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Olen Zellweger Shines Bright in 2024 All-Star Classic | San Diego Gulls

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Feb 6, 2024

By Nick Aguilera/SanDiegoGulls.com

It’s been a whirlwind few weeks for Olen Zellweger.

The 20-year-old defenseman made his NHL debut on Jan. 23, picking up his first NHL point in the contest. After a four-game stint in Anaheim, he was sent back to San Diego for a couple more games before the rookie embarked for the AHL All-Star Classic in San Jose as the Gulls’ representative.

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The weather tried its best to dampen the mood, as a heavy storm hit the Bay Area, making travel difficult. His parents missed the chance to watch him in the All-Star Skills Competition thanks to a delayed flight. But even through clouds, one of San Diego’s best young stars still shined bright in San Jose, collecting three assists to help the Pacific Division win the 2024 AHL All-Star Challenge.

“I’ve been in a lot of action here lately,” Zellweger said. “It’s pretty cool [having my parents here]. They were planning to come here, and then I got the call to play up. They really wanted to make that one. I’ve seen them here quite a bit, which is awesome throughout the season. It’s a great event for them to see live.

“That’s how you want it to be. You want to be playing against the best and you dream of playing in the NHL. If that opportunity comes at any time you go for it and you play your best.”

Zellweger’s weekend started at the Skills Competition, where he led off the event in the puck control relay. Zellweger also participated in the shooting accuracy challenge and smashed all four targets to help his Western Conference squad take home an 18-13 victory in the showcase.

“It was pretty cool,” Zellweger said. “It was not that nerve wracking, but I think it would’ve been good to be the anchor [in the relay].

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“I think I shot a little too fast, but at least I hit all four [targets] eventually there. I used all the pucks, all eight, but it was good. Something I can practice… It’s cool [seeing] guys you don’t see for periods of time that you know and watch how their teams are doing. Great to catch up with some guys that I know.”

The All-Star Challenge brought a familiar sight as Zellweger was a catalyst for the Pacific Division. He picked up three helpers in the Pacific’s four games, tied for most among all skaters. Each of his assists came on goals that either gave the team the lead or tied the game, including one on Josh Doan’s game-tying goal in the championship game.

In the end, the Pacific defended their All-Star Challenge title after they took home bragging rights in the 2023 edition that saw Anaheim Ducks goaltender and former Gull Lukas Dostal take home co-MVP honors.

“Great experience. Pretty good intensity there in the final game which was really fun to be a part of,” Zellweger said. “Good to get the win.

“I told [Dostal] we’ll try to keep it here in the Pacific Division. I’ll probably joke with him here when I see him next.”

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Zellweger won’t get much rest after his action-packed week. As the Gulls gear up for a playoff push, it won’t get much easier, especially with a weekend series against the third-place Calgary Wranglers starting Friday. But there’s no one more prepared to rise to the occasion than Zellweger, as he’s already shown just how quickly he can become the star of the show.



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San Diego, CA

City considering cutting funding to resource center for those experiencing homelessness

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City considering cutting funding to resource center for those experiencing homelessness


Last week Mayor Todd Gloria released the budget proposal for the 2027 fiscal budget. Protected homeless services is among his top priorities mentioned in the proposal. However, some of the reductions he’s proposing could impact thousands of San Diegans experiencing homelessness.

Located on 17th and K Street, the Neil Good Day Center offers an array of services to nearly seven thousand people experiencing homelessness. The services include giving them a place to shower and do laundry, and connecting them to a case manager, among others.

“These are critical services that are helping people off the streets, but really better their lives and their health and their employment situation as well,” Deacon Vargas with Father Joe’s Villages said.

Deacon Jim Vargas heads Father Joe’s Villages, which runs the center. He said through their prevention and diversion strategies, they’ve managed to keep nearly one thousand individuals from falling into homelessness.

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“So by helping them pay rent, or helping them with their utilities, or helping them to reunite with family,” Vargas said.

Right now, the city allocates at least $850,000 per year to the Neil Good Day Center, according to Vargas.

But the future and funding for these services are in limbo because of Mayor Todd Gloria’s proposed budget cuts.

“The impact to those whom we’ve been serving  the Daily Center would be very severe,” Deacon Vargas said.

In a statement to NBC 7, Mayor Todd Gloria said in part, “We must find more efficient and cost-effective ways to address this crisis and prioritize funding for programs that provide shelter beds and maximize resources to programs that place people into permanent housing.”

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Since it’s still at a proposal stage, Deacon Vargas said it’s unclear how the city will decide to move forward.

However, Deacon Vargas said services would be significantly reduced because they would be forced to operate solely on a budget of about half a million dollars they receive from philanthropy.

“The hours would be cut. Some days would be cut. We would have showers that might be impacted because they’re given seven days a week and we’d close two days a week, then the showers would be five days a week, the case management,” Deacon Vargas said.

Deacon Vargas is certain of one thing.

He would like to continue offering services at the Day Center, even if the city goes through with the funding cuts.

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“As we work with individuals at the Day Center and at Father Joe’s Villages, the community becomes healthier as a result of it,” Deacon Vargas said.

The budget also recommends additional cuts to homeless services, but does not give specifics as to where those cuts would be.



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San Diego, CA

Game 21: San Diego Padres at Los Angeles Angels

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Game 21: San Diego Padres at Los Angeles Angels


San Diego Padres (14-7) at Los Angeles Angels (11-11), April 19, 2026, 1:07 p.m. PST

Watch: Padres.TV

Location: Angel Stadium – Anaheim, Calif.

Listen: 97.3 The Fan

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Solans, Luna, Guilavogui help RSL beat slumping San Diego, extend unbeaten streak to 6 games :: WRALSportsFan.com

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Solans, Luna, Guilavogui help RSL beat slumping San Diego, extend unbeaten streak to 6 games :: WRALSportsFan.com


— SANDY, Utah (AP) — Sergi Solans had two goals and an assist, Diego Luna added a goal and two assists, and Real Salt Lake beat San Diego FC 4-2 on Saturday night to extend its unbeaten streak to six games.

Morgan Guilavogui scored his first goal in MLS and had an assist for Real Salt Lake (5-1-1). The 28-year-old designated player has five goal contributions in his first six career games.

RSL hasn’t lost since a 1-0 defeat at Vancouver in the season opener.

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San Diego (3-3-2) has lost three in a row and is winless in five straight.

Luna opened the scoring in the fifth minute when he re-directed a misplayed pass by Duran Ferree, San Diego’s 19-year-old goalkeeper, into the net.

Moments later, Solans headed home a perfectly-placed cross played by Luna from outside the right corner of the 18-yard box to the back post to make it 2-0. Solans, a 23-year-old forward, flicked a header from the center of the area inside the right post and past the outstretched arm of Ferree to make it 3-1 in the 37th minute.

Guilavogui slammed home a first-touch shot to give RSL a three-goal lead in the 45th.

Marcus Ingvartsen scored a goal in the 14th minute and Anders Dreyer converted from the penalty spot in the 66th for San Diego.

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Ingvartsen has five goals and an assist this season and has 10 goal contributions (seven goals, three assists) in 16 career MLS appearances.

Rafael Cabral had three saves for RSL.

Ferree finished with five saves.

___

AP soccer: https://apnews.com/soccer

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