National Sports

EDMONTON — Mason McTavish and Kent Johnson showed signs of becoming Canada's go-to combination at the upcoming World Junior Championships.

Toronto FC acquired US$75,000 in general allocation money from the Colorado Rapids in a deal Thursday that also saw the two clubs swap positions in both the re-entry draft and waiver order. The trade netted Colorado the second pick in both.

RED DEER, Alta. — Thursday's world junior hockey championship pre-tournament game between the Czech Republic and Switzerland has been cancelled due to COVID-19 protocols.

Connor McDavid playing alongside Sidney Crosby. Auston Matthews leading a young group of talented Americans. Alex Ovechkin and Russia's mercurial roster trying to finally get over the hump.

TORONTO — Canadian rugby has received a historic boost in the form of an $11.65-million donation. The money, which is going to the non-profit Canadian Rugby Foundation, comes from the $21.

VANCOUVER — The B.C. Lions have signed American punter Stefan Flintoft has signed a contract extension. Flintoft made his CFL debut in week three of the 2021 season. The native of Santa Monica, Calif., recorded a league-best 48.

TORONTO — The depleted Toronto Raptors have signed forwards Juwan Morgan and D.J. Wilson and guard Tremont Waters to 10-day contracts. The players join the Raptors from the NBA G League via the COVID hardship exception.

TORONTO — The Toronto Maple Leafs announced Thursday defenceman Morgan Rielly and a staff member have been placed in the NHL's COVID-19 protocol, while two Winnipeg Jets and a team employee have also been added to the growing list.

After jumping 32 places to No. 40 in the FIFA rankings over the course of 2021, Canada has earned the title of this year's "Most Improved Side." The Canadian men were rewarded for gaining 130.

OKLAHOMA CITY — Canadian Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had his second career triple-double with 27 points, 11 rebounds and 12 assists, and the Oklahoma City Thunder beat the Denver Nuggets 108-94 on Wednesday night. The 23-year-old from Hamilton, Ont.