Ryan Reaves' Dad named head of provincial Liberal Party in Canada

This just in, Willard Reaves, former NFL/CFL running back and the father of NHL forward Ryan Reaves, has been named leader of the Manitoba Liberal Party.

The 66 year old Reaves was declared winner of the party earlier today after no other candidates met the requirements of running for leadership b the party's deadline this past Saturday. The party was set to have a leadership convention in late October, but that has been cancelled as Reaves has emerged as the only qualified candidate.

Reaves is originally from Flagstaff, Arizona but moved to Winnipeg and starred with the CFL's Winnipeg Bluebombers from 1983 until 1987. He first ran for the Manitoba Liberals in 2022, losing a byelection to Progressive Conservative candidate Obby Khan. He ran again in the 2023 Manitoba provincial election but lost that also. The Manitoba Liberals one only one seat in the 2023 election and lost their official party status.

Now, with Reaves at the helm the part is hoping to get back to relevancy in the eyes on Manitoba voters.

"Mr. Reaves brings a wide range of experiences to the position of party leader," Manitoba Liberals executive Terry Hayward said in a statement. "He will work closely with Cindy Lamoureux, our sitting member, to champion issues and concerns of Manitobans across the province."'

The province is currently governed by the Manitoba NDP and has traditionally flipped back and forth between the Manitoba NDP and the Manitoba Progressive Conservatives.