Joshua Kloke
banner
joshuakloke.bsky.social
Joshua Kloke
@joshuakloke.bsky.social
Staff writer @TheAthletic (⚽/🏒)• The Voyageurs: The Canadian Men's Soccer Team's Quest for the World Cup • Pizzaiolo-in-training
Once Oliver Ekman-Larsson went down with a potentially catastrophic injury, the Maple Leafs allowed the Sharks back into the game.

On the repercussions of the injury and what went into the Leafs loss:
Maple Leafs observations: The potentially catastrophic effects of Oliver Ekman-Larsson’s injury
Toronto's blue line is at risk of taking another hit if Ekman-Larsson, who left Thursday's game with an injury, is out long term.
www.nytimes.com
December 12, 2025 at 1:15 PM
A massive day for Canada's forwards in the Champions League:

Jonathan David scores for Juventus and Tani Oluwaseyi scores his first Champions League goal for Villarreal.

The kind of day that should give Jesse Marsch serious confidence about any #CANMNT goal scoring concerns.
December 10, 2025 at 10:06 PM
Dennis Hildeby's emergence as an NHL-ready goalie leaves the Maple Leafs with questions, and real options for the rest of the season:
Dennis Hildeby is NHL-ready. What does that mean for the Maple Leafs' future?
www.nytimes.com
December 10, 2025 at 1:48 PM
Immediate reaction to Canada’s World Cup draw at @theathleticfc.bsky.social with much more to come: #CANMNT
What to know about Canada's 2026 World Cup group-stage opponents
www.nytimes.com
December 5, 2025 at 9:00 PM
When was it clear 18-year-old Tinus Luc Koblar would make a successful jump to professional hockey?

“The first game he played.”

Inside the Maple Leafs prospect's remarkable start to his SHL season, and when he could move to North America:
Inside Maple Leafs prospect Tinus Luc Koblar’s rapid adaptation to pro hockey
Through the first half of Koblar’s rookie SHL season, the centre has met and exceeded all expectations.
www.nytimes.com
December 4, 2025 at 1:37 PM
Ahead of tomorrow's World Cup draw, Jesse Marsch visited the New York Times office for one of his most revealing interviews yet:

· Learning from Southgate
· How #CANMNT will be different from 2022
· Staying beyond 2026

The lengthy @theathleticfc.bsky.social sit down:
Jesse Marsch exclusive: ‘Don’t tell me about making history unless you’re willing to sacrifice’
The Canada head coach opens up about his aims for the World Cup and his managerial philosophies
www.nytimes.com
December 4, 2025 at 1:07 PM
There’s both continued injuries on the Maple Leafs blue line and a need for more puck moving defencemen.

Is it time point-producing Marlies defenceman William Villeneuve gets his NHL shot?
Maple Leafs prospect watch: Should William Villeneuve get the NHL call?
www.nytimes.com
December 2, 2025 at 3:00 PM
With the World Cup draw a few days away, today @theathleticfc.bsky.social presents an outstanding resource: the in-depth guide to every qualified team
World Cup draw 2026: A guide to all the teams
How do they play? Who is their star player? What can we expect from them when the tournament starts?
www.nytimes.com
December 2, 2025 at 1:55 PM
A blown third period lead in Washington.

Zero regulation wins in their last 10 games.

A team that hasn’t improved from last season.

The Maple Leafs need to change, and fast:
The Maple Leafs need to change. What can they do?
www.nytimes.com
November 29, 2025 at 1:29 PM
The Maple Leafs clearly need some kind of change. What can they do?

From Washington:
The Maple Leafs need to change. What can they do?
www.nytimes.com
November 29, 2025 at 3:49 AM
William Nylander won’t play tonight for the Maple Leafs due to illness.
November 28, 2025 at 7:47 PM
One week from today, we will learn who is Canada's 2026 World Cup group.

Breaking down all the scenarios from next week's draw: Best possible group? Worst? Groups that will bring up past memories?

#CANMNT draw preview at @theathleticfc.bsky.social
Canada 2026 World Cup draw scenarios: Best, worst and most interesting groups
www.nytimes.com
November 28, 2025 at 1:23 PM
Could today bring more notable changes to the Maple Leafs lineup?
Is Maple Leafs coach Craig Berube ready to make more changes to the lineup?
Berube might look to continue scratching Maple Leafs players who have been regulars in the lineup to "put a little more fire in them."
www.nytimes.com
November 28, 2025 at 1:16 PM
Joseph Woll showed he is one of the few Maple Leafs who can steal games on his own.

