National Sports

MIDDLESBROUGH, United Kingdom — Canada's opening match of 2022 came with a slow start. But a sublime second-half strike by Janine Beckie levelled the playing field in a 1-1 draw with England at the Arnold Clark Cup.

BEIJING — President Luc Tardif of the International Ice Hockey Federation says the 2022 world junior men's tournament will be played this summer in Canada. The tournament began in December in Edmonton and Red Deer, Alta.

TORONTO — The Toronto Maple Leafs signed defenceman Mac Hollowell to a one-year, two-way contract extension Thursday. The contract is worth US$750,000 at the NHL level.

EDMONTON — The Edmonton Elks released linebacker Malik Clements and offensive lineman Jahair Jones on Thursday. Both players are Americans.

FORT WORTH, Texas (AP) — A former Los Angeles Angels employee was convicted Thursday of providing Angels pitcher Tyler Skaggs the drugs that led to his overdose death in Texas.

This isn't how Connor McDavid expected to watch the Beijing Olympics. The Edmonton Oilers superstar planned to be on the ice and in the athletes village in China. Instead, he's catching the action from his couch.

NEW YORK — Flames forward Adam Ruzicka was fined US$2,004.17 on Thursday for elbowing Kevin Shattenkirk of the Anaheim Ducks during a game this week. The fine is the maximum allowed under the current Collective Bargaining Agreement.

MONTREAL — The Montreal Alouettes signed American defensive back Darius Williams to a one-year contract Thursday.

VANCOUVER — The B.C. Lions signed American defensive backs Manny Rugamba and Mallory Claybourne on Thursday. Rugamba became the first Rwandan to sign with an NFL team in 2021 when he joined the Cleveland Browns as an undrafted free agent.

CALGARY — The Western Hockey League playoffs will begin April 22, the league announced Thursday. That will allow for the rescheduling of previously postponed regular-season games. The 2021-22 regular season is scheduled to end April 17.