National Sports

QUEBEC — Brandon Bobcats outside hitter Elliott Viles is the U Sports men's volleyball player of the year. The third-year player from Australia received the award on Thursday, one day before the national championship tournament begins.

EDMONTON — History could be made later this month with the broadcast of what's believed to be the first NHL game called in the Plains Cree language.

TORONTO — Mike Babcock knows the clock is already ticking on this iteration of the Maple Leafs.

OTTAWA — Canadian international goalkeeper Callum Irving has rejoined Ottawa Fury FC. The 25-year-old from Vancouver originally joined Ottawa in 2017, setting a club record by playing every minute in 36 matches (3,240 minutes).

Team Jennifer Jones will have familiar players on its front end when the rink makes its World Cup debut at the Grand Final this May.

DUNEDIN, Fla. — Right-hander Matt Shoemaker pitched 5 1/3 strong innings as the Toronto Blue Jays and New York Yankees played to a 1-1 draw in spring training action Thursday.

Nathan Rourke is making the Jon Cornish Trophy his own. For the second straight year, the Ohio Bobcats quarterback has captured the trophy, given annually to the top Canadian player in NCAA football. The native of Oakville, Ont.

Canadian Mike Woods has signed a multi-year deal to stay with EF Education First Pro Cycling.

Hard-running prop Morgan Mitchell has been a force on the field for the expansion Toronto Arrows this season.

MONTREAL — It is said that a step back can sometimes help you move forward, and that was the approach Bianca Andreescu took last fall after months of physical and other setbacks.