National Sports

A chance to be at the pinnacle of junior hockey is at stake for four impressive teams.

TORONTO — The WNBA isn't just coming to Toronto, it's coming to Canada.

Owen Beck has a second chance at glory and is locked in on finishing his career on top. Beck and the host Saginaw Spirit look to make more history when the Memorial Cup begins Friday and runs through June 2.

DALLAS — The Dallas Stars will be without No. 1 centre Roope Hintz for Game 1 of the NHL's Western Conference final against the Edmonton Oilers.

PARIS — Canadian tennis star Bianca Andreescu will make her anticipated return to action at the French Open. Andreescu was in Thursday's official draw for the clay-court Grand Slam event and will face Spain's Sara Sorribes Tormo.

LONDON (AP) — West Ham midfielder Lucas Paqueta was charged by English soccer authorities on Thursday with allegedly breaching betting rules.

NEWARK, N.J. (AP) — Less than two weeks after being fired by the Toronto Maple Leafs, Sheldon Keefe has been hired by the New Jersey Devils and given the task of turning a young team led by a superstar forward into a Stanley Cup contender.

GENEVA — Canada's Denis Shapovalov is out of the Geneva Open after falling 6-7 (7) 7-6 (4) 6-3 to Tallon Griekspoor of the Netherlands. Shapovalov, of Richmond Hill, Ont.

Toronto has been awarded the WNBA’s first franchise outside the United States, with the expansion team set to begin play in 2026. Larry Tanenbaum-led Kilmer Sports Ventures is paying $50 million for the team.

MONTREAL — Forge FC secured a historic 2-1 victory over CF Montreal at Stade Saputo on Wednesday evening to book their ticket to the Canadian Championship semifinal.