National Sports

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (AP) — Colorado Avalanche forward Valeri Nichushkin deflected questions Thursday concerning his sudden absence from a playoff series last season for what the team explained at the time was personal reasons.

TORONTO — The Canadian Premier League is revamping its trophy case. A new trophy, the Canadian Premier League Shield, will be presented to the regular-season winner.

MONTREAL — A half-dozen boys from Ukraine who played this year in Quebec City's famed peewee hockey tournament have been sidelined since returning to the province earlier this month to attend high school. The youngsters arrived in Quebec on Sept.

CALGARY — Jonathan Huberdeau felt his swagger returning while Elias Lindholm was guarded about his long-term future with the Calgary Flames when they hit the ice Thursday at training camp.

Laurent Duvernay-Tardif is closing the door on his football career. The veteran offensive lineman, who is also a medical school graduate, announced his retirement Thursday after eight NFL seasons. The 32-year-old from Mont-Saint-Hilaire, Que.

Toronto Blue Jays right-hander Alek Manoah has received multiple injections in his pitching arm in recent weeks and been shut down for the season, an online report said Thursday.

WINNIPEG — The Winnipeg Jets have signed first-round pick Colby Barlow on a three-year, entry-level contract. The deal carries an annual average value of US$1.2 million.

HAMILTON — The Hamilton Tiger-Cats still remain hopeful about quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell's return. Mitchell, 33, suffered a lower-leg fracture in Hamilton's 16-12 home win over Ottawa on July 28.

VANCOUVER — The Vancouver Giants have added another celebrity to their ownership group.

OTTAWA — The Ottawa Senators have signed amateur tryout defenceman Djibril Toure to a three-year, entry-level contract. The 20-year-old from Dorval, Que.