National Sports

CONCEPTION BAY SOUTH, N.L. — Brad Gushue opened up the National curling tournament on Tuesday with a 6-2 win over Scott McDonald in the opening preliminary-round draw. McDonald, from Kingston, Ont.

TORONTO — Kawhi Leonard left a lasting imprint on Toronto Raptors fans when he helped the team win its first NBA Championship in franchise history this summer. Some fans took that imprint a lot more literally than others.

The English are on the march again in the Champions League.

HALIFAX — A business group hoping to land a CFL franchise for Halifax got a lease on life Tuesday when regional council voted in favour of a one-time $20-million contribution toward construction of a stadium in the East Coast city.

TORONTO — Bianca Andreescu had her season-ending tournament cut short due to a left knee problem. She's hoping the injury won't curtail the start of her 2020 campaign.

TORONTO — Teenagers Olivia Smith and Jayden Nelson have been named Canada Soccer's Youth International Players of the Year. The awards celebrate Canada's top youth footballers in recognition of their achievements with Canada youth teams.

OAKVILLE, Ont. — Quinton Byfield was eager to get going. The hulking, highly-touted 17-year-old forward with soft hands and speed to burn instead found himself staring out a window at the airport in Sudbury, Ont.

TORONTO — Oklahoma Sooners defensive lineman Neville Gallimore has retained his No. 1 spot in second instalment of the CFL Scouting Bureau's prospect rankings for the 2020 national draft.

SAN DIEGO — Stephen Strasburg returned to the Washington Nationals with a record contract on the first day of the winter meetings, a deal that puts fellow free agent pitcher Gerrit Cole in position for an even larger payday.

TORONTO — Kawhi Leonard's short but memorable time with the Raptors will be remembered Wednesday when he receives his championship ring before Toronto takes on his current team, the Los Angeles Clippers, at Scotiabank Arena.