his family – wife Iulia, sons Dima, 23, and Bogdan, 13, and daughter Ieva, 5 — escaped Ukraine three years ago, relocating to West Vancouver, B.C. But even as they find a semblance of normalcy, Babyk’s parents and sister continue to reside, and fight, in an active warzone in Kiev. And so when Andrii received word of his brother’s death, he could hardly have been blamed for sitting out his scheduled game. He did not do that. “I have been a referee for 27 years and I never cancel my game. I don't do it yet,” he said. Babyk was originally introduced to the sport by a school friend, but his family lacked the funds to enroll him onto a proper team. Instead, he played his way on, convincing a coach to let him try out and earning twice-weekly practices. Quickly, two became five. Eventually, Babyk played on his high school team, won a provincial championship, then continued down the basketball path until a hard fall damaged his shoulders. “I have a problem three months, I can't move my shoulders and I understand I can't play after this, but I love basketball, what I can do the next step?” Babyk wondered. “I said, OK, I'm trying to ref.” Babyk showed up to his first game as a referee without a whistle – luckily, an older ref had an extra one and gave it to Babyk. He still remembers that first whistle, though 27 years later, it’s no longer in use. Meanwhile, Babyk also took up a position as general manager of the Ukraine women’s 3x3 team, which won silver at the world championships in China in 2016. Six years later, Russia invaded Ukraine. Suddenly, basketball suddenly took a back seat. The Babyks — who owned house, a store and two cars — suddenly had nothing. “We had everything. That's why I have three kids. I can give my kids what I want, you know? But when the war started, we lost this all,” Babyk said. Iulia, Bogdan and Ieva fled to Bulgaria, then to Vancouver, where they were welcomed by a host family. Andrii and Dima stayed behind in Kiev in an underground bunker for eight months. When they finally arrived in Vancouver, Ieva, then just two years old, did not recognize her dad. “She forgot my face, she doesn't know who I am. It's really heavy because [on FaceTime] she sees me and it's different when she sees me in life. And we cried, me, my kids. It's really heavy,” Babyk said. Iulia questioned her husband for not fighting in the war. “My wife asked me, ‘what are you doing? The war has started.’ I said, I need to help you save the kids.” Just before he got on a plane himself, Andrii made sure to find someone connected to Canadian basketball to get a foot in the door. Once he got settled, he sent a letter to the CEBL: … War is a dreadful experience. I am grateful that my large family, including my wife and three children, is safe in Canada and can sleep in beds, not in basements. … I aspire to return to refereeing at a high level and would be grateful for the opportunity to join your team. … Thank you for spending your time on me! I will justify what you give me the opportunity to become a part of the team. … It's now been three years since the Babyks first began arriving in Canada. Andrii has worked for Uber and Doordash as well as in construction. The family now lives in its own apartment near its original host. All the while, Babyk has stayed in touch with basketball, reffing in whatever leagues will let him on the court. Mike Thomson, a member of the CEBL Referee Advisory Team, said it didn’t take much longer than 10 minutes to recognize Babyk’s talent after he first saw him at a training camp. “You're always looking for somebody that can be adaptable, can be flexible and can learn very quickly,” Thomson explained. On the court, Babyk demonstrated a knack for discerning between contact with consequence and run-of-the-mill in-game physicality, Thomson said. “Andrii's game didn't need to get better. Andrii just needed to be comfortable in an environment that was culturally different,” Thomson said. “As a referee on the floor, he may not be able to respond as quickly and concisely verbally as somebody that, English is their first language. So he has to do it by demonstrating that he has a deep understanding of the game and earn respect immediately by showing that he understands the game.” Apparently, Babyk’s talents are genetic, too. Dima has also taken a liking to the ref stripes – he will work some CEBL games this season at the scorer’s table. But Thomson has higher aspirations for Dima. “There are no more than a small handful of officials in Canada that have the level of potential that Dima has. When you see Dima on the floor, you immediately go, that guy's a referee. Dima actually has the ‘it factor’ with him. He carries himself like a referee,” Thomson said. Babyk had a slightly different take on Dima. “I'm really critical father. Because Canada is really different culture. For me, when Dima have a mistake, I tell him. You need to do [this], need to do that. ‘Father, why you tell me that?’ Because I want to help.” Babyk worked his first CEBL game during pre-season last year. “I realized that this is a chance for me to show my boys Dima and Bogdan by my example — everything in life is possible — I CAN BE IN BASKETBALL - I CAN BE PART OF CANADIAN BASKETBALL AND BENEFIT AS A REFEREE,” he said in a text message. "If you were given a chance — then use it. And most importantly, never forget in your life how and when you got your first chance — APPRECIATE IT ALL YOUR LIFE. My credo in life — Where there's a will, there's a way." Indeed, Babyk’s background and story are undoubtedly unique among Canadian referees. Think back to that game at Fraser Valley now. “You talk about resilience — when I saw him that particular night out at Fraser Valley, it blew me away that he could go on the floor and completely compartmentalize that and referee the game without that on his mind,” Thomson said. You never would have known.