National Sports

CALGARY — Ivanie Blondin returned to the World Cup podium in speedskating's longest distance for women, while teammate Isabelle Weidemann vowed to do "detective work" to solve her recent power outage.

COPPER MOUNTAIN, Colo. — Megan Oldham earned the first big air victory of her career and Olivia Asselin had her first-ever World Cup medal as Canada won gold and bronze on Friday. Oldham, from Parry Sound, Ont.

TORONTO — Samuel Charron has been named Canada Soccer’s Para Soccer Player of the Year for a third time with Daniel Chamale honoured as Canada Soccer Futsal Player of the Year.

TORONTO — Chris Bassitt is officially a member of the Toronto Blue Jays. Bassitt and the Blue Jays have agreed to a new three-year deal worth $63 million.

MONTREAL — Longtime Quebec Major Junior Hockey League commissioner Gilles Courteau said he will retire part way through the 2023-24 season.

If nothing else, Saturday's third-place playoff at the World Cup serves as a reminder of the tough neighbourhood that Canada found itself in in its return to the men's soccer showcase after a 36-year absence.

Two more veteran players re-signed with their teams as the CFL's free-agency period continued.

TORONTO — Spanish playmaker Victor Vazquez is back in the Toronto FC fold. The 35-year-old attacking midfielder spent the past two seasons in Los Angeles but became available after the Galaxy elected not to exercise his contract option.

VUOKATTI, Finland — Canada's Mark Arendz recovered from a difficult start on the shooting range to win his second straight biathlon gold medal on Friday at the Para-Nordic World Cup Arendz's gold in the men's 10-kilometre standing event was one of th

CALGARY — Defender Ava Murphy headlines the Canadian women's under-18 hockey team in its bid to defend its world title in Sweden in January. Murphy of Kitchener, Ont.