The Leader-Post from Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada • A7

Auston Matthews, Connor McDavid and New York Rang- ers goalie Igor Shesterkin are the final- ists for the 2021-22 Hart Trophy the player voted most valuable to his team. This Maurice Richard Trophy winner as the leading goal-scorer, Matthews, 24, pictured, post- ed a career-high 106 points (60 goals, 46 assists) in 73 games. He became the 21st different player in NHL history to register 60 goals in a season. Matthews was the Hart runner-up last season. McDavid, 25, the reigning Hart winner, also won in 2017.

He won the Art Ross Trophy as the top scorer with 123 points (44 goals, 79 assists). He is vying to become the ninth player to take home the award at least three times. Shesterkin, 26, had a 36-13-4 record, a 2.07 goals-against aver- age, .935 save percentage and six shutouts. Reuters MATTHEWS, MCDAVID UP FOR HART SPORTS musings, mutterings and Monster from Day 2 of the Saskatchewan rookie camp at the University of Saskatchewan. SW Regina-born defensive line- man Nicholas Dheilly had any problems adjusting to life at rookie camp.

Dheilly spent the 2019 season with the of Huskies, with whom he was a regular partici- pant at practices and workouts at Griffiths Stadium where he is currently working out with the Roughriders. really cool because I used to be in camp here as a Dheilly said. would see the Riders come in and take over the whole facility. I knew that I just wanted to be like that some day. cool to see all of the Huskies watching us just like I did two years The LeBoldus Golden graduate, a former member of the University of Regina Rams, was selected by the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in the fifth round (46th overall) of the 2020 CFL draft.

He made roster after training camp in 2021. He dressed for four regu- lar-season games, recording one special-teams tackle. He was released on Nov. 1 and signed with his hometown Roughriders on Nov. 12.

nice coming into camp knowing going Dhei- lly said. year with the Blue Bombers, I was learning on the fly. Here I can focus on being a pro and just come to work every I I I There was a heavy emphasis on drills during session. The prospects spent the majority of the two-hour prac- tice rotating between different stations designed to prepare them if the main training camp opens on Sunday. There is doubt about that taking place due the ongoing labour dispute between the league and the CFL Association.

The prospects are still under scrutiny even though one-on- ones between the offence and defence have been limited. a guy does well and is using the techniques that teach- ing, a guy that is going to compete for a said Riders head coach Craig Dickenson. A I I DAY The competition for spots is expected to heat up Friday with fewer drills and more one-on- ones and contact drills on the agenda. is going to be big day to Dickenson said. going to have skeletons and (the receivers) will actually have pads on while they are run- ning the routes.

The quarterback is going to have to throw the ball on time. I would encourage (reporters) to AY American receiver Jeremiah Haydel stood out during the drill-heavy sessions. He exhibit- ed some explosiveness during an abbreviated one-on-one session with the defensive backs. Haydel, who starred at Texas State, signed as an undraft- ed free agent with the Los Angeles Chargers. He was released at the end of the 2021 training camp.

His signing with the Riders was announced on May 10. The Riders have good depth at receiver, so Haydel (six feet, 170 pounds) could find it hard to crack the roster. How- ever, he helped his cause with a solid effort and by showing loads of energy on Thursday. twitter.com/murraylp Former Huskie Dheilly feels at home at Griffiths Stadium Defensive lineman Nicholas Dheilly takes part in a drill at the rookie camp on Thursday at Griffiths Stadium in Saskatoon. I RG AY I a a AY I A AT Justin im- mediate plans are focused on mak- ing the Saskatchewan Roughrid- roster.

If that work out, the American running back has his fu- ture covered, because he graduat- ed from the University of Villanova with a degree in nursing. He passed his final exam in March and is offi- cially a registered nurse having effectively balanced athletics and academics. was definitely he said Thursday after the second day of rookie camp at the University of Griffiths Stadium. coaches and my academic support team allowed me to work my football schedule with my hos- pital rotation, studying, and every- thing like that. a career that really excited for because I know that I will be in a hospital helping The COVID-19 pandemic has increased the demand for nurses in Canada and the United States.

Covington, who hails from The Bronx, N.Y., had considered retir- ing from football to become a full- time nurse, but decided to put off that decision. is always going to be a need for said Covington, 23. family said I might as well play football for as long as I can. When I do decide to hang it up, I can always go into It was a family tie that drew Cov- ington to nursing. While he was in Grade 7, he spent considerable time caring for his grandmother during her successful battle with colon cancer.

That experience convinced the 5-foot-11, 225-pound Covington to pursue nursing as a vocation, as opposed to following through on his initial dream of being a doctor. made me want to help oth- he said. made me see just what kind of impact that I can have on people in their Covington is proud of his ability to earn a degree in a challenging field while playing football. a student-athlete is a unique role, especially for those who take on intense Cov- ington said. lot of people think of stu- dent-athletes taking minor majors.

There is a good amount of stimulus for taking nursing, engineering or business, (majors) that require a lot of time on top of what giving to your Covington excelled in the class- room and on the gridiron. With the Villanova Wildcats, he rushed for 2,236 yards and 16 touchdowns over 43 games while averaging 6.2 yards per carry. In 11 games last season, he rushed for 739 yards averaging 5.8 yards per carry and six touchdowns. He drew some interest from NFL teams, but was bypassed in the 2022 draft. gone through the process with the NFL draft and the mini- he said.

I got a call about Canada and never been to Canada. It was exciting because you only get so many opportuni- ties to play professional football. I want to compete against new guys in a new Covington is competing against fellow American running backs Frankie Hickson, Shamar More- land and Troymaine Pope at rookie camp. The competition to be the featured running back will stiffen at main camp, with the additions of CFL veterans Jamal Morrow and Shaq Cooper. Barring a labour disruption, main camp is to begin Sunday.

know there is a good competi- tion there, but I just want to be on the Covington said. Covington has impressed Rid- ers head coach Craig Dickenson, but that assessment comes with a caveat. hard to evaluate running backs until they get pads Dickenson said. will be in pads (Friday) and let him get more physical in the drill work. He has done a good job so background might be an advantage when it comes to making the leap from college to the professional level.

a guy has a degree and has worked a little bit, they are more serious because they tend to have a different level of Dickenson said. can tell that he has done some things besides football. You can also tell that he really loves football and what he wants to Even with nursing to fall back on, Covington given up on a dream of playing in the NFL. really enjoying it up here, but if the NFL does call, then I will have to he said. Covington covered if football pan out Justin Covington, carrying the ball at the Saskatchewan rookie camp on Thursday, is hoping to become the CFL featured tailback.

I RG Riders rookie prospect has graduated from University of Villanova as a nurse I A A I A A 1 3 2 0 2 2 A A 7.