National Sports

TORONTO — A plan to operate NHL game hubs in Edmonton and Toronto could draw hundreds of hockey players and staff to both Canadian cities, but business experts say their presence won't give a huge boost to local economies.

Since early March, the novel coronavirus has affected almost every decision facing the NHL.

Calgary Flames defenceman Travis Hamonic has decided not to play in the NHL's restart. The Flames said Friday night that Hamonic has opted out of the NHL's return-to-play program. Players have until Monday at 5 p.m.

TORONTO — The NHL remains on course to resume its pandemic-delayed season north of the 49th parallel later this summer, and now has the labour peace needed to ride out the unprecedented economic storm brought on by COVID-19.

A member of Sporting Kansas City is the latest player to test positive for COVID-19 at the MLS is Back Tournament. The club confirmed Friday that one of its players had recorded a pair of consecutive positive test results.

TORONTO — The 9 a.m. kickoff is daunting. So is the 5:30 a.m. pre-game meal. Toronto FC gets one heck of an early start to the MLS is Back Tournament on Sunday when it faces D.C. United at ESPN's Wide World of Sports complex in the Orlando area.

TORONTO — A packed summer training camp schedule has the Toronto Blue Jays squeezing in workouts, practice sessions and intrasquad games ahead of a fast-approaching regular season. The team's news cycle followed a similar model Friday.

U Sports ignored calls to help football players recover a year of eligibility lost to the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the University of Alberta's coach.

OTTAWA — Curling Canada has been forced to re-think qualification for the Olympic team and mixed doubles trials after cancellations and postponements due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

TORONTO — The CFL has sent Canadian Heritage Minister Steven Guilbeault a revised financial request. A CFL source said Friday the league is seeking roughly $42.5 million in aid.