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Gemma Karstens-Smith

@gks.bsky.social
1.1K followers 142 following 344 posts

Vancouver-based sports reporter for The Canadian Press. Tired mom of two. She/her. Tell me a story: gks@cp.org

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Reposted by Gemma Karstens-Smith
dspencerCP @dspencercp.bsky.social · 07/10/2026
Permanent Daylight Savings Time brings quirky NHL game times for teams, fans in Western Canada. My @cdnpress.bsky.social sports report, Larry MacDougal photo. shorturl.at/XUhoY
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Reposted by Gemma Karstens-Smith
Daniel Rainbird @danielrainbird.bsky.social · 06/10/2026
www.tsn.ca/soccer/epl/a...
tsn.ca
CanMNT’s David reflects on unlikely path to Premier League: ‘Don’t do what I did’
Though he laughs about it now, Promise looks back on his improbable journey to Brighton & Hove Albion in England’s Premier League with a laugh.
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Gemma Karstens-Smith @gks.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
Kyle Bekker knew this would be his last season playing professional soccer. He didn’t know that he’d spend much of it sidelined — first by a cancer diagnosis and treatment, then by a ruptured ACL. More on the retirement of Forge FC’s captain: #CPL www.tsn.ca/soccer/artic...
tsn.ca
Forge FC captain Bekker announces retirement following cancer treatment, ACL rupture
Kyle Bekker knew this would be his last season playing professional soccer. He didn’t know that he’d spend much of it sidelined — first by a cancer diagnosis and treatment, then by a ruptured anterior...
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Gemma Karstens-Smith @gks.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
My colleague @dspencercp.bsky.social spoke with Claire Thompson about her decision to retire from hockey and return to med school. As always, an excellent read. #PWHL #Goldeneyes lethbridgeherald.com/sports/natio...
lethbridgeherald.com
Canadian Olympic hockey star Claire Thompson retires to resume medical career
The pull to return to medical school prompted decorated Canadian hockey player Claire Thompson to announce her retirement Thursday. The 28-year-old
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Gemma Karstens-Smith @gks.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
Reupping this story I wrote on Paul Cotter at Canucks training camp for absolutely no reason. #Canucks #NHL www.thestar.com/sports/hocke...
thestar.com
Newcomer Paul Cotter looking to balance skill, physicality with Vancouver Canucks
PENTICTON - Paul Cotter believes the Vancouver Canucks are on to something special.
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Gemma Karstens-Smith @gks.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
Thomas Muller isn’t ready to retire. I talked to Vancouver Whitecaps CEO and sporting director Axel Schuster about signing the German legend to an extension. #mls #vwfc www.thecanadianpressnews.ca/sports/germa...
thecanadianpressnews.ca
German great Muller isn't ready to retire, signs extension with Vancouver Whitecaps
VANCOUVER - Thomas Muller is not ready to retire.
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Gemma Karstens-Smith @gks.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
Thomas Muller says he’s weighing a lot of different factors as he ponders his playing future, including how his body feels. #mls #vwfc www.tsn.ca/soccer/artic...
tsn.ca
Whitecaps star Muller offers ‘no concrete answers’ on playing future
Thomas Muller says he hasn’t decided whether he’ll continue his playing career after the current Major League Soccer season comes to an end.
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Reposted by Gemma Karstens-Smith
Patrick Johnston 🇨🇦 🇺🇦 @risingaction.bsky.social · 19/09/2026
Not often you can call a draw epic but Canada and England just did so with a titanic 26-26 finish. England women unbeaten in 40 matches now, but Canada did what no one else has done — not lost to England. An all-time test. Daleaka Menin picked as player of the match and for good reason.
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Gemma Karstens-Smith @gks.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
As the Vancouver Canucks begin their rebuild, the team’s young stars are learning big lessons. #Canucks #NHL ca.sports.yahoo.com/news/young-p...
ca.sports.yahoo.com
Young players picking up lessons with rebuilding Vancouver Canucks
PENTICTON — Braeden Cootes is getting used to living out of a suitcase.
