National Sports

QUÉBEC — The Quebec government wants to enshrine into law that hockey is the province's "national" sport. Culture Minister Mathieu Lacombe's bill, tabled today, also names the first Saturday in February as national ice hockey day.

TORONTO — The Professional Women's Hockey League has fined Montreal Victoire captain Marie-Philip Poulin $250 for her hit on New York Sirens forward Jade Downie-Landry.

Auston Matthews spends a lot of time with Mitch Marner and William Nylander. The trio of Maple Leafs grew up together on and off the ice as they criss-crossed the continent.

The rather genteel world of curling can sometimes be jolted by the odd swear word that makes it on bonspiel broadcasts via player microphones. It's something that The Curling Group CEO Nic Sulsky says comes with the territory of elite competition.

TORONTO — Jordi Fernandez is stepping down as head coach of Canada's senior men's national basketball team, Canada Basketball announced Thursday.

ABU DHABI — Canada's Leylah Fernandez dropped a 7-5, 4-6, 6-2 decision to American Ashlyn Krueger in the quarterfinal of the Abu Dhabi Open tennis tournament on Thursday.

SAALBACH-HINTERGLEMM, Austria (AP) — Austrian skier Stephanie Venier won the women's super-G at the Alpine skiing world championships on Thursday. Federica Brignone of Italy finished 0.

Canadian bids for a Commonwealth Games have died by provincial government disinterest, so multiple provinces sharing reduced costs is the pitch by Olympic and Commonwealth Games artistic swimmer Claire Carver-Dias.

TORONTO — Zach Edey took a pause and looked around the lower bowl at Scotiabank Arena before tipoff, soaking it all in.

NEW YORK (AP) — First baseman Pete Alonso is staying with the New York Mets, agreeing to a $54 million, two-year contract, a person familiar with the deal told The Associated Press.