National Sports

CALGARY — With COVID-19 restrictions not as tight in Sweden as in North America, Calgary Flames forward Mikael Backlund is ahead of the game on and off the ice.

PITTSBURGH — A member of the Pittsburgh Penguins has tested positive for COVID-19. The team announced Thursday that an unidentified player has been diagnosed with the novel coronavirus.

NEW YORK — A day after announcing a deal with its players' association to resume the season with a tournament in Florida, Major League Soccer says teams may resume training.

TORONTO — Moncton Wildcats director of hockey operations Ritchie Thibeau knew he would be rebuilding his team this off-season. He was just hoping to do so with a championship trophy to show the new guys.

B.C. Lions players Bryan Burnham and Micah Johnson say they feel safer north of the border than they do in the U.S. Burnham and Johnson, who are both black, made the statements during a candid video presentation on the Lions' website.

Professional sports leagues in North America are getting deeper into conversations about when and how they can resume play during the COVID-19 pandemic.

CALGARY — Hockey Canada has lifted its ban on sanctioned activities and is allowing the country's 13 member organizations to individually determine when it's safe to return to action.

TORONTO — The chemistry between star point guard Kenneth (Kenny Got Work) Hailey and centre Jerry (Sick One) Knapp has helped lift Raptors Uprising GC to the top of the NBA 2K League esports standings.

NEW ORLEANS — Drew Brees apologized Thursday for comments that were “insensitive and completely missed the mark” when he reiterated his opposition to Colin Kaepernick’s kneeling during the national anthem in 2016, drawing sharp criticism from fellow

TOKYO — The Japanese public is being prepared for the reality of next year’s postponed Olympics, where athletes are likely to face quarantines, spectators will be fewer, and the delay will cost taxpayers billions of dollars.