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Gemma Karstens-Smith @gks.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
From bag skates to broken glass, the Vancouver Canucks have officially kicked off the Manny Malhotra with training camp. #canucks #nhl www.thecanadianpressnews.ca/sports/new-h...
thecanadianpressnews.ca
New head coach Manny Malhotra brings intensity to Vancouver Canucks training camp
PENTICTON - Manny Malhotra has been waiting for this moment a long time.
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Gemma Karstens-Smith @gks.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
With training camp set to open on Thursday, some of the longest tenured Vancouver Canucks are embracing new roles as team veterans. ca.sports.yahoo.com/news/were-ch... #Canucks #NHL
ca.sports.yahoo.com
'We're in a new chapter now': Veteran Vancouver Canucks embracing team's rebuild
SURREY — Brock Boeser didn't expect to be embarking on a rebuild in his 10th NHL season.
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Gemma Karstens-Smith @gks.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
Former defensive back Ryan Phillips joins the B.C. Lions’ wall of fame tomorrow. It’s an honour he doesn’t take lightly. #BCLions #CFL www.tsn.ca/cfl/article/...
tsn.ca
'This is everything': Former Lions defensive back Phillips cherishes wall of fame nod
The former defensive back was stunned to learn his name would soon be enshrined alongside players he holds in high regard, from legendary kicker Lui Passaglia and CFL Hall of Fame quarterback Dave Dic...
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Gemma Karstens-Smith @gks.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
This is insane. I … I don’t have words.
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Gemma Karstens-Smith @gks.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
#Canucks winger Brock Boeser believes his friend and teammate Elias Pettersson is in “a way better headspace” going into a new #NHL season. www.tsn.ca/nhl/article/...
tsn.ca
‘A fresh start’: Boeser sees an inspired Pettersson ahead of Canucks’ camp
Vancouver Canucks winger Brock Boeser is convinced Elias Pettersson is doing all he can to rediscover a breathtaking on-ice mojo that earned him the biggest contract in franchise history.
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Reposted by Gemma Karstens-Smith
Mark Lazerus @marklazerus.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
Oilers GM Stan Bowman was asked during the Mike Babcock press conference in June if the team cares about public perception in light of some of their hirings and signings: www.nytimes.com/athletic/738...
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Gemma Karstens-Smith @gks.bsky.social · 28/08/2026
Casey Stoney believes she hasn’t seen the best of her Canadian women’s team — but she expects that to change soon. More on a crucial fall for the head coach and entire #CANWNT : www.tsn.ca/soccer/artic...
tsn.ca
Canada’s women’s soccer team looking to build in return to home soil
Casey Stoney hasn’t yet seen the best possible version of her Canadian women’s soccer team.
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Gemma Karstens-Smith @gks.bsky.social · 27/08/2026
Arsenal’s Olivia Smith has always had big dreams. Now the 22-year-old Canadian striker is on the cusp of making some of those ambitions a reality. #CANWNT www.thestar.com/sports/socce...
thestar.com
Canadian striker Olivia Smith continues making history with WSL’s Arsenal
VANCOUVER - Olivia Smith has always had big dreams.
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Gemma Karstens-Smith @gks.bsky.social · 27/08/2026
I had got a chance to chat with @pwhlgoldeneyes.bsky.social forward Jenn Gardiner about Olympics, hiking, mentoring the next generation and more. Take a read: www.tsn.ca/pwhl/article... #PWHL
tsn.ca
Goldeneyes forward Gardiner growing after wild year
Jenn Gardiner still can’t quite believe she’s an Olympian. The Vancouver Goldeneyes forward often finds herself scrolling through photos from her time in Italy, a reminder that she was really there, f...
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Gemma Karstens-Smith @gks.bsky.social · 23/08/2026
Sandy Brondello just invited me to come play for the Toronto Tempo. So my life has been made.
