4-time Cup winner, former HNIC announcer Howie Meeker dies at 97

Toronto Maple Leafs icon and former Hockey Night in Canada announcer Howie Meeker has died at the age of 97, a team spokesperson told The Canadian Press.

Meeker won four Stanley Cups and a Calder Trophy over an eight-year playing career that spanned from 1946 to 1954. He also coached the Maple Leafs for one season in 1956-57.

He then joined Hockey Night in Canada as a broadcaster and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1998 for his career as an analyst.

NHL commissioner Gary Bettman paid his respects to Meeker with a statement later Sunday.

"Howie Meeker spent his long and remarkable life playing, teaching, and broadcasting the game of hockey and serving his country with incredible enthusiasm," Bettman said.

"Presented with the Foster Hewitt Award from the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1998 and awarded the Order of Canada in 2010, Howie Meeker connected countless fans to hockey with his wisdom and infectious voice. The National Hockey League celebrates his life and mourns his passing."

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Senators, Stuetzle pay tribute to late Canadian icon Alex Trebek

The Ottawa Senators are mourning the loss of Canadian icon and longtime "Jeopardy!" host Alex Trebek, who passed away from pancreatic cancer Sunday at the age of 80.

"Alex was a true and much beloved Canadian icon, and a very special member of the Ottawa Senators family," Senators owner Eugene Melnyk said in a statement.

"We will always be grateful to Alex for the special role he played in announcing the Senators' first draft choice this year. For his legions of fans, Alex's class and professionalism will endure as will his love for our game. Thank you, Alex, for your legacy. The Senators family and the entire Capital Region will miss you."

Trebek revealed in March 2019 he had been battling Stage 4 pancreatic cancer.

The Sudbury, Ontario native is a University of Ottawa alumnus. Trebek made a special appearance at the NHL Draft in October to announce forward Tim Stuetzle as the Senators' first-round selection.

The German winger also paid tribute Sunday, posting the video of Trebek drafting him with a special message attached.

"I am deeply sorry to hear about the death of Alex Trebek. I was looking forward to meeting the person who drafted me. He shared this unforgettable moment with me and I am very thankful for that."

Trebek holds the Guinness World Record for the most game show episodes hosted by the same presenter. He hosted more than 8,200 episodes of "Jeopardy!" over 37 seasons.

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QMJHL moves 7 teams to bubble in Quebec City over COVID-19 concerns

The QMJHL has announced seven teams located in COVID-19 red zones will assemble a protected environment in Quebec City for 10 days.

The Gatineau Olympiques, Drummondville Voltiguers, Blainville-Boisbriand Armada, Victoriaville Tigres, Shawinigan Cataractes, Chicoutimi Sagueneens, and Quebec Remparts will station themselves accordingly at the Videotron Centre from Nov. 17-27.

Each team will play six regular-season games.

The move comes at the recommendation of Quebec Public Health officials. The province reported its highest ever daily increase of COVID-19 cases on Sunday with 1,397.

The QMJHL is the only branch of the CHL to have begun its 2020-21 campaign. The schedule started in October and there have already been outbreaks on multiple teams.

The WHL is scheduled to return Jan. 8, while the OHL is targeting Feb. 4 for its resumption.

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Daly: Jan. 1 ‘remains our objective’ to begin 2020-21 NHL season

The NHL still has its eyes set on starting the 2020-21 season on New Year's Day.

Dropping the puck on Jan. 1 "remains our objective," league deputy commissioner Bill Daly told TSN's Pierre LeBrun on Friday.

The NHL-NHLPA return-to-play committee hasn't met yet to discuss the matter despite the date being less than two months away, LeBrun added.

The upcoming campaign's logistics remain unknown. It's unclear how many games will be played, whether an all-Canadian division will be created due to border restrictions brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, if bubbles will be needed, or if fans will be able to attend games.

Earlier reports state the league isn't considering anything less than 48 games. Daly previously mentioned at least 10-12 scenarios the league could viably look at, but added none are more likely than others.

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Sports world reacts as Joe Biden projected to become president-elect

After more than four days of ballot-counting following record voter turnout, Joe Biden was projected Saturday to win the 2020 U.S. presidential election.

Notable athletes, including LeBron James, quickly took to social media to react to the news:

Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green noted to James that White House visits - something many championship teams avoided under President Donald Trump - might soon resume:

The count in Pennsylvania - specifically the Philadelphia area - put Biden over the top. The drawn-out procedure tested the patience of many, but 76ers center Joel Embiid reminded everyone that it was a process:

Current and retired athletes with ties to the city - including Philly native Kyle Lowry and former Eagles defensive end Chris Long - saluted voters:

Cincinnati Reds pitcher Amir Garrett and Winnipeg Jets winger Blake Wheeler called for unity in a divided political environment:

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