TORONTO -- Ontarios Liberal government came under fire Thursday for quietly giving $500,000 to Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment to help secure the 2016 NBA all-star game for Toronto.
Tim McCarver Jersey . "Its amazing that theyd find $500,000 to give to the second wealthiest sports organization in the world," said Progressive Conservative Doug Holyday. "I dont think NBA basketball needs that help, and Im certain if the Liberals were proud of doing it they would have made an announcement about it, and they havent." Tourism and Sport Minister Michael Chan never mentioned the half-million-dollar grant Monday, even though he was on hand when MLSE, which owns the Toronto Raptors, announced the city would host the NBA all-star celebrations in 2016. The provincial government also failed to issue a news release to announce the $500,000 grant to MLSE from its "Celebrate Ontario Blockbuster" program. "Im as excited as anybody else to have the NBA all-star game coming to Toronto," said NDP Leader Andrea Horwath. "But Ontario is in some really tough times, and do we really need to be giving $500,000 to a multi-billion-dollar entertainment company that really doesnt need that kind of help?" Premier Kathleen Wynne defended the grant to MLSE, which also owns the NHLs Toronto Maple Leafs, the Toronto FC soccer team, the Air Canada Centre, as well as Leafs TV, NBA TV Canada and GolTV, which broadcasts MLS soccer. "This is part of what we do as a government to enhance tourism and bring people to the province," Wynne said at an unrelated event in Ajax, Ont. "There are other large events that we support, hockey events, soccer events, that bring tourism to the province, and the (NBA) all-star game is part of that." The Canadian Taxpayers Federation said Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment was recently valued at $2.25 billion, and doesnt need corporate welfare. "The government cant resist handing out money left, right and centre and I guess Maple Leaf Sports couldnt resist taking the grant," said CTF Ontario director Candice Malcolm. "It is a shame because Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment had been a model of not seeking or going after taxpayers subsidies." MLSE said Thursday that it asked for the money because it felt the NBA event qualified for funding under the provinces program to boost tourism. "Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment submitted an application through the Celebrate Ontario Blockbuster event program, which is designed to stimulate tourism and the kind of local economic impact that the NBA all-star game will bring to Toronto and Ontario," MLSE spokesman Dave Haggith said in an interview. MLSE had also announced Monday that it had hired Toronto rap star Drake as a new "global ambassador," and predicted the NBA all-star event would generate around $100 million for Toronto. "This is the first time ever the NBA all-star game will be held in Ontario, and its going to provide an outstanding amount of enthusiasm, tourism and full hotels," said Finance Minister Charles Sousa. "Do you know that in Orlando last year it netted $95 million in benefit to local communities? Thats what were talking about." But the Taxpayers Federation said there was no need to give money to MLSE to attract the NBAs signature event. "What on earth are we subsidizing," asked Malcolm. "Ontario taxpayers are simply padding their bottom line."
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Carlos Ruiz Jersey ., and Brooke Henderson of Smiths Falls, Ont.DETROIT -- Henrik Zetterberg wants to play in the playoffs. "Thats the goal," Zetterberg said Wednesday, speaking to reporters for the first time since he had back surgery Feb 21. The Detroit Red Wings hope to give their captain what he wants, but theyve got work to do. Detroit would be in its 23rd straight post-season if the regular season ended Wednesday, but it is in a logjam for one of two spots in the Eastern Conference wild-card race. The Red Wings, who have 10 games left in the regular season, will play Montreal on Thursday night at home. Zetterberg is aiming to return after the playoffs begin April 16. "I think the timeline is eight weeks without contact," he said. "Thats what the doctors say and thats what were going to stick with, and then well re-evaluate after that." Zetterberg said he felt great when he went to Winter Olympics. After Zetterberg played his one and only game as Swedens captain, he woke up in pain because a lingering back problem became debilitating. He had surgery about a week later in New York. "This had to be done," he said. "We went in, took away two pieces from my disc that were pushing on the nerve. Once this is healed and properly rehabbed, I shouldnt have an issue again." Despite not playing for Detroit since Feb. 8, Zetterberg still leads the team with 48 points. The Red Wings have been resting Pavel Datsyuk since Feb. 27, hoping it will help his left knee heal enough to help the team late in the regular season and the playoffs if they earn a spot.
Cliff Lee Creanm Jersey. Datsyuk has been skating this week, but it is not known how longer he will be out. Detroits front line has been bolstered recently by the return of Darren Helm and Joakim Andersson. Tomas Jurco, who has been out for two weeks with injured ribs, is expected to play Thursday against the Canadiens. "The big thing is you get them back, but theyre good for one game and then it takes them about three games to get their conditioning up to speed," Red Wings coach Mike Babcock said. Zetterberg led the team with 16 goals for a while, but Gustav Nyquist has surged into the lead with 25, including two in each of the previous two games and nine during a six-game streak. From Jan. 20 through Tuesdays games, he scored an NHL-high 20 goals -- five more than the leagues second-leading scorer during that stretch. "Hes the hottest player in the league right now and we hope its going to continue," Zetterberg said. Nyquist, who scored four times in 40 NHL games entering the season, has made the most out of his opportunities to play a lot for a banged-up team that has been missing a slew of forwards. Detroits fourth-round pick in 2008 previously scored a lot for the AHLs Grand Rapids Griffins, at the University of Maine and in the Swedish Junior League. "Hes on a roll and feeling good about himself," Babcock said. "You never know until these players play whether they can do it in this league. Hes been a dominant scorer in every league hes ever played in."
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