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Gemma Karstens-Smith @gks.bsky.social · 11/08/2026
@pwhlgoldeneyes.bsky.social goalie Kristen Campbell attributes her work ethic to her mom, Janet. For more than 25 years, Janet has battled Multiple Sclerosis. www.tsn.ca/pwhl/article... #PWHL
tsn.ca
Mom’s MS journey an inspiration for Vancouver Goldeneyes G Campbell
As Kristen Campbell battled on the ice, Janet waged her own fight against multiple sclerosis. She was diagnosed with the neurological disease in 1999 when her daughter was about two years old.
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Reposted by Gemma Karstens-Smith
HAR JOURNALIST @harjournalist.bsky.social · 31/07/2026
The new turf at BC Place. #VWFC #MLS
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Reposted by Gemma Karstens-Smith
Jonathan Tannenwald @jtannenwald.bsky.social · 01/08/2026
Concacaf drops a hammer on Gianni Infantino: "This recent unilateral and egregious act of poor governance and leadership follows a pattern of missteps and similar behaviour. A comprehensive reckoning with this presidency is imperative." www.concacaf.com/news/concaca...
concacaf.com
Concacaf and its 41 Member Associations welcome the withdrawal of the proposed FIFA Forward Enterprise  | Concacaf
Concacaf Statement
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Reposted by Gemma Karstens-Smith
John "Chud" Chidley-Hill @jchidleyhill.bsky.social · 01/08/2026
I'll say it over and over again: there are more than 500,000 student athletes across all NCAA sports. There are fewer than 10 that publicly identify as trans. That's 0.002% of NCAA athletes. It's culture war nonsense designed to distract us from real issues
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Reposted by Gemma Karstens-Smith
Manuel Veth @manuelveth.bsky.social · 29/07/2026
Despite Nathaniel Brown addition – Bayern rule out Alphonso Davies transfer #CanMNT Details for @transfermarkt.de www.transfermarkt.us/despite-nath...
transfermarkt.us
Despite Nathaniel Brown addition – Bayern rule out Alphonso Davies transfer
Bayern Munich have ruled out a potential departure of Canadian men’s national team left-back Alphonso Davies this summer. “I can rule out a move for Alphonso Davies,” Bayern Munich director Max Eberl ...
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Gemma Karstens-Smith @gks.bsky.social · 20/07/2026
👋🏻
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Gemma Karstens-Smith @gks.bsky.social · 19/07/2026
The biggest FIFA World Cup ever has come to an end. Canada’s star in the constellation of soccer nations has never burned brighter. lethbridgeherald.com/news/nationa...
lethbridgeherald.com
'The best is yet to come': Canada dubbed a soccer nation as FIFA World Cup ends
EAST RUTHERFORD — Canada's first appearance at the centre of soccer's biggest showcase has come to an end. The largest-ever FIFA World Cup came to a close
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Reposted by Gemma Karstens-Smith
TSN @tsnofficial.bsky.social · 17/07/2026
Two Bayern Munich legends, Thomas Müller and Robert Lewandowski were expecting to face-off against each other in Chicago for Lewandowski's MLS debut but the game was cancelled. That wasn't going to keep the two friends from seeing each other 🙌 #MLS
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Reposted by Gemma Karstens-Smith
Patrick Johnston 🇨🇦 🇺🇦 @risingaction.bsky.social · 09/07/2026
What is Canada to be? The answer shouldn’t be left to Bay Street and certainly shouldn’t be left to Silicon Valley. theprovince.com/sports/sport...
theprovince.com
Sportsnet 650's demise reminds us that lack of competition is bad for Canadians
Patrick Johnston: Where is the Competition Bureau? Who thought sports ownership consolidation would be good for the rest of us?
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Gemma Karstens-Smith @gks.bsky.social · 08/07/2026
A dispatch from my final game of this World Cup. What a run it’s been. ca.sports.yahoo.com/news/didnt-f...
ca.sports.yahoo.com
'It didn't feel like home': Switzerland prevails amid hostile Colombia-friendly crowd
VANCOUVER — Manuel Akanji knew the crowd inside BC Place would be anything but welcoming.
