National Sports

TORONTO — The Toronto Raptors will start the NBA season next month in Tampa, Florida, because of travel restrictions the Canadian government has put in place stemming from the pandemic.

Canadian Chase Brown has a tough act to follow Saturday when the Illinois Fighting Illini visit the Nebraska Cornhuskers on Saturday. His own. The five-foot-11, 195-pound junior running back from London, Ont.

Toronto FC playmaker Alejandro Pozuelo has been named to Major League Soccer's Best XI for the second straight year.

TORONTO — The CFL is planning to kick off a return to the field in 2021 with a rematch of its last Grey Cup contest. The league released a 2021 schedule Friday. It didn't play in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Newly appointed senior assistant coach Rob Howley has joined the Canadian men's rugby team on Vancouver Island.

TORONTO — The COVID-19 pandemic has done something few CFL defences have since 2014 -- ground Bo Levi Mitchell. The Calgary Stampeders star was named the quarterback of the CFL's all-decade team (2010-19) on Thursday.

CALGARY — Olympic champion Kyle Shewfelt is frustrated he's had to close his Calgary gymnastics club to curb COVID-19 while other group activities are allowed to continue.

TORONTO — As the youngest of seven kids, Malachi Flynn grew up watching his older siblings play sports. His mom Kristi was always shuffling a least one sibling somewhere in the family van that seated eight.

A potential tennis career on the WTA Tour remains a distinct possibility for Carson Branstine. For now the two-time Grand Slam junior champ wants to make sure she broadens her horizons. The native of Irvine, Calif.

Canada was drawn in a pool with the U.S. and yet-to-be determined teams from Europe and Asia as Thursday's draw for the 2021 Rugby World Cup in New Zealand ensured regional rivalries will be renewed at the women's showcase.