Now, can he turn their tide of the Leafs season?

From Columbus:
Can Joseph Woll help the Maple Leafs turn their season around?
Woll was the deciding factor in earning 2 points to start the Leafs' longest trip of the season.
www.nytimes.com
November 27, 2025 at 1:27 PM
The Maple Leafs upcoming road trip could define their season:
Why the Maple Leafs' upcoming road trip could define their season
www.nytimes.com
November 25, 2025 at 1:58 PM
Maple Leafs quarter season report cards: Grading the roster, coach and general manager during a difficult start, with @jonassiegel.bsky.social
Maple Leafs’ quarter-season report cards: Who gets top marks during a disappointing start?
Grading the team through the first quarter of the season to uncover what’s happened and how Toronto might recover.
www.nytimes.com
November 22, 2025 at 1:53 PM
Easton Cowan should stay in the top six, and more from last night's Maple Leafs overtime loss:
Maple Leafs observations: Easton Cowan deserves to stay in top 6
Cowan has been hungry for opportunities around the goal when he's needed to be.
www.nytimes.com
November 21, 2025 at 2:27 PM
November Canada wrap: Everything I heard and saw through final games of 2025:

· What could happen on crowded left side?
· Who will #CANMNT play in final friendlies?
· Could Jesse Marsch re-sign?
· World Cup roster predictions

Packed one at @theathleticfc.bsky.social
Canada's 2026 World Cup outlook: What I'm hearing, predicted roster after November
www.nytimes.com
November 20, 2025 at 1:59 PM
Canada finally break their goalless drought, but last night confirmed one thing: #CANMNT need better opponents in better environments before the World Cup.

Thoughts from the 2-0 win over Venezuela in Florida, for @theathleticfc.bsky.social
Canada breaks goal drought, beats Venezuela in a lifeless environment
The choice of venue and opponent can be called into question, but Canada at the very least built some momentum heading into a World Cup year
www.nytimes.com
November 19, 2025 at 1:52 PM
“They have to ride the wave.”

Wayne Gretzky met with Canada’s national team last night, and sees parallels between them and the 1987 Canada Cup team.

I went 1-on-1 with Gretzky on #CANMNT, the World Cup and his budding friendship with Jesse Marsch, at @theathleticfc.bsky.social
Wayne Gretzky on Canada's hopes and why the World Cup will transform the nation
www.nytimes.com
November 19, 2025 at 1:14 PM
Wayne Gretzky is in attendance for Canada's men's national team's friendly against Venezuela in Fort Lauderdale.

The NHL legend is expected to speak to #CANMNT and offer support before kickoff.

Details at @theathleticfc.bsky.social
Wayne Gretzky shows at Canada friendly to give team talk
Canada has made a habit of bringing in some big names to address the men's national team in the run-up to the World Cup
nytimes.com
November 19, 2025 at 12:37 AM
Jones will start tomorrow for #CANMNT
Alfie Jones will be eligible to play for Canada tomorrow, per Jesse Marsch. #CANMNT
November 17, 2025 at 7:54 PM
Alfie Jones will be eligible to play for Canada tomorrow, per Jesse Marsch. #CANMNT
November 17, 2025 at 7:46 PM
Canada and Jonathan David are having trouble scoring. What will change before the World Cup?

A rare 1-on-1 with the #CANMNT and Juventus forward:
Jonathan David 1-on-1: Calm amid his and Canada’s scoring woes, slow Juventus start
The goals have dried up for David for club and country, and Canada needs its star to start firing again with a World Cup looming
www.nytimes.com
November 17, 2025 at 6:19 PM
Breaking from Florida: Cyle Larin is out of #CANMNT camp and Jacob Shaffelburg is in.

Why the switch happened:
Cyle Larin replaced by Jacob Shaffelburg in Canada camp for Venezuela friendly
Larin is second in Canada's all-time goalscoring charts with 30 goals in 87 games.
www.nytimes.com
November 17, 2025 at 3:03 PM