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Reposted by Gemma Karstens-Smith
Patrick Johnston 🇨🇦 🇺🇦 @risingaction.bsky.social · 08/07/2026
It’s still a lame way to settle a game but PKs are still hard to beat for tension and drama
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Gemma Karstens-Smith @gks.bsky.social · 06/07/2026
Canada Soccer CEO Kevin Blue says the co-host nation's World Cup run was successful "on a variety of fronts." It's also just the beginning. toronto.citynews.ca/2026/07/06/c... #CANMNT #FWC26
toronto.citynews.ca
Canada Soccer CEO Blue says World Cup enthusiasm must translate into lasting support
Watching Canada embrace the FIFA World Cup has been a “breathtaking” experience for Kevin Blue. The co-host nation rallied not only behind the tournament, but truly celebrated the country’s team, said...
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Reposted by Gemma Karstens-Smith
John "Chud" Chidley-Hill @jchidleyhill.bsky.social · 02/07/2026
When I was in sports journalism school it was drilled into me that there's no cheering in the press box. Indeed, serious sports journalists shouldn't betray any kind of bias. But that's a very North American view and this World Cup has seen that cultural norm challenged www.cp24.com/news/sports/...
cp24.com
No Cheering In The Press Box: Cultures clash in World Cup media centres
It’s an adage in North American sports journalism that there’s no cheering in the press box.
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Gemma Karstens-Smith @gks.bsky.social · 30/06/2026
Canada’s World Cup team echoes the country’s rich multiculturalism — and that isn’t lost on the players. #CANMNT #FWC26 www.tsn.ca/soccer/fifa-...
tsn.ca
Canada's FIFA World Cup team reflects country's vibrant multiculturalism
Donning the Maple Leaf was a conscious decision for many of the athletes representing Canada at this summer’s FIFA World Cup.
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Gemma Karstens-Smith @gks.bsky.social · 29/06/2026
"Really, it's magical." Canadian players hope to inspire others with historic World Cup run. #CANMNT #FWC26 www.tsn.ca/soccer/fifa-...
tsn.ca
Canadian players hope to inspire others with historic World Cup run
After yet another historic performance on Sunday, head coach Jesse Marsch told his team they’re all Canadian heroes.
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Gemma Karstens-Smith @gks.bsky.social · 29/06/2026
What a game. Another historic day for Canadian soccer. #CANMNT #FWC26 lethbridgeherald.com/sports/natio...
lethbridgeherald.com
Eustaquio nets 'moment of magic,' Canada advances with 1-0 win over South Africa
LOS ANGELES — Even after scoring one of the biggest goals in Canadian soccer history, Stephen Eustaquio remained humble. The 29-year-old midfielder played
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Gemma Karstens-Smith @gks.bsky.social · 26/06/2026
He may be leading Canada through a historic FIFA World Cup run, but head coach Jesse Marsch is not about to commit the Canadianism of saying sorry. ca.sports.yahoo.com/news/canada-... #CANMNT #FWC26
ca.sports.yahoo.com
Canada won't underestimate South Africa ahead of World Cup knockout game
VANCOUVER — He may be leading Canada through a historic FIFA World Cup run, but head coach Jesse Marsch is not about to commit the Canadianism of saying sorry.
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Gemma Karstens-Smith @gks.bsky.social · 25/06/2026
The Canadians will face South Africa in the round of 32 in L.A. on Sunday.
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Gemma Karstens-Smith @gks.bsky.social · 25/06/2026
They wont have the home soil advantage they were gunning for, but Canada still earned its first ever spot in a World Cup knockout game. #CANMNT #FWC2026 www.tsn.ca/soccer/fifa-...
tsn.ca
Canada advances to World Cup knockout round despite loss to Switzerland
Canada is through to the knockout round of the FIFA World Cup despite falling 2-1 to Switzerland in their final game of the tournament’s group stage on Wednesday.
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Gemma Karstens-Smith @gks.bsky.social · 24/06/2026
(I’m so sweaty.)
