National Sports

TAYLOR, Mich. — Newly-acquired defenceman Jake Muzzin skated alongside Morgan Rielly during his first practice with the Toronto Maple Leafs on Thursday.

Captain Frank Dancevic is going with youth over experience for Canada's Davis Cup tie against Slovakia this week at NTC Arena.

EDMONTON — Women's hockey star Jayna Hefford and head coaches Ken Hitchcock and George Kingston have been named to the Order of Hockey in Canada. Hefford, a member of the Hockey Hall of Fame, was a key part of Canada's women's team from 1997 to 2014.

LIVERPOOL, United Kingdom — Canadian international forward Liam Millar has signed a new deal with Liverpool and joined Scotland's Kilmarnock on loan for the rest of the season. The 19-year-old from Brampton, Ont.

JONKOPING, Sweden — Canada's Matt Dunstone improved to 2-0 after the second day of the third World Cup curling stop of the season. The Saskatchewan-based rink beat Xiuyue Ma of China 6-3 in Thursday's second draw.

Winnipeg's Valour FC has reached into Belgian's third division to sign goalkeeper Mathias Janssens. The 20-year-old arrives from RAAL La Louviere. The young Belgian previously played for Waasland Beveren's reserve team.

Hamilton's Forge FC has signed Swedish midfielder Alexander Achinioti Jonsson. The 22-year-old has played more than 100 matches in Sweden's top two leagues.

NEW ORLEANS — A quest by two New Orleans Saints ticketholders to force a full or partial do-over of this year's NFC championship game because of a blown "no-call" by game officials was rejected Thursday by a federal judge.

Toronto FC president Bill Manning says he was both blindsided and disappointed by Sebastian Giovinco's parting shot on social media after the star Italian forward was sold to Saudi Arabia club Al-Hilal FC.

EDMONTON — FC Edmonton added five more players to its Canadian Premier League roster on Thursday including veteran English forward Tomi Ameobi.