Canadian racer Greg Moore’s helmet stolen from museum in Vancouver
By The Canadian PressPublished: September 04, 2025 at 6:28PM EDT
VANCOUVER — A racing helmet worn by one of Canada’s highest-profile IndyCar racers has been stolen from a museum in Vancouver. The BC Sports Hall of Fame says the theft happened on Wednesday, when staff noticed a helmet worn by Greg Moore was taken from a mannequin on display beside his IndyCar.Moore, from Maple Ridge, B.C., was a rising star on the IndyCar circuit in the late 1990s and accumulated five wins and 17 podium finishes before he was killed in a race in California in 1999 at age 24.The stolen helmet was worn by Moore at the Rio 400 in Brazil during one of his five career IndyCar wins.The BC Sports Hall of Fame says the helmet was on permanent loan from the Moore family and is one of the museum’s most iconic motorsport collection items.The museum has released a description of the suspect and is urging the public to help identify the man and recover the helmet, which carries significant monetary and emotional value.“This helmet isn’t just a valuable artifact, it’s a deeply personal and irreplaceable piece of Canadian sports history,” says BC Sports Hall of Fame curator Jason Beck in a statement.He says the museum is “devastated” by the theft.In the same statement, Ric Moore, Greg’s father, says the helmet represented what his son stood for.“That helmet is a part of Greg that we’ll never get back,” he says. “It’s not just racing gear, it’s a symbol of who he was, the joy he brought to people, and the dreams he chased.”
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EXCLUSIVE: BC Lions player misses grandma’s funeral after cancelled Air Canada flight
By Shannon Paterson Updated: August 18, 2025 at 9:43PM EDTPublished: August 18, 2025 at 8:47PM EDT
BC Lions defensive back Patrice Rene was very close to his grandmother Carmen Cange.“She was the glue of the family in a lot of ways,’” Rene said. “She was the sweetest lady you could possibly meet. Made sure that everybody was taken care of, make sure that everybody had what they needed.”When Cange passed away in Ottawa on Aug. 8, the family scheduled the matriarch’s funeral for the morning of Monday, Aug. 18, so Rene could attend the service without missing this past Saturday’s game against the Montreal Alouettes.“I played for my grandmother, I had her in my mind the whole time. I know that she was watching over me,” said Rene. “I know that she would want me to play this game, and I really felt her presence with me.”Riding high from the Lions’ victory, Rene checked his phone after the game and learned his Sunday morning Air Canada flight from Vancouver to Ottawa had been cancelled.“I tried to call customer service, couldn’t reach anybody. Tried to email, couldn’t reach anybody. And then at that point, I’m just looking at the different flights, different airlines, just trying to find my best possible way to get to Ottawa. But unfortunately, everything was booked,” said Rene.Out of options, the 27-year-old realized he would miss his grandmother’s funeral.“The thing that hurts me the most is not that she passed. Everybody has their day and time, she lived a great life, she was older. But the thing that hurt the most was just not being able to be there for my family. Not being able to be there for my mom, not able to hug her on this day, after she lost her mother,” Rene said.He was able to watch the service on a live stream that had been set up for extended family in Haiti.“That’s a surreal experience in itself, just watching the live stream and seeing my family and I can’t even touch them,” said Rene. “Seeing the casket, it was crazy to know that I don’t get to see my grandma anymore. I missed my chance to see her.”BC Lions player Patrice Rene is seen in this photo with his late-grandmother.Rene said he’s not angry at striking flight attendants, adding: “I studied labor relations and employment relations. I understand what’s happening.”He just wishes Air Canada was doing more for impacted passengers.“They don’t really understand or try to really consider what the impact of missing a flight could be,” he said.So far, an estimated 500,000 people have seen their flights cancelled.For Rene, the impact was devastating.“That’s going to be with me for the rest of my life,” he said. “I didn’t get to see my grandma get buried. I didn’t get to say goodbye.”
Two-time champion Sam Reinhart brings the Stanley Cup home to West Vancouver
By Shannon PatersonPublished: August 19, 2025 at 8:34PM ED
Every Stanley Cup champion gets their day with the trophy, and Florida Panthers winger Sam Reinhart brought it to his hometown of West Vancouver on Tuesday.Reinhart, who also brought the cup to West Van after winning it last year, arrived at Dundarave Pier by boat, hoisting the iconic trophy over his head, much to the delight of hundreds of fans who had gathered to give him a hero’s welcome.“I just really want to see the Stanley Cup, and I’m excited to see Sam Reinhart,” said Cole Pruger, who came with his two brothers and cheered when Reinhart carried the cup from the boat past him and down the pier.“To have this opportunity to come and do this again is pretty special to me,” Reinhart said to the crowd gathered there. “To have my family all here is cool as well.”The 27-year-old credited his mom with putting together the gathering for fans, where they could have their photos taken with Sam and the cup for a donation to charity.“West Van was unbelievable. I just said, do you want to do something for two hours? I don’t know how I will top this next year when we win again,” Sam’s mother Theresa Reinhart said, adding, “one thing about the cup is it just makes everyone happy, and it’s so nice to be around happy people.”Fans meet Sam Reinhart and the Stanley Cup in West Vancouver on Tuesday, Aug. 19.One of those happy people was West Vancouver Mayor Mark Sager, who admits he was geeking out spending time with Sam and the Stanley Cup.“I have to say it’s pretty thrilling. I kind of get a bit of the shakes. It really is as beautiful up close as it appears from a distance,” said Sager of the cup. “It’s so great to have Sam, the generosity of his time bringing the cup here and sharing it with all of these people. It’s fantastic.”Many people who came to see Sam were wearing Canucks jerseys, clearly hoping one day their hometown team will win the cup, not just a hometown player.“I’m a Canucks fan obviously. But the cup doesn’t come here with the Canucks, so I am going to see it anyway,” said Brian Taylor, who brought the Pruger brothers to the event.“Sam is definitely West Vancouver’s favourite son,” Sager said. “He’s a true superstar in so many ways, and his skill his determination it’s just an example for all of the young people in our community.”When the Pruger boys finally got their turn to see Sam, they both kissed the Stanley Cup.“To see it not with the Vancouver Canucks but still in Vancouver is amazing,” said Rylan.Reinhart’s Grade 4 teacher Peter Davidson surprised his former student by waiting in line for a photo.“It’s absolutely incredible, it’s amazing,” Davidson said of Reinhart’s achievements. “I know how hard he worked, and he always was as great kid. And he’s leader now, isn’t he?”Reinhart credited his upbringing in West Vancouver with giving him the foundation for his success.“If you look at my career, it’s the environment I’ve been in has allowed me to have this success,” he told the crowd. “Growing up in West Vancouver, to be surrounded by you guys, I had every opportunity in life to succeed and be here standing with you guys again today.”