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Gemma Karstens-Smith @gks.bsky.social · 24/06/2026
Six days after suffering a broken leg in Canada’s historic win over Qatar, Ismaël Koné is on the field watching his #CANMNT teammates warmup ahead of their group-stage finale. #FWC26
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Gemma Karstens-Smith @gks.bsky.social · 24/06/2026
Alphonso Davies won’t be in the starting lineup when Canada takes on Switzerland in Vancouver tomorrow, but head coach Jesse Marsch says he expects the star left back to come off the bench. More on another big game for Canada: www.thecanadianpressnews.ca/sports/capta... #canmnt #FWC26
thecanadianpressnews.ca
Captain Alphonso Davies expected to play for Canada vs. Switzerland: coach
VANCOUVER - Alphonso Davies is expected to make his return to the field Wednesday when Canada takes on Switzerland in their final group-stage game of this summer's FIFA World Cup.
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Gemma Karstens-Smith @gks.bsky.social · 11/06/2026
Is it Canada? Soccer? Who’s to say.
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Reposted by Gemma Karstens-Smith
HAR JOURNALIST @harjournalist.bsky.social · 11/06/2026
A new statement from #VWFC
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Gemma Karstens-Smith @gks.bsky.social · 11/06/2026
And here’s a yarn on the guy who’s steering the team. Jesse Marsch has taught the Canadians to believe in themselves and each other. #CANMNT cfjctoday.com/2026/06/11/h...
cfjctoday.com
Head coach Marsch brings confidence, character to Canadian soccer team
Jesse Marsch believes it's a unique Canadian team that he's leading into the FIFA World Cup this week. The players have an unusually strong desire to compete for each other and their country, he said,...
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Gemma Karstens-Smith @gks.bsky.social · 11/06/2026
The World Cup has begun!! Canada’s run begins tomorrow. The team is going in preaching calm and confidence as the prepare to play on home soil. #CANMNT ca.sports.yahoo.com/news/achieve...
ca.sports.yahoo.com
'We can achieve great things': Canada calm, confident ahead of home World Cup
A World Cup frenzy has slowly enveloped Canada in recent months.
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Reposted by Gemma Karstens-Smith
Ravi Kahlon @ravikahlon.bsky.social · 11/06/2026
Good to see Canada joining the working group to help keep the Whitecaps here.
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Gemma Karstens-Smith @gks.bsky.social · 09/06/2026
Jesse Marsch told Ali Ahmed he needed to be more physical. The former #VWFC winger responded -- and now he's preparing to play for Canada at the World Cup. Great story by my colleague @danielrainbird.bsky.social #CANMNT www.sportsnet.ca/fifa-world-c...
sportsnet.ca
Canada's Ali Ahmed credits coach for elevating his game ahead of World Cup
When Marsch first took over as Canada's coach two years ago, he challenged the lean, five-foot-11 winger to add a more physical dimension to his game, feedback Ahmed says helped take his play to anoth...
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Gemma Karstens-Smith @gks.bsky.social · 04/06/2026
Not writing about soccer today. Feels strange.
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Gemma Karstens-Smith @gks.bsky.social · 03/06/2026
And here's the accompanying video: www.thecanadianpressnews.ca/canadas-oluw...
thecanadianpressnews.ca
Canada's Oluwaseyi grateful for journey to World Cup
It’s been a wild year for Tani Oluwaseyi. The Canadian striker went from leading his Major League Soccer team in scoring to getting transferred to one of Spain’s biggest clubs.
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Gemma Karstens-Smith @gks.bsky.social · 03/06/2026
I really enjoyed sitting down with Tani Oluwaseyi to talk about his transfer to Villarreal, the prospect of playing in a home World Cup and the importance of thanking the people who support you. Have a read! #CANMNT www.thecanadianpressnews.ca/sports/canad...
thecanadianpressnews.ca
Canadian striker Oluwaseyi grateful for journey that's led to FIFA World Cup
CHARLOTTE - Even in tough moments, Tani Oluwaseyi remains thankful.
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