National Sports

PHILADELPHIA — Welcome to the Marble Universe, where the rushing of glass balls down race tracks, around sandy beach corners or getting thumped by fidget spinners has suddenly become as captivating as any dunk contest.

It's been a transatlantic whirlwind for Canadian international winger Ben Fisk since becoming the first player to sign with expansion Atletico Ottawa on March 4.

The COVID-19 pandemic has forced Canadian kicker Lirim Hajrullahu to put his NFL aspirations on hold.

CALGARY — The Calgary Flames signed college free-agent defencemen Connor Mackey and Colton Poolman to one-year, entry-level contracts Friday.

ATLANTA — Todd Gurley didn't wait long to find his new NFL home. The Atlanta Falcons didn't wait long to celebrate the deal.

MONTREAL — The Montreal Canadiens have signed forward Alex Belzile to a one-year, two-way contract. The contract will see Belzile earn US$700,000 in the NHL and $225,000 in the American Hockey League, with a guaranteed salary of $250,000.

DÜSSELDORF, Germany — European soccer's biggest leagues continue to be suspended and players are coming under pressure to take pay cuts.

The college basketball season came to an emphatic, dramatic end with the cancellation of the NCAA Tournament.

Cleveland's Kevin Love did his best to reassure a skittish and scared public. Denver's Jamal Murray sat at his piano and played theme songs. Atlanta's Trae Young shot balled-up socks into a trash can.

The NHL Coaches' Association has pushed up the start date of its new mentorship program in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.