National Sports

The NHL said Friday that six Dallas Stars players and two staff members have tested positive for COVID-19 in a development that will push back the opener for the defending Western Conference champions by nearly a week.

The NHL's one-time-only, all-Canadian division cleared its final hurdle Friday. Developments south of the border related to COVID-19, however, were far less encouraging.

EDMONTON — American receiver Derel Walker is back with the Edmonton Football Team. Walker returned to Edmonton on Friday. He spent the 2019 season with the Toronto Argonauts.

The team that emerges from the limited-time-only West Division should enter the Stanley Cup semifinals in prime, title-winning position.

The Ohio State Buckeyes haven't lost sight of Canadian receiver John Metchie III's place in Alabama's high-octane offence. Top-ranked Alabama (12-0) faces No. 3 Ohio State (7-0) in U.S. college football's championship game Monday night.

TORONTO — With Ontario still in lockdown and COVID-19 cases at a record high, Woodbine Entertainment CEO Jim Lawson is wondering why the provincial government signed off on NHL games being played at a time when many other sports aren't allowed to ope

NEWARK, N.J. — New Jersey Devils goaltender Corey Crawford has taken an indefinite leave of absence due to undisclosed personal reasons.

The Tim Hortons Brier will be held at the Enmax Centre in Lethbridge, Alta., in 2022. Curling Canada made the announcement Friday during a video conference call.

TORONTO — While Dwayne De Rosario's playing days may be behind him, his brand continues to grow.

ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates — Canada's Leylah Annie Fernandez lost 6-4, 6-4 to Tamara Zidansek of Slovenia in the second round of the Abu Dhabi Open on Friday. The 87th-ranked Zidansek converted on four of five break points against Fernandez.