National Sports

VANCOUVER — Rick Tocchet has begun the painstaking work of transforming the beleaguered Vancouver Canucks — a process that he says won't be speedy.

OTTAWA — Chris Neil used to love saying he didn’t play for the name on the back of the jersey, but the logo on the front. From the moment he put on an Ottawa Senators jersey Neil was fully committed to the organization.

WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S.

CF Montreal had one of the most lethal attacks in Major League Soccer last season, finishing fifth in goals scored en route posting to the third best record in the league.

OTTAWA — The Ottawa Redblacks signed Canadian running back Ante Milanovic-Litre to a one-year contract Thursday. Milanovic-Litre, 28, spent the 2022 campaign with Edmonton after four seasons with the Calgary Stampeders.

REGINA — The Saskatchewan Roughriders re-signed Canadian linebacker Justin Herdman-Reed on Thursday. The six-foot, 223-pound Winnipeg native returns for a third season with Saskatchewan.

TORONTO — The Toronto Argonauts continue to give veteran starter McLeod Bethel-Thompson time to ponder his football future. Bethel-Thompson became a CFL free agent Tuesday and has yet to re-sign with the defending Grey Cup champions.

CLEARWATER, Fla. (AP) — Philadelphia Phillies manager Rob Thomson had a simple message before the National League champions took the field Thursday for their first spring training workout for pitchers and catchers.

DUNEDIN, Fla. — Starter Kevin Gausman was as advertised in his first season with the Toronto Blue Jays after signing a lucrative long-term contract with the team.

Alex Russell and Lockie Kratz return from injury to bolster Canada's lineup for the Feb. 25-26 Los Angeles Sevens, the sixth stop on the men’s HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series.