National Sports

Maple Leafs head coach Mike Babcock could see halfway through training camp that Auston Matthews was ready to explode. "Matty's on another level," Babcock said at the time of Toronto's star centre.

Toronto Blue Jays prospect Vladimir Guerrero Jr. has been named the winner of the Randall Echlin Award as the Canadian offensive minor-league player of the year.

BROSSARD, Que. — The Montreal Canadiens like the way their lines are clicking early in the NHL season, so head coach Claude Julien says to expect more of the same for their home opener Thursday night against the Los Angeles Kings.

TORONTO — Brian (T-City) Ortega has been waiting for a shot at UFC featherweight champion Max (Blessed) Holloway for months. "It feels like it's been on my calendar since March 3. And it has been," Ortega said in an interview Wednesday.

Lionel Sanders didn't want to succumb to "second-place syndrome" after coming so close to winning a men's world Ironman title. The triathlete from Harrow, Ont.

TORONTO — Saskatchewan defensive lineman Willie Jefferson, B.C. defensive tackle Davon Coleman and Winnipeg running back Andrew Harris are the CFL top performers for Week 17.

MONTREAL — The Cirque du Soleil announced Wednesday that it will launch a new show next year inspired by "the incredible talent and accomplishments" of soccer star Lionel Messi.

SYDNEY, N.S. — Rachel Homan's rink has a guaranteed berth in the Scotties Tournament of Hearts after all. Curling Canada announced Wednesday that the Ottawa team will play in the wild-card game Feb.

PYONGYANG, Korea, Democratic People's Republic Of — Has Dennis Rodman, the former NBA star-turned pal of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, been benched for Chinese hoop legend Yao Ming? The former Houston Rockets centre and eight-time NBA all-star too

NEW YORK — Eduardo Nunez charged Gleyber Torres' four-hopper toward third base and whipped the ball across the diamond. Steve Pearce stretched, falling on his chest for a sprawling catch.